In Matthew’s Gospel account, Jesus tells his His disciples, “You are the light of the world.” How much light have we shined lately, compared to the energy God invests in us? While that question may – should – make us squirm a little, God’s Word today is really good news. It doesn’t say we should be light, or we must shine brighter, or God will replace us. It says we are the light of the world. It helps us to see that we who follow Jesus also brighten up the world.
Read MoreForty days after Christmas, everything changes when Jesus comes to the temple for us.
It’s forty days after Christmas. In keeping with the Torah, Mary and Joseph have brought the forty-day-old Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord. Big things happen on this day — more than Ground Hog’s Day and more than Super Bowl Sunday. A man waits, even into old age, for a promise by the Holy Spirit to be fulfilled: Simeon — his life will be changed forever. And eighty-four-year-old widow who spent her life in the temple, “worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day (Luke 2:37): Anna — her life will be changed forever. And Mary and Joseph — their lives will surely be changed forever. So, for you and me, and for every Christian man, woman, and child, everything will change.
Read MoreIn this message, we learn more about our discipleship role of lifelong following and learning from Jesus as individuals within the context of a congregation.
Read MoreAs we head toward our Congregational Summit in February, we get together to gain a greater understanding of Redeemer’s purpose here in Charleston and to bring a renewed sense of the mission and ministry for which God has gifted us to do – over the next few weeks, we’ll explore what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
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