Sunday, Rev. Tom Breeden will minister to us on how we become peacemakers in a world of deepening polarization. His first session, at 9am in the youth room, will focus on answering the question, “How did we get so divided?” In our video promo, I told the story of my conversation with Tom at a convention seminar where he said to me, “Polarization only exists in the presence of a threat.” Then we listened to a speaker who recounted multiple threats that we face and urged us to act. But that’s not action, that’s reaction. Motivated by fear or a sense of righteousness, our actions often make the problem worse.

If the threats are real, the first job of any believer is to bathe them in prayer and ask God to give us courage to act, and clarity in how to act. Then we might engage trusted brothers and sisters to evaluate our plan, listen to the Holy Spirit speak through them, before we act. The Spirit might lead us not to act but endure the threat (think of Daniel in Babylon). The Spirit might lead us to act more patiently because there are bigger priorities than eliminating the threat (think of King David and King Saul). He might move us to immediate action (think of Paul confronting Peter). 

The point is that God has grace for us to evaluate threats from his perspective and act in accordance with his wisdom, working toward unity in love. Join us Sunday as we explore these important themes.

Sunday we’re going to examine the heart of our text, “mercy and grace.” The author tells us that when we approach God, engaging him with our trials and temptations, we receive and discover something. We receive mercy. Literally, God’s compassion. That doesn’t seem all to surprising, but we receive mercy regardless of our situation. You gave into a besetting sin, but you receive compassion. You made poor financial decisions and now bear the consequences, but you receive compassion. The point is that God doesn’t greet you with disapproval, disappointment, or disdain. He greets you with compassion. He knows our weaknesses, the power of our flesh, and he greets us with tenderness.

Second, we discover or “find grace.” Grace has two-pronged meaning. Throughout the Scripture, grace refers to God’s favor toward us. We typically think of grace as “undeserved favor.” Here grace refers to our standing with God through Jesus Christ. Paul brings this out strongly in Ephesians when he talks about all that God has done for us, “in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). Because of Christ, my status has moved from fallen, sinful image-bearer to adopted child. God always favors his own children! That’s encouraging, but when I’m in crisis I need more than a hug and a reminder that God loves me. This is where “grace” has another meaning, referring to the gifts that God gives because of my standing with him. This requires discovery!

Sunday, we’ll explore God’s disposition to us and discover the gifts he gives to help us. Join us!

Sunday we will consider our opportunity to “receive” aid from God to “help in our time of need.” Before we consider what “grace and mercy” are, let’s notice three things. First, we are told that in God’s presence we can expect to “receive” from God. We walk into God’s throne with our hands open, with our requests ready. That’s the kind of confidence the author speaks of.

Second, consider that what we receive “helps” us. The word comes out of the fishing and boating culture. When the wooden ships faced intense storms, they pulled out bands that were wrapped around the ship to hold it together. What God does for us as we engage him is give us what we need to hold us together, to brace us against the storms of life.

Third, notice that what we receive from God is said to help us in our immediate experience. The Apostle knows that God’s people are facing intense persecution and the temptation to abandon their confession of faith in Christ. These “moments” were not first world problems but the intense pressures of a world turned against them. The mercy and grace from God that we receive sustains us in those moments. Join us Sunday as we explore these statements!

The reign of grace began before time, before creation, before sin. God designed a covenant of grace with his son, his beloved. God's love for us is expressed through Jesus Christ. All Christ has done and is doing is the fruit of God's love. This Sunday, let us praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the glorious grace he has lavished on us in the Beloved.

Sunday, we considered the “throne of grace,” mentioned in our primary text. The Apostle says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need,” Hebrews 4:16. That throne room sets the pattern for the earthly spaces (Eden, Tabernacle, Temple) that were created for God to dwell with his people (Hebrews 8:5). The writer of Hebrews wants us to connect the elements of the heavenly throne room with these earthly spaces as the elements of these places speak to us about the gospel of reconciliation.

As we spend time with God in his throne-room, we are not alone! Our High Priest, Jesus Christ, is present with us, ministering to us and for us as we approach God for help. In the previous verses of our text, the author says, “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin,” Hebrews 4:14,15.

Notice that Jesus’ presence gives us confidence to approach God, knowing that he has opened the throne-room by his atonement. It also gives us hope that the Son of God, whose prayers are always heard, is tender with us, sympathetic, because he suffered with us. He comes alongside us in this court with gentle empathy. The Apostle gives us a great “about” section for our Savior. Let’s explore him this Sunday.

Sunday we began our series, Abounding Grace. We’re exploring the grace that God has for us and how we experience and express that grace in God’s world. We want to be counter-cultural, as the Apostle says, “Strive for peace with everyone,” Hebrews 12:14. One part of striving for peace is resisting bitterness, as he continues, “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled,” Hebrews 12:15. Did you catch the path to peace? He says, “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God.” We kill the weed of bitterness and pursue peace with everyone by obtaining God’s grace for ourselves.

How do we kill bitterness by obtaining grace? By spending time before the “Throne of Grace,” Hebrews 4:16. The grace we experience before the throne of grace, enables us to extend grace to others. This throne room of grace is a place that God has established for his people to meet with him. It is a sanctuary created for us. The tabernacle and temple of the Old Testament were patterned after this “true tent,” this “true” sanctuary that God created for us to commune with him. Sunday, we’ll take the tour. Join us!

What is Grace?

Our world is increasingly toxic. We have only to look at our politics with its abrasive rhetoric to see the growing tribalism that divides our communities. The pandemic created deep divides fueled by fear and self-righteousness. We are less patient with each other, unwilling to endure relationships that strain us. What happened to kindness? When did forgiveness die? When did gossip and slander lose its shame? Why does anger go unchecked? Why do our interpretations assume evil?

In a world like ours, followers of Jesus are counter cultural: we assume the best; we forgive; we show kindness to evil; we protect reputations; we are gentle when provoked; we patiently endure brokenness; we love others. This gracious and merciful response shines through the darkness of our world; it changes the tone and softens the heart. How do we offer mercy and grace to this world? We can only give what we receive! What we offer to each other, our families, and the world comes from our time in the presence of God, receiving from his storehouse of grace. Scripture tells us of God’s throne of grace where we can receive mercy and grace to aid us. Filled with mercy and grace from God, we overflow that kindness to others. As we experience God’s grace, we express it to one another.

But what is grace? What is it that God has for us? Join us Sunday as we consider that question.

Sunday we’ll finish the book of Daniel and end with God’s message to his servant, “Go your way…you shall rest and stand at your allotted place.” (Daniel 12:13) As the vision ends, Daniel sees the Man in Linen again who declares how long these terrible times will last for God’s people. Some of his people, the wise, will remain faithful, purified through the fires of tribulation, while others will continue in their wickedness.

Daniel asks an honest question, “what will be the outcome of these things?” The answer he receives is surprising, “Go your way, Daniel” (Daniel 12:9). Daniel isn’t given more information, and he isn’t given any further instructions for God’s people. He’s told to finish his course, to finish his life in humble service to God. In 1939 C.S. Lewis spoke at Oxford to the faculty and students about the Christian response to World War 2. His concluding thought, “The great thing is to be found at one’s post as a child of God, living each day as though it were our last, but planning as though the world might last a hundred years.”

Join us Sunday as we consider what it means to live humbly before the Lord in terrible times.

For the next two weeks, we’re going to wrap up the last three chapters of Daniel. Chapter 10 begins with Daniel learning of a great conflict that his people would experience. Hope was kindled when Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city. That hope was quickly demolished by the continued struggle Israel endured. Life in Jerusalem was not the bounty of a land flowing with milk and honey. Instead, it was filled with poverty and extortion. Further revelation from God in Chapters 7-9 was of ongoing suffering under the Greek prince who would come. Evil will continue to dominate and destroy the earth and especially God’s people. Chapter 11 explains a series of conflicts between Persia and Greece, culminating in their destruction.

God’s people are caught in the middle of these struggles and terrible times. But God offers them new understanding and renewed hope. God’s messengers come and indicate that behind these power struggles are spiritual, evil personalities who influence these kings and warlords, while God’s angelic hosts do battle on behalf of his people. Israel needs to understand that the conflicts of this world are the fruit of a spiritual battle of which they are a part. In addition, God offers renewed hope in Chapter 12 that whatever happens in this life, this life is not the end. He tells them of the resurrection that remains the hope of the wise. These are important truths we’ll explore Sunday. Join us.

Sunday we’ll finish chapter nine of Daniel, where Gabriel shows up to answer Daniel’s question and prayer. After reading the prophet Jeremiah, he learns that Israel would be exiled for seventy years. He figures out that seventy years is almost over, and he anticipates the fulfillment of God’s promises. Part of Jeremiah’s prophecy is the establishment of a new covenant with God’s people. Gabriel says that Israel will return to the promised land, but the bigger issue, “putting an end to sin,” wouldn’t happen until the Messiah comes and is put to death. God has bigger plans for his people than simply returning them to the promised land. Daniel wants to know when this transformation will happen. Gabriel lays out God’s plan to send Jesus to establish that new covenant and rescue his people from their sin. Israel longs for relief from their suffering, but God’s wants to provide their redemption. We’re often like Israel, wanting relief from our suffering more than we want our full redemption. So, join us Sunday and we’ll discuss God’s redemptive work.