Jesus is God reigning. Jesus is God returning. Jesus is God redeeming. In Jesus God’s kingdom has come into the world, into human history. God’s kingdom is here! We must proclaim that our God reigns. We must proclaim that Jesus is Lord and Savior!
Read MoreGod’s people are a people who proclaim the gospel of Christ. The gospel is good news. But what is this good news? The word gospel “is one of those words that is so basic, so fundamental to [the Christian faith] that it can be taken for granted” – Dickson
Read MoreLast week we learned that God’s people bear witness to the living God. God called Israel, and told them, “You are my witnesses!” God tells us today, “You are my witnesses!” “You are my servant!” God calls us to be witnessing servants. But how can this be? How can a disobedient, sinful people be God’s witnesses and servants? Only God can do this! Only God’s miraculous love, grace, and saving power can change blind, deaf, and lying people into witnessing servants.
Read MoreLast week we learned that as God’s people we know the one living God and Savior. We have seen and experienced God. We know that there is no other God, no other Savior, and no other Lord. And because we know there is no other, we cannot help but speak about, and tell the world about him. We, who know God, are called to make God known. God’s people, we, bear witness to the living God. As he told Israel, and as Jesus told his disciples, God tells us — You are my witnesses!
Read MoreOur loyalty to the one living God, our love for the Lord, is being challenged from all sides. The world is seducing us to worship the gods of the people around us. We are surrounded by all kinds of idols. These idols, these other loves and loyalties, try to push God out of the way. They try to overrule God’s rule in our lives.
Read MoreLast week we saw that God’s people attract others to God. We must live such radically different lives that we make others curious about God; so that they ask questions about God; and so that they will come and seek God. We ended with the exciting call that God wants to wear us as his special, treasured clothing for his renown and praise and honor.
Read MoreWhat have we learned so far about being God’s people? We have learned that God’s people are committed to blessing others, walking in the ways of the Lord, doing righteousness and justice. They work for the holistic redemption, liberation, of the oppressed and enslaved.
Read MoreWe are like the zebras. We are God’s treasured possession, his special, peculiar people, different from the world. Last week we learned that as God’s redeemed people we live redemptively by imitating God. We are called to reflect God’s love, grace, forgiveness, justice, salvation, hope, and kingdom.
Read More