Epiphany 1 Service
There is no barrier anymore, that prevents you from coming into God’s presence with all boldness and confidence. He is your Savior. You are His own dear child. You are forgiven of your sins. He has made peace with you in the blood of Christ.
Epiphany 2 Service
The one Who reads Isaiah’s words in the Synagogue in our text, reads them for the most gracious purpose. He comes in the power of the Spirit with good news for the poor in spirit—all who recognize their inherited sinful nature, and the need for God to remake them in His image. He proclaims liberty to the captives because His mission is to put Himself in their place, taking their guilt upon Himself—and their punishment.
Third Sunday in Advent Service
You are connected to Jesus through faith. Your sins are forgiven for the same reason Abraham’s were: you believe God has been merciful to you in the one He sent to live perfectly in your place, and die to make your payment. You don’t need anything else.
Second Sunday in Advent Service
What joy it brings to our hearts, then, that our Lord who comes again, comes as the Master who serves the servants. So that you could be considered the perfect steward—and rewarded as such, He came to be considered the most wicked one.
First Sunday in Advent Service
Christ’s merit is all-sufficient. What else could we need if we have Him? He has answered our accuser with the merit of His perfect righteousness. He became for you the one who transgressed God’s Law, who made Himself unfit for the kingdom (He took it from you and suffered for it Himself). He made Himself the one God had no right to accept, who’d failed in His requirements, who’d fallen short.
Last Sunday Service
You are under that training that leads to eternal life. It is none other than the declaration: Jesus died for your sins and rose to life again. Your sins are no longer held against you. You will rise to be with Him in His eternal kingdom. That is the oil that lights the lamp that leads to Christ. You have it. No matter how long the wait, at the Bridegroom’s call you will rise with everything you need to be with Him.