Christmas is about redemption. Peter informs us, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus himself stated, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17). Jesus did not come as our example or as a good teacher. He came to save the world. As we gather this morning and exchange gifts, we must remember the most important gift of all: the gift of eternal life.

Our God is a God of redemption. Mankind willingly rebelled against him. Yet, instead of destroying us in wrath, “God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So, you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God” (Galatians 4:4-7).

That baby we think about in the manger came for the specific purpose to die for your sin. This was the angelic message to Joseph. The angel commanded Joseph, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). This was no ordinary baby. This was the pinnacle of history. This was the fulfillment of prophecy. This was the answer to sin. This was the promised seed of Genesis 3. This was our redemption.

A look at the false gods throughout history revealed them to be angry and vindictive. But that is not our God. He is redemptive. The false gods demand that we sacrifice our children for them. But our God sacrificed His Son for us. False gods require penance and suffering for acceptance. Our God took our suffering on Himself and requires only faith from us for acceptance. Our God is a redemptive God.

Many families follow fun Christmas traditions: The elf on the shelf, Santa Clause, Christmas Lights, etc. Christian families should follow another greater tradition: taking time throughout the Christmas season to remind us of the redemption that Christmas represents. My own family does this through an advent tree which involves a different Scripture reading every day through December leading up to Christmas Day. This is one of the most important Christmas traditions in my family. It reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas: our redemptive God.

At Christmas we celebrate the amazing reality of our Incarnate Christ. Incarnate means that God took on human flesh. He became a human. John 1:17 informs us that the Word took on flesh and dwelt among us. An early heresy stated that God did not actually take on human form. He just appeared to have a human form. However, Peter states that their hands touched him. Jesus was actually born, actually lived, actually died, and actually rose again. God took on a human body.

In order to understand this, we must recognize several important aspects. We must recognize God as our creator. God specially formed the first humans and tasked them with dominion over the creation. However, they rebelled against God their creator. All humans since have also rebelled against God their creator (including you and me). But God did not respond how one would think he would. Instead, He became his creation. Over 2000 years ago, God took on human flesh. He did this so that he could die in our place, take our punishment for this rebellion on himself, and justify mankind. Through this sacrifice, we have a restored relationship with God.

When we recognize our rebellion against God and accept Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for us, we are made a part of the family of God. Because Jesus was born as a man, we can be born again into the spiritual family of God. This was the message of the angels on that first Christmas night. Salvation had come into the world through the incarnation of God. At Christmas we celebrate our incarnate God.

This means that Christmas is so much more than happy feelings, presents, and family time. This means that Christmas is about the sacrificial gift of God. God gave us the ultimate gift: His own Son for our souls. Next week, as you give and receive the Christmas gifts, recognize what those gifts picture. The ultimate gift of God for you. Take a moment (actually take many moments) and thank God for that amazing gift. Take the opportunity to share this gift with someone who needs to hear the Gospel.

What is truth? This would seem like a basic question. However today, this question can be hard to answer. For the very definition of truth has changed over the years. The modern worldview believes that truth is found through science. Through the age of enlightenment, man began to believe that truth is out there. Through an understanding of the world, man could come to understand truth. No place was given for faith. All was run through the filter of reason. The dominant artists, philosophers, and scientists of the day believed that a utopian society was possible if we could all come to find this truth through science. Alternate source theories came onto the scene, the foremost of which was presented by Charles Darwin. There is no God, so he cannot be the source of all things. We are all just happy accidents.

The 20^th century brought about several circumstances which all but shattered the modern worldview. Several scientific discoveries (such as Einstein’s theory of relativity and black box radiation) reset much of the beliefs of the scientific community. They believed that they were close to this “theory of everything” when these discoveries caused them to realize they had nothing. Further, science was weaponized. The biological warfare in World War 1 and the nuclear warfare of World War 2 shattered this idea that scientific discovery would lead to utopia. However, the culture could not turn to God. Thanks to Darwin, they didn’t believe that God existed. Instead, they began to believe that truth is found in the individual. Each individual created truth for themselves so that they can best manage life.  Truth is found inside people. Truth became relative. This became the philosophy of postmodernism.

This is the dominant philosophy of the day. Truth is what each determines it to be in order to best help themselves cope with life. Therefore, truth can change. This does not work very well in actual life. As a result, modern culture has altered the belief to be something like, “truth is determined by whoever yells the loudest.” The result is the chaos of today’s world.

The Christian worldview sees things very differently, however. Scripture clearly demonstrates that truth is up there. God does not just determine what is true. He is truth itself. In John 14:6, Jesus informs us that he is “the way, the TRUTH, and the life.” In John 17:3, Jesus prays that we would know the only TRUE God.” Truth finds its source in God. What God says is true because God is true. I don’t get to determine what is true. Society does not get to determine what is true. God alone determines what is true, because He is truth itself. We find truth through the revelation of God: The Bible.

This has several important ramifications. There are many places where Scripture contradicts my (or societies’) view of truth. We must anchor ourselves to the Word even (and especially) when it contradicts culture. For example, God states that the sexual union is to be between one man and one woman inside the confines of marriage alone (e.g. Hebrews 13:4). God informs us that gender is complimentary, not fluid or egalitarian (e.g. Genesis 1:27; Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Timothy 2:11-15). God tells us that we are to submit to and honor authority even when they are wicked (e.g. Romans 13:1-7). In each instance of life, we must let the Word of God inform us of truth, not culture or our own feelings. Search God’s Word and discover truth. For God is truth.

How does life work? How can we keep life moving in the right direction? We all long for answers to these questions. As believers, we understand that the answers to these questions lie in the person of God. We serve a God who is all-wise. When we speak of God’s wisdom, we mean that “God always chooses the best goals and the best means to those goals.”[i] God knows what is best and works out those things in the best ways.

God is called “the only wise God” (Rom. 16:27) and “wise in heart” (Job. 9:4). Job further informs us that “With him are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding” (Job 12:13). This means that all God does is best. As God’s children we can be confident that God will never give us anything that is not best for us nor take anything from us that is best for us. Every trial, every struggle, every blessing comes from a God who is all wise.

We can be confident of God’s wisdom because we see it demonstrated in creation. The Psalmist declares, “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures” (Psalm 104:24). As we look at the changing leaves, the falling snow in intricate crystals, the animals running through the woods, and beauty of the sunrise, we are reminded that God is always wise and therefore God is always good.

In an amazing turn, God has offered his wisdom to us. James 1:5 informs us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” When we speak of wisdom in our lives, we mean seeing and understanding the world the way God sees and understands the world. So, when we ask, “how do we know how life works?” And “how can we keep life moving in the right direction?” The answer is to ask God for wisdom. James informs us that he will bestow this wisdom on us generously and will not mock us for needing it.

As you face the hardships, the blessings, and the confusing aspects of life, lean into the wisdom of God. He knows what is best and he knows the best ways to accomplish those things. He has not forgotten you. He has not failed you. He is continually working for the best things in the best ways.

[i] Wayne Grudem. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994. p. 193.

Yesterday, we all had the opportunity to pause and consider the various things we ought to be thankful for. I pray that you took that opportunity. Paul portrays the atheistic culture as one that does not honor God as God or give thanks to Him (Romans 1:21). Even in the middle of a chaotic and unusual year, we have much to be thankful for. This week, as I considered all that God has done, I was overwhelmed.

I am thankful for my church family. In 2017 God brought us together in His gracious goodness. My church family at Cambria has proven to be loving, gracious, generous, encouraging, exhorting, and full of godly servants. They love the Word and long to be taught its eternal truths. They love each other and continually demonstrate that through their good works for one another. They have been patient with a young pastor. They have been encouraging to my family. I am continually amazed at God’s gracious goodness in allowing me the privilege of shepherding this church. There is nowhere else in the world I would rather be.

I am thankful for the family God has gifted me. Proverbs 18:22 tells us that he who finds a wife, finds a treasure. Proverbs 31:10 informs us that an excellent wife is far more precious than jewels. I am a wealthy man. God has granted me an excellent wife. She is kind, she is loving, she is hard working, she loves the Lord, she is full of integrity and character, she is meek, she is gentle, she is a gem. All of this is true about her because she values her relationship with God above all else. She allows the Word to form and change her. God has seen fit to grant me two wonderful boys. Their love for God is a constant blessing. Their love of fun and jokes brings laughter to our home. They are turning into young men who are sensitive to the Spirit of God and demonstrating fruit of the Spirit. This is all to the praise of God’s glorious grace. He could accomplish this.

I am thankful for the trials of this year. They have forced me to reexamine and realign my priorities. Sports were taken away. All the extra church programs were taken away. Any façade of political peace I thought might exist was decimated. I was forced to ask what is important and what really matters. The answer was my faith in God, my family, and my flock. I realized that I am a wealthy man. Praise be to God. I hope this letter of thanksgiving prompts you to examine your own life and praise God for the unique gifts He has given you. He is always good and always faithful. You have much to be thankful for … you just need to look.  

Years ago, a good friend made a wonderful and convicting statement. He said, “When God seems far away, I am the one who moved.” This is a statement reflecting the wonderful reality of our ever-present God. God is always with us because God is everywhere. This has been called God’s omni-presence. God cannot be limited by space or time. The Psalmist captured this reality with his declaration, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? ⁸ If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! ⁹ If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, ¹⁰ even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me” (Psalm 139:7-10).

The implications for our everyday life are staggering and comforting. This means that God’s very presence is holding all of life together. In Acts 17:28, Paul declared that we live and move and have our being in Christ. He told the Colossians that Christ holds all things together (Colossians 1:17). The writer of Hebrews states, “he upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3). This means that nothing happens apart from God’s control. Every situation, every blessing, and every trial comes through God’s gracious hand.

Yet, we must also understand that God acts differently in different places in His creation. God does not dwell in hell in the same way that God dwells in heaven. One is a presence of wrath, and the other a presence of joy and blessing. Sometimes God’s presence means punishment of the wicked (Amos 9:1-4), and sometimes God’s presence means blessing for the righteous (Psalm 16:11). This is both a blessing and a caution. For the wicked, God’s presence is a caution. He will defend his character and enact His vengeance.

However, for the believer, this presence is a blessing. Psalm 16:11 informs us that in His presence is fullness of joy. Revelation 21:3 tells us, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.” As we reminded ourselves in previous weeks, God is faithful and loving. So, God’s presence for the believer stands as a wonderful promise. God promises us, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5; cf. Deuteronomy 31:6).

When trials come, when darkness overwhelms you, when temptation strikes, when hurts deepen, run to God! He is ever present. He is there beside you. His Spirit dwells within you. You are in Christ and Christ is in you. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. You are never alone. So, run to Christ!

As COVID seems to be spiking again, there is a sense of weariness among us all. With no end in sight, we are tired. In many ways, we feel as though God has forgotten us. We know God’s promises. We know what the Bible says. But the struggles with co-workers, employees, family, life circumstances, and government have left us questioning the veracity of these Biblical promises. In these times, it is vital that we preach the truth to ourselves. Specifically, it is vital that we preach the truth of God’s faithfulness to ourselves.

The church in Thessalonica battled this very issue. A contingency had come into the church claiming that the promise of the resurrection was false. This was particularly poignant because they were facing serious threats from their neighbors and government. If God would not fulfill His promise and bring them to heaven, how could they face the challenges here? Paul reminded them of eternity in the famous rapture passage of 1 Thessalonians 4. But I want to draw our attention to the way that Paul closed the book with a fascinating and important promise. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 – “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”

What God promises, He will do. He never has to revise his words. He never reneges on His promises. As Balaam said to Balak, “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” (Numbers 23:19).

Scripture reveals that God is faithful. He keeps his promises. God promised Abraham a son. As unlikely as that seemed due to Abraham and Sarah’s advanced age, God kept his promise. God promised to make him a great nation. That happened. God promised to send a Son to take away our sins. He fulfilled that promise. No matter how unlikely the promise, God always kept His Word.

In this unusual time, we must remind ourselves of God’s promises. God has promised never to leave us or forsake us (Deut. 31:8). He has promised to supply for our needs (Phil. 4:19, Matt. 6:33). He has promised to care for us (1 Pet. 5:7). He has promised to give us tranquil hearts (Phil. 4:6-7; 1 Tim. 2:1-8). Many times, these promises seem hollow. We don’t see them as a reality in our lives. This occurs because we are gazing at the wrong thing. We need to gaze at God. He is faithful.

I have found that a simple practical exercise I learned in college helps me in these times. This exercise involves two parts. First, I begin a biography of God. I take a notebook and my Bible and I begin to write down every attribute of God I find. I also write down every promise God has made to me in Scripture that I find. This serves to set my mind correctly on God. Second, I begin a works of God notebook. I begin to write down all the ways God has proved faithful to me in the past. This serves to remind me that God has never failed me. Through this, my gaze is turned away from my circumstances and back to God. Look to Him, rest in Him, speak truth to yourself, and find peace.

The election of 2020 stands as a fitting picture of the year 2020 itself. Three days removed from the election and we still do not know the winner. Cries of extensive voter fraud, the need to count every vote, gloating over seeming victory, anger over seeming defeat: all seem to be the main menu today. But how should Christians respond? To answer this, we return to the adage, “Your view of God dictates your view of life.” Each of the above responses seem to forget the person and character of God in our lives. It appears that above all things, we must remind ourselves of the sovereignty of God.

Psalm 103:19 informs us, “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” The Puritan writer, Stephen Charnock comments, “God is sovereign Lord and King, and exerciseth a dominion over the whole world, both heaven and earth. This is so clear, that nothing is more spoken of in Scripture.”[i] When we speak of God’s sovereignty, we mean that “God has a purpose in all that he does in the world and he providentially governs or directs all things in order that they accomplish His purposes.”[ii]

As we consider the above verse from Psalms, we are reminded of two important fact. First, God’s throne is established in the heavens. While we wonder who will lead this country, we are under no misgivings about who leads the world. God was not on the ballot on Tuesday. Jesus does not term limit out. He established His throne. It is steadfast, secure, and unchanging. Because it is in the heavens, it is untouched by the changes in leadership or the whims of the people on earth. It cannot be overthrown. “You will find him called a ‘Great King,’ the ‘Most High’ (Psalm 92;1), the Supreme Monarch, there being no dignity in heaven or earth but what is dim before him, and infinitely inferior to him; yea, he hath the title of ‘Only King’ (1 Timothy 6:15).”[iii] Our God reigns. He cannot be removed. He cannot be shaken.

Second, God’s kingdom rules over all. Nothing stands beyond the sovereign rule of God. Daniel 4:35 informs us, “All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’” No human can thwart God’s sovereign rule and the enacting of his sovereign plan. He always accomplishes what he desires. And what He desires is always best. Paul affirms this in Romans 11:36, in which he states that all things are of him, through him, and to him. He reminds us in Ephesians 1:11 that God works all things according to the counsel of His will. Because God rules over all things, this means that he also appoints and demotes rulers. Daniel 2:21 reminds us, “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” We may think that rulers were appointed by elections, ascension, royal birth, military coupe, or rampant voter fraud. However, these are simply the means God used to accomplish His sovereign will. God appoints and demotes rulers. Charnock comments, “He hath the eminency of power or authority above all: all earthly princes received their diadems from him, yea, even those that will not acknowledge him, and he hath a more absolute power over them than they can challenge over their [lowest] vassals.”[iv]

What does this mean for us today? First it means you can rest in your sovereign king. Whether “your” candidate wins or loses this election, God’s throne is established. His will is accomplished. He will use it for His glory and our good: Even when we can’t see it. Second, it means that believers can stay out of the mud. The coming weeks and month portend to be vicious, ridiculous, and frustrating. Facts will be hidden, twisted, and maligned. We will be tempted to take to social media, the break room, and perhaps even the streets to voice our displeasure. But we need not do these things. As Christians, we can respond differently. We can rest in tranquility while the legal process takes its course. We can be at peace no matter the outcome, because God rules over all. He has not lost his grip. He has not forgotten his people. “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) So, instead we can point to the King of kings and Lord of lords. We can remember that the day is coming in which every knee will bow to Jesus and every tongue will worship Him (Philippians 2:10-11). On that day, we will be vindicated if we live for the Kingdom of God.

So really the question is, “What do you believe about God?” Is He the Sovereign Lord of all things? Is He still on His throne? Does He still rule over all? Or has He lost his grip? Has His throne fallen? What you truly believe about these questions will determine how you respond to election 2020. Believer, look to the heavens! Remember the King! Find peace under His rule!

[i] Stephen Charnock, The Existence and Attributes of God. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2000. p. 363.

[ii] Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994. p. 331.

[iii] Charnock, 363.

[iv] Ibid, 363.

Change is a guarantee in life. Nothing stays the same. People come and go. Businesses change, relationships change, politics change, churches change. Just when you finally figure out where everything is at in the grocery store, they move it all around. Everything changes because everything is subject to the curse of sin. The second law of thermodynamics informs us that everything is moving from order to disorder. We understand this. As we age, our bodies begin to break down. Because everything changes, life can be filled with anxiety. Into this world, God stands immutable.

While everything changes, God does not change. Psalm 102:27 informs us that God is the same and His years are without end. God informs us in Malachi 3:6, “For I the Lord do not change …” James informs us that God remains unaffected by time. He does not vary in his person, action, or thinking. James tells us he has no “shadow of turning.” As time moves through the day, our shadow moves with it. This demonstrates our inability to stave off change. However, God’s shadow never moves. Time has no impact on Him.

This has some fantastic implications. First, this means that God’s purposes stand forever. What God desires to do, he will do. Nothing changes that. Here is what that means for us. When we read about God in the Old Testament rescuing the children of Israel and guiding them through the Red Sea, that is the same God you serve. When you read of God stopping the mouths of the lions and preserving Daniel, that is the same God you serve. We read of the three brothers standing for God against the pagan world leader of the day and being thrown into a furnace of fire. Yet, they walked away unscathed, that is the God you serve. God does not change. The God who acted in Scripture is the God who acts today. We can have confidence in his actions because we read of an entire world history of God’s actions.  

A second implication is that God keeps his promises. Sometimes we fail to keep our promises because circumstances around us change. We are unable or unwilling to fulfill what we promised. However, because God does not change, He will always keep his promises. He promised to care for you. He will. He promised to provide for you. He will. He promised to stand sovereign over all things. He has not lost control. God’s promises to you in the Bible are guarantees. He has promised, He will do it.

Finally, He will always remain available to us. Sometimes our human relationships fall apart because people change. Friends move away or drift apart. Family members fight and splits occur. But because God never changes, he will always remain with us. While we change with every passing year, God does not. Even though we might run, He remains. When we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive it. He renews our relationship and stands by our side. That’s your God.

While you consider all that has changed through the years and perhaps even lament those changes, take solace in the God who does not change. As we feel the effects of our bodies breaking down, remember that God has promised to give us glorified bodies. Because He does not change, we can be confident in that promise. As the world around us degrades, remember that God remains the same. Anchor your life to the unchangeable Rock and find peace.

As Americans, we love our independence. It’s the foundation of our country. We even have a document which declares we are free and independent. While this is true in some ways, no one is truly independent. We are all dependent on other people and other things for our existence. This, however, is not true with God. He is independent from everything.

What do we mean by God’s independence? God’s independence means that “God does not need us or the rest of creation for anything, yet we and the rest of creation can glorify him and bring him joy.”[i] Theologians also label this attribute as self-existence or aseity. Sometimes we view the creation narrative as though God created all things and mankind because he was lonely. As though he was incomplete without us. But we must understand that God does not need us. Paul addressed this in Acts 17:24-25 – The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, ²⁵ nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

Further, this means that God exists in and of himself. He does not need anything else for life. All of creation could cease to exist and he would remain. He is not dependent on human hands or mortal man. His being is not affected by any events in creation. He is independent from it all. The 11^th century theologian Anslem commented, “[God] has of himself all that he has, while other things have nothing of themselves. And other things, having nothing of themselves, have only their reality from him.”[ii]

This also means that God is totally unique. Since God is independent from all creation, there is nothing in creation like God. The difference between God and his creation is vast because he exists in a fundamentally different order of being. This means that God must exist in a greater and more powerful way that everything else. This means that we cannot project any imperfections onto God. God is wholly different from everything.

Yet, God invites us to him for his glory. While God does not need us in any way, he wants us to come to him. We are meaningful to God. Isaiah 43:7 indicates that God created all things for his glory. Revelation 4:11 informs us that all things were created for God’s pleasure. This means that God actually delights in his people. We bring him pleasure.

Consider Isaiah 62:3-5:

You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
    and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
⁴ You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
    and your land shall no more be termed Desolate,
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
    and your land Married,
for the Lord delights in you,
    and your land shall be married.
⁵ For as a young man marries a young woman,
    so shall your sons marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
    so shall your God rejoice over you.

God needs nothing else. He exists independent from everything. Yet, God has assigned value and significance to us. To be assigned value and significance by a being which needs nothing makes us significant in the ultimate sense. You have value because God assigned it to you. Nothing in the created world can change that. No trial, no mistake, no failure, no sin can change your value and significance. Because God remains independent from all those things. You matter because God says so.

[i] Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology. (Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan, 1994), p. 160.

[ii] Anselm, On the Fall of the Devil 1 (Major Works, 194).