Nathaniel From Timfam

So many things happen that make our work not feel worth it. While we can't always change how we feel about our work, working with Jesus will make our work worth it. 

Modern work faces many problems. It is hard, frustrating toil. It is fruitless. It is pointless. We typically offer the wrong solutions to work. Jesus in his baptism sets up the right solution.

The struggle over evil and difficulty has been long and we seem to make so little progress. Christmas promises that we can conquer, even if it won't be right away. We can join in the struggle and make progress. 

What is the greatest gift you've ever given? What is the greatest gift you've ever received? Let's enjoy the greatest gift. 

You can almost tell what a gift is by how people respond. A book provokes a boring response from everyone but the most bookish person; trash provokes disgust. How will you respond to the great gift of Christmas? Watch Mary and Elizabeth (Luke 1:39 -45). 

Who are you? A great question. How are you answering this question? In John 1:19-28, we watch John do something amazing. He doesn't get full of himself and claim to be someone he is not. He is humble but strong. He is a voice - someone who gets to make someone else larger, greater, and more wonderful. Who are you? 

It is certainly possible to imagine a world without forgiveness. I can imagine that everyone has problems so no one needs to be forgiven. I can also imagine that we just accept everyone, no matter what. Forgiveness is an essential part of a life where everything counts - where right and wrong actually matter. That makes forgiveness a great gift for a new world. 

Some stand firm on their own strength. Others don't have any idea how to stand firm. God lays out a way for us to stand firm based on someone else's strength.

The ability to distinguish between others making mistakes and genuine deceit is vital. The apostle Paul makes the case that someone or something out there is working to deceive us. As disappointing as that is, the splendor and glory of Jesus can enable us to hold the deceiver back. We can stand firm and powerfully hold the lawless one back.    A sermon on 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

The hope of Christians is eternal glory, which already breaks into the present reality. Every time we see the dead live and the smallest of absurd events take place, we see the new world that is to come. 

The reality of the end is not something that has to disturb or trouble us. 

Our families are dysfunctional to varying degrees, still, we need our families so much that we can really impart wisdom to them. Jesus sets us free from our families by placing us in an eternal family, a place where we can get healthy again. This is the power of baptism and his sacrifice of his own place in the eternal family. Lord, renew us. 

Friendship is a great relationship to picture the gospel. God freely chooses to be with us, forgive us for the sake of his son, and welcome us. Great friendships then form from the gospel. 

Humility is fleeting; as soon as you start to talk about it, it's gone. That doesn't make it any less necessary for a good life. Listen to this sermon for grace for humility. 

I tend to think good people get good lives, but that's just not the case - all sorts of people experience bad things. This truth reminds me that everyone needs to accept correction and discipline in life. What gets me through correction is the delight I experience from God. 

What piece of wisdom do you think best encourages and promotes a good life? The first wisdom from God tells us that a positive fear of him is the one thing that will start to help us make good decisions in the many situations where there are no rules in life. 

Confessing Christ as Savior and Lord doesn't just change us individually. This basic confession changes the people of Jesus into a powerful force to fight evil. 

It's one thing to know what to do for the people around us. It's another thing to get past all our concerns and fears to actually do them. Courage has at least 2 parts that move us to action. Let's check it out in Matthew 14:22-36. 

The Christian thinking about the human heart is radical. First, good or real religion deals with it - not just with our actions or thinking. Second, the gospel is for every heart, no matter who you are or what your background. Third, the gospel gives a new heart. 

Jesus offers spiritual life because he is the giver of real, physical life. As long as we consider ourselves the lord of our lives, we won't experience the joy and pleasure of physical life. There is a lot of pain and suffering in life, but we have every reason for life. Let's live!