1. What we do much less of, even in Christian circles, is recognize just how pervasive sin is, such that it has thoroughly corrupted us.
  2. Now that the Lord of Sabaoth has involved himself, something ends, something is born.
  3. The cross not only stands as the measure of our hatred of God but also as the measure of God’s love for us.
  4. It is difficult to overestimate the importance of these early Lutheran hymns – and their physical availability in hymnals – in the piety of common people living in Lutheran towns and territories.
  5. The gospel is for sinners – both the tax collector and Pharisee, both in need of the Great Physician.
  6. God chose Russell Brand, chose to defy his fast-escaping life and drink up all his swift-running sin in the River Thames.
  7. Five promises were seemingly all those apostles, staring into the sky, had to go on. Five promises that were more than enough.
  8. Elsewhere makes promises that can’t be kept, but God’s promises are secure, reliable, and certain.
  9. It's easy to have courage when things go well.
  10. Some part of us always wants our ability under the law to be just as important (or more) than grace.
  11. In Israel today, it's still possible to witness the same scene the disciples saw 2000 years ago when the Bedouin shepherds bring their flocks home from various pastures at the end of the day.
  12. The notion that your goodness is “good enough” to make you right with God is a lie straight from the father of lies himself.