1. In a world—and even a church—full of distractions, thank God for Rod Rosenbladt. He pointed us to Jesus and Jesus alone.
  2. A “good death” and “good life” are not accomplished through personal striving but are grasped by faith in the promises of God.
  3. God gives his church a story that helps to make sense of this life.
  4. It would serve us well to embrace the beauty of our diversity within the unity of the body of Christ.
  5. What (if anything) makes a sermon distinctive?
  6. Tolkien's hero Tom Bombadil functions to showcase the Gospel
  7. If poetry elevates its subject, we could also say the reverse: the subject, in this case, the Most High God, elevates the language.
  8. We must also address the stigma surrounding addiction within so many churches.
  9. It is of the utmost importance that pastors teach their congregation that through faith in Jesus Christ, they are fortified against the machinations of the adversary.
  10. God comes to us through the flesh and blood and spirit of Christ precisely where he promised to be manifest to us and for us.
  11. I’ve experienced firsthand the promise that God never leaves a congregation empty-handed.
  12. A pastor is sent to proclaim the unconditional grace of God, reminding us again and again that it is our Heavenly Father who reaches out to us in love through his Christ-won forgiveness, and not the other way around.