The Consuming Fire and the Holiness That Comes Down
By Bradley Gray
10/02/25
23mins

The Consuming Fire and the Holiness That Comes Down

He doesn’t consume us, even though that is what we deserve. Instead, Jesus comes down to us and consumes all our sin by taking it on himself.
When Pastors Are Abused by Their Congregations
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
10/01/25

When Pastors Are Abused by Their Congregations

This article is the first part of a two-part series. The second part will take a look at when pastors abuse their congregations.
An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 123 and Psalm 136
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/30/25

An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 123 and Psalm 136

The following entries are excerpts from Chad Bird’s new book, Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of the Psalms (1517 Publishing, 2025), pgs. 311 and 335

All Articles

Philip Bartelt
Philip Bartelt
01/01/20

A New You

Looking back on the year, the narrative we’re fed is that we should be able to show how much we’ve grown, how much we’ve done, all the successes we’ve had, how improved we are.
David Schmitt
David Schmitt
12/30/19

Gospel: Luke 2:40-52 (Christmas 2: Series A)

God reveals Himself to us in Word and Sacrament but sometimes these revelations happen in unexpected ways.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
12/23/19

The Promises of Advent: Resurrected

The promise of Advent is the promise of the lamb slain, who is born and given for us so that we don’t have to fear sin, death, and hell.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
12/23/19

Gospel: Matthew 2:13-23 (Christmas 1: Series A)

On the other side of Christmas, we find (1) senseless suffering and (2) unstoppable salvation. A sermon on these verses should be honest about both.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
12/16/19

The Promises of Advent: Born in the Midst of Suffering

While we do not have an answer, we do have a promise. A promise given to us by a God whose one and only Son was himself slaughtered by those terrified of losing their power.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
12/16/19

Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25 (Advent 4: Series A)

Unlike Luke, who provides most of the parts for the children’s program (the shepherds, the angel hosts, the innkeeper, and the animals), Matthew’s version is rated “M” for mature.
Kathy Morales
Kathy Morales
12/10/19

The God Who Won’t Repent

God will not repent. He will not repent of His promises. He will not change His mind regarding His selfless, self-sacrificing, inconceivable love for sinners.
Pete Lange
Pete Lange
12/09/19

The Promises of Advent: Son of Abraham

Abraham knew that this was a God who kept his promises.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
12/09/19

Gospel: Matthew 11:2-15 (Advent 3: Series A)

There he sat, awaiting his executioner. John looked around at what God and His Messiah were not doing, and even the greatest among those born of woman had his doubts. “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
Philip Bartelt
Philip Bartelt
12/03/19

The Promises of Advent: Born of a Virgin

God does not combat the impending armies of Satan with might and power, but with the weakness of a babe.
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
12/03/19

The Promises of Advent: Will Conquer Satan

The Son of Eve disarmed Satan’s hold on humanity, not with an earthquake, atomic bomb, or brilliant essay, but with his dead body and final words, “It is finished.”
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
12/02/19

Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12 (Advent 2: Series A)

The problem is not that we are unrepentant. The problem is our contrition is too small.
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