1. God gives us the power and authority to proclaim the forgiveness of sins to burdened sinners who entrust us with their pain, guilt, and defeat.
  2. The sign of the cross, according to the earliest centuries of Christians, is “the sign of the Lord,” and every baptized Christian was “marked” with it.
  3. Repentance is meaningless unless we are willing to acknowledge who we are: sinners needing mercy.
  4. Despite our best efforts to avoid him, King Jesus remains very much unavoidable.
  5. When and how did the church start this season of anticipation?
  6. Help comes for those who cannot help themselves. When we bottom-out and come to the end of ourselves, that is where hope springs.
  7. You are the friend in low places. It’s only from this place that you are free to look outside yourself for the remedy to the issues that plague you and humanity.
  8. Preachers and church workers must also hear the gospel preached to them.
  9. Through water, blood, and word, the Spirit never stops pointing us to Christ, and even more, giving us Christ.
  10. We need to hear the gospel because it is good news that is not from you, or about you, or because of you.