1. As the writer to the Hebrews affirms, what makes the Christian gospel so much better is that we are no longer dealing with “types and shadows."
  2. Psalm 98, with its promise of a sea and mountains singing, takes these imposing natural features and turns them into a praise choir.
  3. Despite our best efforts to avoid him, King Jesus remains very much unavoidable.
  4. Who would ever want all these screamers and haters? It turns out that Christ does.
  5. When and how did the church start this season of anticipation?
  6. For with God we look not for the order of nature, but rest our faith in the power of him who works.
  7. Help comes for those who cannot help themselves. When we bottom-out and come to the end of ourselves, that is where hope springs.
  8. Preachers and church workers must also hear the gospel preached to them.
  9. We don’t start with behavior and work toward Christ. We start with Christ and everything works out from there.
  10. Through water, blood, and word, the Spirit never stops pointing us to Christ, and even more, giving us Christ.
  11. Both now and forever, the bruised and crucified Lord nailed to a cross is our assurance of deliverance.