Pentecost and the Beautiful Mess of the Church
By Ryan Couch
06/06/25
15mins

Pentecost and the Beautiful Mess of the Church

Every time someone is baptized, every time bread is broken and wine poured, every time a sinner hears, “Your sins are forgiven in Christ,” Pentecost happens again.
Hymns at Midnight
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
06/05/25

Hymns at Midnight

They were still praying, trusting, and hoping. Why? Because they knew who was with them and who was for them: the risen Christ.
What Now?
Wade Johnston
Wade Johnston
06/04/25

What Now?

So Christ is risen, but what now?

All Articles

John Bombaro
John Bombaro
11/01/20

Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (Pentecost 23: Series A)

Mindful that the pagans’ understanding of death is a finality, Paul says, “NO!” Death is not the end of humanity in God’s new world.
David Schmitt
David Schmitt
11/01/20

Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13 (Pentecost 23: Series A)

The parable is harsh. It judges. If you do not believe, you will not be saved. But let us pause for a moment and think about why Jesus is telling the parable.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
10/30/20

Hosea and Flannery O’Connor

This is an excerpt from “Unveiling Mercy: 365 Daily Devotions Based on Insights from Old Testament Hebrew” written by Chad Bird (1517 Publishing, 2020). Used with permission.
John T. Pless
John T. Pless
10/29/20

Remembering the Dead: Preparing to Preach on All Saints Sunday

We give thanks to the Lord for His victory over death and the grave both for those who are now with Him in glory and for ourselves even as we press forward in faithfulness awaiting the Day when our eyes will see Him.
John Warwick Montgomery
John Warwick Montgomery
10/26/20

In Defense of Martin Luther

This is an adaptation of the introduction from “In Defense of Martin Luther” written by John Warwick Montgomery (1517 Publishing, 2017). Used with permission.
David Schmitt
David Schmitt
10/25/20

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12 (All Saints Day: Series A)

Jesus breaks through our barriers in His beatitudes. He shatters our conceptions of the blessed life and opens the Kingdom of God to all people.
Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse
10/25/20

Old Testament: Micah 3:5-12 (Pentecost 22: Series A)

These words provide a very bleak picture of the future of Israel. Fortunately, the next chapters provide Gospel that is equally as clear and direct.
Kelsi Klembara
Kelsi Klembara
10/23/20

The Absolution I Didn't Want

It’s easy to slip into thinking about forgiveness solely in terms of our authority over it.
Luke Kjolhaug
Luke Kjolhaug
10/20/20

Pass the Gospel, Please

The Gospel is gift, pure and simple. It is backwards. It is upside down. It is foolish. And as long as people are sinners, it is as relevant as ever.
John T. Pless
John T. Pless
10/18/20

Preparing to Preach on Reformation Sunday: Thoughts from Hermann Sasse

Whether you are a Christian or not, you cannot escape the significance of the Reformation. It is an important chapter in western history; yes, in world history.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
10/18/20

Gospel: Matthew 22:34-46 (Pentecost 21: Series A)

The command to love those nearby is as challenging as it is simple. Jesus took the initiative to come near to us in loving sacrifice.
Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse
10/18/20

Epistle: Romans 3:19-28 (Reformation Sunday: Series A)

Justification matters so deeply. It is a matter of life and death, Heaven and Hell. It must be preached that way. Especially today.
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