A Hidden God Revealed in Promise
By Jason Oakland
05/23/25
10mins

A Hidden God Revealed in Promise

God chooses to clothe himself in promises and hides himself in his word.
At the Edge of the Abyss
Ryan Matthias
Ryan Matthias
05/22/25

At the Edge of the Abyss

Jesus dove into the waters of baptism, plunging into our deepest need to rescue us.
A Review of
Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
05/21/25

A Review of "Raised in Splendor: The Hope of Glorification for a Secular Age by Jason B. Alligood

Alligood is at pains to stress that glorification is not the result of our own efforts any more than sanctification or justification.

All Articles

Robert Kolb
Robert Kolb
10/21/18

Preaching on Fear

In the last two decades U.S. Americans have given way to fear of many things: economic decline, loss of values, limits on our personal rights, to name a few. Too many of us live with some sense of threat and menace hanging over our heads and haunting our hearts.
Jason Lane
Jason Lane
10/21/18

Epistle: Romans 3:19-28 (Reformation Observed)

The Feast of the Reformation affords preachers a special opportunity to catechize on the doctrine of justification by faith. It is also a perfect week for us to read through Romans in full for our devotions. It is an opportunity to hear again those marvelous words of absolution and sins forgiven and to recognize a righteousness which is revealed apart from the Law (Rom. 3:21); our need for absolution must be very great.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
10/21/18

Gospel: John 8:31-36 (Reformation Observed)

So, in keeping with Mark’s focus on discipleship this Fall, your Reformation Sunday sermon on John 8 might reflect on what it means to be a disciple. As you proclaim the commands and promises of Christ, you might invite your hearers not only to believe his Word, but also to abide in it. To hear and mediate on his promises in the various ways he delivers them.
David Rufner
David Rufner
10/17/18

The Gift of Belonging

It is only when individuals are bound together in community that they become fully human.
Robert Kolb
Robert Kolb
10/14/18

The Preacher as Conversation Partner

Good communication depends on trust to make such conversation work effectively. The truth springs, first, from God's own promise and the punch put into that promise by the mysterious power of the Holy Spirit.
Jason Lane
Jason Lane
10/14/18

Epistle: Hebrews 4:1-13 (14-16) (Proper 24: Series B)

The “entering into His rest” of Hebrews 4:1 is paralleled with Jesus’ words in the Gospel for the day: “How difficult it is for those having riches to enter the kingdom of heaven.” Love of riches or material wealth certainly bars us from God’s kingdom and eternal rest. They weigh us down miserably. Israel’s idolatry, however, was not only about the love of money.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
10/14/18

Gospel: Mark 10:23-31 (Proper 24: Series B)

The heart of a sermon on this text, therefore, would be fairly basic. God alone graciously saves. We, in response, do what the rich man didn’t do. We follow Jesus humbly. As we do so, we cling to the promises of eternal restoration.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
10/11/18

Ordinary Joy

She said, “Keep coming back, and you’ll know joy.” He wanted to vomit a rainbow of resentment, bitterness, and loathing all over her faux-leather boots.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
10/07/18

The Two Reasons Our Past Can Be Changed

In Christ, God’s Son, yesterday, today, and tomorrow all collapse into one. He holds in himself everything from the beginning to the end of the world.
Jason Lane
Jason Lane
10/07/18

Epistle: Hebrews 3:12-19 (Proper 23: Series B)

The Epistle’s correlation with the Gospel or Old Testament readings is not always obvious, as every preacher knows. This week, however, the connection is rather clear. Love of money is evil idolatry that draws us away from the living God, transgresses the First Commandment, and leads us to trust in worldly securities rather than Christ.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
10/07/18

Gospel: Mark 10:17-22 (Proper 23: Series B)

Of all the reactions Jesus elicited during his ministry, sorrow was notd common. It was more typical for people who encountered Jesus to be filled with hope, and to leave everything and follow him. Or to be filled with rage, and to pick up stones to kill him. People usually responded with the extremes. Marveling or mocking. Rejoicing or renouncing. Astonishment or anger. But not the man in our text.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
10/04/18

Name Brand

Many scholars believe that what Jesus says in verses 18-20 are the key to Matthew's Gospel. Actually, it may be the key to the entire Bible, for in these three verses we see the full scope of the history of redemption brought to bear in one history-altering, cosmic event: Baptizing in God's name.
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