On this last week in the church year, we are to awaken our congregations to Christ's return and fix their drowsy eyes on the salvation promised by our glorious, crucified Lord. 

The imagery of a worship service in scripture is not one of consumers being entertained, but of God’s people being gathered around the Throne of the Lamb, joining the heavenly chorus of saints and angels to sing God’s praise and receive Christ’s benefits.

This time of year, the preacher can be tempted to focus so much on the deeds of the saints and others, that they miss what makes a person a saint in the first place: Christ’s atoning blood.

Like a good field general, to conclude his epistle, Paul equips us for battle. He gives us the gifts and the armor we need to “stand against the schemes of the devil."

Is this text about marriage or Jesus? The answer should be obvious by now: Yes!

Christ Jesus, who is the light of the world, has turned on the lights, woken up sleeping sinners, raised them from death to life.

The baptized, those rescued and redeemed by God’s grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ alone, are given an entirely new life to live, a completely new way to walk.

Unity is not our work, but a gift granted in the one baptism and one calling which comes from the one Spirit of the one Lord from the one Father over everything.

Paul’s prayers for his beloved Ephesians do not focus so much on their physical or social well-being, but on the most important thing: That they know and love Christ Jesus!

All humanity is bound to sin and dead in their trespasses, but Christ’s blood was shed for the lot of us!

In my experience, no theological topic causes more existential angst than the truth that God has predestined people for salvation. When such a weighty doctrine is broached, what is a preacher to do?

God will use the thorns and Satanic agents, as opposed to spiritual exercise programs, to fix our eyes on Jesus, not to move past Him.