Good News Weekly Message Pastor Jonathan Bauer

Many of our assumptions about the way life is and how the world works need to be cross-examined and corrected. Once his work on earth was complete, Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to do just that—to be his expert witness to expose our false assumptions and set the record straight. This week we focus on that important role the Holy Spirit plays as we celebrate the Day of Pentecost. Though Jesus’ visible departure from this earth might seem like a source of grief, it actually serves for our good. Jesus’ completed work on our behalf is the sum and substance of the Holy Spirit’s testimony through his Word during earth’s last days.

How can you possibly be prepared for anything life might throw your way? The things that can knock us down and drag us under can come at any moment and from any direction. Nevertheless, it’s possible to withstand anything so long as you have one thing: Easter. This week we see that just Easter is able to help us withstand truthless love. With his selfless life and sacrificial death, Christ set the pattern for the way we love one another. We are not free to define love in whatever way we want. Christ defines it for us. His command is to love each other as he has loved us.

How can you possibly be prepared for anything life might throw your way? The things that can knock us down and drag us under can come at any moment and from any direction. Nevertheless, it’s possible to withstand anything so long as you have one thing: Easter. This week we see that just Easter is able to help us withstand stagnation. Forty days after Jesus rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven and was enthroned at God’s right hand. Jesus’ ascension proves that his life, death, and resurrection were just the beginning of his saving activity on earth. Now he extends his gracious, saving rule through his people as they share the gospel. While we wait for Jesus to return, his power is at work in and through us.

How can you possibly be prepared for anything life might throw your way? The things that can knock us down and drag us under can come at any moment and from any direction. Nevertheless, it’s possible to withstand anything so long as you have one thing: Easter. This week we see that just Easter is able to help us withstand truthless love. Christ’s resurrection is not simply something we acknowledge and confess. It’s a living and life-giving power that dwells within us. Like branches connected to a healthy vine, those who are connected to the living Christ through faith will naturally produce fruit in their lives. Their love toward others and obedience to Christ’s commands show the truth of Easter in action.

How can you possibly be prepared for anything life might throw your way? The things that can knock us down and drag us under can come at any moment and from any direction. Nevertheless, it’s possible to withstand anything so long as you have one thing: Easter. This week we see that just Easter is able to help us withstand deception. There are many spiritual influences that try to lead us in all kinds of different directions. Nevertheless, the voice of our Good Shepherd is distinct among all the rest. His voice does not call us down a path on which we must live up to his expectations for us. Instead, his voice proclaims his desire to lay down his life for us and invites us to put our whole confidence in him. We can withstand the deception of false shepherds because Jesus’ voice is so distinct.

How can you possibly be prepared for anything life might throw your way? The things that can knock us down and drag us under can come at any moment and from any direction. Nevertheless, it’s possible to withstand anything so long as you have one thing: Easter. This week we see that just Easter is able to help us withstand guilt. Although the light of God’s law exposes our sin, Jesus’ resurrection means that forgiveness can be found in his name. His death was a sacrifice that made sufficient payment for the sins of the whole world. He now lives as our advocate, pleading our case at God’s right hand. Rather than holding our guilt inside, we can confess it before God and know he will forgive.