Beautiful Savior
Pastor Quinn • Mar 24, 2024

Rethinking Real Strength

Most religions believe in a powerful God. It is assumed that God will use that strength for the benefit of his followers. That is a reasonable assumption, but it begs the question. What is real strength? It is easy to assume that real strength means exerting your will over another by using any means necessary, including force. But this week we see Jesus Christ demonstrate a different kind of strength.

We have come to Holy Week. It begins with Jesus humbly riding a donkey colt straight into the hands of his enemies. As the week progresses, it will appear that Christ’s adversaries are the ones in a position of power and Jesus is in a position of weakness. Yet what Christ does this holy week—setting his divine strength aside, being passive in the face of death—would change the world. To do what Christ did for us and our salvation took real strength.

By beautifulsaviormedia 05 May, 2024
The entirety of God's Word can be summed up in one word: love. God's Law is all about love. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart..." and "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37,39). The gospel is all about love: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son..." (John 3:16). From his compassion for the sick & broke, to his sacrificial death on the cross, to the peace he provided after His resurrection, Jesus was the perfect embodiment of love. Love is his business. Therefore, love is our business too. The resurrection reality is that with the same supernatural power by which God raised Jesus from the dead, God now enables us to live a new life - one marked with radically selfless love. The motivation and ability to do this comes from seeing the endless love Christ has for us. We love only because he first loved us.
By beautifulsaviormedia 21 Apr, 2024
Scripture frequently pictures spiritual care in terms of a shepherd watching over sheep. Even folks unfamiliar with shepherding are able to grasp the meaning. Sheep are helpless animals - an easy meal for predators. For sheep to survive the needed a shepherd who not only leads them to sources of food, but who also is willing to tangle with a pack of wolves. Jesus is such a shepherd. He proved He is willing to lay down His life for His sheep.
By Pastor Quinn 14 Apr, 2024
A platitude is a statement aimed at helping sooth some sort of emotional unease. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Or “Life is a mystery.” Or “Good things come to those who wait.” While platitudes may be well-intentioned, at best they come off as trite. And since platitudes provide no real help, they can actually make a situation worse. Tell the one whose heart is shattering, “Life is a mystery.” They won’t appreciate your platitude or you. The resurrection gives believers the ability to offer more than platitudes. We have a meaningful message to share—of repentance, of forgiveness, of peace, of power. The reality is we have something important to say to every single person that God brings into our sphere of influence. And our risen Savior gives us the courage and power to share that meaningful message.
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