revjquinn • May 4, 2025

We Have a Meaningful Mission

If Jesus remained dead, all He would provide is an example of a beautiful life. Therefore, if Jesus remained dead, the mission of his followers would simply be to share advice. "Here is how Jesus would want us to love one another." Or "Jesus would want us to think about money like this." Or "This is how Jesus would pray." But because he lives, his followers now have a meaningful mission. It is not to share advice, but to testify to what we have seen and know to be to be true. Christ has risen! Thus, Jesus is not a standard, but our Savior. Jesus is nor primarily an example for this life, but the doorway into eternal life. His resurrection to glory will be the resurrection of all who put their faith in Him. Sharing that good news - that's our mission. The Sundays after Easter can seem like a bit of a letdown. Chances are the church isn't quite as full. There might not be a choir or special instruments to go along with our hymns. Even the lilies have begun to wilt or been pitched or planted. It might feel like the fun is all over. Wrong! The adventure as just begun. Because He lives! Therefore, we have a meaningful mission. Let us open our eyes to the privilege and the opportunity.

On the Mystery and Majesty of Our God

By Pastor Quinn • June 16, 2025
We live in a world where a thousand things are competing for our attention. There is the real danger that we focus on the frivolous and ignore the indispensable. As a result, we often talk about the importance of being “free from distraction.” But the stakes are higher than that. We need to be freed from distraction. We need the spiritual power to give our undivided attention to that which truly makes a difference, not only here and now, but also in eternity. A life focused on all the right things is only possible because of a Savior who is always focused on us. On the Day of Pentecost, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to give his followers power and focus. Still today, through his Word, Jesus grants those gifts to his disciples. We have come to the second half of the Church Year. In the first half, we focused on the life of Christ. In this second half, we turn our attention to all the teachings of Christ. May we give them our undivided attention.

He Reigns Over Everything for the Benefit of His Church

By Pastor Quinn • June 1, 2025
When the Church gathers, it regularly remembers Christ’s ascension. The words “He ascended into heaven” are found in the three ecumenical creeds Christians use to confess their faith. In addition, the Church sets aside a day each year to focus on Christ’s ascension. This is for good reason. Jesus’ ascension marked the fact that his work was complete, in one sense. Never again will a sacrifice for sins need to be made. However, Jesus’ ascension also marks that, in another sense, his work is just beginning. Through the Church, Jesus now proclaims forgiveness of sins throughout the world. The Church consists of people like us who are often weak and timid witnesses for Christ. So, Jesus promised to send us his Spirit to give us power from heaven, that we might take the gospel to the ends of the earth. More, he ascended into heaven and sat down on the throne of God. He lives and reigns over everything for the benefit of his Church.

We Have Deep and Lasting Joy

By Pastor Quinn • May 18, 2025
Conventional wisdom says that joy is a direct result of circumstance. Our disposition is nothing more than the product of events, conditions, and relationships of which our life consists. Therfore, it would seem that for our disposition to change, our circumstances need to change. But Jesus offers a joy that is superior. It is not a product of circumstance, it's a product of Easter. Easter proves that God can take what normally causes people to weep and turn it into what causes people to rejoice. Sin, death, and shame went into Jesus' tomb. Forgiveness, life, and joy came out. Our risen Savior gives us a joy that remains constant in the highest of life's highs and the lowest of life's lows. Because he lives, we have deep and lasting joy.
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