Blog

Actions speak louder than words, don’t they? Not that words are unimportant in the evangelistic task. But our actions are very important, especially before those who are skeptical towards Christianity.

Why is our communal witness so significant? Because of the power of multiplication. The witness of entire communities of Christ-followers working together testifies much more loudly about the grace of our Lord than the isolated testimony of just one or two.

For us, disasters of any kind should cause us to examine our hearts, repent of sin, and seek the Lord’s mercy anew in Christ. Now is not the time to say, “Well, this didn’t happen because of a sin that I committed!” That’s not the point. The point is that these temporal judgments are the precursor to the Day of Judgment, and thought of that day should always buckle our knees in contrition.

We should remember that civilized debate is actually a good thing. It helps all parties carefully think through what they believe and why. We should also courageously admit that we are, in fact, a bit adamant (and yet not intolerant in our attitudes!), conveying that we disagree because we’re loving. The key is that we never be motivated by pride or the desire to win an argument!

Our church’s day of prayer and fasting will officially conclude on Easter Sunday—a morning that can be met with nothing other than celebration and feasting, for our Savior has defeated death and has guaranteed our rescue from this troubled world.

How might we reach out to those who are having to completely shut themselves in? Do you know of anyone who could use some checking up on? Might they need something that you could leave on their porch? Perhaps they’re nearly out of some essential supply. Perhaps they just need someone to talk to, face-to-face—someone willing to stand 6-8 feet away from their front door and chat for a bit.

God’s Law is rightly compared to a mirror. When we look into it we see our corruption and imperfections that need to be cleansed and sanctified. We also see reflected to us the beauty of Christ. This is what we learn as the Word of God is faithfully opened and proclaimed week in and week out from the pulpit.

To be saved, God’s Word must do more than enter our heads, it has to enter our hearts.

If we receive preaching in faith like this it will be impossible not to also receive it in love. We will be in love with the message that we hear: the message that a holy God saves sinners. We will love the God who not only offers this salvation, but also publishes it abroad and has it proclaimed to the whole world so that we can hear and believe. The famous words of the prophet about preaching are words of love: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news.