Gospel for life with Nathaniel Timmermann

Christmas 2019: You're a big deal to this big baby.

There is no doubt that this baby (Jesus) is a big deal. But the really great part of Christmas is that you are a big deal. And when you realize you're a big deal to him, this baby will be your big deal. 

Don't just do good, be good in Jesus

In Joseph, Jesus shows us a new way of living. We are faithful. Even more, we leave the blame, guilt, and shame where it should be. 

Great Expectations: Job and joy

Job suffered everything. His loss prepared the way for the joy he would soon experience from the gospel of Jesus. 

Great Expectations: Samuel and peace

Sadly, we experience plenty of pain, difficulty, and even broken-heartedness. It is in those moments we can be filled with the peace that only the presence of Jesus gives. 

Welcome Home: You're free to be yourself

"Be you." How is that going for you? It's a lot harder than I ever thought it would be. Step by step Jesus has paid the price so that you and I are free to be the people God made us to be, Jesus has redeemed us to be, and the Holy Spirit is changing us to be. 

Welcome Home: Ask for help with your heart.

A group of people become a group of believers by the Word of God and baptism. Really becoming a group of believers is about more than just keeping obvious sin away. It means taking away shame. It means incorporating people into a group where there is no fear of death. Jesus makes the church a place where we can ask for help with our hearts. 

Unbelievable value!

Faith is an unbelievable thing. It's remarkable that faith is so powerful, so effective. Faith also has incredible value. It gives us a new home, a new family, a new people, a new country, and therefore a new name. Have you experienced the value of faith? Your faith increases in value as you want to pay the price for others. Then your faith rockets in value. 

Unbelievable mercy!

Equality is good. Fairness is a wonderful thing. I'm glad that Christians and others have worked hard to develop equality in our world. There is something better, something that makes a greater difference in our world and the world of others. 

Unbelievable strength!

It doesn't seem possible to be too strong, but it is. Strength often wrecks things - just ask the countless dads and amateur mechanics who have stripped a bolt! When we give up our strength and become weak, Jesus has a perfect power and superhero strength for us. 

Open Minds: We see him give everything, then we can give something.

Too often, we give to get. If we do give, we give out of our margin - our richness, our prosperity. We need to give up control of everything, even our lives. When we see Jesus give up everything, that moves our hearts and changes and finally we can give something.