Psalm 120 begins the Songs of Ascents, a collection of psalms traditionally associated with travelers journeying to Jerusalem. Like those ancient pilgrims, Christians are traveling through a world that is not their true home, and the road will sometimes be difficult. The psalmist shows us how to respond when we experience lies, conflict, disappointment, and opposition. Instead of despairing, we should pray; instead of seeking revenge, we should trust God’s justice; and instead of settling into this world, we should…
In Acts 1:6-11, Jesus gives his disciples one clear mission before ascending into heaven: they are to be his witnesses. Instead of letting them focus on times, seasons, or speculation about the kingdom, Jesus redirects them to the Spirit-empowered work of testifying about him. This sermon reminds us that witnessing is not about having every answer or winning every argument, but simply sharing the truth about who Jesus is and what he has done. Christians are called to testify locally,…
*Live picture starts at around 30 seconds. Real faith is not meant to be lived alone. In Hebrews 10:19–25, we are reminded that Jesus has opened the way for us to draw near to God with confidence, hold fast to our hope, and help one another keep going. Because Christ has given us full access to God, we should not live at a distance from him or from his people. Christians need one another to grow, endure, be encouraged, and…