Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

If you have ever read Proverbs 27:17 and thought, “Man…that would be a great verse to have printed on a t-shirt,” you are not alone.  It’s just the type of verse you would expect to see printed across the hoodie (Maybe the first part of the verse on the front, the end across the back?) of a guy leaving a men’s breakfast. And it would be a good choice.

Few things are as effective in molding Christian character as solid biblical friendships.  The fruit of which yields accountability, encouragement & counsel:

Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. 
Proverbs 27:5-6, 9

The trouble is, few people really stop to consider exactly how iron sharpens iron? I assure you, it is not by simply being together. Throw two dull knives into a drawer and bring them out at Thanksgiving, trust me when I say, ain’t nothing good happening to that turkey. Those knives are still dull.

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I have never been a big New Year’s Eve guy. I think it stems from the many much hyped and overwhelmingly-not-so New Year’s Eve’s I have experienced. Over time I just became sort of apathetic to the whole thing, I just hope I don’t misdate any checks, became my biggest concern. This year, however, was a little different.

When I was reading Genesis 5 and the list of descendants between Adam and Noah, I was impacted. I will readily admit that I do not often find much application in the genealogical lists found in Scripture, but this time it was different. Wedged in the middle of some awfully old guys is this,

When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters.  Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years.  Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.  Genesis 5:21-24

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And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:8-14

Last night we had the memorial service for a tender little one born at 25 weeks and entering into the presence of the Lord only days later. The stark reality of death juxtaposed the merriment of the Christmas season can seem like opposite ends of a spectrum. What could be further apart?

The reality is, however, that the true merriment of the Christmas season, the good news of great joy is that we have a Savior who has conquered the power of death! Christmas is a joy because death is reality. While death is a certainty; so is the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This Christmas season might your heart and soul be full of the joy that comes from the confidence found only in Jesus,

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

That is the message of good news and great joy for all people. From our family to yours, I pray you know it.

Merry Christmas,
Pastor Josh

But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, ”This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.“

 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.  Hebrews 10:12-25

This week many people will be thankful for “every good gift and every perfect gift,” but neglect to acknowledge they are “from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17)  In the midst of this cultural expression of thanks, I want to focus my heart and to draw my spirit close to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I want to reflect upon the amazing grace he has shown me.

As you celebrate (and celebrate you should – we have much to be thankful for), take time to encourage one another and point your gratitude towards Jesus. He has freed us from our sin and welcomed us into his presence.  To God be the glory!  Great things he has done!

Have a very Happy (and Christ-focused) Thanksgiving,
Pastor Josh

This fall we began what will take almost two years to accomplish: a giant study of the Old Testament book Exodus. Why would we choose to dedicate so much time to such a book? It is simple; Exodus is an incredibly important book for us to know and for several reasons.  Here are just a few:

As Jesus is to the New Testament, so Exodus is to the Old Testament. The sole defining event of the New Testament was Jesus. Though “very nature God,” he came and lived a sinless life, died and rose again for the forgiveness of our sins. The gospels track his life. The epistles track the birth of his church.  And Revelation looks forward to his return. Similarly, God’s magnificent work in freeing his people from slavery in Egypt, leading them to the Promised Land and giving them the law, became the centerpiece of the Old Testament. God’s faithfulness to his promises and miraculous workings in Exodus would ever be the encouragement to God’s people in future generations. Knowing Exodus helps us understand the Old Testament better.

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