Today is the first Sunday of Epiphany, the liturgical season where we remember and celebrate the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. 

In particular, the church recalls the story of the pagan Magi, who traveled from the East in order to offer gifts and bow down before the prophesied Jewish King. For in this scene, we see an initial fulfillment of all the Old Covenant prophecies concerning the nations turning to God, the Gentiles from afar coming in to worship the Holy One of Israel. As the Lord spoke to His Messiah through the prophet Isaiah, “I will give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth” (49:6).

And so Epiphany is a reminder of Christ’s rule over all nations and His commission to the church to be His witnesses to them, that they may glorify Him and receive great joy in His salvation. 

This means that the work of foreign missions is not simply a nice add-on or optional program of the church. Christ is the Light to the Gentiles. And having established this work during His earthly sojourn, He now oversees its fulfillment by His Spirit in the work of the church, by yourwork, as you reflect His glory and shine your light before all men (Mt. 5:14–16). 

This of course begins by first being a light to your families and this community. But you must not stop there. It is a great privilege and honor that Christ has called you to be a part of His plan to make disciples of all nations.

And so in this new year, consider how you and your families may participate in extending His kingdom abroad. In your family prayers, pray for God’s global work and any missionaries that you know by name. As you are able, give financial support to efforts you trust, such as the work of the Madsen family in Zambia. And if there is any desire or interest on your part, do not be afraid to ask God if it may be His will for you to be sent out as well. For the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are still few (Mt. 9:37).

Christ will receive the full reward of His suffering. All the ends of the earth will turn to the Lord and bow down before Him (Ps. 22:27). And this is the joy of Epiphany.

Shawn Paterson – January 7, 2024

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The vastness and immensity of God presents us finite folk with lovely paradoxes. Consider this one: the knowledge and power of God are truly unbounded, and yet He cares about the smallest detail of your life and doings. This is both comfort and warning.

It is undeniable comfort to remember that the King of Heaven—the one who created and upholds all things and has cherubim at His command and who dwells in unapproachable light—is intimately involved in the affairs of men. This is His story, and he is working all things to His glory and to the good of His people. We are in uncertain times, but the purposes of God are ever faithful, ever sure. It looks to us like the world around us is going up in flame, and it might be, but if so, it is a controlled burn set by the divine fire chief for His good pleasure. Nothing can thwart God’s plans and purposes. We are all of us in the palm of His hand. This is comfort.

But there is warning as well. And here is the paradox: the great and omnipotent God of the cosmos has crafted a story so great that the choices of the characters truly matter. It would be easy to stop halfway and say, “I’m just along for the ride. God is doing whatever He’s doing, and I’m just a passive observer.” The ditch on one side is fearful anxiety, and the ditch on the other side is slothful presumption; we must avoid both.

When we gather in the presence of God with the saints on the Lord’s Day, we walk the path between the ditches. We come to worship at the throne of the Almighty God, acknowledging His supreme power and authority over all things. And also we come to hear the commands of God proclaimed and explained. We come to confess our sins and to receive forgiveness and to be equipped and strengthened for godly living.

Joshua Edgren – January 7, 2024

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Calvin was absolutely right that man’s heart is an idol factory. And the men and women of our day seem hellbent on setting up their feelings as little deities. They offer pinches of incense to them on nearly every street corner. Even so, feelings make terrible gods. You would be far better off worshipping the gods of the Roman Pantheon. If you’re really going to turn your back on the Living God, go for Zeus, Aphrodite, or Apollo. At least then, you might have an interesting story to tell, albeit a tragic one. At least then, you could pretend to be reaching outside of yourself. All of this talk about following your heart is not only worthy of the flames of hell, it is also remarkably boring.

Your feelings are meant to be commanded. They should line up and follow you along the way. If they are being unruly, that is no worry. That is what feelings often do. Just give them a spanking and tell them to sit up straight, shut their mouths, and act right. But, says an evangelical who has joined the Philistines of our age, “What then could I write in my journal if indeed I tell my feelings to hush?” Well, you don’t have to throw the journal away. But if you are going to keep it, you should start writing Bible verses down and then use your pen to describe how you are going to trust those words more fully and obey them more diligently. As Martyn Lloyd Jones once wisely said, “Most of our problems in life come from the fact that we are listening to ourselves rather than talking to ourselves.” Control your emotions. Discipline them. This work is not too hard for you. This self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, and He has been poured out in your hearts.

Jared Longshore – January 7, 2024

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John 13:2-5 (NKJV)

And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded..

As I was contemplating this passage, I was struck by the fact that Judas was still with the disciples when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples.  And as this passage says, Satan had already put the betrayal into the heart of Judas.  Judas even had the money from the religious leaders jingling in his pocket.  He was just waiting an opportune time to put his wickedness into action.

But at this point in the meal, Judas is still included with the twelve, Jesus no doubt tenderly washed the feet of Judas as he had with Peter, James and John.  How can we reconcile this with God’s Word?

From Proverbs 10:18 “Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool.”  and Proverbs 12:22 “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.”

Paul tells us that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  God’s hatred of sin and particularly the sin of lying hasn’t changed.  It is an abomination.  At the same time, God’s grace is not constrained by our sin.   Lying is a form of betrayal, but for those of us on the receiving end of this type of betrayal, we have the example of Jesus, who extended Grace and service to the end.  So, in cases where we have been lied to and betrayed, consider the Lord’s command to forgive as you have been forgiven.

Matt Meyer – January 7, 2024

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“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

Matthew 5:27-28

This exhortation is specifically aimed at the men.

So Men, you are fighting in a war. Sometimes the battle will be fierce, and at times it may even feel impossible. But make no mistake, this is a war that you cannot afford to lose. The war against lust is at the very center of all of life. “Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” I Corinthians 6:18 – So, either you will wage the fight against lust or the alternative is that you will be fighting to destroy your own body.  There’s no middle ground. When you give into sexual sin, you are setting a grenade off in your life, and you cannot control the destructive consequences.

So, first, you must reject the lie from the world that this is just how men are, and it is normal to look at porn occasionally or enjoy the tight outfits at the gym. Second, reject the lie from some Christians that this a battle that you will always struggle with but never win. Is God’s arm too short to save you out from this sin? Remember, “God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor 10:13. 

So, take heart. Pull out the sword and slay the dragon. Your weapon is the Word of God. Be immersed in the word and prayer. First thing in the morning, late at night. Secondly, remember the wisdom from Solomon, “though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” If you are struggling, seek out a Godly older man, one of the elders, confess to him and ask him to hold your line with you in the battle so that you may not be pushed back. 

This is no trivial matter. If you want your family to flourish, if you desire to see reformation and revival in this land, if you want to see abortion abolished, if you care about your freedoms. Right here is where to start the fight. Kill lust, kill it dead, then cut off its head.

Zach Browning – December 31, 2023

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