The story of Samson ends with a big crash, which also ends his life. The mighty Samson found himself helpless as a result of his own foolishness. Yet, in desperation, he prayed, “Remember me, O Lord!” The true hero of the Samson story is actually God, who answers Samson’s prayer. God is still our true hero, for He still answers our desperate prayers. Although Samson reminds us of how we fall short of God’s plans for our lives, he also becomes a vivid testimony to make God our Hero!

This Sunday, Mother’s Day, we begin our spring message series on Samson, the confusing strong man of the Bible. One quarter of the Samson story is actually about his mother! Samson, throughout his life, has four involved relationships with women. The first is the loving mother who raised him. She is the example of a faithful, godly woman. The other relationships Samson has with women fail miserably. So we begin with his mother, and our mothers. How has your mother been a godly example and witness? 

This Sunday is Palm Sunday! We will wave palm branches in worship as a way for us to join the parade that greeted Jesus when He came into Jerusalem. It will be fun for the whole family! Yet there are dark clouds overhead: there’s a “storm” of betrayal and condemnation looming. Jesus, whom we greet with praise, will be crucified by Friday. Our service will also have this mixed message. We’ll hear how Jesus is the Gate to life and peace for us, His sheep, but we’ll also hear how Jesus earns this for us by laying down His life for His sheep.  Come join the parade this Sunday, but also notice the threatening clouds overhead.

We are following the overall story of the Bible, and we are telling the story by the thresholds we see. Sin brings death and destruction. In the Bible, Adam and Eve’s defiance of God leads to a closed door to Paradise and a sin-corrupted world rampant with death and destruction. The flood washes the earth, but Noah and his family are spared on the ark. When the rains came, God closed them in by shutting the ark’s door. This sign shows God’s saving grace: God provides a door of protection for us! Come this Sunday to hear how God provides a door of protection as you face destruction, death, and the storms of life.

 

People often say, “Jesus I like, but not the Church,” or “I’m spiritual, just not religious.” The reality is that if we are just spiritual, we are not really growing spiritually. It takes the context, structure and accountability of a local church to push us to grow. Without that, we stagnate at where we are now. This Sunday we’ll explore how Disciples Make . . . Routines for Growth.

 

New Years is a time to be honest. As we make resolutions, we admit that we are not the people we want to be. Yet, when Jesus-followers admit our faults and sins, it is not a “downer” on us, but actually a boost in our value. Jesus came because even broken, to Him we are worth saving! This Sunday we come honest before God, admitting–like John the Bapist–that we are not worthy. As we do, we hear how our value comes not from being worthy, but from Jesus’ love for us “while we were yet sinners.”

Christmas lights, decorations, and merrymaking are everywhere! There is so much to dazzle the eyes. But where do your eyes rest this Christmas? What do you look at that penetrates into your heart? What do you see that is more than a passing flash? Perhaps John the Baptist has the answer. He says, “Look!” and points to Jesus. Look hard. Can you see the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world? Of all there is to see this Christmas, rest your eyes on the baby Jesus!