Good News Weekly Message Pastor Jonathan Bauer

Many of our assumptions about the way life is and how the world works need to be cross-examined and corrected. Once his work on earth was complete, Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to do just that—to be his expert witness to expose our false assumptions and set the record straight. This week we see that the Holy Spirit corrects our assumptions about our allies and our enemies. When the devil tempts us to doubt God and pursue our desires, he appears to be our friend. When we listen to his temptations, we appear to be his friend. But Jesus has destroyed the work of the devil and rescued us from him. All who trust his word are members of his family.

Many of our assumptions about the way life is and how the world works need to be cross-examined and corrected. Once his work on earth was complete, Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to do just that—to be his expert witness to expose our false assumptions and set the record straight. This week we see that what looks like lawlessness is actually liberty. Humans are helplessly prone to use the law of God—intended for our good—as a way of proving our worth before him. Nevertheless, Jesus came to set us free from the law’s impossible demands. Liberated by his perfect work on our behalf, we can enjoy perfect rest that can only be found in him.

Many of our assumptions about the way life is and how the world works need to be cross-examined and corrected. Once his work on earth was complete, Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to do just that—to be his expert witness to expose our false assumptions and set the record straight. This week we see that the assumptions in need of correction are ones we have about ourselves. When sinners encounter their triune God, who is the very essence of holiness, we rightly realize that we are unclean. Nevertheless, this same triune God works to convince us that we have been cleansed. The Father has sent his Son to make atonement for our sin and his Spirit speaks to our hearts to convince use we are God’s children.

Many of our assumptions about the way life is and how the world works need to be cross-examined and corrected. Once his work on earth was complete, Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to do just that—to be his expert witness to expose our false assumptions and set the record straight. This week we focus on that important role the Holy Spirit plays as we celebrate the Day of Pentecost. Though Jesus’ visible departure from this earth might seem like a source of grief, it actually serves for our good. Jesus’ completed work on our behalf is the sum and substance of the Holy Spirit’s testimony through his Word during earth’s last days.

How can you possibly be prepared for anything life might throw your way? The things that can knock us down and drag us under can come at any moment and from any direction. Nevertheless, it’s possible to withstand anything so long as you have one thing: Easter. This week we see that just Easter is able to help us withstand truthless love. With his selfless life and sacrificial death, Christ set the pattern for the way we love one another. We are not free to define love in whatever way we want. Christ defines it for us. His command is to love each other as he has loved us.

How can you possibly be prepared for anything life might throw your way? The things that can knock us down and drag us under can come at any moment and from any direction. Nevertheless, it’s possible to withstand anything so long as you have one thing: Easter. This week we see that just Easter is able to help us withstand stagnation. Forty days after Jesus rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven and was enthroned at God’s right hand. Jesus’ ascension proves that his life, death, and resurrection were just the beginning of his saving activity on earth. Now he extends his gracious, saving rule through his people as they share the gospel. While we wait for Jesus to return, his power is at work in and through us.