Christ Insight

Based on:  Ephesians 2:8-9

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

If you ever live or travel in the southern part of the United States – I’m talking about Louisiana and Mississippi – you just might hear the word “lagniappe”.  It is a Cajun word and it means “a little something extra.”  If you order French fries at Burger King and an onion ring happens to find itself mixed in with your fries, that's lagniappe.  If you ask your kid to cut your grass and he does the edging too, that's lagniappe.  If you put money in a vending machine for your favorite candy bar and two come out – that is certainly lagniappe.  You get the idea – it is a bonus you didn't expect.  

Based on: Jeremiah 28:5-9

Perhaps if you are a parent you have had the same experience I have had.  Something happens in the house – something breaks, a picture that was on the wall is now on the floor in pieces – and no one seems to know what happened.  Or perhaps everyone knows that someone else did it.  You get two or more stories about what happened and they all seem to contradict each other.  Who do you believe? You may not have any way of knowing the truth, you just have to trust that one of them is telling the truth, but by believing one story you are choosing not to believe the other story.

Based on: Jeremiah 20:7-13

What is it with all these movies about super heroes? Over the past 20 years there have been movies about Superman, Batman, the Incredible Hulk, and Spider-Man, to name just a few.  Since 1989 there have been at least five Batman movies and there is another one coming out this summer. Why do we have this fascination with super heroes?  Do you think that people recognize the need for something or someone bigger than themselves? Deep within each one of us is that understanding that there is evil in this world and that we on our own cannot overcome it.  The world needs a hero. We need a hero.

Based on: Deuteronomy 11:18-21,26-28

“No, you may not just eat dessert.  You have to eat real food too.”  “Get your homework done, then you can go play.”  “Yes, you have to wear a coat.  It's cold outside.”  Do you remember your parents ever saying things like these?  Or how about this one, “Don't run while you are holding those scissors.”  Our parents gave commands for us to follow.  Perhaps we didn't understand why at the time but usually, as adults, we see the wisdom of their words.

Based on: Joel 2:28-29

What do you do when you have good news to tell? What if you are going to get married? What if you are going to be a new mother or a new grandmother? Don't you go and tell people, as many people as you can find and soon as you can find them?

The same is true with God.  He has good news to tell and on Pentecost he announces that good news.  That's what Pentecost is about.  On Pentecost God shares the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and pours out his Holy Spirit on all people.

Based on: John 17:1-11

One of the questions presented to our confirmands last Friday evening was to name the three offices of Christ.  The the three offices of Christ are prophet, high priest, and king.  We use these three titles the to describe all that Jesus has done and continues to do for us.  Today we focus on the  second one, high priest.

Based on: John 14:15-21

Have you ever played peekaboo with a baby? They all seem to love that game.  But, do you realize what's happening as you play that game? You are teaching them, as you hide your face, that there are times when you will go way and they will not be able to see you, but you are also teaching them, as you show your face to them, that you will come back.  You're teaching them to not be afraid during the times you are gone because you will come back.

Based on: John 14:1-12

Yes, it is still the Easter season, that portion of the church year in which we celebrate the resurrection, but the words we hear from Jesus in the gospel for today are words that he spoke to his disciples on Maundy Thursday evening. It is good for us to recognize this because it gives us a glimpse into the heart of our Savior.  Jesus knew that in less than 24 hours he was going to suffer horribly and then finally die on the cross.  In spite of that, actually because of that, he took time to give these words of comfort to his disciples.  He gives these words of comfort to us as well.

Based on: Revelation 7:9-17

They were far from home, strangers in a strange land. Their home was the land of Judah, in the land that God had promised to Abraham and their forefathers, but 600 years before the first Easter the king of Babylon attacked Judah, laid siege to Jerusalem, and took many of the Jews with him back to Babylon. He separated them from their homes and from the Promised Land and made them exiles in Babylon.

Based on: Luke 24:13-35

Imagine walking along the road and having Jesus come up to you and start talking to you.  Wouldn't you be surprised and shocked? Wouldn't you listen to every word that he had to say? Wouldn't your attention be focused on him and nothing else?