From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible links together the joy of experiencing salvation with the response of singing songs of praise. And Psalm 98—famously known as the inspiration for the Christmas hymn, “Joy to the World”—illustrates this beautifully. Here we find a song of joy and victory for all of God’s people and even all […]
In this sermon, preached at our candlelight service, pastor Joel looks at the song of the Angels from Luke’s gospel and reminds us of the simple yet profound truth that God acts and creation reacts in praise. The true and historical account of the birth of Jesus and the supernatural events surrounding it is ultimately […]
As Zechariah’s Benedictus begins, he blesses God for who he is and what he has done. Instead of focusing on the miraculous birth of his own son, which pointed to the Messiah’s advent, he rejoices instead that the Lord has visited and redeemed his people. Now, in the second half of this song, Zechariah mentions […]
While Mary sang her “Magnificat,” Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, sings his “Benedictus.” The birth of John causes Zechariah to bless God for the birth of Jesus. Why? Because John’s birth was a sign of the Messiah’s advent. In other words, even in his birth, John was pointing to the Lamb of God. […]
In the second half the Magnificat, Mary moves to general reasons for magnifying God that not only apply to Mary but to the generations who see themselves as lowly like the mother of our Lord. So today, we transition our eyes from the Lord of Mary to the Lord of many. In this sermon, pastor […]
For the Advent season in 2022 we are looking the songs sung by Mary, Zechariah, and the Angels which accompanied the birth of Christ. In this sermon pastor Keith considers Mary’s song, traditionally known as the Magnificat, and the personal reasons Mary had for rejoicing in God. What we will see is that God alone […]
Isaiah foretold that the people who lived in darkness would one day see a great light. We didn’t ask for it; we couldn’t have imagined it; and we did not deserve it. And yet, unto us a child was born, and a Son was given. Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who came […]
Over 400 years after the prophet Malachi spoke of the “sun of righteousness” that would rise with healing in its wings (Mal. 4:2), a Son was born! This is the good news of great joy that we proclaim: To us a Son was given; to us a Savior was born, who is Christ, the Lord. […]
Like all the prophets before him, Malachi proclaimed the glories of Jesus Christ, but he does so in a way that is easy to miss. This is not only because he is one of the prophets (who can be difficult to interpret at times) but because he goes about speaking of the advent of Christ […]
