Victory: The Spirit of Victory
Israel had three annual pilgrimage festivals—the feast of Passover, Tabernacles, and Weeks. The Lord timed his outpouring of the Holy Spirit with this third pilgrimage festival.
Victory: Victory’s Reign
For forty days, the Church has cried, “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” But forty days after Jesus rose from the dead, he departed from his disciples and was enthroned in glory in heaven.
Victory: Victory’s Joy
Our world is full of images of joyful victors. Athletes embrace championship trophies and cups with broad smiles. Actors receive awards with unfeigned delight. Dear Christian, do you feel like a winner?
Victory: Victory’s Charge
Today, we celebrate and receive God’s greatest gift to us: his love. Experiencing the depths of God’s love for us, we strive to love each other deeply in word and deed.
Victory: Victory’s Comfort
As a shepherd dividing goats from the sheep, Jesus drew a sharp distinction between these unbelievers questioning him and the believers who followed him.
Victory: Victory’s Song
Sometimes, what you’re looking for is right in front of your face. After his atoning death and justifying resurrection, Jesus invests his precious time left on earth in his followers.
Victory: Victory’s Peace
Each year, we run the risk of Easter Sunday being a one-off. A single day where we mark a single event and then consign it to the background. That’s fine for most historical events. But the Resurrection is different.
Everlasting Victory: Over Death
After more than a month of humble repentance and prayer, God’s people gather to celebrate the consumption of their prayers. The grave has been overhauled—no longer the end of life, but the beginning of eternal life.
Victory: For the Crushed
With repentant hearts, we join our Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, confident in his everlasting rule, hailing him as our Eternal King. Palm Sunday sets the tone for everything we need to know about how our King & God’s kingdom works.
Losing It All: Losing Pride
Today’s worship focuses on the necessity of the cross and the tomb for our salvation. In our verse of the day, from Mark 10:45, Jesus reminds us of his life’s purpose. A ransom must be paid to set us free from sin.
Losing It All: Losing Power
Today, the incredible depths of grace are on full display. No one deserves God’s love, no matter what they think they have done or not done. God’s love is undeserved, unearned, and unconditional.
Losing It All: Losing Suddenly
Today’s worship focuses on God’s patience. Often times we observe tragedy in our world and in our lives and wonder why did God allow this all to happen? How can he just sit back and watch all this?
Losing It All: Losing Perspective
Christ is in control of all things— even his death. By his sacrifice we are saved. By his power we are transformed— body & soul.
Losing It All: Losing Heart
Lent is a time for reflection and repentance. Our great need of salvation is driven home during this season. Much like the warriors of Israel, we are frightened by the powerful, boastful, and evil figures that taunt us and blaspheme our God.
Salvation Unfolds: With Surpassing Glory
The glory of God’s chosen and beloved Son is different than the glory of Moses. Moses reflected God’s glory, but the glory was never his own—so it faded. The glory of Jesus is different and it has always been Jesus’.
Salvation Unfolds: Overcoming Evil
We live in a world always looking out for number one—ourselves. Sometimes that means we play nice with others. But many times, we find ourselves competing with one another for the same things.
Salvation Unfolds: With Sufficient Grace
During the season of Epiphany, we are getting to know Jesus better and better. Today, he presents the differences between a life built on faith in him and one built on faith in created things, including ourselves.
Salvation Unfolds: Through Proclamation
Jesus calls Peter, James, and John to be his disciples. But why these men? According to Peter’s self-assessment, it was not because of his own righteousness. Jesus doesn’t argue with his evaluation. But the Lord still calls these men.
ALA Sunday: Living God’s Love
ALA is committed to serving its federation and community by providing an exceptional education, preserving a Christ-focused school culture, promoting spiritual growth and Christian service, and preparing life-long disciples of Jesus Christ.
Salvation Unfolds: Despite Direct Rejection
Throughout the Sundays after the Epiphany of our Lord, we are getting to know Jesus better. Today in our Gospel text, we meet Jesus in the early stages of his public ministry.