What is Grace?

Our world is increasingly toxic. We have only to look at our politics with its abrasive rhetoric to see the growing tribalism that divides our communities. The pandemic created deep divides fueled by fear and self-righteousness. We are less patient with each other, unwilling to endure relationships that strain us. What happened to kindness? When did forgiveness die? When did gossip and slander lose its shame? Why does anger go unchecked? Why do our interpretations assume evil?

In a world like ours, followers of Jesus are counter cultural: we assume the best; we forgive; we show kindness to evil; we protect reputations; we are gentle when provoked; we patiently endure brokenness; we love others. This gracious and merciful response shines through the darkness of our world; it changes the tone and softens the heart. How do we offer mercy and grace to this world? We can only give what we receive! What we offer to each other, our families, and the world comes from our time in the presence of God, receiving from his storehouse of grace. Scripture tells us of God’s throne of grace where we can receive mercy and grace to aid us. Filled with mercy and grace from God, we overflow that kindness to others. As we experience God’s grace, we express it to one another.

But what is grace? What is it that God has for us? Join us Sunday as we consider that question.

Sunday we’ll finish the book of Daniel and end with God’s message to his servant, “Go your way…you shall rest and stand at your allotted place.” (Daniel 12:13) As the vision ends, Daniel sees the Man in Linen again who declares how long these terrible times will last for God’s people. Some of his people, the wise, will remain faithful, purified through the fires of tribulation, while others will continue in their wickedness.

Daniel asks an honest question, “what will be the outcome of these things?” The answer he receives is surprising, “Go your way, Daniel” (Daniel 12:9). Daniel isn’t given more information, and he isn’t given any further instructions for God’s people. He’s told to finish his course, to finish his life in humble service to God. In 1939 C.S. Lewis spoke at Oxford to the faculty and students about the Christian response to World War 2. His concluding thought, “The great thing is to be found at one’s post as a child of God, living each day as though it were our last, but planning as though the world might last a hundred years.”

Join us Sunday as we consider what it means to live humbly before the Lord in terrible times.

For the next two weeks, we’re going to wrap up the last three chapters of Daniel. Chapter 10 begins with Daniel learning of a great conflict that his people would experience. Hope was kindled when Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city. That hope was quickly demolished by the continued struggle Israel endured. Life in Jerusalem was not the bounty of a land flowing with milk and honey. Instead, it was filled with poverty and extortion. Further revelation from God in Chapters 7-9 was of ongoing suffering under the Greek prince who would come. Evil will continue to dominate and destroy the earth and especially God’s people. Chapter 11 explains a series of conflicts between Persia and Greece, culminating in their destruction.

God’s people are caught in the middle of these struggles and terrible times. But God offers them new understanding and renewed hope. God’s messengers come and indicate that behind these power struggles are spiritual, evil personalities who influence these kings and warlords, while God’s angelic hosts do battle on behalf of his people. Israel needs to understand that the conflicts of this world are the fruit of a spiritual battle of which they are a part. In addition, God offers renewed hope in Chapter 12 that whatever happens in this life, this life is not the end. He tells them of the resurrection that remains the hope of the wise. These are important truths we’ll explore Sunday. Join us.

Sunday we’ll finish chapter nine of Daniel, where Gabriel shows up to answer Daniel’s question and prayer. After reading the prophet Jeremiah, he learns that Israel would be exiled for seventy years. He figures out that seventy years is almost over, and he anticipates the fulfillment of God’s promises. Part of Jeremiah’s prophecy is the establishment of a new covenant with God’s people. Gabriel says that Israel will return to the promised land, but the bigger issue, “putting an end to sin,” wouldn’t happen until the Messiah comes and is put to death. God has bigger plans for his people than simply returning them to the promised land. Daniel wants to know when this transformation will happen. Gabriel lays out God’s plan to send Jesus to establish that new covenant and rescue his people from their sin. Israel longs for relief from their suffering, but God’s wants to provide their redemption. We’re often like Israel, wanting relief from our suffering more than we want our full redemption. So, join us Sunday and we’ll discuss God’s redemptive work.

This Sunday we’ll continue our study in Daniel, focusing on chapter nine. This chapter breaks into two sections: Daniel’s repentance and Gabriel’s explanation of the timeline of God’s judgment. Let me set the stage for the first section. Daniel is reading “the books,” which refers to the prophet Jeremiah. As he reads, he comes to understand that Israel is experiencing the curses explained in the Mosaic covenant. Remember that Moses lays out the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience. Daniel learns from reading that God sent Israel into exile for seventy-sevens, which he interprets as seventy years. Suddenly, Daniel is faced with the reason for Israel’s suffering and exile, her sin.

So, in chapters seven and eight, Daniel learns that Israel will face constant threats from Babylon, the Medes and Persians, and Greece. In this chapter, he recounts reading in Jeremiah’s prophecy an explanation of Israel’s exile. This is personal for Daniel. As a child, he was taken captive to Babylon and has faced his own death on multiple occasions. The sin of God’s people has directly affected him, his family, and his nation. How does he respond? He turns himself to the Lord in prayer and fasting. He humbles himself before the sovereign God. Much of the chapter is his confession of Israel’s corporate sin without pointing a self-righteous finger at his countrymen. Instead, he throws himself and the nation on the mercy of God.

How does this apply to us? Join us Sunday as we consider this beautiful text.

This week Matthew continues to show why and to whom the Messiah came. Matthew's writing style would have been familiar to anyone steeped in the Scriptures, but he writes in such a way that, while familiar, it was jarring at the same time. The details he includes preclude remembering history with rose colored glasses, and forces the reader to recognize that their heroes had feet of clay.

This Sunday we'll consider two of Jesus' parables, found back-to-back in Luke 14. Parables about feasts and banquets, who gets invited, where they fit in the pecking order, and some surprising grace-filled Gospel hospitality. They speak of honor and shame, of pride and humility, and of the flimsy excuses people make for not being "all in" with the Lord Jesus. A great banquet awaits those who are. Come on Sunday, and let the Great Physician take your spiritual temperature!

Sunday we’ll move into chapter eight, where Daniel has another vision during the time of king Belshazzar of the Babylonian empire. This week’s vision builds on the vision of chapter seven. In chapter seven, the third empire has a king that persecutes God’s people. In this week’s vision, that person is highlighted, and his horrible deeds revealed.

At least three things are revealed in this vision. First, the people of God are not exempt from tribulation. Daniel is given tragic news for his people; they will suffer intensely in the third kingdom. Second, God’s glory is not in his temple. It was destroyed under Nebuchadnezzar and this king will desecrate the rebuilt temple, worshipping pagan deities in God’s sanctuary. While God holds this king accountable, he doesn’t protect his sacred places. Third, as this pagan king leads idolatrous worship in the temple of God, Israel’s leaders join in the desecration. This not only brings shame on the nation, but further suffering as correction from God.

There isn’t much hope in this vision and Daniel is traumatized by the explanation. But there is hope because these events mark the beginning of the end of the kingdoms of men and the purification of God’s people. Gabriel, one of God’s angelic hosts is sent to interpret the vision and designates these things the last days of Israel’s humiliation. These days of darkness will end with the dawn of the Son of Man! Join us as we worship God for the gift of Jesus Christ!

This Sunday we move away from the narratives of Daniel’s story to the visions that he received during the reign of the various kings he served. These passages communicate God’s promises to Israel being fulfilled.  They also paint a cosmic picture of the victory of Christ over the kingdoms of this world. Chapter seven presents four kingdoms of men, the fourth being the most terrifying. The four kingdoms are portrayed as horrible beasts, emphasizing the evil nature of the kingdoms of men. Each beast is destructive and oppressive, especially for the people of God whom they persecute.

The challenge we face is how to interpret these texts since they are “visions” given to Daniel. One key is to remember that the Scripture is written in the common literature of the day. For example, the Proverbs of the Scripture are written in the genre of wisdom literature in Solomon’s day. This means that we interpret the Proverbs as they would have been interpreted by the original audience. The same goes for “visions” in the Scripture. Old Testament visions were similar to New Testament apocalyptic literature which is not interpreted literally but cosmically. Daniel’s visions don’t disappoint as they follow that apocalyptic pattern. We’ll have to discuss this Sunday as we begin our study of Daniel 7.

As we approach these passages, we see Thanos-type evil characters, tormenting the world and the specifically the people of God. We learn that there is a hero character, sent from God to conquer and judge these evil characters, rescue his people, rule the creation, and bless his children. Join us Sunday as we begin to study these passages.

This Sunday we are blessed to have Dr. Samuel Nshimyumukiza minister the word of God to us. He was trained in South Korea and ministered in Rwanda where he met his wife, our missionary, Sarah. God blessed them with their first child last December. We are blessed to have them living in our community and worshipping with us while Sam looks for work here in the States.

Dr. Sam will examine the life that Christ came to give us, what Jesus calls a life of abundance. Foundational to that abundant life is the separation of light from darkness, the freedom of the believer from a life of sin. The life of Christ is a life of light and freedom like we have never enjoyed, but he offers us this life in himself. Join us as we worship God for our life in Christ and learn what that life means for us.