Word of the Week

Word of the Week: Iniquity

Pastor Nathanael Mayhew takes a look at the word Iniquity this week. The word has the basic meaning of something which is crooked or bent out of shape. God's prophets of the Old Testament would use this as a common description of the rebellion of humanity against God's Law. Not only does it describe our crooked behavior, but it is also used to describe the result of that behavior. We must carry the burden of our iniquity or "guilt." But while God at times allows us to suffer the earthly consequences of our iniquity, He desires our salvation and sent Jesus to bear our iniquities in our place at the cross. Because of the work of our Savior who has come, we are forgiven and set free!

Word of the Week: Excommunication

In our Word of the week, Pastor Nathanael Mayhew define and describes the Biblical practice and purpose of excommunication. This is based on the words of Jesus in Matthew 18:15-18, and as was practiced by the Apostle Paul and the Christian Church throughout history. Contrary to what many people think or believe, excommunication is actually a loving action that is intended to lead a person who has separated themselves from Christ to repentance. It is not about the type of sin, but the reaction to sin that is the problem. Excommunication is the most severe preaching of the law of God and has the purpose of leading a sinner to see the error of his or her way and to be saved. Join us today as we study this important and often misunderstood Biblical, Christian, and loving action.

Word of the Week: Transgression

Learn more about the word "transgression" in our Word of the Week for this week. The word is used to describe the relationship between God and sinners. In order to better understand what this means it is helpful to know that this describes a person violating the trust of another. It is used to describe nations who break treaties with other nations. This is helpful because the word describes something that shouldn't be. A promise was made but then broken, a trust was violated. That is what man has done to God. Mankind and violated the trust of God going back to the very beginning in the Garden of Eden. We have transgressed against God. But God did not want us to die in our transgression, so He sent Jesus. Jesus bore our transgression, and was completely trustworthy where we were not. Because of the actions of Jesus for us, God forgives our transgressions. What grace! God's grace can only be known through the realization of our transgression and what Jesus did for us.

Word of the Week: Saint

In our Word of the Week today, Pastor Ben Libby defines the word "saint" in Scripture. There are many false views of the word saint. For example the Roman Catholic Church uses this term to describe a person who has lived a "better" life than others. They even have a process called canonization for declaring certain people saints. But the ancient meaning of the word saint and the way that it is used in Scripture itself is different. A saint is a person who, by faith, has been saved from sin through the actions of Jesus Christ. So what does someone need to be a saint? Jesus! The work of God makes sinners saints through the work of faith. Rejoice that you are saints in Christ!

Word of the Week: Righteousness

As we conclude our recent celebration of the Reformation, we are reminded of what the Biblical word "righteousness" means. Pastor Tom Naumann takes us through the meaning and the use of the word in Scripture. In the Bible, God's Laws describe the character of God and the standard by which human righteousness is judged. The problem is we are not able to attain the God's standard of righteousness. The only means by which this is possible for us is through the righteousness of Christ which becomes ours by faith. Jesus has exchanged our sin for His perfection. We are declared righteous by God on account of what Jesus has done for us (2 Cor. 5:19-21). Thanks be to God! 

Word of the Week: Sanctification

Learn more about the meaning of the Biblical word "sanctification" in our Word of the Week. As we prepare to celebrate the Reformation this week, this word is certainly appropriate since the church of Luther's time taught that people had to earn their way into heaven by their good works. As we consider the Biblical word sanctification (and sanctify) we see that everything having to do with our salvation and even our lives of holiness are entirely the work of God, not our word. We will look at the two ways in which the word sanctification is used, both in the broad and narrow sense, what that means and how they differ. We hope you will join us!

Word of the Week: Work Righteousness

In our Word of the Week we discuss the phrase "work righteousness" as we look ahead to Reformation. The phrase "work righteousness" descibes the idea that human beings can save themselves by works of rightesousness. But there is a problem. God's standard of righteousness (laid out in the 10 Commandments for starters) is impossible for us to achieve. All our righteousnesses are like filthy rags, Isaiah writes! When we try to save ourselves or earn God's favor by our works we separated ourselves from Christ and lost out on the grace He alone can give. Scripture clearly declares that we are not saved by our works of righteousness, but by God's grace in Christ: “But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness” (Romans 4). Thanks be to God!

Word of the Week: Son of God

Nathanael Mayhew digs into a common name for Jesus in the New Testament and also one of the most important, since it was this name that guaranteed Jesus's death. It is the name "Son of God." This is used over 40 times for Jesus in the New Testament. It is the foundation and theme of the Gospel of Mark who begins by calling Jesus the Son of God. Jesus was decarled to be the Son of God by John the Baptizer, Nathanael, Martha, the Ethiopian eunuch, and the disciples as a whole. But what is more striking is that the Roman centurian at Jesus' crucifixion confesses: Truly this was the Son of God!" Even the demons recognized Jesus and called Him the Son of God. Was Jesus just a half god or demi god like Perceus or Hercules in Greek mythology? He was much more than that. Put under oath and asked if He was the Son of God, Jesus said: "It is as you say." For this He was condemned of blasphemy because He made Himself to be God! Jesus is True Man, but also True God, our Savior! 

Word of the Week: Way, Truth, Life

Join Pastor Nathanael Mayhew today to look at three more names for Jesus: The Way, The Truth, The Life. Even though many people are put off by the exclusive nature of Christianity, their rejection does not change the truth. Jesus is the only way to heaven. He alone made the sacrifice that God required to pay the debt of our sin and reconcile us to Him. He is also the Life. Jesus gave His life on the cross and then took it again on the third day. By faith in Jesus we have the Life He has won, but without faith in Him, we are condemned. Jesus is also the truth. Unlike the Rabbis of His day, Jesus's word were authortative themselves and He did not need to use other Rabbis to support or give authority to His teaching. His words are truth and they cannot fail. Jesus is the only way, the very Truth, and the Life we so desperately need and long for!

Word of the Week: Word

Pastor Nathanael Mayhew digs into another name of Jesus, the Word. This name takes us into the writings of John where he reveals that Jesus is more than just a man. He is true God with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He has been since the beginning and He is the Creator. But the Word also became flesh and lived as a man. He was seen, heard and touched by others as True Man. He gave up His life, in order to give us life by reconciling us to God. Jesus is the Word!