Last will be first

Most of us know that the famous phrase, "The last will be first" traces back to Jesus.  But, what did Jesus mean by this expression?  The expression occurs in Matthew 19:30 and 20:16.  In that place in Matthew's gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard.  Remember the story?  Each laborer is hired at a different time during the day, but they are paid the one denarius promised at the end of the day.  They all received the same pay off, even though some only worked one or two hours in the fields.  So what is Jesus teaching us?

In God's kingdom, many truths are important, but the greatest principle is the truth of God's grace.  In fact, "grace" is what makes Christianity unique.  In Christ, God offers to us unmerited favor and kindness.  In the parable, those hired last received the same wage or "reward" as those hired first.  Don't get hung up asking "is that fair?", because the owner was just in the story.    From God's perspective, the most important thing is that they were all hired and received a reward.  The parable emphasizes God's amazing grace.

In his book, “What’s So Amazing About Grace,” Phillip Yancey points out that part of our problem with understanding grace is in the nature of grace itself. Grace is scandalous. It’s hard to accept, hard to believe, and hard to receive. Grace shocks us in what it offers. It is truly not of this world. It frightens us with what it does for sinners-you and me.

The next time God offers you grace, take it.  The next time God offers grace to someone you think doesn't deserve it, rejoice in God's grace.  Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that our relationship with Christ Jesus is all about grace.  I'm thankful for God's grace in my life and I hope you are too.  

Second Chance Cowboy

This week we continue the Branded series with a central message of Christianity.  Christians are marked by love and forgiveness flowing from God's grace into our hearts and outward to others.  Second Chance Cowboy emphasizes God's forgiving nature.  We all fall down.  But how do we get back up?  Join us Sunday as we look at love, grace, and forgiveness.  See you @ the ARC

The Gospel is . . . Grace and faith

What is the gospel really?  I know it's good news; but why?  I believe the gospel of Christ Jesus is good news because it releases us from the bondage of "self".   For most people today, "religion" is nothing more than a personally decided upon set of beliefs or philosophies -- that's what you call pluralism.  It's where you take a little bit of this and a little bit of that and "shazam", you've got religion.  It seems good at first, but the problem in the long run is that your religion is no bigger or better than you are??!?!  You become your own means to salvation, enlightenment, or whatever you call it.

The Christian message is different.  There's God and then there's you and me.  We can never measure up--that's the bad news.  The good news is that we don't have to measure up!  God took care of everything when he sent Jesus to take our place and pay our price--that's grace.  God offers you grace and we respond with faith in God's plan.  It's really that simple.  The gospel is good news because it is a relationship of grace and faith.  See you Sunday and bring all your friends.  Pastor Tom