The heart of our faith is not found in arguments or distractions, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the descendant of David who was raised from the dead. This is the gospel that gives meaning to our worship, our community, and our mission. When we keep Jesus at the center, we remember why we gather, why we serve, and why we share hope with others. Let us continually refocus our hearts and lives on the risen Christ, who is our North Star and the foundation of our hope. [20:36]
2 Timothy 2:8-10 (ESV)
"Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."
Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally center your thoughts and actions on Jesus today, especially when distractions or lesser priorities threaten to take over?
The way we live and speak has a profound impact on the faith of others. Our words and actions can either draw people closer to Jesus or push them away. We are called to avoid pointless arguments and to live with integrity, knowing that our lives are a testimony to the gospel we proclaim. Let us strive to be people whose conduct encourages faith, remembering that our obedience is not just for our own sake, but for the sake of those who are watching and seeking. [25:22]
2 Timothy 2:15-16 (ESV)
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness."
Reflection: Is there a conversation or habit in your life that might be hindering someone else’s faith? What step can you take today to align your conduct with the gospel you share?
Our freedom in Christ is not a license for self-indulgence, but a call to serve others. As followers of Jesus, we are both free and bound—free from sin and condemnation, yet bound in love to our neighbors. Our lives are not our own; we are called to use our freedom to help others come to know Jesus, living as both servants of God and servants of all. [28:30]
Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV)
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Reflection: Who is someone in your life you can serve today, not out of obligation, but as an expression of your freedom in Christ?
Despite the failures and imperfections of the church and its leaders, God’s work of salvation stands firm. Our faith is not ultimately in people, but in the unchanging God who knows His own and never fails. Even when we or others fall short, God’s foundation remains, and He invites us to trust Him and to keep growing in grace and maturity. [31:13]
2 Timothy 2:19 (ESV)
"But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and, 'Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.'"
Reflection: When you are disappointed by others in the church, how can you shift your trust back to God’s unshakable foundation?
Every interaction, even the smallest act of kindness, can be a doorway for someone to encounter Jesus. We are called to live lives that give glory to God and help our neighbors come to faith, remembering that God uses our ordinary actions to accomplish His extraordinary work. There is no greater privilege than to accompany someone on their journey to faith, and it often begins with simple, genuine love. [33:58]
Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can show Christ’s love to a neighbor or stranger today, creating space for God to work in their life?
Today’s reflection centers on the call to keep Jesus Christ at the heart of all we do, both as individuals and as a church community. The story of the ten lepers in Luke 17 reminds us of the power of gratitude and the importance of returning to the source of our healing—Jesus himself. Just as the Samaritan leper returned to give thanks, we are invited to continually turn our hearts back to Christ, recognizing him as the foundation and purpose of our lives.
Personal stories, like my first job at Taco Bell, illustrate how easy it is to get distracted by lesser things, even with good intentions. In leadership and in faith, it’s tempting to focus on what’s urgent or comfortable rather than what’s truly important. Paul’s words to Timothy echo this: avoid getting entangled in trivial arguments or distractions that pull us away from the central mission—sharing the good news of Jesus’ resurrection and the hope it brings.
Our conduct and our words matter deeply, not just for our own spiritual health, but for the faith of others. Paul warns against “wrangling over words” and engaging in pointless controversies that do more harm than good. The way we live and speak can either open doors for others to encounter Christ or become stumbling blocks that push them away. Our freedom in Christ is not a license for self-indulgence, but a call to serve others and help them find their way to Jesus.
Even as we strive to live faithfully, we are reminded that the work of salvation is ultimately God’s. Despite the church’s imperfections and our own failings, God’s foundation remains firm. Our role is to point others to Jesus, not to ourselves, and to trust that God is at work in ways we cannot always see. Maturity in faith means recognizing that we are saved not just for our own sake, but for the sake of our neighbor.
Every act of kindness, every word of truth, every effort to avoid needless controversy is an opportunity for God to use us in drawing others to himself. Whether it’s through a simple act of hospitality or a word of comfort in a time of tragedy, we are privileged to be part of God’s work of introducing people to the hope and love found in Jesus Christ.
Luke 17:11-19 (ESV) — > On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
2 Timothy 2:8, 14-19 (ESV) — > Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel... Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene... But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
``The reason that we are here today in this congregation singing these songs, reading this scripture, sharing this meal, is because a descendant of King David was raised from the dead. The promises of the Hebrew scripture that a Messiah would come and save people from sin. Those promises were fulfilled in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. [00:20:24] (22 seconds) #JesusOurTrueNorth
Jesus is our North Star. Jesus is why this place exists. He is the one we are following. And at church we need to be careful to stay focused on the main thing and not all the other things that church can become about that distract us from what is most important. Our primary is Jesus. [00:20:46] (23 seconds) #EndureForSalvation
That those who have died with Jesus in baptism will also live with him in heaven. That those who endured in the faith will also reign with Jesus. This is our gospel. This is Our hope. We are Jesus people. We have hitched our wagons to him to go where he goes, because we believe that he was raised from the dead and not only knows the way back to the Father, but also has the power to take us there, to bring us back home to be with God. [00:22:08] (36 seconds) #AvoidFoolishArguments
The reason? Our obedience to the commands of God? Matter is not about our salvation. It's about the salvation of others. We do not belong to ourselves. Our ethic is not like the world's ethic that says you, do you. Our freedom in Christ is not to be exploited for our own benefit. It is to be used to help others come to know Jesus so they can be saved. [00:27:26] (28 seconds) #BelongToJesusAndNeighbor
The good news is that God is the one who is doing this work of salvation, and he is doing it through us and in us. Paul ends this part of the instruction with a reminder that God's foundation remains firm. We may have influence, but we are not so powerful as to undo what God has done in someone's life. [00:29:01] (24 seconds) #CalledToDailyReform
And then our faith is secure because it is laid on the foundation of God, the perfect God, who never fails us, who never lets us down. The foundation of God is secure because the Lord knows who are his. And our assurance of salvation comes not from our teachers and pastors and mentors, but comes from Jesus, who is faithful to us, even if we are faithless and then God comes to us in this incredible grace and he invites us, sinners that we are, to share the gospel of Jesus with others, to be critical points of his work in the world. [00:31:20] (40 seconds) #PrivilegeOfIntroduction
It's a constant call to reform, to become more like our Savior every day through the choices that we make. It's an invitation to change so that God can better use us to change the lives of of those he is bringing to faith. [00:32:08] (16 seconds) #MatureFaithForNeighbors
There is no greater privilege in this life than than to accompany someone to faith. Our work as a congregation and as individuals, our work is the work of introduction, to introduce an unbelieving world to Jesus, the one descended from David who was raised from the dead, to the one who desires everyone to be saved. [00:33:10] (24 seconds) #LiveToGlorifyAndLead
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