We need rest. Without rest, we suffer. Studies show that with too little rest, people experience fatigue and physical imbalances that result in decreased attention, poor decisions, and even speech impairment. People who take no breaks during the workday have lower productivity than those who take periodic breaks.Christians know they need more than sleep or breaks, more than physical rest. We need spiritual rest. The only place to find that type of rest is Jesus. Jesus provides more than a pause in work or enjoyable recreation. Jesus provides the removal of our sins, the cleansing of our guilty consciences, and a gentle new yoke of discipleship in the freedom of the gospel. In Jesus, Christians find rest from burdens and battles right now, and eventually eternal rest in heaven.Series: What Makes Christians Different?

Believers in God and their ministers have always been persecuted. Religious leaders in Jerusalem tried to muzzle the truth, but they only succeeded in sending people to preach the Word throughout the land. The Roman Empire persecuted Christians with stakes and lions, but God’s Church exploded with growth. In Martin Luther’s day, both pope and emperor tried to limit the gospel movement that was spreading from Germany, but God led many people to speak his truth. God wants his people to preach the Word and fight for the faith in the face of opposition.

They never forgot their past. Moses never forgot how he killed a man in a fit of anger. Paul never forgot how he had savaged the Church of God. Matthew never forgot how, as a tax collector for the Roman Empire, he was considered a traitor to his people. But God forgot their past. He forgave all their sins and called them to proclaim his mercy. Christians are sinners whom God has mercifully forgiven and called. Only grace can explain why Jesus calls us to faith and promises us salvation. Only grace can explain why Jesus calls his disciples to remember their roots as they serve out his mission of making more disciples of all nations.

God has revealed himself as triune - one God in three persons. While we should not be surprised that God would reveal himself to us in a way that leaves us in awe of his mystery, neither has he revealed himself to us in this way to leave us confused. No, God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - is clear not only in the mission he calls us to, but also in how the Holy Trinity uniquely equips us to carry it out.

Thirsty? No one has to tell you what to do when you’re thirsty - you go get a drink to quench your thirst. It’s so automatic that you hardly have to think about it. If only the same were true with our spiritual thirst! But we forget where to turn when we need to satisfy our thirsty spirit, and we so easily look in all the wrong places. Instead, turn to THE Spirit, who promises to quench our thirst. Cling to him, and you’ll never go thirsty.

The Church doesn’t exist merely as a social club. She has been redeemed and set aside for a purpose. She has a mission to carry out: to draw every soul closer to Jesus in faith. How important is that mission? Important enough that God promises to provide the necessary workers to equip his Church to carry it out.

What makes a superhero brave and bold? While some are naturally born that way, for most, it’s their discovery and use of some type of superpower. Of course I’d be bold enough to jump off a tall building - if I could fly. And I wouldn’t be afraid of sneaking up on a bad guy - if I could be invisible. Yes, I'd be confident enough to take on any villain one-on-one - if I had superhuman strength. The believer doesn’t need superhero powers, though; he’s got something even mightier: his baptism. May we live boldly in our baptism for the One who died and lives for us.

The right title or name matters. You don’t call pest control when you’ve got a plumbing problem. You don’t google the nearest bakery when the garage door falters. You look to the right title or name to get the job done right. So, when it comes to the matter of salvation, we don’t just look to any old name or title, but to the only name that saves: our Savior, Jesus Christ.

There is so much noise in the world today. So many people have something to say. Most of it is worthless. Some is not. And still some is absolutely essential. How do we tell the difference? We seek out the voice of the Good Shepherd. When we hear it, we listen, for he alone has the words of life.

A host encourages her guest to make herself at home. The deployed service member longs for a piece of something that feels like home. Home is where we belong.But as believers, we aren’t home yet. We are foreigners. We won’t be home until we are finally with Jesus. Until then, rather than living in the world as if we’re trying to make ourselves at home, we stand out as foreigners, following Jesus by faith.