Welcome to the Libertyville Covenant Church Lenten Devotional. People from our church have written devotions for each of the 40 days in Lent. These devotions are based on our sermons’ weekly theme and a set of verses connected to that theme. May you be blessed as you read and ponder these thoughts from your brothers and sisters this Lenten season. To access the devotional, click the picture to the left.
Welcome to the Libertyville Covenant Church Lenten Devotional. People from our church have written devotions for each of the 40 days in Lent. These devotions are based on our sermons’ weekly theme and a set of verses connected to that theme. May you be blessed as you read and ponder these thoughts from your brothers and sisters this Lenten season. To access the devotional, click the picture to the left.
A moment to address the Elephant (and the Donkey) in the room:
Since the election on Tuesday, I’ve counseled with people in their tears over what the future may hold, and I’ve counseled with people in fear of being ostracized from their friends, their families, and even this very church because they voted for President-Elect Trump. We all have feelings about this and a myriad of other topics, and our feelings are legitimate. Feelings are not sinful.
But how we express them can be. Folks, we are the church. And whatever our feelings about this or any other topic we may discuss, we must be different than our society in how we discuss it. We listen more than we speak. We don’t tear down those who disagree with us. And while we don’t ignore the issues of this world, seeking instead to bring God’s worldview to bear on them, neither do we let them take precedence in our minds and lives, a place where only Jesus belongs.
So people of God, show the love of God to each other, especially to those with whom you disagree. And remember that life continues. This week we celebrate new life in our church family with the birth of a new baby girl, and we mourn with another family at the untimely death of their father. So we will continue to be the church to them and to each other. We will continue to call this nation to worship Jesus Christ and Him only. We will continue to stand up for the least, the lost, the last, and the littlest among us. And we will continue to love one another as Jesus has loved us.
Be the Church, people. And may God be blessed in all we say and do.
Pastor Steve
A moment to address the Elephant (and the Donkey) in the room:
Since the election on Tuesday, I’ve counseled with people in their tears over what the future may hold, and I’ve counseled with people in fear of being ostracized from their friends, their families, and even this very church because they voted for President-Elect Trump. We all have feelings about this and a myriad of other topics, and our feelings are legitimate. Feelings are not sinful.
But how we express them can be. Folks, we are the church. And whatever our feelings about this or any other topic we may discuss, we must be different than our society in how we discuss it. We listen more than we speak. We don’t tear down those who disagree with us. And while we don’t ignore the issues of this world, seeking instead to bring God’s worldview to bear on them, neither do we let them take precedence in our minds and lives, a place where only Jesus belongs.
So people of God, show the love of God to each other, especially to those with whom you disagree. And remember that life continues. This week we celebrate new life in our church family with the birth of a new baby girl, and we mourn with another family at the untimely death of their father. So we will continue to be the church to them and to each other. We will continue to call this nation to worship Jesus Christ and Him only. We will continue to stand up for the least, the lost, the last, and the littlest among us. And we will continue to love one another as Jesus has loved us.
Be the Church, people. And may God be blessed in all we say and do.
Pastor Steve
Every Hebrew person knew what would happen when the Messiah came. He would be a King among the Jews, and there were certain realities about Kings and the King of Kings that were sure…
1) A king can take whatever he wishes; it is all considered his in the first place.
2) A king never uses anything anyone else has used; it must be new
3) The Messiah would enter Jerusalem riding on the foal of a donkey (Zech. 9:9)
4) The Messiah would enter Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives (Zech 14:4)
5) A king entering Jerusalem enters hailed by the people parade-style with banners, branches and song
6) Previous kings, when riding donkeys, had those donkeys covered by the cloaks of those around him (2 Kings 9:13).
7) When the Messiah came, he would be greeted with, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”
8) A king would enter Jerusalem and go directly to the Temple either to worship or bring reform
With these in mind, reread the story of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry in Matt. 21 or Mark 11, and see where these things play out. You see, this entry into Jerusalem wasn’t a random act, a spur-of-the-moment decision. This was a public proclamation of Jesus’ identity as Messiah and King of the Jews. So often during His ministry, Jesus had asked people to remain silent about Him, explaining that His time had not yet come. But in this single act, Jesus proclaims to the entire city, filling up with Passover celebrants, who He is.
The time for silence about Jesus’ identity is past. With the disciples and onlookers, we much proclaim, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”