Dear St. Andrews Family,

I took a year off from ministry. I needed a break. Of course, I was exhausted. Of course, I was grieving. But there was more going on. Christianity was starting to really frustrate me. Not the limping Christianity. Not the authentic Christianity. But the Christianity that we tout on facebook and in pop books and in political discussions. I needed to remind myself that there is a Christianity that is beautiful and faithful and genuine.

We all need something. Hebrews 6 and 10 tell us clearly what we need. We need to persevere. For me, that meant refocusing on Jesus and his glorious church (even when his people are ugly sometimes). For me that meant trying to see what Jesus sees in us and hearing his vision for us again. Right now, I see something very clearly. Hope in a promise. A promise given to me and to St Andrews. I want to show you a very simple Christianity which I hope will inspire a new trust in God for our future. I'm glad I get to share to share my heart with you.

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Pastor Jace

Dear St. Andrews Family,

I wonder what Jesus would think if he went to the movies. I really wonder what he would think about the movies and TV shows that revolve around his story. Would he laugh at how they portray him? I wonder what he would think about the picture you have of him. Based on movies, childhood pictures, pastor’s perspectives, and the culture that pervades our thinking, I wonder if we have the right Jesus. One thing I am sure of is that the ripple effects of this man have been more than any other in history. What if what he and thousands of others claimed is actually true? How might that truth shape everything? If you have a non-Christian friend, I think they need to check out this sermon. If you are a Christian, this should challenge you as well. I hope this resonates with you.

Pastor Jace

Dear St. Andrews Family,

It's almost funny what some peoplebelieve: dinosaurs in Scotland, Big Foots in Canada, and aliens in Area 51. Some of us believe other things that perhaps might have a more direct impact on our lives: God wants us to die in a jihad, God offers us eternity on our own planet with virgins galore, God doesn’t care about us at all. But what do we think about Jesus? That is my topic the next couple of weeks. This week, what do we think about Jesus in regard to the Triumphal Entry. Even calling it the Triumphal Entry implies something that the text almost demands we not believe. It’s another one of those weird passages where triumph is found through weakness and the best strategy for war is gentleness. Take a look at John 12 and prepare your hearts for worshipping as you follow along.

Pastor Jace

Dear St. Andrews Family,

Things are going to get better.

How is that for hopeful and encouraging? Things are going to get better. The kingdom of this world is diminishing as Christians live in an upside-down world. What the heckam I talking about? Well, you need to come on Sunday as we look at the ending of the book of Haggai. It talks about a shaking and a future king and a world that gets better. I think that is still the promise and I can’t wait to show it to you.

Pastor Jace

Dear St. Andrews family,

Eudaemonism is that ethical position that stresses that goodness, happiness, and material rewards always come from satisfactory ethical actions.

“Oh my gosh! That’s how you started this pastor? And you want me to keep reading? I nodded off in the first sentence.”

Okay, I get it. But think about it for a second. The Bible tells us all over the place that if we do the right thing, then goodness follows. If we don’t do the right things, we get cursed. Is this really true? Doesn’t your everyday experience tell you it’s not true. Wait, did you just wonder if the Bible is really true? See, this might be a fun sermon after all. Super relevant anyway. I am going to talk about whether God is a vengeful, violent, and punitive God. I am going to talk about the consequences of sin. I am going to talk about how vital it is to put the most important things first in our life. I hope you will read Haggai 2:10-19 before coming.

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Pastor Jace

Dear Family,

Do you get discouraged? Are things not as you expected and planned? Do you look back on a time when life was just sweeter and wonder if that will ever be again?

Can I encourage you from Haggai 2? It’s a promise that God will be with Israel and I think I can say that he will be with you too. He says there that he will shake things up and that he will revive them and that things will get better. I am praying this for our church and for each one of you this week before we meet. And I am expecting great things. I hope this speaks to you.

Pastor Jace

Dear St. Andrews Family,

Are you listening?

Last week I encouraged you to “give heart to your road.” Did you?

Because when Israel heard Haggai’s words, they listened—they obeyed. And it was truly a beautiful moment. Their obedience was recorded and we are still talking about it 2500 years later.

When you hear the Bible preached, do you hear it as if it is coming from God’s own mouth? Or is it just another sermon or another Bible study or another devotional? Does that time spent under his word compel you forward? Can I ask you again: “Are you listening?”

I hope you listen to Sunday's message as we look at Haggai 1:12-15. Maybe you will even ask God what he wants you to hear and how he wants you to obey.

Pastor Jace

Dear St. Andrews Family,

What’s the most important thing in your life?

“Duh, pastor, I know the church answer: Jesus is the most important thing in my life.”

Okay, yeah, of course he is. We all like to claim that. We are generally good people, doing good work in a good place for good reasons. We all love God.

But are you kinda like me? Maybe your everyday “to-do list” doesn’t exactly match up to your claims. Do you have a genuine belief combined with truly great intentions? But then reflect back at the end of the day and feel some shame? Do you struggle with priorities?

I don’t want to shame you this week. Jesus already took your sin and that is truly great news, but maybe, just maybe, we can encourage each other in regard to the road we run. I hope you join me.

Pastor Jace