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

Dear St. Andrews Family,

There is something happening here. I can feel it. Most of you have known it far longer than I have. God’s Spirit is moving in our midst and I can’t wait to see what happens next. If I am right, then our church will cling to one another in unityaround the cross. Our people will marry the church and devote themselves to it. Our faith community will touch others with infectious holiness. This part of the larger body of Christ will be insanely generous and sacrifice everything to present Jesus as king. Courageous generosity! That’s what we looked at this week from Acts 4:32. I hope youget a chance to meditate on it this week. If God is moving, I can’t wait to see what He does next in his church as the banners are waved and the demons tremble. I hope you can be a part of it.

Pastor Jace

Dear St. Andrews Family,

Sometimes I wonder who is driving this car and then people remind me that it’s me. While this may not be a great testament to my confidence and leadership, I think its good that I am reticent to be the driver. I know myself well. I want to be liked. I don’t want to disappoint anyone. I don’t always know what direction we should go next. I don’t think this necessarily a problem with my leadership specifically; its just part of being human. And for this reason, I think leading the church should be the job of a small group of godly people—not one very human me.

I think if we want to be wise and we want others to see the church as beautiful, we might need to rethink how we lead. This week, I want to show this to you. I want to excite you about godly wise leaders who desperately want to drive the car where God is leading. Will you join me on Sunday and come with open minds and hearts for the future of the church.

Pastor Jace