This year our Good Friday service was structured around the three last words that Jesus speaks from the Cross in the Gospel of Luke: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) “Father, into your …
Broken to Heal: a Good Friday message
Here is the complete text from my Good Friday message given yesterday at Eastbrook Church. You can view the message here. The Apostle John, one of Jesus’ closest companions, begins his telling of Jesus’ life with profound words. John describes Jesus as the ‘Word of God’ – that perfect wisdom and revelation of God – who …
The Life I Live in the Body (Galatians 2:20, part 3)
Today, I conclude my reflections on Paul's words in Galatians 2:20 with attention to the final phrase: "the life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” If we have been crucified - killed - with Christ, and if we have been overtaken …
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I No Longer Live But Christ Lives in Me (Galatians 2:20, part 2)
I continue my reflections on Paul's words in Galatians 2:20 today by looking at the second phrase: "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." If through Christ's death we participated in death, then through Christ's risen life we participate in life. We die with Jesus and rise to life in Jesus. Elsewhere Paul writes, …
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I Have Been Crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20, part 1)
Since my message, "The Real Gospel," I have been thinking about Paul's words in Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for …
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Matthew Erickson 