On this tenth anniversary of City Church, Psalm 100 invites us to center our celebration in worship, characterized by joy and thanksgiving because of God’s goodness and faithfulness to us.
This is one of the most famous and beloved story Jesus ever told. Though it’s commonly known as the parable of the prodigal son, the story actually features two sons. They represent two different ways of avoiding God. And it turns out there’s more than one prodigal. The father in the story helps us to imagine just how outrageously extravagant God’s love for us is.
The final feast of Esther is a culmination of the entire story: a two-day festival devoted to the sheer joy of divine deliverance. We learn a deep truth here—that celebrations are just different on the other side of salvation.
The Magi’s journey to see Jesus teaches us about the extraordinary reach this new child king would have and joy-filled response from those who encounter him.
Life is tough. If it doesn’t feel that way, just give it time! How do we deal with discouragement, even lurking despair, and discover true hope that fills us with lasting joy and peace? This benediction holds the key.
