Mary's Song | A Sermon on Luke 1:46-55

Introduction
I’ve always felt like Christmas and music naturally go together. When I was a little boy, that was one of my favorite parts of the season. Even as a young child, our family was always singing Christmas carols—whether we were at home, riding in the car, or out running errands.

Honestly, I think my mom used singing to keep us occupied. We didn’t have smartphones back then, and half the time we weren’t even buckled in. We were just bouncing around the car while she tried to do her Christmas shopping with four kids in tow. She needed something to keep us under control, so she sang carols with us.

Those memories are deeply ingrained in me, and I think it’s fitting—because music has always been a part of Christmas.

Over the next few weeks, we will study the songs of Christmas from the Bible. In the Bible, Christmas has always had music.  Not about snow or mistletoe; about Jesus. Several prophecies, songs, and psalms in the Old Testament foretold Jesus’ birth. And in the New Testament we have the angels singing gloria to announce the birth to shepherds. But, before angels sang, before shepherds rejoiced, before wise men bowed—there was a young girl who trusted God enough to bear His Son.  And Mary sang a song about it.  Mary’s Song (also known as Mary’s Magnificat) is found in Luke 1:46-55.

Luke 1:46-55
⁴⁶ Mary responded,
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
⁴⁷     How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
⁴⁸ For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
    and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
⁴⁹ For the Mighty One is holy,
    and he has done great things for me.
⁵⁰ He shows mercy from generation to generation
    to all who fear him.
⁵¹ His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
    He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
⁵² He has brought down princes from their thrones
    and exalted the humble.
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
    and sent the rich away with empty hands.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel
    and remembered to be merciful.
⁵⁵ For he made this promise to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and his children forever.”

Who Was Mary?
When Mary sang this beautiful song of praise, she was likely only about 13 years old. In her culture, girls typically married between 13 and 16.

She came from an obscure little town—Nazareth—and yet she carried an extraordinary lineage. Most people know she was a descendant of King David, but they often forget she was also connected to the priestly line of Aaron. That means Jesus was born to her both as King and Priest—the perfect fulfillment of God’s plan.

Mary was a woman of deep faith, humility, and trust. And that matters, because we often think praise is something we offer after God answers our prayers—when life is good, when things make sense. But Mary praised God before any of it made sense. She trusted God even though His plan would first lead her through hardship.

She was betrothed to Joseph but not yet married, and now she was pregnant—claiming, truthfully, that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Imagine having to explain that to your parents, your neighbors, and to Joseph, the man preparing to marry you. It wasn’t just embarrassing—it was dangerous. In her culture, an unwed pregnancy could cost you your life.

And yet Mary still said, “My soul magnifies the Lord.”

Mary Praises God
She sees and trusts that God is going to do great things. She even says, “He has done great things for me.” Now, most people in a life-threatening, humiliating situation like hers wouldn’t be saying, “God has done great things for me.” But Mary does. Through the eyes of faith, she looks far beyond her present circumstances and says, “Generations will call me blessed.”

How many of us have that kind of faith when we’re facing difficulty? When the situation seems overwhelming—when all we can see is sorrow, struggle, or hardship—can we still say, “The Lord has done great things for me”?

Can you see beyond the obstacle in front of you to the blessing God intends to bring in the future?

The Great Reversal
Mary sings about the dramatic changes God is going to bring through her Son. Her song announces what I call the Great Reversal. God is going to overturn the usual way the world works.

He scatters the proud and exalts the humble.
He fills the hungry and sends the rich away empty.

These are powerful statements. In fact, they can even be threatening. They were in Jesus’ day. There were powerful people—religious, political, and wealthy—who thought very highly of themselves, dressed in fine clothes, and expected everyone else to look up to them. And then there were the lowly—poor, dirty, ignored, and pushed aside.

Yet Mary declares that God is going to reverse all of it.
He will lift up the humble.
He will bring down the proud.
He will feed the hungry, and the rich will walk away empty-handed.

And this dynamic hasn’t been unique to Jesus’ day. It has existed in every time and every place. What we might see as a harmless little passage has often been viewed as dangerous.

Did you know this passage has actually been outlawed or banned by several governments?

• During British rule in India (1910s–1940s), authorities discouraged Indian Christians from reading Mary’s Song because it inspired hope for the oppressed.

• In the 1930s and 40s, Nazi Germany also restricted it for the same reason.

• Other regimes have done likewise, fearing its message of God overturning unjust power.

When people cling to their own kingdom—when they want to stay in control—Mary’s song is a threat. It declares, “It’s not about you. It’s about God’s kingdom.”  Some people don’t like that.

So what does this Great Reversal mean for us?  Most of us may not feel wealthy, but compared to much of the world, we are. We have resources. We have influence. We like to be respected. And Mary’s Song reminds us:

Stay humble.
Don’t be too proud.  Take pride in your work, but don’t think the world revolves around you.  Don’t look down on others because they have less.  Don’t think you are better than anyone else.  If pride takes root, Mary warns us: Christ will scatter the proud and lift up the humble.

And don’t trust in your riches.
The Bible doesn’t condemn having wealth—many heroes of faith were wealthy. The issue isn’t possession, but dependence.  The danger comes when we trust our wealth, our position, or our status more than we trust the Lord. Wealth can disappear in a moment. It cannot save us, protect us, or give us identity.

Our trust must be in God alone.  Because God, through Christ, still scatters the proud, exalts the humble, fills the hungry, and sends the rich away empty.

The Greatest Reversal
But Mary’s not just singing of social reversals.  She is announcing the greatest reversal in human history.  As Isaac Watts wrote in Joy to the World:  “No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground! He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found Far as the curse is found Far as, far as the curse is found.”

Jesus reverses the curse of Genesis 3,
the curse brought on us by Adam and Eve’s sin in the garden.  

You may remember the specifics of the curse: pain in childbirth.  But as I thought about that this morning, it’s not just the pain of childbirth—it’s also the pain of raising children.  There are all kinds of pain wrapped up in parenting.  Sometimes it’s as simple—and as heartbreaking—as watching your kids grow up and move out. There’s a joy in seeing them become who God created them to be, but it also leaves a hole where they once were. That’s a kind of pain you can’t avoid—and honestly, you wouldn’t want to. It means they’re growing.

There’s also the pain that comes from generational differences.  I hear my kids talk sometimes and think, “They’re just young whippersnappers—they have no idea!” And then I remember I used to think my parents views seemed old-fashioned to me; and now my kids think my views are old-fashioned. And one day their kids will think the same about them. Every generation thinks differently. That’s part of the curse—this tension, this inability to fully see eye to eye.

Then there’s the curse on marriage.  God told Eve that her relationship with Adam would be strained:
“Your husband will rule over you.”  In other words, what was once perfect unity would now be marked by conflict, power struggles, and misunderstandings.

There’s also the curse on the ground.  God told Adam he would have to scratch out a living from the dust and that the soil itself would fight him—thorns and thistles instead of fruit. That’s why I love that line from the hymn Joy to the World:  “No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground.”

Imagine being a gardener with no weeds, no thistles, no pests… everything you plant just springs up beautifully. Anyone who has ever worked in a garden knows that is not the world we live in. Gardening is often a battle.

And finally, there is the curse of physical death.  Our bodies wear out. We grow tired. And eventually, we pass away.  

But Jesus came to reverse all of this.  Imagine:

• No more pain in childbirth—or in raising children

• No more strain in marriage, but perfect unity and harmony

• No more curse on the ground—work becoming joy instead of toil

• No more physical death—eternal life with our King

This is what Mary is singing about.  
Her Son came to undo the curse and restore the world to what God always intended it to be.

Closing
Mary didn’t fully understand God’s plan. 
She didn’t know she’d flee to Egypt.
She didn’t know she’d watch her Son die for the sins of the world.
She didn’t know He would rise from the tomb.

But she knew this: 
God keeps His promises.  God sees the humble.  God lifts the lowly. God saves His people. 
And so she sang.

The first Christmas carol is not about nostalgia, snow, or sleigh bells.
The first Christmas carol was sung by a teenage girl who believed the impossible—
that God was about to undo the Curse and rewrite human history.

The same God who did great things for Mary wants to do great things in you.

The same God who brought His Son into the world through her trust
is still looking for people who will say, 
“I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”

So today, as we enter this Advent season,
may your soul magnify the Lord,
may your spirit rejoice in God your Savior,
and may you trust that Christ has come to reverse every curse, heal every wound,
and make “His blessings flow far as the curse is found”—even to you.

 

What Would Jesus Write to Us? | A Sermon On Romans 12:3 & Revelation 1-3

Romans 12:3
Because of the privilege and authority^[c] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

Introduction
This is the last sermon in this series about Jesus’ letters to the 7 churches in Revelation (Rev1-3).  And the message today will be much different than the ones before. This will be a summary of all we’ve heard so far.  But it will also be a chance for you to reflect and pray and ask: What is Jesus saying to me today?

So here’s what I will do.  I’m going to briefly summarize the message of each letter Jesus wrote.  Then, I will suggest a few questions for you to ask yourself.

But what you do in today’s sermon is as important as anything I say.  You need to honestly and prayerfully reflect on these questions for yourself.  Them pray about it to the Lord.  Because Jesus is here.  He walks among us.  And Jesus still speaks.  And we need to have ears to hear and listen to what He says.  Are you ready?

Ephesus
To the church in Ephesus, Jesus praised their hard work, endurance, and refusal to tolerate evil. But He rebuked them for losing their first love and He called them to repent and return to the passion they had at the beginning of their walk with Him.

Now I want you to prayerfully ask yourself a few questions.  This is just between you and Jesus.  

Ask yourself:

1.     Have I let my faith become more about duty, knowledge, or activity than about a genuine love relationship with Jesus?

2.     What specific step could I take this week to rekindle my “first love” for Jesus—whether in prayer, worship, or service?

(Take some time for silent reflection and personal prayer before your continue.)

Pray:  “Lord Jesus, forgive us when our love for You grows cold. Rekindle the passion we once had, that we may serve You not only with our hands and minds but with joyful, devoted love. Draw us back to our first love—You. Amen.”

Smyrna & Philadelphia
What Jesus said to Smyrna was very similar to what He said to Philadelphia.  So we’ll address these two churches together.  Jesus commended both for remaining faithful

despite Smyrna facing terrible persecution and Philadelphia being weak and small.  Jesus encouraged them to continue to remain faithful amidst their trials and they would receive eternal rewards.

Ask yourself:

1. How do I typically respond when life feels hard, unfair, or overwhelming—do I lean into Christ or shrink back in fear or doubt?
2. In what ways might I be underestimating how God can use me, even if I feel weak, small, or insignificant?

(Take some time for silent reflection and personal prayer before your continue.)

Pray:  “Faithful Lord, I’m glad You see us even in our weakness and trials. Strengthen us to endure, to hold fast to Your Word, and to remain faithful to the end. Keep our eyes on the crown of life You have promised. Amen.”

Pergamum & Thyatira
Pergamum and Thyatira also received similar words from the Lord, but more critical.  Pergamum was commended for holding fast to Jesus’ name even in a city full of idolatry.  Jesus commended Thyatira for their love, faith, service, and endurance.  However, Jesus rebuked them both for tolerating sin and false teaching.  He sternly warned them to repent, resist compromise, and remain faithful to God’s Word.

Ask yourself:

1.     Are there areas in my life where I’ve tolerated sin or compromise, excusing what I know is not pleasing to God?

2.     What would it look like for me to take a firm stand for holiness this week, even if it costs me something?

(Take some time for silent reflection and personal prayer before your continue.)

Pray:  “Lord Jesus, You’re Word is sharper than a double-edged sword. Forgive us where we have compromised Your truth or tolerated sin. Give us courage to resist temptation, strength to stand firm, and hearts that remain faithful to You alone. Amen.”

Sardis
The Church in Sardis had a reputation for being alive, but Jesus said they were spiritually dead. Jesus called them to wake up, strengthen what remained, repent, and walk in purity so their names would never be erased from the book of life.  

Ask yourself:

1. Am I more concerned with looking spiritually alive on the outside than truly being alive in Christ on the inside?
2. What step of repentance do I need to take today to walk in purity and integrity with Jesus?

(Take some time for silent reflection and personal prayer before your continue.)

Pray:  “Lord Jesus, awaken us from spiritual slumber. Expose the places where our faith has grown cold, and breathe new life into our hearts. Help us to repent, to walk in purity, and to remain faithful so that our names may be secure in Your book of life. Amen.”

Laodicea
Laodicea was lukewarm—neither hot nor cold.  They were proud of their wealth, yet spiritually poor, blind, and naked. Jesus urged them to repent, seek true riches in Him, and open the door so He could come in and fellowship with them.  

Ask yourself:

1. Am I relying too much on my own comfort, resources, or success instead of depending fully on Jesus?
2. In what ways might my faith have grown lukewarm—lacking passion, zeal, or wholehearted obedience?

(Take some time for silent reflection and personal prayer before your continue.)

Pray:  “Lord Jesus, forgive us for the times we have been lukewarm or self-sufficient. Open our eyes to our true need for You. Give us zeal to repent and hearts eager to welcome You in, so we may share in Your fellowship and find true riches in Your presence. Amen.”

Closing Invitation
As we close this message and time of reflection today,  I remind you of Christ’s words from Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Jesus is here, knocking at the door of your heart.  Won’t you open the door to Christ?  Won’t you let Him truly be in charge of your life?  Repent of your sin and He will save you.  Let Him take control and He will welcome you into His Kingdom.

Guest Speaker: Sherry Dickson - Judgement

My prayer this morning is that what I say is pleasing to God and that it will encourage your mind and your heart, and stir you to grow—to love Jesus more deeply and more intimately today.

I did make an outline—a hard copy outline—if you want to hold it and take notes. If you would like one, there are copies available. You can raise your hand and I'm sure Tom would give you one. There are also some in the narthex; Scott can get those for you.

---

The Word of God and the Five Judgments

In 1982, my parents gifted me with this Bible. It is the New American Standard Study Bible, and it has been my go-to Bible since that time. It contains the Word of God, and there are also Christian study outlines in it. I wanted to share one of those outlines with you today.

Most people, when they think about God's judgment, might stiffen a little. But I hope that some of what I say today will round that out for you, so that you can see how wonderful God's judgments are.

I think most people—even on the street—understand that one day, they are going to have to give an account to God for their lives. This outline describes five different judgments. I used to think, "Yes, Jesus is coming, and my life is going to be judged, and I’ll give an accounting." But this outline shows that there are actually five different judgments, and they differ in time, place, and purpose. What they have in common is that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Judge. God the Father has given all authority of judgment to Jesus the Son.

Don’t worry—I’m not going to talk about all five today. I’ll talk about three.

---

Judgment #1: The Judgment of the Believer's Sin (Justification)

To begin with: God is holy. He is perfect in justice. He is great in mercy. He is all-loving, and His judgments are just as wonderful as He is.

Anything less than holiness is sin. It must be paid for and atoned for by death to be made right. This is God’s standard. He wants us to live by a high standard.

The first judgment is the judgment of the believer’s sin. The verse here is John 5:24. Jesus says:

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life and does not come into judgment but has passed out of death into life."

Notice—it says those who believe have passed out of death into life. That’s spiritual death.

This judgment happened 2,000 years ago on the cross. It also happens afresh every time a person repents and is born again.

You might ask, “How can something that happened 2,000 years ago affect me today?” Well, God is supra-time—He is outside and above time. He encompasses time. He’s not limited by it.

Scripture tells us, “To God, one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

So God, who is holy, requires righteousness. Unrighteousness has a cost—death. God cannot be pure and wink at sin, no matter how small we think it is. Grace is costly. Anything less than good must be redeemed.

Purpose: The purpose of this judgment was to redeem all of humanity from the curse of the Fall—for all time.

Adam and Eve had the perfect place, perfect relationship with God, and perfect spouse. But they were tested and failed. Spiritual death came immediately; physical death followed later. Everyone born from Adam has a spirit dead to God—disconnected from Him.

But Jesus is the second Adam. He passed the test. He resisted Satan. He humbled Himself and surrendered His perfect life on the cross. He took our sins, died the death we deserved. The perfect Lamb of God, pierced and crushed for our iniquities.

The cross is the greatest act of love ever known.
The debt of sin is paid—not in part, but the whole: past, present, and future.

Jesus triumphed over evil. The cross is where the greatest love met sin and death—and love won.

Think about the events of the cross:

• The veil was torn

• The sky darkened

• The earth shook

• The tombs opened

All sin was laid on Jesus, and He paid the price. The victory is won.

“He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of light…” (Colossians)

Jesus has redeemed paradise lost. He’s opened the doors of heaven. He’s given believers the everlasting gift of God’s grace.

"There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

This first judgment is summed up in one word: Justification.

It’s "just as if I never sinned." God made Jesus—who knew no sin—to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God. That’s who we are.

---

Resurrection Power and New Identity

Jesus’s resurrection is our resurrection. His sacrifice didn’t just clean up our mess—it took care of the root of the mess: our unregenerated, stony heart.

Now, resurrection power lives in us. Our old self was crucified, and now we have the Spirit of the living God inside us to become more like Jesus.

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are."

We are adopted into God’s family. That’s why we can claim righteousness.

We are saints. We are a new creation. A royal priesthood. Born anew. No longer in Adam’s family—we’re in the family of God, the Kingdom of Light.

And God longs for every person to receive this eternal life.

---

Judgment #2: The Judgment of the Believer's Self (Sanctification)

1 Corinthians 11:31–32 says:

"But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world."

Place: Our heart
Time: Ongoing
Purpose: Sanctification—fullness of maturity in Christ

If our sins are forgiven, what’s our relationship to sin now?

We know sin still happens. Christians fail. We disobey. But our relationship with sin is now different.

Sin is still sin. It’s evil, deceptive, and destructive. But now we are not condemned.

We are convicted, not condemned. Conviction is being convinced by the Holy Spirit of our sin. Before Christ, sin flowed from a sinful heart. Now, our heart is new. Sin brings dissonance.

Now, our job is to put off the old self, be made new, and be transformed into the image of Christ.

"Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. We are not our own; we were bought with a price."

Sin is more than disobedience—it hurts the heart of God.

1 John 1:9 is for believers:

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

That restores fellowship with God. This is part of the growth process.

Illustration: Parent and Child
A child born or adopted into a family belongs there. They bear the name and receive all benefits—guidance, protection, discipline, provision, and love.

When they disobey, fellowship—not relationship—is broken. That disobedience creates a barrier. But when the child repents, fellowship is restored. Same with God and us.

Sin doesn’t break our relationship with Christ—but it breaks our fellowship. Restoration comes through confession and agreement with the Holy Spirit.

We must examine ourselves, be shaped more into the likeness of Jesus.

Jonathan Edwards said he resolved every night to review where he had failed.
Charles Spurgeon, John Wesley—all emphasized that justification without sanctification is not salvation. They are inseparable.

---

Judgment #3: The Judgment of the Believer’s Works (Evaluation and Reward)

This is the judgment of the believer’s deeds. Not sin—but deeds. It’s about reward or loss.

2 Corinthians 5:10:

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."

This is not about eternal destiny. It’s about evaluating how we lived as redeemed people.

We’ll give an account of:

• Our time

• Our opportunities

• Our resources

• Our gifts

• Our use of grace

There will be differing rewards.

God won’t compare me to Billy Graham or Jimmy Carter. He’ll evaluate me based on what He gave me.

Metaphor: The Builder

1 Corinthians 3:11–15 says:

"No one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, their work will be shown for what it is… If it survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss—but will be saved, even though only as one escaping through flames."

So are we building with eternal materials or temporary ones?

Good deeds done with compassion, love, wisdom, and integrity—those last.
Deeds done for selfish reasons—those burn away.

Good deeds are the natural outflow of a redeemed heart. They are the proof of true faith.

---

Judgments 4 & 5 (Brief Mention)

• Judgment of the Nations – Christ separates sheep and goats.

• Judgment of the Wicked – Great White Throne Judgment; the wicked dead judged.

---

Summary

• The debt is paid.

• Your sins are forgiven.

• You have a new life and a firm foundation—Jesus Christ.

• You are called to examine yourself.

• You will receive rewards.

Let us love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Amen.

Pastor Chris Interviews Bible Publisher, Philip Nation

Introduction
I had the privilege to interview Philip Nation, the Vice President/Publisher of Thomas Nelson Bibles.  The following is a transcript of our interview.

Interview Transcript
Hey YouTube friends! Today we're doing something a little bit different. I am going to conduct an interview with Phillip Nation, who is the Vice President Publisher of Thomas Nelson Bibles. He has served as a pastor, church planter, and education minister in local churches. He frequently travels to speak in churches and at conferences. Phillip earned a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and has authored and edited numerous books and Bible studies. He is also a university fellow for Arizona Christian University and has been a professor at Union University and Houston Christian University.

So, let's welcome Phillip onto the podcast today!

Phillip: Thanks, Chris. It's fun to be on the podcast with you. I'm looking forward to this conversation.

Chris: Yeah! Would you like to share a little bit about yourself?

Phillip: I’d be happy to. God has been so very gracious. Many of us can say that in terms of life and vocation. The most important things in my life currently: my wife Angie and I have been married for 31 years, and we have two grown sons who are both married. One of our sons and his wife have two little ones, so we’ve entered the grandparent stage of life—and that is the most fun ever.

Vocationally, I’ve served for many years as a pastor and preacher, planted a church, and been a professor at a few different universities in part-time capacities. In this season of life, as you mentioned, I work for Harper Collins Christian Publishing, and I lead Thomas Nelson Bibles. I’ve been doing that for about five and a half years. It’s fascinating and complex work to be the publisher of the Bible, but it’s been a joy.

All the things God has done in my life—from academic work, to books I’ve written, to pastoring—have rolled together into this role of shepherding forward the work of Thomas Nelson Bibles.

Chris: That’s awesome. Did you always want to be in this kind of ministry work?

Phillip: I wouldn't say I never wanted to be in this kind of work. It would have never been on my radar to think, “One day I’ll be a Bible publisher.”

My journey in ministry started as a teenager when I felt a call, though it was vague. I didn’t know what ministry would look like for me. I’ve always had this sense of calling that felt a little odd—atypical. I felt drawn to preach, to work with the Word, rather than stay solely in local church ministry. As a young man, I couldn’t really define it.

I went through seminary, came out, began pastoring. I served as a senior pastor and associate pastor. In my mid-30s, I started writing and editing—partly because I was church planting and needed to support my family. A curriculum publishing company eventually offered me a position as a chief editor for adult curriculum. That opportunity was clearly providential.

I continued to be a bi-vocational pastor, even doing full-time pastoral work again later. But about six years ago, one of the largest publishing companies in the world reached out and said, “We want to interview you to lead a Bible publishing entity.” It's one of those jobs where you just have to say yes and explore it.

Now, I feel honored to shepherd forward Bible translations our company owns, like the New King James Version—our largest and most used translation. We also oversee other editions that have been around for decades, and new study Bibles we’re dreaming up to help people engage more deeply with the Word. It wasn’t something I planned, but I’m so glad God brought me here.

Chris: That’s really interesting. As a pastor, I use study Bibles and scholarly resources, and sometimes I quote scholars when I preach. But honestly, I often find it challenging to bridge the gap between what scholars say and what everyday people in the pew can understand. Sometimes it seems like Bible editors and scholars are disconnected from ordinary folks. Is that true? And how can we bridge that gap?

Phillip: I love that question. I’ve always held the belief that all pastors are theologians. But I also believe that all theologians should strive to be pastoral.

Those scholars writing commentaries and systematic theologies, the Greek and Hebrew experts—they’re doing amazing work. But pastors like you are the ones translating those complex ideas into something your people can use. Your people are going to work on Monday—to factories, offices, the ballfield. While we pastors might find Hebrew word studies fascinating, folks in the pew are thinking, “Okay, but what do I do with this on Tuesday?”

So I love the idea of taking the intricacies of Scripture and making them applicable. That was God’s intent—He didn’t write the Bible just for ministers. He wrote it for all believers.

But I will say this too: pastors sometimes underestimate their congregations. My joke is, “If you can figure out how to order coffee at Starbucks, you can learn biblical and theological language.”

We have people in our churches—accountants, HVAC techs, factory workers, nurses, doctors—who master complex information every day. They’re absolutely capable of understanding theology. They just need someone to invite them into those deeper waters and show them how to swim there.

Chris: I agree. And you know, there’s been this big problem with younger people leaving the church. Talking with my own children, sometimes they say, “What we’re hearing in church just isn’t deep enough.” They want substance. They want to go deeper.

Sometimes in church, we act like we’re not supposed to go too deep. But I think we sell ourselves—and our people—short. They’re capable of so much more than we give them credit for.

Phillip: Absolutely. And they’re not satisfied with shallow theology. They might not yet understand all the theological language, but they can get there. They just need someone to explain it in a way that connects. Once they’re equipped, they grow, and they often become self-feeders of Scripture. And that’s one of the great joys in ministry.

Chris: Wonderful. I think those are some great ideas as well. I wish I had been more prepared when they asked me, but now I’ll have some things to take back and talk to them more about.

What about pastors? You know, I study the Bible every week—every day. I live in it, I walk in it. Are there any things that you could say to me or to other pastors that might help us along the way?

Phillip: I'm glad you asked. You're the first one who has asked me that in a long time. From my years of being a pastor, I remember those long stretches where you're in the Word day in and day out. One encouragement I would start with is this: do a little self-survey. Have you allowed sermon preparation to totally replace your own personal devotional life?

There’s no way to completely separate sermon prep from personal formation, but sometimes we let outline building or manuscript writing replace time alone with God. So, I’d say make sure that the study you're doing is being applied to your heart long before you try to apply it to your congregation.

Also, we pastors tend to have favorite parts of Scripture. Maybe you're always in Paul's epistles or the Pentateuch. But the full counsel of God includes the minor prophets, the poetic books, the general epistles—all of it. So visit the "clean white pages" of your Bible—the parts you don't usually turn to. Let the Holy Spirit work through the whole field of Scripture to sanctify you.

Chris: I like that. It really is a challenge to separate our personal walk from our ministry role. But we can't really be pastors unless we’re first children of God. That has to come first. And I’ve found that whenever I get personally excited about a Scripture, it often finds its way into my preaching naturally.

Phillip: Yes! In this season of life, something that’s been powerful for me is the book of Psalms. I always loved Ecclesiastes for its postmodern tone, and Proverbs had that daily, chapter-a-day rhythm. But Psalms—it's been a new well for me. I wish I had dug deeper into it in my 20s and 30s.

Psalms was the everyday singing and worship of Jesus and the early church. It shows the human condition and God's faithful interaction with it—His grace, mercy, sovereignty. It's been an emboldening and comforting part of my devotional life.

Chris: I love that. Psalms has definitely had seasons of significance for me too. It can be a tough book to preach from, but personally, it's powerful. For years, I avoided Proverbs because it felt like the sayings contradicted each other. But once I understood the genre better, I fell in love with it.

You're working on the Open Bible with Thomas Nelson. I’m really interested in that because I’ve never used it. I was telling friends about this interview and one pastor corrected me. I called it a study Bible, and he said, "No, it’s not a study Bible!" So—what is the Open Bible?

Phillip: Great question. The Open Bible is like a reference Bible on steroids. I first received a copy from my aunt and uncle when I was 17, back in 1987. This year is the 50th anniversary of Thomas Nelson publishing it.

Every decade, a new iteration comes out. It includes rich front and back matter: articles, concordances, indexes. But the star feature is its robust cross-reference system. In the newest edition, the cross-references are placed at the end of each verse. That helps people trace themes and phrases across Scripture easily.

It also has a 300-page topical index. Want to understand the doctrine of the Holy Spirit or what the Bible says about forgiveness? Go to the index, find the big ideas and subcategories, and then follow all the Scripture references. It’s great for anyone—even those brand new to Bible study.

There are also study notes with practical life applications, visual charts, and one of my favorite features: a 15,000-word article on archaeological discoveries that support the people, places, and events in Scripture. It's essentially one-third of a book, included right in the Bible. The more we dig, the more we find evidence confirming the Bible’s accuracy.

Chris: That’s exciting. I’m looking forward to getting a copy and trying it out personally—and possibly using it to help others too. What formats is it available in?

Phillip: Right now, it's available in the New King James Version. Historically, it’s been published in multiple English translations. We're going to continue that. We’ll reintroduce a KJV edition, and we’re reviving the NIV version. We’re also considering other translations.

The font is readable and comfortable. And yes, I’ve heard interest in a NASB edition too. That’s a great suggestion. We work with the nonprofit that holds the NASB copyright. I’ll take that feedback to the team.

Chris: As I prepared for this interview, I asked my friends what questions they’d want to ask you. One of them asked whether new Bible translations are made from the original Hebrew and Greek texts or from existing English translations. I knew the answer, but I thought I’d let you respond.

Phillip: Great question! The vast majority of English Bible translations are made directly from the original Hebrew and Greek texts. There are a few exceptions—revisions or paraphrases—but the NKJV, for instance, is translated from the original languages, in the translation tradition of the KJV.

If you open your Bible to the preface section at the front, most people have never read it—but you should. It explains why and how the translation was made, what manuscripts were used, and whether it's a formal or dynamic translation.

Chris: So, when you say “in the tradition of the King James Version,” you mean you’re using their philosophy but going back to the original languages?

Phillip: Exactly. The original KJV translators wanted to be formal—word for word as much as possible—while using common language. The 1611 edition is tough for us to read today, but in 1611, it was the language of the people. The edition most of us read now is actually from the 1769 revision, which updated the vocabulary.

The NKJV continues that tradition: formal translation from the original manuscripts, using modern, accessible language for today’s reader.

Chris: That makes sense. One friend made a funny comment about phrases like “butt dialed.” He said, “In 500 years, no one will know what that means.” How do translators deal with ancient idioms and tricky phrases like that?

Phillip: Another great question. It depends on the translation philosophy. More formal translations will keep the phrase literal—like “your neck is like a tower” or “your teeth are like sheep.” Dynamic translations interpret the meaning instead—saying her neck is graceful, her teeth are white, for instance.

Some translations land in the middle and use footnotes. Others explain in study notes at the bottom of the page. That’s the beauty of serious Bible study—it invites us to explore historical context, idioms, and layers of meaning.

Chris: That’s fascinating. I love how archaeology and textual studies bring clarity to those things. Even phrases like “apple of his eye” mean something deep, though the words alone don’t make modern sense.

Phillip: Exactly. That phrase wouldn’t translate clearly into Mandarin or French. But that’s part of what makes Bible study so rich—it’s a journey.

Chris: I’ve got one last question, from another viewer. How is the new version of the Open Bible different from the older ones?

Phillip: Great wrap-up question. This edition has a new typesetting—larger font, updated accent colors—and we returned to verse-by-verse formatting to include the inline cross-references. We also expanded articles that hadn’t been updated in decades. One example is the archaeology article, which is now current and enhanced.

We brought back valuable content from previous editions that had been trimmed for space. Overall, this edition represents the best of all previous Open Bible resources, updated and refreshed for today’s reader.

Chris: That’s wonderful. I’m excited for you—and to dig into the Open Bible myself. Thank you so much for taking the time to share today.

Phillip: Thank you, Chris. And for your listeners, check out what Thomas Nelson Bibles has to offer. We’re passionate about making beautiful Bibles that help people at every stage of life. We’re grateful to steward the Word of God.

Chris: Amen. And to everyone watching—thank you. If you’ve made it this far, maybe God is nudging you to dig into the Bible more deeply. Explore the resources out there. The Word of God can make a real, lasting difference in your life.

So thanks again, and as always: let’s grow and be fruitful.

Jesus' Ministry Begins | A Sermon on Matthew 4:12-17

Introduction
In the last few weeks, we’ve studied how Jesus went down to the Jordan River where His cousin John was preaching and teaching people to repent of their sins and be baptized.  Jesus asked John to baptize Him in the Jordan River and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus and God spoke from heaven and said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 

 Immediately after that, Jesus went into the desolate region west of the Dead Sea where he fasted and prayed for 40 days and was tempted by the Devil.  After remaining faithful and without sin, it was time for Jesus to officially begin His ministry.

Matthew 4:12-17
¹² When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. ¹³ He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. ¹⁴ This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:

¹⁵ “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
    beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
    in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
¹⁶ the people who sat in darkness
    have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
    a light has shined.”^[a]

¹⁷ From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.^[b]”

Ministry Can Be Dangerous
First of all, I don’t want us to pass by verse 12 where it points out that John was arrested.  Ministry can be dangerous.  We often forget this in America, where we live sheltered lives.  There are Christians in our own Global Methodist Church denomination who live in Nigeria and Liberia who are facing arrests, beatings, and severe persecution as we speak—simply because they are trying to be faithful to the Word of God.  Next Sunday, in fact, we will host a missionary who has to be careful to protect his identity because it could be dangerous for him or his family if word got out about the work he does to serve Christ in his community.

John the Baptist was arrested and his work to baptize people and prepare the way for the Messiah came to an end.  Now it was time for the Messiah, Jesus, to begin His work.

Jesus Fulfills Prophecy
Matthew quotes Isaiah 9:1-2, “The people living in darkness have seen a great light.”  The prophet Isaiah spoke these words 700 years before Jesus came.  Jesus’ move to Capernaum (in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali) is not random—it fulfills God’s long-planned mission to reach the Gentiles as well as the Jews.  And they are a reminder to us, when things are at there darkest, Jesus comes to call us out into the light. 

These are important words for us to hear right now.  There’s a lot of darkness in our world.  We see the darkness of war.  We see the darkness of injustice.  We see the darkness of hurtful words—of lies, betrayal, of the poor getting poorer while the rich get richer.  We see injustice.  And many here live in fear of what the future holds—whether it is for you personally or for someone you know and love.  And there may be some listening to this message today who are in a very dark place.  And the Gospel Matthew shout the Good News: “The people living in darkness have seen a great light!”

Jesus is the Great Light!  No matter what darkness you may be facing—whether it’s fear, uncertainty, grief, or the weight of the world’s troubles—know this: Jesus is the light that overcomes the darkness. The same God who planned salvation for the world through Christ has not forgotten you. He sees you, He loves you, and He is calling you out of the shadows and into His marvelous light. Even when life feels overwhelming, His light still shines. Hold onto Him, because the darkness will not last—His hope, His truth, and His love will carry you through. 

The Kingdom of Heaven is Here
Before his arrest, John the Baptist prepared the way by calling people to repent.  Jesus continues John’s call to repentance, but His message is even greater—the Kingdom of Heaven is arriving now!  God’s reign is breaking into the world through Jesus’ ministry.

We often think of Heaven as a place we go to after we die.  But Jesus preached the Kingdom of Heaven starts now.  This isn’t just about a future heaven, but a present reality—God’s rule is being established on earth through Christ.

That means God’s Kingdom is not just something we wait for—it’s something we live in now. When we follow Jesus, we step into His reign, where love overcomes hate, truth defeats lies, and hope rises above despair. The way we live, work, love, and serve should reflect that we belong to His Kingdom, not the broken systems of this world. Where in your life is God calling you to live under His rule today? Maybe it’s in your family, your workplace, or in how you treat others. Jesus is not just offering you a future home in heaven—He is inviting you to experience His Kingdom right now. Will you step into it?

The Kingdom Is Just Beyond the Veil
Though the world may seem consumed by darkness, the Kingdom of Heaven is here, just beyond the veil. We may not always see it with our eyes, but it is breaking through in quiet, powerful ways—in acts of love, in moments of grace, in every heart that surrenders to Christ. While the world’s struggles feel overwhelming, God’s reign is already at work, transforming lives, restoring hope, and preparing the way for His ultimate victory. The Kingdom is not far off; it is near, it is now, and it is winning, even when we cannot yet see it in full.

It takes faith to believe in the Kingdom beyond the veil. The early Christians faced some of the darkest times in human history—they saw their Savior crucified, they endured relentless persecution, and many were put to death for their faith. And yet, they thrived. They didn’t cling to power or fight with fear; they lived with boldness, joy, and unshakable hope because they saw beyond the suffering of this world. They knew that God’s Kingdom was already here, breaking through, and that death itself had no power over them. That same faith can sustain us today. When life feels overwhelming, when evil seems to be winning, we can hold on to the truth that the Kingdom is real, that Christ is reigning, and that nothing—not even death—can separate us from His victory. This faith doesn’t just help us survive hardship—it transforms us, giving us the courage to shine His light in the darkest places.

Entering the Kingdom
Jesus came not just to show us the Kingdom, but to invite us in. We are welcome in Christ’s Kingdom, but we must make the choice to enter in. How do we enter the Kingdom? There are two key steps:

First, Repent – Turn Away from Sin and Turn to Jesus.  Jesus began His ministry with a simple but powerful message:  "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near!" (Matthew 4:17) 

 Repentance isn’t just about feeling bad for our sins—it’s about turning away from the darkness and stepping into the light. Sin blinds us from seeing the Kingdom. It chains us to the brokenness of this world. But when we repent—when we confess our sins, surrender our pride, and turn to Jesus—our eyes begin to open. We start to see beyond the veil, and the reality of God’s Kingdom becomes clear.

What is God calling you to leave behind today? What sins, distractions, or false securities are keeping you from stepping fully into His Kingdom?

Second, Die to Yourself to Find New Life in Christ.  Jesus didn’t come just to make our old life better—He came to give us an entirely new life. And that only happens when we die to ourselves.  "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

The world tells us to chase our dreams, follow our desires, and live for ourselves. But Jesus tells us the only way to find real life is to surrender everything to Him. When we die to our selfish ambitions, our need for control, our old way of thinking, we step into true life in Christ.

The Kingdom of Heaven isn’t just waiting for us after death—it’s here now. But to enter, we must let go of our grip on this world. We must step through the veil and trust that what Jesus is offering is far greater than anything we leave behind.

The question is: Will you step in?

Closing
What’s keeping you from experiencing His Kingdom more fully? Is it a habit, a fear, a distraction, or an area where you need to surrender control? Over these next 40 days of Lent, I challenge you to seek God’s Kingdom more faithfully. Make space for Him in prayer, Scripture, acts of love, and obedience.

Remember, Jesus opened the door to the Kingdom through His sacrifice.
He invites you to repent, to die to ourselves, and to receive the new life He offers.

Will you step into His Kingdom?