For many, the New Year is a time for setting goals and aspiring to greater success, particularly at work. As Christians, how should we approach our work? How do we avoid the temptation to laziness while also making sure we don't put all of our identity into our work? The book of Proverbs has much wisdom to offer us.
After more than two years, we come to the conclusion of Matthew's Gospel. Jesus stands resurrected, victorious over sin and death. And yet, in some ways the kingdom work has only started. We'll see the church's marching orders from our King!
Our culture surrounds us with messages of self-love and self-fulfillment, yet in our passage this Sunday, Jesus calls us to self-denial. After declaring the mission of the church to storm the gates of death, we'll see how the church is to do this. Surprisingly, we are to bring life by following Christ in death.
