Upside-Down Savior - Pastor Nathan Nass

If you want to make a list of “Important People Whom God Should Raise from the Dead,” the Bible says, “A single lady with no family.” We say, “Really?” Jesus says, “Absolutely. There is no one more important than her.” If you want to make a list of “Super Important Good Works that Give Glory to God,” the Bible says, “Sewing clothes for widows.” We say, “Really?” Jesus says, “Absolutely. There is nothing better that can be done in m...

There are a lot of things that Christian churches do. Have you noticed that? What should our church be focusing on? Doesn’t it seem complicated? It doesn’t have to be. Here’s what the first Christian church focused on: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). That doesn’t sound complicated, does it? It’s simple. Church is meant to be simple. That firs...

Every sheep needs a shepherd. At least, that’s what the Bible says. According to the Bible, every person is a sheep. Every person is following someone. It’s just a matter of whom you’re following. So, whom are you following? I hope it’s Jesus. He’s the Good Shepherd! In fact, he laid down his own life to save us. The Bible encourages pastors like me with these words, “Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own ...

We’re constantly surprised by how life goes, aren’t we? From the catastrophes in our world to the sin in our hearts to the unexpected miracles that God performs all around us, we’re constantly surprised by life. But we don’t have to be. When you trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection, you know that anything is possible, right? When you know and believe that God raises the dead, there aren’t surprises anymore. In fact, the reason we...

“If it’s not a happy ending, it’s not the end.” Have you heard that before? For a Christian, it’s true! One day, because of Jesus, our dead bodies will rise. One day, because of Jesus, our heavy hearts are going to be filled with inexpressible joy. Until then, we have the sure promise of God’s Word. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Jesus died for you. Jesus rose for you. Because of Jesus, your sins are forgiven. Because of Jesu...

The answer to sin isn’t people sacrificing something to God. The answer to sin is that God sacrificed himself for us. “He has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Hebrews 9:26-28). Jesus sacrificed himself for us once for all to do away with sin. By faith, your sins are forgiven. By faith, your salvation is complete. By faith, eternal life is yours. Want to know if y...

There is great joy in seeing the face of someone who loves you. If she could talk, our baby daughter would tell you that. When she sees the face of someone who loves her, a big smile lights up her whole face. There is great joy in seeing the face of someone who loves you. That’s what Holy Week is all about: Seeing the face of the One who loves us. Jesus! This Holy Week, fix your eyes on Jesus. You won’t regret it! See his great lov...

Food is a blessing from God, but you and I need more than food. Your soul is hungry too, so feed your soul. Self-control is so hard. I know it! Especially when it comes to food. But realize something: Often your cravings aren’t actually for food or drink. That’s why they don’t go away when you eat or drink something. You are craving something deeper. Something more. Your soul yearns to know that you are loved and special. Your hear...

God’s people often go through difficult times. Contrary to what we expect, being a believer in Jesus does not mean that life is easy. Instead, we get weighed down by the burdens of life, the guilt of sin, and the pressures that every new day brings. Are you going through one of those difficult times right now? Listen to God’s promise: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you” (Isaiah 43:1). No matter what you face, you...

Just one little spark can start a wildfire that destroys a million acres. Once a fire gets started, it’s hard to put out. Like lust and adultery. One little spark can start a fire that devastates families and destroys marriage. That’s why the Bible warns: “Do not lust in your heart” (Proverbs 6:25). Do you? Sexual temptations are all around us. From pornography to sexually explicit TV shows and movies, our hearts are constantly exp...

A Super Bowl commercial has been getting a lot of attention among Christians. Do you know which one? “He Gets Us.” Did you see it? While it’s certainly true that God “gets” all of us, we need something more. We need God to save us from our sins! He has. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to co...

Isn’t it a blessing to be used by God? God didn’t make you a sloth. He made you with a purpose. He gave you gifts and abilities that other people need. He created you to live in service to God and others. Instead of thinking, “I wish I didn’t have to do anything today,” pray, “God, use me today. Give me opportunities today to serve others. May whatever I do give you glory.” Every day of your life has purpose and meaning, because Je...

“Christianity is foolish.” Do you hear people say that? How about: “Believing in God is so old-fashioned. We’ve progressed beyond needing all those old religious beliefs.” Don’t be surprised. Here’s how the Bible talks about the “foolishness” of Jesus’ cross: “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). God purposefully saved the wor...

Anger is an awful thing, isn’t it? It consumes our thoughts. It clouds our minds. It leads to foolish actions. Anger is an awful thing. But Jesus offers us another way. Hopefully, you’re familiar with the idea of laying your sins at the foot of Jesus’ cross. Every day, we repent. We humbly lay our sins at the foot of Jesus’ cross and trust in Jesus’ forgiveness. Here’s what we need to learn: To lay other people’s sins at the foot o...

There’s one word that we say to God more than any other word: “Why?” I bet you ask God that question. What are your “whys” today? “Why does it hurt? Why did the cancer come back? Why doesn’t she love me? Why do I feel this way? Why can’t I get a job? Why did he die?...” There’s a whole book in the Bible about that. The story of Job addresses this question: Why do believers in God suffer so much? Here’s what we learn: We don’t need ...

The life God has given you is the best life for you. Do you believe that? The life God has given you is the best life for you. It’s hard to be content, isn’t it? There’s always something more we want… We need! Whose life would you like to have? Watch out! Envy fills our hearts and robs our lives of joy. When you see Jesus die for you on the cross, God wants to convince you of something: The life God has given you is the very best l...

Do you ever feel like nothing? That’s an awful feeling, isn’t it? Jesus is so good and so powerful and so gracious that he’s able to take even nothing and turn it into something awesome. The end of Romans 8 is the best part of the Bible for anyone who feels like nothing. Since God is for us, who can be against us? Nothing! Since God gave his own Son for us, what will God fail to give us? Nothing! Since Jesus has forgiven you, what ...

Last century, the Christian writer C.S. Lewis wrote a famous book called “Mere Christianity.” In it, he has a chapter on pride. Know what the title of that chapter is? “The Great Sin.” On Ash Wednesday, we heard about the great danger of pride. Pride trusts in its own self-righteousness. Pride looks down on everyone else. Pride wars against God. Pride lives in every one of us. It’s only the grace of God in Jesus that can disarm the...