In the three-year lectionary, this week is dubbed the 2nd To Last Sunday Of Epiphany. But it is also called “World Mission Sunday”. Unfortunately, while that should evoke great joy within us, it probably doesn’t. We have seen missions abused, money wasted, and all manner of corruption. But Christ’s mission will not stop, and his will for even distant nations to call upon His name, will not change. How can we understand World Mission Sunday, and what can we do about it? Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

When Jesus tells his disciples not to leave Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit comes on them, they have an unexpected question: “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” The disciples were expecting something different from what would happen at Pentecost. They wanted a physical kingdom. In this exhortation, Elder Wes Keene focuses on Jesus’ response to them and how that should shape our desires for a Christian kingdom.

Holy Scripture is the infallible and inerrant Word of God. We can trust in it, whatever it says. But that doesn’t mean different inspired authors don’t come at the same situation from subtly different perspectives. This is true of when Jesus calls his first disciples. In Matthew’s Gospel, we see a different perspective. Listen as Fred Thompson preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.