"The Promised King: Jesus Is the Righteous Branch" (Jeremiah 23:1-8)

Authority is so easily abused. Everyone from bosses to politicians to even pastors let us down. Is there any hope for a truly just ruler? Our Advent sermon series is looking at the Old Testament promises (and images) of Jesus' coming. Last week we saw that Jesus is the seed of the woman who crushes the serpent and wins our salvation. This week, we'll consider how Jesus fulfills the promise of a righteous King on David's throne.

The Real Jesus (Matthew 21:1-17)

Jesus is the most influential person to ever live. And yet he is likely the most misunderstood, as well. People have claimed the name of Jesus to support all kinds of causes, movements, and theologies--often contradictory ones. The truth is, it is easy to make Jesus into our own image. The way to fight against this tendency is to see how Jesus reveals himself in his word. Our passage this Sunday shows us the paradoxical nature of Christ and his mission as Jesus is both a strong ruler and humble savior.