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The Weekly Show - Episode 78: Study One: Setting the Stage

Join Tim and John This New Year as they set the stage for the Sermon on the Mount. 
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning and https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/halloween-time
Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/
1. The Setting
A Sermon Unlike Any Other
Matthew 5–7 records the longest continuous sermon of Jesus that we possess. While Jesus preached many times, this sermon stands out for its scope, depth, and clarity. It is the kingdom manifesto—a concentrated look at what life under Jesus’ reign truly looks like.
Scholars place this sermon early in Jesus’ three-year ministry, shortly after:
His baptism
His temptation in the wilderness
The calling of His first disciples
His early miracles and healings
Jesus had just begun turning Galilee upside down, and people were starting to whisper, “Who is this Teacher with real authority?”
A Hillside Classroom
Matthew tells us that Jesus went up on a mountainside (Matthew 5:1). This is a subtle but meaningful detail—it echoes Moses ascending Mount Sinai to receive and deliver God’s law.
But unlike Moses, who brought down tablets, Jesus sits down and speaks with His own authority. He isn’t just quoting God’s Word—He is God’s Word made flesh.
Who Was Jesus Talking To?
The sermon begins with an intentional audience:
Primary audience: His disciples They were the ones who gathered close, ready to learn how to follow Him.
But Jesus never stays small for long.
A Rapidly Growing Crowd
As Jesus taught, people flocked to Him. Matthew 4:23–25 explains why:
He healed the sick
He cast out demons
He taught with authority
He drew people from all over Galilee, the Decapolis, Judea, and beyond the Jordan
In other words, Jesus had gone “viral” before the internet existed.
By the time the Sermon on the Mount hits full stride, the crowd is massive. Picture families, skeptics, fishermen, religious leaders, the curious, the desperate—everyone gathering to hear the Rabbi who spoke like no one else.
Honestly, if Jesus preached this sermon today, you’d need:
Ushers
Orange parking cones
A shuttle service
A backup shuttle service
And you still wouldn’t fit everybody.
Why the Crowd Matters
This mixture of disciples and curious onlookers is important. It means everything Jesus teaches has a dual edge:
Instruction for believers – “This is how you live in My kingdom.”
Invitation to the seekers – “This is the life you’re being called into.”
Jesus never separates mission from discipleship. He teaches the committed while reaching the curious at the same time.
2. God’s Original Purpose
A Blueprint from the Beginning
Before the Fall, before the brokenness, before the flood of bad news in human history, God had a clear and beautiful intention for humanity. Scripture opens with this foundational truth:
“Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule…” — Genesis 1:26
From day one, God designed us for three core callings:
1. We Were Created to Represent Him
Human beings were made “in His image”—a royal, relational, and spiritual identity. In the ancient world, kings placed images of themselves in far-off territories as signs of their rule. God did the same—except His “images” breathe, think, love, and make questionable life choices.
To be human is to reflect God’s character, His goodness, His creativity, and His love into the world.
2. We Were Created to Rule His World Under His Authority
This wasn’t domination—it was stewardship.
We were meant to:
Tend creation
Build culture
Develop communities
Shape the world with justice, wisdom, and compassion
God entrusted His world to humanity—not as owners, but as caretakers carrying His heart.
3. We Were Created to Flourish in Relationship
Flourishing wasn’t an optional add-on like leather seats in a minivan—it was central.
We thrive when we live:
With God — in trust and obedience
With one another — in unity, love, and mutual care
Within creation — working, resting, producing, and enjoying life as God intended
This is biblical flourishing—the life of peace, purpose, and joy God always intended for His people.
The Purpose That Refuses to Die
Humanity rebelled. Sin entered the world. Everything cracked—our relationships, our desires, our purpose.
But here’s the good news: God didn’t shred the blueprint.
Even after sin’s damage:
God still desires relationship.
God still calls us to represent Him.
God still invites His people to flourish under His reign.
The Old Testament is filled with God patiently pulling humanity back to Himself. By the time Jesus steps onto the scene, people are starving for this restored life.
Enter the Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus standing on a hillside and saying:
“Here is the life you were made for. Here is the way back to flourishing. Here is My kingdom—and this is what My people look like.”
It’s not a list of rules. It’s a portrait of renewed humanity—the life God always intended, now made possible through Christ.
Jesus is restoring what was lost. He’s redefining greatness. He’s revealing the heart of the King and the character of His kingdom.
This sermon is nothing less than an invitation to live the life you were created for.
3. What the Sermon on the Mount Is About
Not a Collection of Random Teachings
The Sermon on the Mount is often treated like a spiritual greatest-hits album—some Beatitudes here, a prayer there, a life lesson sprinkled in.
But Matthew didn’t record this as a grab-bag of wisdom. This sermon is one unified message.
It’s not spiritual fortune-cookie advice. It is a kingdom manifesto—Jesus setting out the values, character, and lifestyle of the people who belong to Him.
A Kingdom, Not a Club
From the first words to the closing parable, Jesus draws a line in the sand:
“This is what life looks like when I am King.”
This sermon reveals the nature of the kingdom He came to establish—not a political state, not a nationalism project, not a self-help system, but the rule of God taking root in human hearts and spreading through human lives.
What Jesus Describes in This Sermon
The Sermon on the Mount reveals four major things:
1. What His Followers Are
Jesus begins with identity—not behavior. Before He tells His followers what to do, He tells them who they already are:
Blessed
Salt of the earth
Light of the world
Children of the Father
Citizens of the kingdom
People who hunger and thirst for righteousness
Jesus doesn’t build a kingdom from the outside in. He transforms people from the inside out.
2. How They Live
Once Jesus grounds His followers in identity, He then describes the life that flows from it:
A life of mercy
A life of purity
A life of integrity
A life free from revenge
A life marked by love, even toward enemies
A life that values God above wealth
A life that trusts God instead of worrying
A life built on obedience
He isn’t describing how to get into the kingdom. He’s describing what kingdom people look like.
3. How They Shine
Jesus uses two household objects to make a global point:
Salt — preserving, purifying, flavor-giving
Light — visible, guiding, revealing
His people don’t hide. They don’t blend in. They don’t become spiritual chameleons.
Kingdom people stand out—not by being loud or flashy, but by being different in all the best ways.
Jesus essentially says, “If you’re following Me, the world should notice—not because you’re obnoxious, but because you’re luminous.”
4. How They Relate to God, Each Other, and the World
Across the sermon, Jesus reshapes every relationship:
With God:
Trust, not anxiety
Intimacy, not performance
Seeking His kingdom first
Knowing Him as Father
With Others:
Mercy over judgment
Reconciliation over resentment
Forgiveness over revenge
Love over hate
Integrity over manipulation
With the World:
Doing good publicly—but for God’s glory
Standing firm in trials
Praying for those who oppose you
Displaying the Father’s love in every context
This is the kingdom ethic—the way of life that reflects the heart of Jesus in a broken world.
A Portrait of Flourishing Humanity
The Sermon on the Mount isn’t a burden—it’s an invitation. It’s Jesus holding up a mirror and saying:
“This is the life you were made for— the life that flourishes under My gracious reign.”
Not a life without hardship, but a life rooted in the King, filled with purpose, peace, hope, and shining influence.
4. The Beatitudes – Matthew 5:1–12
A Kingdom Upside Down (or Right Side Up)
Jesus begins His sermon with a shocking declaration: the most blessed people in God’s kingdom don’t look anything like the “blessed” people of the world.
The world says the blessed are:
successful
wealthy
powerful
impressive
secure
self-made
comfortable
Jesus flips that on its head—and then flips our hearts right-side up.
What “Blessed” Really Means
The word “blessed” comes from the Latin beatus, which means:
favored by God
flourishing
thriving in the deepest sense
experiencing God’s approval
This is not surface-level happiness. This is deep, soul-level flourishing rooted in the presence and promise of God.
Psalm 1 and the Beatitudes
Psalm 1 gives an Old Testament picture of the blessed person:
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water…”
Deep roots. Steady strength. Life that thrives even when the weather changes.
Jesus now paints the New Testament portrait of the same kind of flourishing—but in kingdom color.
The Eight Beatitudes
Here are the people Jesus calls “blessed”—and why.
1. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
These are people who know they need God. Not self-sufficient. Not proud. They recognize their spiritual bankruptcy—and God gives them His kingdom.
2. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
This isn’t general sadness—it’s grieving over sin, brokenness, and the pain of the world. And Jesus promises God Himself will comfort them.
3. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Meekness is not weakness. It is strength under control, humility that trusts God’s timing. These are the people God entrusts with His world.
4. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
These are people starving for the things that please God—justice, holiness, faithfulness. Jesus promises they will be satisfied, because God Himself meets that hunger.
5. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
Kingdom people freely give what God has freely given them—mercy, forgiveness, compassion. And in God’s kingdom, mercy never runs out.
6. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Purity isn’t perfection—it’s undivided devotion. A heart that belongs wholly to God gets the greatest gift imaginable: seeing Him.
7. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
These aren’t peace-keepers (avoiding conflict), but peace-makers—people who bring reconciliation and healing. They resemble their Father—and the world notices.
8. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Following Jesus won’t always make you popular. But Jesus says the cost is worth it because the reward is His kingdom.
Bonus Beatitude (vv. 11–12)
Jesus ends by getting personal:
“Blessed are you when people insult you… rejoice and be glad!”
Why? Because suffering for Jesus ties us to the stories of the prophets and anchors us in eternal joy.
A Hard but Beautiful Reality
Jesus never promises:
an easy life
instant success
a trial-free existence
What He promises is far better:
Life with God, life like God, and life under God’s blessing— a life that flourishes even in storms.
The Beatitudes aren’t a checklist. They’re a portrait of the kind of person God forms in His kingdom.
They’re not requirements—they’re results of belonging to Jesus.
Conclusion: Setting the Stage
Before Jesus ever delivers a single command, challenge, or promise, Matthew wants us to see where we are and why it matters.
On a Galilean hillside, the King of Heaven sits down to describe life in His kingdom. His disciples lean in. A curious, hurting crowd gathers around. And Jesus speaks words that have shaped believers for two thousand years.
Everything He is about to teach grows out of three anchor truths:
1. God’s Purpose Has Never Changed
Humanity was created to flourish under God’s reign—representing Him, walking with Him, and living with one another in love and unity. Sin distorted that purpose, but it did not destroy it.
2. Jesus Came to Restore What Was Lost
The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus unveiling the life we were designed for. He is not offering self-help tips or moral upgrades. He is describing the transformed life of kingdom citizens—a life that only He can give.
3. Kingdom Life Looks Different
The Beatitudes prove right away that Jesus’ kingdom values run opposite to the world’s. Where the world applauds power, Jesus blesses humility. Where the world rewards pride, Jesus honors purity. Where the world demands revenge, Jesus celebrates mercy. Everything is turned upside down—and actually turned right-side up.
Why This Matters for Us
The Sermon on the Mount is not just ancient teaching for ancient people. It is the portrait of flourishing humanity—the life you were created for, the life Christ invites you into, and the life the Holy Spirit empowers you to live.
As we step into the rest of the study, remember this:
You’re not climbing a ladder to earn God’s approval. You’re learning how to walk in the life Jesus already opened to you.
So take a deep breath. Lean in like those first disciples did. The King is about to speak—and His words still change everything.

Sermon: Apostles' Creed Week One - I Believe

Sermon Date: 01/04/2026
Bible Verses:
Various 
Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new
Introduction: Belief Is Not Neutral
The Apostles’ Creed does not begin softly.It doesn’t ease us in.It doesn’t ask how we feel.
It doesn’t say:
“I feel like…”
“I hope that…”
“I was raised to believe…”
It begins with a declaration that demands ownership:
“I believe.”
Those are not polite words. They are dangerous words. Because the moment you say “I believe,” you are no longer neutral. You have stepped off the fence. You have chosen a side.
Belief is never just internal—it always leads somewhere. What you believe determines what you trust, what you obey, and ultimately what you worship. Everyone believes something. The only question is what and who.
Jesus never treated belief as optional or abstract. He didn’t say, “Consider these ideas,” or “Adopt this philosophy.” He said, “Follow Me.” He spoke of belief as a road you walk, a foundation you build on, a gate you pass through.
That’s why He framed belief as a fork in the road:
A narrow way or a broad way.
A house on the rock or a house on the sand.
Life or death.
You don’t accidentally end up following Christ. You don’t drift into faith like a leaf on the wind. Drift always takes you away from God, not toward Him. Faith requires a decision—a deliberate turning of the heart, mind, and will.
To say “I believe” is to say:
“This is true—even if it costs me.”
“This is real—even if it confronts me.”
“This will shape my life—not just my opinions.”
The Apostles’ Creed begins here because Christianity does not start with behavior—it starts with belief. But belief is never content to stay in the head. It moves into the hands, the feet, the calendar, the wallet, and the conscience.
So before we recite ancient words, we must ask a modern question:
Do I believe—or am I just familiar?
Because belief is not neutral.Belief is allegiance.Belief is direction.Belief is destiny.
And once you say “I believe,” there is no turning back to indifference.
Point One: I Believe — Two Worldviews, One Choice
Jesus does not offer belief as a preference. He presents it as a decision with consequences.
“Enter through the narrow gate…” (Matthew 7:13–14)
That verse doesn’t sound tolerant, and that’s because truth rarely is. Jesus says there are two gates, two roads, and two destinations. One is easy, crowded, and familiar. The other is hard, costly, and life-giving.
He presses the point further:
“Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them…” (Matthew 7:24–27)
Notice what Jesus doesn’t say. He doesn’t say, “Everyone who agrees with my words.” He says, “Everyone who hears and does.” Belief that never reaches obedience isn’t belief—it’s noise.
Moses framed it the same way centuries earlier:
“I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life.” (Deut. 30:15)
Scripture does not give us a philosophical spectrum. It gives us a fork in the road. You don’t get a third option. You don’t get to stand in the middle forever. You choose by how you live.
Two Worldviews
The Biblical (Covenant) Worldview
(And yes—bilabial works beautifully here: belief spoken and belief lived.)
This worldview says:
God is real.
God has spoken.
Truth is revealed, not negotiated.
Obedience flows from trust, not fear.
This worldview does not say God is one voice among many.It says God defines reality.
At its core, it confesses:
“God defines what is true—and I submit to it, even when it costs me.”
Faith here is not blind—it’s anchored. Not naïve—it’s obedient.
The Secular Worldview
This worldview sounds free—but it enslaves.
It says:
Man is the final authority.
Truth is flexible.
Desire becomes doctrine.
Feelings outrank Scripture.
This worldview claims independence, but it quietly replaces God with self.
At its core, it confesses:
“I decide what’s right—and God can weigh in later, if at all.”
Jesus does not pretend both foundations work. When the storm comes—and it will—only one stands.
Same storm.Same rain.Same wind.Different foundations.
That’s why this matters:
Belief is not what you claim on Sunday.Belief is what you build your life on Monday.
Point Two: I Believe in God — Can We Know Him?
That single phrase—“I believe in God”—raises one of the most important questions a human being can ask:
Who is God—and can He actually be known?
The Bible answers without hesitation.
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” (Deut. 6:4)
God is not a vague force. Not a cosmic suggestion. Not a spiritual placeholder. He is one, personal, distinct, and self-existent.
And remarkably—He does not stay distant.
“The LORD your God is in your midst… He will rejoice over you with gladness.” (Zeph. 3:17)
Let that sit for a moment.The infinite, eternal, holy God doesn’t merely tolerate His people—He rejoices over them. That’s not the language of an abstract deity. That’s the language of relationship.
But Scripture keeps us grounded:
“My thoughts are not your thoughts…” (Isaiah 55:8)
We don’t climb our way to God through intellect or effort. We don’t reason Him into submission. We know God because He chooses to be known.
And John says it plainly:
“God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God.” (1 John 4:16)
Not “God loves sometimes.”Not “God shows love occasionally.”God is love.
So how do we know Him?
We know God because:
He reveals Himself — not hiding, but speaking
He acts in history — not myth, but incarnation
He speaks through His Word — not confusion, but clarity
He draws us by love — not coercion, but grace
Christian belief is not believing about God.It is trusting the God who came looking for us first.
We don’t believe in an idea.We believe in a God who reaches for us.
Point Three: I Believe in God the Father Almighty — Abba
This is where belief stops being theoretical and starts being relational.
Not just God.Not just Almighty.Father.
That one word changes everything.
Paul says:
“You have received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Romans 8:15–17)
Abba is not formal language. It’s not religious polish. It’s not “Dear Sir” or “Most Holy Deity.” It’s the word a child uses when they run into the room needing comfort, protection, or reassurance.
It’s closer to “Dad.”
Christian belief does not say God merely rules over you.It says God welcomes you.
That means:
You are not tolerated—you are adopted.
You are not managed—you are loved.
You are not kept at arm’s length—you are brought near.
The gospel doesn’t move God closer to us—it moves us closer to God.
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” (Hebrews 10:22)
Notice the confidence there. Not fear. Not hesitation. Assurance.
And here’s the key tension the Creed holds beautifully:God is Father and Almighty.
His love is not fragile.
He protects.
He provides.
He disciplines.
He sustains.
Some people struggle with God’s authority because they’ve known authority without love. But Scripture flips that assumption on its head. God’s authority doesn’t compete with His love—it guarantees it.
Because if God were loving but not almighty, He could mean well and still fail you.If He were almighty but not loving, you’d never trust Him.
But He is both.
Only an almighty Father can be trusted completely.
Point Four: Creator of Heaven and Earth — Nothing Is Accidental
The Creed anchors belief in creation for a reason. If God is not Creator, then everything else collapses into opinion. But Scripture opens with certainty:
“In the beginning, God created…” (Genesis 1)
Before chaos—God.Before matter—God.Before time—God.
Creation doesn’t begin with randomness. It begins with intention.
John makes it unmistakable that Jesus is not a side character in the story of existence:
“All things were made through Him.” (John 1:3)
And Paul removes any remaining doubt:
“By Him all things were created… visible and invisible.” (Colossians 1:16)
That means creation is not neutral. It belongs to Christ. It exists for Him.
So let’s say this plainly:
You are not an accident.
Your life is not random.
History is not meaningless.
Creation belongs to Christ.
The universe is not cold and indifferent—it is intentional and declared.
“The heavens declare the glory of God.” (Psalm 19:1)
Creation preaches every day.Sunrises preach faithfulness.Seasons preach order.Stars preach power.Breath in your lungs preaches mercy.
The world is not screaming, “There is no God.”It’s whispering—sometimes shouting—
“You were made for Him.”
And that changes how you see everything:
Your suffering has context.
Your calling has purpose.
Your obedience has meaning.
Your worship has direction.
You are not floating through a godless universe.You are living inside God’s creation, under God’s authority, held by God’s love.
Conclusion: “I Believe” Is a Line in the Sand
The Apostles’ Creed does not begin with theology—it begins with commitment.
Two words. No qualifiers. No escape hatches.
“I believe.”
Not:
“I agree in theory.”
“I was raised to think this.”
“I like these ideas.”
“I’ll circle back to this later.”
But:
“I believe.”
And belief is never neutral.
Belief chooses a road.Belief lays a foundation.Belief names God as Father.Belief confesses Christ as Creator.
Belief doesn’t just shape what you say—it shapes how you stand when the storm hits.
Jesus was honest about this. Storms don’t discriminate. They come to the obedient and the disobedient, the believer and the skeptic, the churchgoer and the church skeptic alike. The difference is never the storm—it’s the foundation underneath.
Once you say “I believe,” you don’t get to leave it in the pew.You carry it into your work, your relationships, your suffering, your decisions, your obedience.
Because belief that never changes how you live is not belief—it’s familiarity.
So the question today isn’t:
“Do you understand the Creed?”
The question is:
“Which foundation are you building on?”
Because storms are coming either way.
And when they do, only one confession will stand.

Devotion: The Creed That Changed Everything

Sermon Date: 12/28/2025
Bible Verses:
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new
Devotion: The Creed That Changed Everything
1 Corinthians 15:1–11
A creed is a short, authoritative statement of belief.Not a long explanation.Not a debate.Just the truth—clear enough to memorize, strong enough to stand on.
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul hands us one of the earliest Christian creeds. And he does it for a reason.
The Corinthian church was confused.Some were questioning the resurrection.Paul doesn’t speculate. He doesn’t philosophize.He reminds them of what they already received.
“I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received…” (v. 3)
This isn’t Paul’s opinion.It’s not a new idea.It’s a received truth, passed on carefully, faithfully, and deliberately.
The Gospel Is the Center, Not the Add-On
Paul distills the faith into a few unforgettable lines:
Christ died for our sins
He was buried
He was raised on the third day
All according to the Scriptures
That’s it.No fluff.No bonus material.
Christianity doesn’t start with self-improvement or moral advice.It starts with an announcement: something happened.
If you pull the resurrection out of the gospel, you don’t get a smaller Christianity—you get none at all. Paul will later say flat-out: if Christ isn’t raised, faith collapses like a lawn chair at a sumo convention.
This Faith Is Public, Not Private
Paul then lists witnesses—lots of them.
Peter.The Twelve.More than five hundred people at once.
This isn’t “I felt something spiritual one night.”This is “go ask them—they’re still alive.”
Christian faith isn’t built on a lone mystic’s vision.It’s built on shared testimony.Eyewitnesses.Community memory.Public truth.
The resurrection didn’t happen in a corner. It happened in history.
Grace Turns Enemies into Messengers
Then Paul gets personal.
He calls himself “one untimely born.”A polite way of saying: I didn’t belong.
He persecuted the church.He opposed Jesus.And yet—Jesus appeared to him.
Paul doesn’t soften his past, and he doesn’t inflate his role.He credits grace for everything.
“By the grace of God I am what I am.” (v. 10)
Grace didn’t make Paul passive.It made him productive.
He worked hard—but not to earn grace.He worked because grace had already found him.
That’s the gospel rhythm:Grace first.Transformation follows.
Why This Creed Still Matters
Paul ends by saying it doesn’t matter who preached it—him or the others.What matters is what was preached.
The same gospel.The same risen Christ.The same saving truth.
This creed still holds the church together.It still anchors faith.It still turns doubt into confidence and fear into hope.
Because Christianity doesn’t stand on how strongly we believe—it stands on what happened.
Christ died.Christ was buried.Christ was raised.
And that changes everything.

Advent Message 04: Candel of Love, Candle of Christ

Sermon Date: 12/21/2025
Bible Verses:
1 Corinthians 10:31
Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-
Introduction: The Final Candle, the Final Word—Christ
On this final Sunday of Advent, we light two candles:
The Candle of Love
The Candle of Christ
These aren’t just ideas—they’re inseparable realities. The love of God is not a theory, it’s a person. And that person is Jesus Christ.
That’s why this week, we sing:
All glory be to Christ our King,All glory be to Christ.
This modern hymn, written by Dustin Kensrue to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, beautifully captures the heart of Christmas and the hope of eternity. It reminds us that everything we build, achieve, or leave behind is nothing—unless Christ is the center.
As Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 10:31:
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Let’s explore the message of this song in three parts, through the lens of Advent love, and the supremacy of Christ.
The Futility of Self-Made Glory
Verse one opens like a cold splash of water to the face—because Advent isn’t sentimental, it’s truthful:
“Should nothing of our efforts stand, no legacy survive,Unless the Lord does raise the house, in vain its builders strive.”
This is the gospel confronting our obsession with accomplishment. We live in a culture that measures worth by productivity, followers, résumés, and the legacy we leave behind. We’re told to build something that lasts, to make our mark, to secure our name. But Scripture interrupts that story with a hard and holy reality:
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
Not some of our labor. Not misguided labor. All of it—without Him—is vanity.
James presses this even further:
“What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”
That’s not meant to depress us—it’s meant to free us. Advent reminds us that we are not saved by what we build for God, but by what God has built for us in Christ. Our accomplishments don’t endure. Our trophies gather dust. Our names fade. But God’s love does not, because it is not dependent on our performance.
Here’s the shift Advent calls us to make:
From self-made glory to God-given grace
From “Look at what I’ve accomplished” to “Look at what Christ has finished”
True love doesn’t announce itself with applause. It kneels at a manger and later hangs on a cross.
✦ True love doesn’t say, “Look at what I’ve done.”It says, “Look at what He has done.”
The Reign of the King of Love
Advent is not merely about arrival—it’s about authority. The baby in the manger is the King of the universe. Christmas is not a soft introduction to Jesus; it is the unveiling of the rightful ruler of all things.
That’s why this line matters:
“His will be done, His kingdom come… Praise Him the Lord of love.”
These aren’t just lyrics—they are allegiance. They echo the Lord’s Prayer and force a question: Whose kingdom am I really living for?
Advent doesn’t ask us only to receive Jesus as Savior—it calls us to submit to Him as Sovereign. Isaiah 53 shows us the cost of that kingship:
“He was pierced for our transgressions… the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him.”
This King reigns not by domination, but by devotion. His authority was purchased with wounds. His crown was first made of thorns. And because of that, heaven declares:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.” (Revelation 5:12)
His reign is not harsh. It is not distant. It is not self-serving. It is shaped by love that:
Became flesh for us – God stepping into our frailty
Was broken for us – Love absorbing justice
Rose and reigns for us – Power secured through sacrifice
That’s why we don’t just say, “All glory be to Christ the Judge.”We say, “All glory be to Christ—the Lover of our souls.”
Because His glory is not about crushing us—it’s about restoring us.
✦ Christ’s glory is not distant—it’s devoted.
The Hope of the Coming King of Love
The third verse lifts our eyes beyond the manger and beyond the cross—straight into the future God has promised:
“When on the day, the great I Am, the Faithful and the True,The Lamb who was for sinners slain, is making all things new.”
This is Advent at full strength. Not nostalgia. Not sentimentality. Expectation.
The same Jesus who came quietly in Bethlehem will come again visibly, unmistakably, and gloriously. This time, not as a helpless infant—but as the victorious King.
Jesus Himself promised it:
“They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:30)
That’s not symbolic language meant to soften the blow. That’s reality meant to steady the saints. History is not drifting. It is moving—deliberately—toward a return. And the One who returns is called Faithful and True because He keeps every promise He has ever made.
John gives us the most breathtaking picture of what that return means:
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them…” (Revelation 21:3)
That’s the end of Advent longing. God with us—fully. No more distance. No more waiting. No more tears whispered in prayer. Love came down at Christmas, walked among us, died for us, rose for us—and love is coming back to finish what it started.
On that day, every false glory will collapse. No resumes. No platforms. No personal brands. No highlight reels. No self-congratulating eulogies.
No one will be singing:
“Look how successful I was.”
“Look what I built.”
“Look how true I was to myself.”
There will be only one song left standing.
“All glory be to Christ!”
And for those who love Him, that won’t be a loss—it will be the greatest joy imaginable.
Conclusion: Light the Candle, Lift the Praise
As we light the final candles—the Candle of Love and the Christ Candle—we are not merely finishing Advent. We are declaring allegiance.
We declare that:
The love of God is not an idea—it’s a Savior.
The glory of God is not a threat—it’s a gift.
The hope of God is not a dream—it’s a kingdom that is coming.
So this Advent, let go of the exhausting chase for your own glory.Rest in His grace.
Release the pressure to leave your mark.Cling to His cross.
Stop waiting for the world to finally get its act together.Wait for the King who makes all things new.
And let this be the confession of our hearts, our lives, and our worship:
✦ All glory be to Christ our King.All glory be to Christ.

Advent Message 03: Candle of Joy

Sermon Date: 12/14/2025
Bible Verses:
Psalm 98
Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-
Introduction: The Sound of Joy in a Weary World
We come today to the third Sunday of Advent—the Sunday of Joy. The pink candle, often called the Shepherds’ Candle, reminds us that the news of Christ’s coming brings joy so deep that it shakes the foundations of the world.
And what better hymn to drive that home than “Joy to the World”?
What most people don’t realize is that Isaac Watts wasn't writing about the baby in the manger—he was writing about the King on the throne. This hymn is not just about Christmas past; it’s about the coming kingdom. It’s rooted in Psalm 98, which opens like this:
“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things…” (Psalm 98:1)
It’s a psalm of triumphant joy—not naive happiness, but world-shaking, sin-conquering joy grounded in God’s promise and power.
Let’s break down that kind of Advent joy in three parts.
Joy Declared: The King Has Come, The King Will Come Again
“Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King!”
Watts was pointing to the fulfillment of Psalm 98, which celebrates a God who:
Acts with power (v. 1)
Reveals righteousness (v. 2)
Remembers His love and faithfulness (v. 3)
Advent joy doesn’t start with us—it starts with God. The Lord has come. He entered our world not to observe suffering, but to overcome it—from Bethlehem to the cross to the empty tomb.
Every time we sing “Joy to the world,” we’re not just remembering Christmas—we’re rehearsing the moment when Jesus returns as King and joy floods everything that’s been broken.
✦ Advent joy isn’t rooted in what we feel—it’s rooted in who reigns.
Joy Received: Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room
Joy is offered—but it must be received.
The line we sing so casually—"Let every heart prepare Him room"—is a direct challenge. It asks:Have you made room in your life for the King?
Joy doesn’t come from a perfect December. It doesn't come from the right gifts, the right balance in the bank, or even the right relationships. Joy comes from surrendering the throne of your life to the One who already rules heaven and earth.
Psalm 98 repeats the word “all” and “every”—indicating the reach of God’s joy:
“All the ends of the earth have seen…” (v. 3)
“Let the sea resound, and everything in it…” (v. 7)
“Let the rivers clap their hands…” (v. 8)
If seas and rivers and mountains can rejoice—how much more should the people He came to save?
✦ Joy is not automatic—it’s the echo of a heart where Jesus is welcome.
Joy Restored: Far as the Curse Is Found
Why is this hymn connected to Genesis 3? Because Jesus didn’t just come to save souls—He came to undo the curse.Every sorrow, every brokenness, every ache in your bones comes from a world still shadowed by sin. But Watts reminds us:
“He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found.”
Psalm 98 ends with anticipation:
“…for He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.” (Psalm 98:9)
That’s not bad news—that’s good news. Jesus doesn’t just bring joy—He restores justice. He doesn’t just save hearts—He heals creation. He doesn’t just reign someday—He reigns today.
In Jesus, joy is not fragile—it’s unstoppable. It’s coming with Him when He returns, and it’s breaking into the world now through every believer who refuses to let despair have the last word.
Conclusion: Light the Candle, Live the Joy
Today we light the Candle of Joy—not because life is perfect, but because God’s promise is. Joy is not a mood—it’s the music of heaven breaking into earth.
So let the good news of Advent ring louder than the bad news around us. Let every heart prepare Him room. Let every home, every workplace, every struggle, and every silence feel the weight of this truth:
✦ Joy to the world—the Lord is come.✦ Joy to the world—the Lord is coming again.✦ Joy to the world—let us live like we believe it.

Advent Message 02: Candle of Peace

Sermon Date: 12/7/2025
Bible Verses:
Luke 2:8-14
Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-
Theme: “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”
Introduction: When Peace Feels Far Away
Advent is a season of promise—but it’s also a season of tension. We celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace, yet we live in a world riddled with chaos, conflict, and pain. If you’ve ever been heartbroken, afraid, or desperate for something to change—you’re not alone. Christmas is not just twinkling lights and warm memories. It’s also tears on the floor of a stable and angels shouting peace into a battlefield.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow knew this well. On Christmas Day in 1863—during the darkest days of the Civil War—he sat alone, grieving the death of his beloved wife, worrying over his wounded son, and listening to the Christmas bells.
He wrote:
“…And in despair I bowed my head;‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said,‘For hate is strong and mocks the songOf peace on earth, good will to men.’”
Ever felt that way? When the promise of peace seems like a cruel joke? The Candle of Peace is for that moment.
Peace Promised: The Angels’ Song
Luke 2:14 isn’t just a gentle lullaby for a holy night. It’s a battle cry from heaven to earth. “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” That’s not wishful thinking—it’s a declaration of divine reality. The angels weren’t pointing to a feeling or a fleeting moment of rest—they were announcing the arrival of a Person whose very presence would shatter the reign of fear.
Before Jesus ever preached a sermon about peace, He was peace. Before He stilled a storm, He was the calm. Before He told His disciples, “Peace be with you,” He was living proof that peace starts from heaven and invades the chaos of earth.
Let’s get this straight:
Peace isn’t something we achieve.
Peace isn’t something we earn.
Peace is something God sent.
Wrapped in swaddling cloths in Bethlehem wasn’t just a baby—it was the very heartbeat of God’s peace nestled into a violent, power-hungry world. Peace doesn’t start with us climbing up to heaven. It starts with heaven coming down to us.
That’s why we light the Candle of Peace. It’s not to remind us of what ought to be. It’s to remind us of what already is—because God Himself has entered our story.
✦ Before Jesus spoke peace—He embodied peace.
Peace Troubled: When Angels Sing, but We Hear Cannon Fire
But let’s be honest: not everyone hears angels singing. Some of us hear explosions, arguments, headlines, bad diagnoses, and broken promises. Longfellow looked out on his war-torn world—and into the wounds of his own heart—and confessed, “There is no peace on earth.” And maybe you’ve felt that too.
Jesus doesn’t gaslight us. He doesn’t say, “Just cheer up and believe harder.” Instead, He looks us in the eyes and says:
“In the world you will have tribulation…” (John 16:33)
He calls it like it is. Tribulation—pressure, pain, battles, grief—will come. But here’s the difference: He doesn’t leave us in the darkness. The full verse says:
“…but take heart; I have overcome the world.”
So what’s the promise? Not that we’ll escape the storm—but that Jesus is greater than the storm. Peace isn’t pretending. Peace is trusting Someone bigger than whatever threatens to undo us.
And when Jesus says:
“My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives…” (John 14:27)
He’s drawing a sharp contrast. The world gives peace like a cheap gift—it breaks, it fades, and when life shatters, so does our peace. But the peace of Christ is bulletproof. Blood-proof. Death-proof.
The world gives peace based on circumstances. Jesus gives peace based on His character.
The world gives peace as long as things are calm.
Jesus gives peace that thrives because He is present—even in turmoil.
Peace is not the absence of conflict—it's the presence of Christ in the conflict.
✦ Peace isn’t found in the silence of the battlefield—it’s found in the Savior who walks into the battle with us.
Peace Practiced: Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Peace began with God. Peace comes through Christ. But peace doesn’t stop there. It’s not a museum relic to be admired—it’s a mission to be lived.
Jesus said:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
Notice He didn’t say, “Blessed are the peacekeepers.” Peacekeepers avoid conflict. Peacemakers enter it with grace and truth. They don’t sweep things under the rug or whisper empty platitudes. They do the hard work of reconciliation because they carry the DNA of the King who reconciled them to God.
Being a peacemaker means:
Forgiving when you’d rather hold a grudge.
Listening when you’d rather argue.
Building bridges when you’d rather burn them.
Healing wounds you didn’t cause.
Laying down your rights for the sake of someone else’s redemption.
That’s not weakness—that’s Christlikeness.
Why are peacemakers called “sons of God”? Because they act like their Father. Wherever they go, they bring heaven’s peace into earth’s warzones. They embody the gospel with hands that serve, mouths that bless, and hearts that refuse bitterness a bed to sleep in.
In a world of division, bitterness, and digital shouting matches, true peace is radical. It shines. It disrupts. It reveals the kingdom of God one obedient life at a time.
✦ When the world is noisy and angry, a peacemaker becomes a living sermon—an advent candle in human form.
Peace Kept: The Prince of Peace Has the Final Word
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow did not sugarcoat the brokenness around him. He felt the weight of war. He grieved the loss of his wife. He nearly lost his son. And he still dared to hope.
He ended his poem with these words that still ring like church bells across history:
“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:‘God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,With peace on earth, good will to men.’”
This is not wishful thinking—it is a proclamation of faith. The promise of peace is not rooted in what we see but in who God is.
Paul writes:
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)
Not just in church. Not just at Christmas. Not just when things are good—at all times, in every way.
God’s peace is not fragile—it’s fierce. It doesn’t crumble when cancer comes back, when they walk away, when the nation divides, or when the headlines scream despair. His peace stands because He stands.
Christian peace is not denial—it’s defiance. It doesn’t say, “Everything is okay.” It declares, “Even if everything falls apart, God has not fallen off His throne.” The cross did not have the final word. The grave did not get the last laugh. The Prince of Peace reigns—and His peace will reign with Him.
✦ Peace is not dead. Peace is a Person. And He is alive.
Conclusion: Light the Candle, Live the Peace
As we light the Candle of Peace, we’re not ignoring the darkness—we’re defying it. The light shines in the darkness. The world might offer distraction, denial, or temporary calm. But only Jesus offers peace that:
Guards the heart,
Ruins our fear,
And reigns forever.
So this week, let the bells ring in your soul:God is not dead. God has not lost. Peace is coming—and peace is here.

The Weekly Show - Episode 78: Celebration, Two year Anniversary

Join Tim and John as they celebrate two years of the Podcast!
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning and https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/halloween-time
Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/
“Two Years Beneath the Grove”
A Poem for the Walnut Grove Podcast – Celebrating Year Two
Two years of roots grown deep in grace, Of truth proclaimed from place to place, Of voices steady, kind, and sure— A gospel sound both rich and pure.
They opened John’s great book of light, Where Word made flesh broke through the night. They told of life from womb to breath— How God still weaves through life and death.
They faced the world’s most sacred strife, The worth of soul, the gift of life. With trembling hands and holy tone, They said: Each child is His alone.
Through pain and loss, through tear and song, They showed that faith still stands strong. That suffering, though hard to bear, Becomes a place where God meets there.
They sought God’s will through every test— Not in confusion, but in rest. In purpose, guidance, sovereignty— They found His heart, and helped us see.
They spoke of anger, right and wrong, Of tempers short and mercies long. Of Saul and Samuel’s shadowed hour, Of witches, fear, and fading power.
They talked of death—and what’s beyond, Of heaven’s gate and Christ’s dear bond. They said, Fear not!—for love is near, And perfect love drives out our fear.
They called the church to stand and fight, To “suit up” strong in armor bright. To wield the Word, the Spirit’s flame, And bear the banner of His name.
They taught of light that will not fade, Of freedom won, of debts repaid. Of hearts forgiven, spirits freed, Of purpose born from grace and need.
They spoke of friends—the kind that stay, When storms of life don’t go away. Of love that laughs, and truth that binds, Of mercy strong and hearts aligned.
And when the hymns began to rise, Their voices joined beyond the skies. Through words and melody combined, The saints of old and new entwined.
So here’s to years of faith well sown, Of seeds of truth the Spirit’s grown. To Tim and John—whose steady tone Has helped the weary find their home.
Two years beneath the Walnut Grove— Where gospel roots and friendship grow. And if the Lord should grant year three, May His Word still set captives free.
Q&A:
How many tacos can you eat in one sitting? - Jack Brewer
What is your favorite parable? Psalm? - Laken Howell
What do you think about the most recent “rapture-tok” situation with the South African pastor (Joshua Mhlakala)?  - Mallory Kaul
Why are so many people so eager/trusting when they know that no one will know the time or place?  - Mallory Kaul
Which LOTR Movie is the Best? (And Why is it RotK?)  - Mallory Kaul
Is Karma biblical?
How should we address other Christian who believe in Karma?
What is your favorite Childhood Memory? - Sheila Shapley
What was your favorite thing to watch as a child? - Sheila Shapley
What is your favorite hymn? - Sheila Shapley
What is your greatest fear?” - Sheila Shapley

Advent and the Promise: Waiting with Hope for Christ's Return

Rev. Tim Shapley delivers a chapel message about Advent, reflecting on Jesus' first coming, the fulfillment of prophecy, and God’s faithfulness throughout history.He explains the hope of Christ’s second coming through a simple overview of Revelation, encouraging listeners to wait with peace, joy, love, and readiness.