When Lisa and I got married, one of the songs sung at our wedding was Scott Wesley’s Brown “I Wish You Jesus.” That was my desire for everyone who attended our wedding, and it was my desire for Lisa and me — whatever would happen in life, good or bad, easy or hard —we wanted Jesus to be at the center of it. I told Lisa I’d like it sung at my memorial if she’s alive when I die (a request she refuses, for reasons explained in the sermon). When Cherry Hills Community Church decided to do a sermon series on the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, I was thrilled to be assigned the portion on Jesus. Correctly understanding who Jesus is is everything. Plus, He’s the ultimate love of my life and my truest friend, my greatest passion. Getting to speak on Jesus is such a joy. Christians fight about a lot of things and I’m always suspicious of those who spend more time attacking others than lifting up Jesus.
My prayer for you and me for 2026 is that Jesus will be the increasing focus of our lives. We can disagree about whether the flood was local or universal, whether cessationism or annihilationism is the best description of what will happen with hell, whether the church should practice credobaptism or paedobaptism, but we can’t disagree about the essential nature and person of Jesus and still be brothers and sisters. Jesus is the plumbline.
If you’ve got time this weekend, here’s a sermon celebrating the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed by celebrating Jesus--our God, Lord, Savior, Friend, Redeemer, Shepherd and Love. (If I look a little gimpy moving around, it’s because I had knee surgery four days prior to delivering the sermon.)
