Only Jesus Satisfies

January 14, 2026

Leadership Notes

     We ended last week with two points of wise counsel from Charles Spurgeon:

“If any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him; for you are

worse than he thinks you to be.”

     And second:

Charles Spurgeon taught that when treated with

hatred, Christians should respond with prayer, forbearance,

and loving them back with good, rather than revenge. Remember,

the world's hatred often stems from our faith, and we should

focus on God's approval, not worldly approval, by praying for our

enemies and heaping "coals of fire" (acts of kindness) on their

heads.

     Both points contain sound advice on how to navigate through our culture with deep and abiding faith. This week, we’ll continue our examination of how faith and culture intersect.

     The place to start is with the central place devotion to Jesus Christ plays in our lives. How we engage culture is defined by God’s Word, especially Galatians 5:22-23:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

No matter what we’re facing or dealing with or experiencing in life, these are our guiding principles. Regardless of what is spinning roundabout us culturally, these are our guiding principles. With Jesus at the center of our lives, our primary concerns are worshiping God in Truth and Light…loving our families…loving our community {this is where God has placed us – as Jeremiah 29:7 reminds us, “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”}…and joyfully sharing the gospel of salvation through Christ and Christ alone.

     Jesus shows us the way to happiness and joy. Much of what we see in cultural wickedness and breakdown in civility reveals an emptiness in people’s lives. Without Jesus, people will try to fill that spiritual hole with all kinds failing and flailing choices. Only Jesus satisfies. Only Jesus.

     Looking around, seeing various degrees and shades of unhinged behavior, I remember a quote from R.C. Sproul, “What is wrong with you people.” And the answer is, people need Jesus. I thank God daily for the people of Covenant Church who, guided by God’s Word and the teachings of Jesus, know what matters most. Our emotional and spiritual needs are being fed by God, not the culture.

     It’s interesting when you think about the things people latch on to. We’ve seen anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis getting pepper-sprayed while others lugging jugs of milk walk around pouring it on their faces. Imagine these being the choices you make at this point in your life. People need Jesus.

     Let’s close with this beautiful thought from C.S. Lewis:

“DEATH OPENS A DOOR OUT OF A LITTLE, DARK ROOM {that’s all

the life we have known before it} INTO A GREAT, REAL PLACE

WHERE THE TRUE SUN SHINES AND WE SHALL MEET.”

     As the first church proclaimed, echoing Paul in 1 Corinthians 16:22, “Come, Lord Jesus, Come.”

     With Much Love and Affection,

                       Richard