Denial
Today we focus on our forgiveness for denying our Lord. We humbly confess that we often join Peter in saying, “I don’t know this Man!” Denial is never a good thing – except in formal logic. In logic a denial simply reverses the truth value of a statement. Here is the truth statement about our human condition: we are sinners under God’s condemnation. Now, put a denial in front of that statement and we have this: It is not the case that we are sinners under God’s condemnation. That is a joyful denial. And it happens all because Jesus denied His righteousness for our sake. Paul writes, “But, God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus became our sin so that we become His righteousness. Rejoice in that new identity.WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Mar 18, 2018DenialDenialToday we focus on our forgiveness for denying our Lord. We humbly confess that we often join Peter in saying, “I don’t know this Man!” Denial is never a good thing – except in formal logic. In logic a denial simply reverses the truth value of a statement. Here is the truth statement about our human condition: we are sinners under God’s condemnation. Now, put a denial in front of that statement and we have this: It is not the case that we are sinners under God’s condemnation. That is a joyful denial. And it happens all because Jesus denied His righteousness for our sake. Paul writes, “But, God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus became our sin so that we become His righteousness. Rejoice in that new identity.
- Feb 25, 2018PatiencePatience
Christ is the savior of the world, God with us, but not always on our schedule. Jesus comes to us, but not always when we demand. Sometimes "faith" is the ability to wait, the willingness to let God be God for us in His own good time. - Feb 18, 2018Cure for a Snakebite
- Jan 21, 2018A Time to FishA Time to Fish
Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishermen by trade. Jesus invited them to follow Him, promising He would make them fishers of men. What could this possibly mean? The prophet Jonah may provide a clue. Swallowed, and then regurgitated by a great fish after running from God, Jonah was given another chance to cast a Gospel net for the people of Nineveh. With only the lure of Jonah’s brief, Law-heavy sermon, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”, God reeled in a bountiful Kingdom-catch, saving more than 120,000 people and animals in that city. Jesus’ own preaching announces the fullness of time, the presence of God’s reign, and invites repentance and faith in the Good News from God, which He embodies and enacts. This message-proclaimed and sacramentally enacted-is the net by which Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies people under God’s gracious reign - Jan 14, 2018ListenListen
The importance of listening cannot be overstated. Listening leads to big things: the call of a prophet; moral guidance to a young church at Corinth; the call to discipleship. - Jan 7, 2018Hope for LifeHope for Life
As Christians we offer the love, hope and healing power of Jesus Christ to all who find or have found themselves in hopeless situations. In Jesus, there’s “HOPE”: HUMANITY even in suffering. OPPORTUNITY even in uncertainty. PROMISE even in weakness. And ENJOYMENT even in the unexpected. May we find our HOPE in Him. - Dec 31, 2017Seeing With the Eyes of FaithSeeing With the Eyes of Faith
The Apostle Luke reveals the true mission of Jesus the Messiah - to be Savior of the nations. Through the eyes of Simeon and Anna we see the transformative power of Christ on the lives of God’s people. His mission changes us and redefines joy in our lives. Though we have the freedom to use our time and energy pursuing the empty things of the world, we choose instead to find joy by dedicating our hands and heart to the things of God. Like Simeon we trust God to fulfill His promises. That frees us to accomplish much - both now and in eternity - as we see life with the eyes of faith. - Dec 10, 2017Preparing Her Way – Have a Mary ChristmasPreparing Her Way – Have a Mary Christmas
The clear message of Advent is that this is a time for us to clear out the things that clutter up our lives and hinder our walk with God. From the prophets of the Old Testament to John the Baptist the cry is “Prepare the way of the Lord!” May we use these Advent days for honest self examination and repentance that will open our hearts to receive the good news of God’s gift in Christ Jesus our Lord. Today we can learn so much from Mary the mother of our Lord about how to prepare our hearts to be ready to receive the precious gifts that God offers. - Nov 12, 2017Two Centurions, A Saint and MoreTwo Centurions, A Saint and More
In 1526, in "Whether Soldiers, Too, Can Be Saved," Dr. Martin Luther answers in the affirmative. In this morning's two Gospel Readings, we encounter two very different centurions at very different times in the life and ministry of our Lord. Yet both display unique and spectacular faith. Then and now, veterans had and have a special place in the heart of God. - Oct 29, 2017Grounded in GraceGrounded in Grace
Today we welcome you to our celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. Our theme is “Grounded in Grace,” in which we are reminded that our faith is firm because we are saved by Christ. This service’s Bible readings, hymns, prayers, sermon and children’s message will assure us that we cannot be shaken by the troubles of this world because our Savior, who died and rose for us, is the rock solid foundation of our future. We put our trust in Him Alone. We are saved by Grace Alone. - Jul 2, 2017In BetweenIn Between
We live in a world where leadership is lifted up, yet we forget that leaders first learn to follow. Following is never easy, especially when the going gets tough. It can be hard enough to follow people we know, respect, and trust. It can be even harder to follow an unseen God who speaks to us through His eternal Word, strengthens us through bread and wine, and leads and guides us by His Spirit. Yet, that is our calling. In the midst of struggle, persecution, famine, joblessness, and conflict, we listen to the One we know, respect, and trust because He is our Creator, our Savior, and is always with us to the end of the age. - Jun 25, 2017What Must We SayWhat Must We Say
There are many things that cause us to be afraid. We become afraid anytime we perceive our sense of security is threatened. This can be a perceived physical, financial, intellectual, relational, or spiritual threat. In these last days, these threats may only appear to be real or they may actually be real. No matter what it may be, our security and our strength lie in our God, who is our refuge and strength. In Him we put our trust. - May 28, 2017Those In-Between Times: Present or Absent?Those In-Between Times: Present or Absent?
As the disciples saw Jesus become absent at the Ascension and were told to wait and pray and go to Jerusalem, so are we left within the “going” and the “coming” of the Lord. Practicing His Presence is a matter of Faith and Spiritual Openness. Our expectations are not disappointed but are met by gracious surprises. - May 7, 2017The Life of a Sheep Ain’t so BaaadThe Life of a Sheep Ain’t so Baaad
You’re in charge. Or not. God created us to be dependent, on Him. But it’s a challenge to believe that, for it requires a sense of humility and a sense of awe to understand how far reaching and how incredibly personal the love of God really is. In the Gospel, Jesus used the imagery of sheep and a shepherd to describe our relationship with him: He’s the shepherd, He’s in charge, and He holds our lives in his hands and provides for us more abundantly than we might ever provide for ourselves. And that’s something we can be thankful for. - Apr 23, 2017Here I AmHere I Am
On Easter evening and again the following Sunday, because the disciples saw Jesus alive, they knew the resurrection was real, and they believed in Him. They were then able to witness to their faith in spite of opposition and persecution from the Jewish council. Though grieved by various traits, it was the “living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:3) that enabled the Early Church to rejoice. The reality of the resurrection becomes evident to people around us as we live out our faith, confessing Jesus as Lord and offering peace and forgiveness in His name. As they come to faith, they join us and “have life in His name” (John 20:31).