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The coronavirus (and now civil unrest) has changed the way we work, sudy, shop, and even worship. What will things be like after we get the situation under control? The prophet Joel tells us and the Day of Pentecost shows us.
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At the midpoint of Lent, we take time to rejoice that despite being born spiritually dead in sin, God has saved us from death and for a wonderful purpose.
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Luke sums up years of Jesus' early life with one sentence, "[Jesus] was obedient [to his obedients]." This not only was a blessing to his parents (think of how "easy" of a child he was to raise!) but also to us.
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According to Isaiah's prophecy seven centuries before Jesus' baptism, Jesus of Nazareth had a lot on his plate as he got out of the Jordan River to begin his public ministry. How would he handle it all? Isaiah makes clear: "He will not falter or be discouraged." Now, this sort of thing can be said of all who are baptized.
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When we endure hardships because of our faith in God, we don't have to "play the victim" before him. The Lord understands both what he will do through us and will do for us, just as he understood what he was doing through and for Jeremiah the prophet.
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Lots of people think Jesus is just some life coach who gives you practical wisdom and to-do's for this life. If you think that, you miss Jesus' bigger point in Luke chapter 14. Jesus isn't concerned so much about where you sit at an earthly meal. He's concerned about where you will sit for all eternity.
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Our text shows that the Wicked Foe (aka, the devil) is real and has real forces of power at his disposal, namely, demons. And yet the Son of the Most High God knows how best to defend us and bring others under his protection.
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Joshua's words, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord," have decorated the walls of homes for years, but they're easier said than done. In his grace, God gives us spiritual leaders who help us know and serve God better.
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If someone walked up to you and asked you how to pray, would you know where to begin? Jesus did, and in twelve concise verses he teaches us Christians what we need to know about prayer.
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For over a year, Noah and his family lived in a boat full of animals. Once God told him to come out of the ark and to empty it, it was clear that Noah stepped onto dry ground with a boatload of gratitude.
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Just weeks after Jesus ascended, the apostles faced opposition to their preaching and an attempt to hush them up. How they responded informs us about how we can respond in our day.
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Our midweek Advent worship series explores the names by which Jesus would be, and still is, called. Our sermon texts take us through Isaiah the Prophet's book and through these names we better know who our Savior is and what exactly he came to do.
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Our midweek services have examined a comforting name (Immanuel) and a wonderful name (Prince of peace). Our third and final midweek Advent service looks at a glorious name -- the LORD Almighty.
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Sometimes, the grieving look for all sorts of messages from heaven. As Christians, we know where to find such a message and know what kind of comfort God gives us in it.
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We love Luke chapter 2 this time of year, but often only up until verse twenty. The eighth day of Jesus' life (January 1 on our calendars) encourages us to go at least one verse farther into Luke chapter 2 and see what is proclaimed to us sinners as the son of Mary is circumcised and officially given the name "Jesus".
A Parishioner and A Pastor Pray to the Living Lord
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What should Christians do when they are in "bitter distress" because of death? This woman and Elisha teach us to look to and pray to our God because he is the Living Lord.
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Jesus' blood has already made saints out his believers, but while we live as God's holy people on this planet, we still have to fight and struggle against sin, death, and the devil. The good news is that there's an eternal celebration waiting for us at the end. Along with the Apostle John we get a glimpse of what it will look like to be a saint triumphant in heaven.
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Promises made are supposed to be promises kept. But when it seems like a promise has failed or will fail, we feel anguish and sorrow. The Apostle Paul recalls how he felt anguish and sorrow about a promise and tells you why you should never feel anguish and sorrow about God's promises.
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Last Sunday we emphasized the Chrisitian education aspect of our congregation's ministry. Christian education is not just for cute Sunday schoolers, young adults in catechism class, or those at a Lutheran high school. Paul's letter to Titus makes it clear that if a congregation wants to be health, Christian education must be a congregational-wide affair -- young and old, male and female.
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On Sunday we celebrated the Festival of Epiphany which highlights how Jesus appeared in the flesh to be the Savior of all people -- Jew and Gentile. Because Jesus is the Savior of all people of all races, that means there are some surprising people who come to see him and some surprising ways they get there.
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Part two of three of our midweek Advent series, "The Names by Which He'll Be Called", focuses on the wonderful name mentioned by Isaiah in chapter 9 of his book. The wonder is how a baby can do anything princely, let alone give us true spiritual peace.
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As if the 2020 presidential candidates weren't talking about the economy -- good and bad -- enough, enter the prophet Amos. What can this man from roughly 750 B.C. add to a conversation in 21st centurty capitalistc America? Plenty. And it has less to do with dollars and cents and more with hearts and souls.
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On the Christian church calendar, September 29 is the Festival of Saint Michael and All Angels where we praise and thank God for his gift of angels. While much of the world envisions angels as cute little chubby boys, John's vision here in Revelation pictures them as strong fighters. Watch intently, then, as Saint Michael and the holy angels fight against the devil and the fallen angels because this throwdown says something about your relationship with God.
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40 days after Jesus rose from the dead, he ascended back into heaven. Ascension Day is sometimes overlooked but is just as important as Christmas or Easter because it makes us happy -- for Jesus who ascended and for ourselves who will ascend into heaven.
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Christians recognize they are not their own masters; Jesus Christ is. And since Jesus is a good master who has served us and told us he will return at any moment, we are always ready to welcome him.
Our guest preacher is Seminarian Joshua Rathje, who has begun his final year at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. God willing, in May of 2020 Josh will be graduated and assigned to serve in the pastoral ministry. We pray for God's blessings on his school year!
