SERMONS Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. -Romans 10:17

  David’s name (We best know him as King David.) appears more than 1,000 times in the Bible. Clearly, he is a key player in God’s plan of salvation. In our ongoing series on David’s life the overarching theme remains ‘invitation.’ Today, we see that he (and WE) are invited to Grieve in HOPE!      

 Happy Reformation Sunday! Martin Luther, like David, was a key player in God’s plan of salvation. Luther was blessed to rediscover the Gospel of Jesus Christ, David's son and Lord, and make it widely known in the face of unjust treatment and deadly threats. Today, in our ongoing series on the life of David, we receive another invitation to Trust God and His unchanging Word.     

 David’s name (We best know him as King David.) appears more than 1,000 times in the Bible. Clearly, he is a key player in God’s plan of salvation. Over the next two months we are going to look at David’s life, working with the overarching theme of ‘invitation.’ Today, we see that he receives a Surprise Invitation.     

 Me. My. Mine. All of us use these pronouns regularly and without much thought. They are helpful, quite obviously, in our conversations and interactions with others. However, they also betray a heart issue – an issue whereby we struggle to see beyond ourselves. This is true not only of our bodies, money, talents and time but also the Gospel. Here, too, we are to be good stewards. In fact, good stewardship of the other four areas are essential for being good stewards of the Gospel, seeking to share the love of Christ so that others might also be brought out of the domain of darkness and into the Kingdom of God’s beloved Son.  

 Me. My. Mine. All of us use these pronouns regularly and without much thought. They are helpful, quite obviously, in our conversations and interactions with others. However, they also betray a heart issue – an issue whereby we see ourselves as free agents to do what we think is best (or desire to do) and to use the gifts entrusted to us in ways that ultimately serve us. In our ongoing sermon series, we continue to be challenged to see beyond “Me. My. Mine.” to “HIS.” Each of us have been given gifts by God to be used for His glory and the common good. 

 Let’s Get Real! Peter doesn’t mince words. He clearly states the spiritual dangers we face. Like a roaring lion, the devil seeks to devour us. Thankfully, we are not left to defend ourselves. While we are to resist him, our ability to stand firm in the faith is due to our God and Father who promises to restore, confirm, strengthen and establish us in and through Christ Jesus. Thanks be to God! 

 Let’s Get Real! In general, living isn’t easy. Regardless of our age, we face a variety of demands and challenges. Rather than being a proverbial ‘crutch’, living a life of faith makes certain things even more demanding and challenging. Today, in our ongoing series on 1st Peter, despite the added demands (and at times persecution) associated with living a life of faith, we are exhorted to follow Jesus’ example in living the GOOD life.  

 Let’s Get Real! As we continue our journey through 1st Peter, we arrive at the first THEREFORE. (There are seven of them.) Having made the case for our salvation (God’s guaranteed work for us in Christ and IN us), the Apostle Peter begins to layout the ‘so what’ of our salvation. We have been born again through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ to live anew … to live life in a new way. May we be enabled to pursue this new way of living with great vigor, joy and confidence. 

 Let’s Get Real! This is an apropos summary of St. Peter’s first letter. In it, he details the real change we have undergone and the changes we are experiencing, especially amid trials. This change and these changes are the REAL work of God’s grace for us in and with Christ Jesus our Lord. We will be exploring some of these changes (i.e. acts of grace) today and in the coming weeks. 

  In the face of a world seeming to be falling apart, and maybe even your personal “world,” God’s Word has great and convincing comfort and hope for you this day. That hope, however, begins with knowing the real cause of our troubles. It is our sin and   alienation from God that is at the root of all anger, frustration, bitterness, and death. We easily “lose heart” when all seems hopeless for us. The center and substance of hope in God is Jesus Christ whose resurrection from all that is darkness and death to us is the means and strength of faith to endure and stand firm through all that troubles us. For   “if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised     Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11). Far from being merely a blind hope for future  deliverance, believing in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come far outweighs everything and anything that can happen to us now. Living in this hope, we do not lose heart. 

  We ponder today the great mystery of God—that God is one and that this one God is three persons. The liturgy in its proclamation focuses on the divine mystery of the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Holy Trinity is not so much truth to be understood as it is truth to be confessed. We confess the Father from whom all things come, the Son who is the incarnate Lord Jesus Christ, and the Spirit who proceeds from the Father through the Son. Throughout the centuries of the Christian Church, the confession of the Holy Trinity has been a hallmark of faithful believers. We sing of the Trinity and, with the profound words of the Athanasian Creed, we confess the Holy Trinity to be the one true God. 

 Happy Mother’s Day! In our ongoing series on the “one another” passages in the New Testament, we will consider a passage that honors and exemplifies the influential women in our lives – past and present. They were/are kind, tenderhearted and forgiving. (Ephesians 4:32) 

 This is week four in our series on the “one another” passages in the New Testament. Since we share the same baptism, faith, hope and Father, we are “IN” this together. The New Testament provides ample counsel regarding how we are to work with, love and encourage one another as we live lives of faith in our Risen Savior Jesus Christ. Today, prayer is in the ‘spotlight’. Pray for one another. 

  This is week two in our series on the “one another” passages in the New Testament. Since we share the same baptism, faith, hope and Father, we are “IN” this together. The New Testament provides ample counsel regarding how we are to work with, love and encourage one another as we live lives of faith in our Risen Savior Jesus Christ.  

 Throughout the season of Lent, we have devoted our midweek services to exploring Luther’s Small Catechism. Each week we’ve considered one of the six chief parts. As our Lenten journey quickly comes to a close, we turn our attention to the Lord’s Supper, a fitting topic for Maundy Thursday. 

  Dr. Martin Luther's Small Catechism has been associated with the season of Lent since 1529. Many congregations have the longstanding tradition of reviewing one of the Six Chief Parts of the Catechism each week. Tonight we will consider the Office of the Keys.

 Today, in our ongoing series on Mark’s Gospel, it is painfully obvious that the disciples still don’t “get it.” (Do we?) As King of kings, Jesus did not come to be served but to serve, giving His life as a ransom for many. Ransomed, you and I are to live lives of cheerful service. 

 Today, in our ongoing series on Mark’s Gospel, a rich, young man eagerly asks Jesus a question about eternal life. What must he do to inherit it? This is a case of “be careful what you ask for.” Once exposed, Jesus challenged this man to rid himself of useless idols. He challenges us to do the same. 

This is The First Sunday IN (not of) Lent. The ’40 Days of Lent’ do not include Sundays. However, to highlight this season, many of the Alleluias and Glorias are reserved for later after the Resurrection. As a penitential season you are encouraged to join us on Wednesdays to reflect on our faith and the forgiveness, we receive through our Saviour Jesus the Christ.

Special thanks to Pastor Ernie for officiating.