trinitylcs's podcast

June 28, 2020 Hebrews 4: Pioneer of Our Salvation

Sun, 28 Jun 2020 18:23:53 +0000

For it was fitting that He, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the Pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering. Hebrews 2:10

The word that's translated as Pioneer can mean Captain or Author. It's the idea of a leader --- Jesus has already gone through death and resurrection so He can lead us through it as well. He is the Captain of our Salvation journey; He is the Author who writes our faith story. He is the Pioneer who goes first and then comes back and leads us in the way.

May 17, 2020 Easter 3:

Sun, 17 May 2020 01:00:00 +0000

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How lovely is Your dwelling place, LORD Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the Living God. Psalm 84:1-2

One of the things that that has affected us during this time of
"shut-down" and "quarantine" is that we have gone 8 weeks
now without public worship --- for many of us, we have never gone that long before! Psalm 84 talks about being away from the house of the Lord and separated from public worship.There is a lot of emotion in these two verses. There is an emptiness behind verses; something is missing when you do not worship the Lord each week!

May 10, 2020 Ephesians 4:

Sun, 10 May 2020 01:05:00 +0000

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Holy Baptism is a "calling" in your life; that means that the Lord knows you by name and has given you faith; He has brought you into His Kingdom; He has worked in your life with His mighty resurrection power to rescue you from the world, the devil,
and your own sinful nature, and He has given you all the gifts of salvation! God's "calling" to you is personal!

One way to think about your Baptismal "calling" is that you have been brought into the Holy Christian Church; and in the Holy Christian Church there is peace and unity. That peace and unity centers on seven gifts that the Lord freely gives to you and all
believers. St. Paul teaches it to us in Ephesians 4.

May 03, 2020: Ephesians 4

Sun, 03 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000

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Holy Baptism is like a line in the sand. In Holy Baptism God the Father washes you clean and brings you into His Kingdom.

In Holy Baptism you are united to God the Son and His death, burial, and resurrection where your sins are gone forever.
In Holy Baptism, God the Holy Spirit comes to you and dwells within you and empowers you to live a holy and godly life.
Everything changes for you because of your Baptism!

Holy Baptism is like a line in the sand. You no longer belong to the world and its ways; you belong to God and His Kingdom!

AND THERE IS NO GOING BACK!

April 26, 2020 Easter 2:

Sat, 25 Apr 2020 22:00:00 +0000

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I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? The emphasis of this Psalm is God's loving care and watchfulness over you! 6 times in these 8 verses God promises to watch over you and protect you!

April 19, 2020 Easter 1: Psalm 23

Sat, 18 Apr 2020 23:26:22 +0000

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Psalm 23 establishes a relationship in verse one; the Lord is our Shepherd, we are the sheep.

On the one hand, being described like a sheep is not very flattering. As Isaiah says, "we all like sheep have gone astray, each is gone his own way." Our sin takes us every which way – but always away from God, and never to Him. Psalm 23 reminds us of our sin and our need for a Shepherd.

On the other hand, being described like a sheep is comforting. Sheep trust their Shepherd; they look to him for all their needs. Being described like a sheep is an image a simple trust in the Lord our God.

Psalm 23 calls you to trust your Shepherd, to be confident in the Good Shepherd's care for you, and to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ each and every day.

April 10, 2020

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 13:39:35 +0000

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Psalm 22 is Jesus' prayer while hanging on the cross, suffering for
our sins. Psalm 22 is a Messianic Psalm that helps us understand
the suffering and death of Jesus. We are most familiar with the
first verse, which is the "4th Word" Jesus speaks from the cross. These words of Jesus are so important that not only are they
recorded in the Gospels, but the Hebrew is translated for us as
well. "My God, My God why have you forsaken Me?" is the first verse of Psalm 22. Although Jesus only verbally says the first verse, we are to understand that He is praying the entire Psalm.

Thursday April 09, 2020

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 07:55:26 +0000

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Psalm 130 is an intense prayer of pain and suffering. This prayer could have been said by Jesus Himself in the Garden of Gethsemane before facing the cross of Good Friday. Maybe you have prayed prayers like that. Because Jesus suffered terriblyin the Garden of Gethsemane, He is now able to help you in your time of intense prayer. He promises to help you, and to even pray for you. He understands pain and suffering; He knows the feeling of unanswered prayer. He promises to help you! Psalm 130 gives us insight into the beginning of that first Maundy Thursday when Jesus prayed to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane.

April 05, 2020 Palm Sunday: Psalm 118

Sat, 04 Apr 2020 22:00:00 +0000

Psalm 118 is a Messianic Psalm that foreshadows Holy Week. It teaches us what the Messiah will go through for us and our salvation. It teaches us and the entire Christian Church to give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His steadfast love endures forever!

March 29, 2020 Lent 5: Psalm 5

Sun, 29 Mar 2020 01:01:57 +0000

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What do you do when you are discouraged, depressed or brokenhearted?
When do you need to slow down and refocus your life?
Where do you go when you need a safe place – mentally, emotionally and spiritually?
Why can't you find peace, hope or joy in this world?
How do you deal with the stress, the worries, and the problems that you face?

TO ANSWER ALL THESE QUESTIONS, Psalm 5 teaches us to turn to the Lord in prayer.

March 29, 2020 Lent 5: Psalm 5

Sat, 28 Mar 2020 22:00:00 +0000

LISTEN TO March 29, 2020 Lent 5: Psalm 5

Who do you talk to about your deepest needs and your immediate
concerns?
What do you do when you are discouraged, depressed or
brokenhearted?
When do you need to slow down and refocus your life?
Where do you go when you need a safe place – mentally,
emotionally and spiritually?
Why can't you find peace, hope or joy in this world?
How do you deal with the stress, the worries, and the problems
that you face?
TO ANSWER ALL THESE QUESTIONS, Psalm 5 teaches us to turn to the Lord in prayer.

March 24, 2020 Midweek Lent

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 15:12:00 +0000

March 24, 2020 Midweek Lent Worship Video

Judas' Betrayal of Jesus

Selected Verses

I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said to me, "Throw it to the potter"-the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord Zechariah 11:12-13

Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me. Psalm 41:9

Jesus said, "I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: 'He who shared my bread has turned against me.' "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. John 13:18-19

Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!" (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.) John 6:70-71

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. John 13:1-2

"Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over." Matthew 26:14-16

Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me." 22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means." 25 Leaning back against Jesus,

March 15, 2020 Lent 3: Psalm 46

Sun, 15 Mar 2020 17:25:38 +0000

You have probably heard of the Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse. It is a graphic way to describe the Signs of the End of the world. We heard about the Four Horsemen today in the reading from the book of Revelation. The Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse is pale in color; the text actually says it's greenish in color – like when we say someone who is sick looks "green around the gills."

This Fourth Horseman, which is pale and green in color, brings all kinds of destruction on the earth, including pestilence. This pestilence includes all kinds of sickness and disease, including epidemics and pandemics. We are currently getting a front row look at this green horse.

March 08, 2020 Lent 2: Psalm 13

Fri, 13 Mar 2020 19:41:18 +0000

Problems, pain, and suffering are complicated things. The troubles we face can affect our health, our finances, and/or our relationships. They preoccupy you during the day; they cause you to toss and turn at night; and sometimes they can even change the course of your entire life. They bring worry, stress, fear, and sorrow. It was during some unknown problem, pain, or suffering that King David wrote Psalm 13.

March 02, 2020 Lent 1: Psalm 136

Sun, 01 Mar 2020 18:03:01 +0000

The refrain of Psalm 136 is "for His steadfast love endures forever!" It is repeated 26 times and is the major theme of the Psalm. The refrain is the part that the people say, after the priest said the first part of each verse. That interaction between the priest and the people is the antiphon part of this Psalm – it's a responsive reading. Whether the people sang it or spoke it, it is a powerful confession of God's goodness, grace, and mercy.

February 26, 2020 Ash Wednesday: Psalm 51

Sun, 01 Mar 2020 17:09:45 +0000

The Psalms were the "hymnbook" of the Old Testament. Israel used them to worship God, sing His praises, learn His ways, and confess their faith. In addition, the Psalms are a collection of prayers; heart wrenching prayers for all kinds of hardships are included throughout the Psalms. Of the most prominent are prayers for forgiveness. There are seven Psalms that are called Penitential Psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143), and they teach us about repentance, sorrow over our sin, and the sure and certain hope of the forgiveness of all of our sins. Psalm 51 is one of those Penitential Psalms.

February 23, 2020 Theophanies: The Transfiguration

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 18:25:30 +0000

A Theophany is a "God appearance" in the Old Testament. Specifically, it is the Son of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, who appears on earth before His Incarnation and birth in Bethlehem. In a theophany, the Lord is intervening on behalf of His People. He is saving them, helping them, guiding them, or protecting them. As we wrap up this series today, we want to take a look at a very different kind of theophany – an unique, one-of-a-kind God appearance. That is the Transfiguration.

February 09, 2020 Salt And Light

Sun, 23 Feb 2020 18:06:33 +0000

Today the Reverend Bishop Peter Anabati Abia from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Sudan/Sudan shares God's Word with us about being salt and light.

February 02, 2020 Theophanies: God Commands Joshua

Sun, 09 Feb 2020 16:47:20 +0000

In our story today from the Old Testament, it is now the end of the 40 years in the wilderness. This is the end of the Exodus. Moses has died, Joshua is the leader, the Israelites have crossed the flooded Jordan River on dry ground – just like they crossed the Red Sea on dry ground 40 years earlier. They have celebrated a Passover, and they are now camped a few miles from the Canaanite fortress city of Jericho. Jericho is a military city, and it stands between the Israelites and the Promised Land.

It is here where God appears to Joshua. Joshua is given a Theophany; a "God appearance". Specifically, it is the Son of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, who appears on earth before His birth in Bethlehem[1]. Joshua is considering his attack on Jericho when the Lord appears to him. The Lord appears as the "Commander of the Lord's Army." Joshua was on holy ground; he takes off his shoes and bows low before the Lord God Almighty.

[1] The Son of God is the "speaking God" – the logos – The "Word" of God who interacts with His People to save them. Theophanies are the pre-incarnate Son at work on behalf of His People. God the Father is never seen, only heard, as at Jesus' Baptism and Transfiguration; and God the Holy Spirit is only seen in the form of a dove at Jesus' Baptism; and tongues of fire at Pentecost. But the Son of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, interacts with His People to save them! In the Old Testament, those times are called "theophanies".

January 19, 2020 Theophanies: God Talks With Moses

Sun, 02 Feb 2020 19:25:40 +0000

Moses lived to be 120 years old.

The first 40 years of his life he was a Prince of Egypt; growing up in the Palace of Pharaoh; he was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was well known for his words and deeds. One day, when he was about 40 years old, he killed an Egyptian who was mistreating a Hebrew. Pharaoh learned of it, and Moses had to flee for his life. He went from Prince to fugitive at 40 years old.

The next 40 years of his life he lived as a shepherd in the desert. During this time he married Zipporah, had two sons, raised flocks, and tended sheep.

It was when Moses was 80 years old that God gave him a theophany. A Theophany is a "God appearance". Specifically, it is the Son of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, who appears on earth before His birth in Bethlehem[1]. This theophany given to Moses is well known: it is the Burning Bush story.

January 26, 2020 Theophanies: The Pillar of Fire by Night and The Pillar of Cloud by Day

Sun, 02 Feb 2020 19:02:49 +0000

The first appearance of God as a Pillar of Cloud by Day and a Pillar of Fire by Night is in the Exodus story. The Israelites had escaped Egypt, and they were traveling through the desert. Pharaoh changed his mind about letting them go, and so he sent his army to chase after them. The Israelites were trapped along the Red Sea; the Egyptian army was closing in behind them and the Red Sea was in front of them. Moses didn't know what to do with the 602,000 men – not counting their families --- that he was leading out of Egypt.

So, God intervened. He opened up the Red Sea for the Israelites to walk on dry ground; and He stood between the Israelites and the Egyptians as a Pillar of Cloud by Day and a Pillar of Fire by Night. The Lord saved His people once again!

January 12, 2020 Theophanies: Jacob

Sat, 18 Jan 2020 13:38:33 +0000

Abraham and Sarah had miracle baby in their old age and his name was Isaac. Isaac grew up and married Rebecca, and they had twins named Esau and Jacob. Esau was born first, but Jacob was born immediately after, as he held on to his brother's heel. The name Jacob means "heel grabber" in Hebrew. "Heel grabber" would describe his antagonistic personality. Jacob and his brother Esau had a contentious relationship that culminated in Jacob stealing the birthright from their elderly and blind father Isaac.

December 29, 2019 Advent 5: The Nunc Dimittis

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 21:47:28 +0000

In the Gospel of Luke, the Christmas story reads like an Old Testament miracle story. It begins in the Temple with faithful Zechariah and Elizabeth and ends in the Temple with devout and godly Simeon and Anna. For the Gospel of Luke, the Christmas story is more than just what happened in Bethlehem! Not only does Luke tells us about Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, but he also tells us stories before Jesus was born --- John the Baptist's birth; and after Jesus was born -- His first visit to the Temple in Jerusalem. That visit to the Temple is our focus for today!

January 05, 2020 Theophanies 1: Abraham Eats With God

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 21:21:55 +0000

An easy way to think about the Old Testament is to remember the key people; most of them are about 500 years apart from each other. The key people of the Old Testament are Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Ezra, and John the Baptist.

These are the key men in the Old Testament, and if you understand their stories and their times, then you will have a good overview of the Old Testament. During this season of Epiphany we are going to look at times where the Lord Himself intervened in the lives of some Old Testament people. These appearances of God are called Theophanies.

December 08, 2019 Advent 2: Benedictus

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 22:21:49 +0000

When John the Baptist's miracle birth was announced to Zechariah in the Temple, the angel made Zechariah mute until the baby was born. After Elizabeth gave birth to the baby, and at his circumcision, she named him John. That is when Zechariah was able to speak again, and he confirmed that the baby would be named John – which means the Lord is gracious. God Himself named this miracle baby; for the Lord is gracious as John begins salvation history as the promised forerunner of the Messiah.

Zechariah not only confirmed that the baby's name is John, but he also praised God with a special Psalm, called the Benedictus. The Benedictus is a Berakah Prayer of thanksgiving to God.

December 15, 2019 Advent 3: The Magnificat

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 22:13:20 +0000

In the Gospel of Luke, what happens to John the Baptist happens to Jesus but in a greater way, because Jesus is the Son of God.

John the Baptist was a miracle baby given to elderly Zechariah and Elizabeth; and Zechariah responds with the song of praise called the Benedictus.

Jesus is a miracle baby given to a virgin named Mary and her fiancé Joseph; and Mary responds with a song of praise called the Magnificat.

December 22, 2019 Advent 4: Gloria In Excelsis

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 21:51:59 +0000

In the Gospel of Luke, what happens to John the Baptist happens to Jesus; but what happens to Jesus is greater because He is the Son of God. Both are miracle babies, both are announced by angels, both had songs of praise sung about them. But today THE COMPARISON STOPS when Angels fill the skies singing about the birth of Jesus. John the Baptist never had a sky full of Angels singing about him. But Jesus did!

November 17, 2019 Discpleship

Sun, 17 Nov 2019 17:27:20 +0000

In the Christian faith, a Disciple[1] is a learner, someone who is learning the doctrines of Scripture and putting them into practice. A disciple is sometimes described as a follower, one who follows Jesus as they live their lives.

Your first thought may be that of the Twelve Disciples. the men Jesus originally chose to follow Him and to learn from Him.

But Jesus also describes you as a disciple! When the Holy Spirit created faith your heart, you became a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are now a lifelong learner of Jesus; you follow Jesus as you live your life. You have been chosen by Him and belong to Him.

[1] "In short, a disciple is a student. A disciple is one who disciplines himself in the teachings and practices of another. The word disciple, like discipline, comes from the Latin word discipulus, meaning "pupil" or "learner." Consequently, to learn is to discipline oneself. . . a disciple follows Jesus." https://tabletalkmagazine.com/article/2018/06/what-is-a-disciple

November 03, 2019 All Saints' Day: Eternal Inheritance

Sun, 17 Nov 2019 16:53:46 +0000

God's gift of salvation is frequently described in terms of a Last Will and Testament. In fact, the Bible is divided according to the OLD Testament and the NEW Testament! Using this Last Will and Testament word picture of salvation, God is the testator, and you are the beneficiary.You get an inheritance from God through faith in His Son Jesus!

October 27, 2019 Reformation: Lutheran Legacy

Sun, 27 Oct 2019 22:42:49 +0000

A legacy is something handed down by a predecessor.

In the past, the word was used in terms of family wills, estates, and inheritances; money and possessions passed down from one generation to another as a "legacy". Nowadays, the definition has widened to include anything that comes from the past.

As conservative Lutherans, we have a legacy! We have something that has been passed down to us --- and that is what today is all about as we celebrate the Lutheran Reformation.

Our legacy is the Gospel itself!

October 20 2019 Good Confession

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 23:32:54 +0000

John the Baptist is the transition between the Old Testament and the New Testament. He is the long promised forerunner of the Messiah. John the Baptist makes the good confession when he points to Jesus and says "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

Jesus Himself makes the good confession when He stood before Pontius Pilate. He boldly proclaimed that He is the King of Israel, the promise Messiah of the Jews who would save His people from their sins.

Jesus Himself is the good confession; He Himself is the good news of eternal salvation for every single person on earth!

St. Paul teaches that it is now our turn to make the good confession; and St. Peter writes

"In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15)

Another way of saying this is always be ready to make the good confession.

October 13, 2019 Psalm 146: Hallelujah

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 22:12:31 +0000

Hallelujah is an Old Testament Hebrew word that means "Praise the Lord!" It is perhaps the loftiest word in the Christian faith; it is a word of joy, of thanksgiving, and of trust in the One True and Only God.

In the Book of Psalms, the last five Psalms are called Hallelujah Psalms because they each begin and end with this word Hallelujah: "Praise the Lord!" The first of those Hallelujah Psalms is Psalm 146.

October 06, 2019 Trinitarian Discipleship

Sun, 13 Oct 2019 15:17:54 +0000

It is so easy for people to lose their way today, isn't it? It seems that people have no anchor whatsoever; they have no internal compass to guide them through life; they have no objective truth at all, so they chase after anything that makes them feel good; they will even believe in lies and deceptions, and they are frightened to death to take a stand against the world and its ways!

September 29, 2019 A Pure Conscience

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 00:56:01 +0000

A guilty conscience is a terrible thing.

You know the feeling. You said or did something that you regret; you are filled with remorse and an overwhelming feeling of dread. It can make you sick; you feel like hiding; you hope no one finds out about it. God seems distant; and you are ashamed to approach Him. You feel like the woman in the Gospel lesson today – thrown on the ground in front of the Judge with your guilty conscience pointing a finger at you! A guilty conscience turns everything into gloom and doom.

So what do you do with a

guilty conscience?

September 22, 2019 Fiercely Loyal To God

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 00:41:56 +0000

We believe that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Our salvation is not dependent on us; it is not dependent on our good works, nor our sincere efforts. Rather, salvation is dependent on the One, True, and Only God: the Father who sent His Son Jesus to redeem us from our sins, and the Holy Spirit who creates and nurtures faith within us through Word and Sacraments.

As Lutheran Christians, we believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the center of all Christian theology, it is the center of the Holy Christian Church, and it is the center of our daily Christian lives. The "good news" ("gospel") is the most important teaching of the Bible, and ultimately, everything else in Holy Scripture points to it.

September 15, 2019 Psalm 1

Sun, 15 Sep 2019 22:31:31 +0000

One of the most important books in the Bible begins with a strong warning about who you let influence you; it's a warning about who you listen to and even who you associate with.

The book of Psalms begins with a sharp contrast between those who listen to and are influenced by the WORLD and those who listen to and are influenced by the WORD OF GOD.

September 08, 2019 Ephesians 15: Pray In The Spirit

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 17:34:09 +0000

Pray at all times in the Spirit! Eph 6:18

St. Paul wraps up the book of Ephesians by encouraging them (and us!) to pray. We are to offer our supplications to God; we are to pray and keep alert; we are to pray with perseverance; we are to pray for other believers; and Paul even asked the Ephesians to pray for him and his work as an Apostle!

Pray at all times in the Spirit!

September 01, 2019 Ephesians 14: Walk In The Light

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 17:14:51 +0000

The book of Ephesians teaches us that we are to Walk in the Lord. In Holy Scripture "walking" is a frequently used metaphor to describe your entire life; it includes your confession and your reputation; it includes what you say and how you live; ultimately, the way you Walk reflects your faith or your lack of it.

August 25, 2019 Ephesians 13: The Armor Of God

Sun, 25 Aug 2019 16:48:23 +0000

When you think about the Armor of God, it's tempting to think that you're a brave, swashbuckling Christian engaged in spiritual battle! But you are not! That's how false teachers portray the Armor of God; they teach that you are a great crusader, a "warrior for Jesus" who combats Satan and overcomes demons by your own power, work, effort, or strength. False teachers claim that you are like King David who went to battle against the mighty Goliath and defeated him.

The truth, though, is that you are not like King David in the battle with Goliath; rather, we are all like the Israelites hiding in the trenches in fear of Goliath. Jesus is the One who is like King David, but even greater. Jesus is the Mighty Warrior and the Great Crusader! In the book of Ephesians, the victory of Christ that is given to you as a gift is pictured as the Armor of God.

August 18, 2019 Ephesians 12: No Hint of Pornia

Sun, 18 Aug 2019 18:28:49 +0000

The Book of Ephesians draws a line in the sand and teaches us that we are never ever to go back into the old life of sin. One of the most dangerous areas where this might happen is with "pornia". Pornia is the Greek word for sexual immorality; it is the basis, for instance, of the English word pornography. There is a plethora of strong warnings in Holy Scripture about pornia;

August 11, 2019 Ephesians 11: The New Man

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 18:30:56 +0000

In Holy Baptism, God gave you new, spiritual, and eternal life. This New Life is called the "New Man"; it is the part of you that is holy and righteous; it loves the things of God.

August 04, 2019 Ephesians 10: The Holy Christian Church

Sun, 04 Aug 2019 16:41:59 +0000

When the Lord called you to faith and brought you into His Church, He gave you the gift of unity and peace. In the One, Holy, Christian, and Apostolic Church, God's people are united and live at peace with God and each other. This gift of unity and peace is priceless; and as individuals we are to do nothing to hinder or disrupt that unity and peace.

July 28, 2019 Ephesians 9: The Mystical Union

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 19:12:49 +0000

One of the most fascinating, yet mysterious, teachings of the Bible is the Mystical Union. The term Mystical Union describes God living within you. The Bible speaks about all three Persons of the Holy Trinity living and dwelling within you in a special and unique way[1]. One of those places that teach this doctrine is the book of Ephesians.

[1] The Bible speaks about each Person of the Holy Trinity living within you, for example in John 14:23 (Father/Son) and 1 Corinthians 6:19 (Holy Spirit). One fascinating thing about this Ephesians 3:16-17 passage is the Trinitarian nature of the prayer; that the Holy Trinity takes a personal interest in you and your Christian faith (Know and grasp Christ's love) and life (love and care for others); so that you ultimately are filled with the Lord and the holy things of His Kingdom!

July 07, 2019 Ephesians 6: Grace Alone

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 18:03:40 +0000

Grace is God's love and compassion in the Lord Jesus Christ. It's a word that means gift, and it highlights that salvation is a free gift that God gives just because He loves you. Grace reminds us that we never get God's love or salvation by our own work or merit, but it is freely given to you in the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is by grace; it truly is a gift!

July 21, 2019 Ephesians 7 Faithful Suffering

Sun, 28 Jul 2019 18:00:02 +0000

The word "suffer" means "to endure, to undergo, and to experience." There many different kinds, levels, and degrees of suffering. The word "suffer" is usually used in terms of something unpleasant.

Just as we suffer; and just as St. Paul suffered; even more did the Lord Jesus suffer. In fact, He came into the world to suffer and die for us and our salvation. Jesus' suffering took Him to a cross; where He was brutally killed. His suffering took Him to a cold grave of a stranger. Jesus' suffering was for us and our salvation.

Jesus teaches us how to suffer: we learn from Him that we are to patiently endure in the midst of pain, difficulties, and in the hardships of life. As believers in Christ, our stance towards suffering is "patient endurance".

June 30, 2019 Ephesians 5: Enlightened In Christ

Sun, 07 Jul 2019 15:06:37 +0000

God is working a grand plan in your life that began before the Creation of the world, when God personally chose you, by grace, in Christ, to be His very own. And then during your lifetime, He brought you to faith in Christ through the water of Holy Baptism. He also has given you the Holy Spirit who works in your life through His Word and Holy Communion to keep you strong, healthy, and growing in faith.

I pray that the eyes of your heart will be enlightened...Ephesians 1:18

June 23, 2019 Ephesians 4: Know God Better

Tue, 25 Jun 2019 17:04:38 +0000

God's will for you is that you know Him better. The Lord wants to be in a close relationship with you. The triune God wants you to know and understand His Word, His will, and all the gifts that He so freely pours into your life.

Our God is a personal God
and His will is that you know Him better!

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may
KNOW HIM BETTER. Ephesians 1:17

June 16, 2019 Ephesians 3: Sealed in the Spirit

Sun, 16 Jun 2019 16:25:20 +0000

Last week we talked about the Doctrine of Election, where God chooses you, by name, by grace and in Christ, before the creation of the world, to be His very own.

But how do you know that you were chosen?
How do you know that you are one of the Elect?

In the book of Ephesians, St. Paul teaches us that Baptism identifies the Elect. Baptism reveals that you have been chosen by God and are one of His Elect. No one comes to Holy Baptism by accident!

June 09, 2019 Ephesians 2: The Doctrine of Election

Sun, 09 Jun 2019 17:22:54 +0000

Do you ever wonder how much God loves you?

Do you ever have doubts about God's love and care in your life?

Or on the other side of the coin, have you ever thought about how vast God's love for you really is?

In the Doctrine of Election, God teaches us about His personal love for each one of us. The Doctrine of Election teaches us how high and wide and long and deep is the love of God in the Lord Jesus Christ.

St. Paul wastes no time in the Book of Ephesians to teach us the Doctrine of Election. He begins in the 4th verse of the book!!

June 02, 2019 Ephesians 1: Berakah Prayer

Sun, 02 Jun 2019 17:57:33 +0000

Today we're starting a summer series on the Book of Ephesians. St. Paul had spent over 2 years in the town of Ephesus; Ephesus was a major city in the Roman Empire and while St. Paul was there it was also the center of the Holy Christian Church. The Apostle was at the zenith of his career, he had rented a place so he could preach the Gospel and teach the Word every day.

May 05, 2019 Easter 2: Hope In Christ

Sun, 05 May 2019 16:34:32 +0000

The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central teaching of the Holy Christian Church; it is the most important thing in the Kingdom of God, and it is the Gospel Good News that brings forgiveness of sins and eternal life to every one of us!

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith, and the basis of our hope. Hope is confident faith; hope is the deep conviction that God will keep His promises to you.

April 28, 2019 Easter 1: Burning Hearts

Sun, 28 Apr 2019 17:29:23 +0000

As those who hear and believe the Easter Gospel, it changes our lives. There is power in the Resurrection that is seen in concrete ways in your life. St. Paul talked about that Resurrection power today in this scripture lesson.

April 21, 2019 Easter: First Importance

Sun, 28 Apr 2019 16:28:53 +0000

St. Paul wrote, "What I received I passed on to you as a first importance: Christ died for our sins according to Scriptures, He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the Third Day according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3

The Death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central teaching of the Holy Christian Church; it is the most important thing in the Kingdom of God, and it is the Gospel Good News that brings forgiveness of sins and eternal life to every one of us!

April 14, 2019 Palm Sunday: The Humble King

Sun, 28 Apr 2019 15:16:04 +0000

Holy Week begins today.

It is the single most important week in the history of the world. This is the last week of Jesus' work as the Savior of the world. Holy Week begins with a parade; as the people sing "Hosanna!" and welcome Jesus into Jerusalem with palm branches; but the week will plummet into the darkness of a cruel crucifixion and cold burial.

This time next week, very early in the morning, the greatest, most significant miracle that has ever happened will take place: the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! Holy Week is the single most important week in the history of the world.

April 07, 2019 Lent 5: The Humility Of Prayer

Sun, 07 Apr 2019 17:03:27 +0000

Humility is a continual awareness and dependence on the Lord God Himself.

One place where that continual awareness and dependence is seen is in your prayer life. Prayer is a humble act; prayer is a sign of humility. In prayer we turn to God for all good things; and we look to Him in times of trouble. Prayer is a continual awareness and dependence on the Lord as you converse with Him throughout each day.

March 31, 2019 Lent 4: Humility Washes Feet

Sun, 07 Apr 2019 16:30:47 +0000

**AUDIO OF TODAY'S MESSAGE NOT AVAILABLE**

Today we heard the story of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. It's an example of humility, love, and service. But have you really thought about how lowly of a service this really was?

Foot washing was a necessary act in biblical times because of the dusty roads and the sandals the people wore. Their feet got dirty! It would be similar to taking off your shoes before entering a house today; or washing your hands before a meal. Can you imagine being the one washing some else's bare feet? Just touching someone else's sweaty, dirty, bare foot is not too appealing to most people!

But yet, JESUS, THE SON OF GOD, did just that for 12 men and their 24 dirty, sweaty feet!

It was Maundy Thursday, the eve of Christ's crucifixion, and Jesus uses this foot washing practice to teach the disciples, (and us!) about humility, love, and service to other people.

March 24, 2019 Lent 3: The Roman Centurion

Sun, 24 Mar 2019 17:03:16 +0000

A Roman centurion was a commander in the Roman Army; they were known for bravery, courage, and strict discipline. They were the backbone of the Roman Army, men of power, authority and influence. There were several different grades and levels of Centurions, but they all commanded men and were skilled in battle. By necessity, they were hard men who lived in brutal times.

Today we heard the story of a Roman Centurion who humbled himself and approached Jesus on behalf of his servant. This Centurion was not asking Jesus for victory in battle, nor the spoils of war, nor even advancement in rank. He was pleading on behalf of his servant! "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly," he said. In the text, Matthew is emphasizing the earnest nature of the request. The Roman Centurion approached Jesus, he was pleading, and he was saying.

This Roman Centurion teaches us about humility. In this story, we can learn at least two things about humility.

March 17, 2019 Lent 2: Jars Of Clay

Sun, 24 Mar 2019 15:09:19 +0000

During this Lenten season, we are looking at the idea of humility, and what it means to be humble. The antonym of humility is pride. Biblically speaking, pride might be your greatest enemy.

March 10, 2019 Lent 1: Pick Up Your Cross

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 01:38:34 +0000

How do you define humility? When you think of being humble, what comes to your mind?

You will never find humility in the world; the way of the world is pride, self-exaltation, and self-importance. The world considers humility as a lack of assertiveness or shyness or even a lack of confidence, and so the world abhors humility. The Bible defines humility much differently than the way the world does.

March 06, 2019 Ash Wednesday

Sun, 10 Mar 2019 22:17:54 +0000

2019 Ash Wednesday

March 03, 2019 Epiphany 8: Transfiguration

Sun, 10 Mar 2019 22:01:46 +0000

One of the themes that is woven through the Gospels is that Jesus' life is pictured as an "EXODUS". He is on a salvation journey that will set all people free from captivity to sin, guilt and death.

It started when Jesus was an infant; Joseph and Mary took the infant Jesus by night into Egypt to flee from King Herod's murderous plot to kill all the baby boys in Bethlehem. Later, God would call His Son "out of Egypt", just as He called His Old Testament "son" – the nation of Israel – out of Egypt centuries before.

The connection to the Exodus is reinforced in the Transfiguration of Jesus. As Jesus is shining in heavenly glory – His face and clothes gleaming white as light and bright as the sun--Moses and Elijah appear with Him. The glorified Old Testament prophets stand with Jesus, and we are told they are talking about His "departure" – that word "departure" is the word exodus!

Even without knowing Greek, you can see the similarity of the English word "exodus" with the Greek word ἔξοδος in Luke 9:31! The English word is simply transliterated from the Greek--and both go back to the Old Testament "exodus" of the Israelites out of Egypt under Moses' leadership. Read the fascinating account of the Israelites' "salvation journey" to the promised Land in the Old Testament books of Exodus and Numbers!

February 24, 2019 Epiphany 7: Caught In Sin

Wed, 27 Feb 2019 18:56:14 +0000

The stories of Epiphany are sensational! They have a dramatic flair to them as they stand out and reveal to us who Jesus is and what He's done for us. Today's story has that same excitement to it; the woman caught in adultery is high drama.

February 17, 2019 Epiphany 6: Feeding The 5000

Sun, 17 Feb 2019 17:40:06 +0000

In the New Testament, 37 miracles of Jesus are recorded. These miracles show His power over creation, disease, demons, and death. Each miracle is like an Epiphany spotlight shining on Jesus that reveals to us that He is the Son of God and the Savior of the world and that His Word is trustworthy and true.

Of those 37 miracles, only one is told in all four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). That one miracle is the Feeding of the 5,000. Why would that be? Why is only one miracle reported in all four Gospels? This one miracle stands out above all the rest; there is something special, unique, and significant about this one particular miracle.

The Feeding of the 5,000 is uniquely a Messianic miracle that connects Jesus to the Old Testament prophecies and anticipates the New Testament promises.

February 03, 2019 Epiphany 5: Teaching and Miracles

Sun, 10 Feb 2019 16:45:43 +0000

The focus of Lutheran Worship is on the Word and the Sacraments. Worship is God serving us through the proclamation of the Gospel --- in words (Scripture), in water (Baptism), and "in, with, and under" the bread and the wine (Communion). We worship today just like the people did in Jesus' day.

In the Gospel lesson for today, Jesus was worshipping in the synagogue that He grew up in, and He read the Scripture lesson and explained it to the people. The Scripture lesson He read was several passages from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah:

As the Gospel of Luke unfolds, this passage describes why Jesus came into the world. This passage is His "mission statement". This passage is an Epiphany spotlight on Jesus, so we understand who He is and what He has done for us.

January 27, 2019 Epiphany 4: The Wedding At Cana

Sun, 10 Feb 2019 16:24:34 +0000

Miracles are described as signs; it means that there is more to the miracle than the miracle itself! Miracles are signs that point to something else.

Miracles point to Jesus and His Word. If Jesus can work a miracle, then His Word is true also. Miracles are signs that point to Jesus and the truthfulness of His Word.

Another way of saying that is that miracles are an "epiphany" – a revealing. Miracles reveal the glory of Christ! Jesus' miracles reveal that He really is the Son of God and the Savior of Nations. They help us to understand who was born in Bethlehem for us. Miracles reveal Who Jesus is; miracles are like Epiphany spotlights shining on Jesus!

January 20, 2019 Epiphany 5: The Valiant One

Sun, 03 Feb 2019 16:53:50 +0000

The Epiphany spotlight shined on Jesus at His Baptism last week – Jesus in the water, the Holy Spirit descending like a dove, and God the Father publicly announcing, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." It was Jesus' commissioning, His ordination to "fulfill all righteousness". It signaled that the work of our salvation had "officially" begun!

Immediately after His baptism, Jesus charged into battle! He is led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness where He will begin His battle against our greatest enemy: Satan himself. He is waging war against the Evil One for us and our salvation. The only weapon He has is the Word of God, and He holds onto it with both hands of faith. Like Israel of old who went through the water of the Red Sea and spent 40 years in the wilderness, Jesus has gone through the water of Baptism and will spend 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by the devil. But unlike Israel, Jesus will not abandon God and fall into temptation!

January 13, 2019 Ephiphany 2: Baptismal Identity

Sat, 19 Jan 2019 18:12:29 +0000

Today the Epiphany spotlight takes us to Jesus' baptism. Jesus is about 30 years old now. His Baptism dramatically reveals Him as the Savior of the world! It is the only time in all of Holy Scripture that all three Persons of the Holy Trinity are publicly revealed at the same time! That makes Jesus' baptism exceedingly significant!

January 06, 2019 Epiphany 1: The Visit of the Magi

Sun, 06 Jan 2019 17:06:38 +0000

Epiphany begins with the Visit of the Magi. Of all the Christmas stories, this one has to have the most legends associated with it. There are several things about this story that are pure speculation. Here are some examples:

The Magi are not identified as "Kings" in the Bible, but "Magi". In Biblical times, Magi were often pagan sorcerers and astrologers.
The Bible doesn't tell us how many there were…the number three comes from the three gifts that are mentioned and the assumption that each person had one gift.
Speaking of those gifts, "gold, frankincense and myrrh" they are not indicated in the Bible in any way to be symbolic of Christ as King, Priest, and Sacrifice. They were normal courtesy gifts given in those days to royalty.
The idea that they were "Wise men" is an alternate translation of the Greek word for "Magi" from Matthew's account.
The Magi were not at the manger scene; it was perhaps two years later. The text says that they find Jesus in a "house", not in a manger!

A lot of what we associate with the Magi comes from traditions, Nativity sets, TV shows, and songs like the 1857 "We Three Kings of Orient Are".

What we do know about the Magi is far greater than these legends! In the story of the Magi, Christ is revealed as the Savior of all people, Jews and Gentiles alike. Like a spotlight, the "Epiphany" light shines on Christ as the Savior of every single person ever conceived. The Magi represent all of us, who are not Jewish, worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ. This is part of the "Mystery of Christ" as St. Paul described it, that Gentiles are fellow heirs with Israel, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. He is the Savior that we all need: both Jew and Gentile!

December 30, 2018 Out Of Egypt

Sun, 06 Jan 2019 16:38:29 +0000

It's less than a week since we celebrated Christmas, and in the Gospel lesson from Matthew, the peace and joy and beauty of Christmas is shattered by the violence and ugliness of King Herod who intends to kill the infant Savior, the King of the Jews.

This is one of the most tragic stories in all of Holy Scripture. As an angel directs Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt, King Herod sends his troops into Bethlehem to kill all the boys two years old or younger. In Church history, this is called The Holy Innocents. Those children died because King Herod thought one of them was the Christ. They foreshadow all the martyrs who witness to Christ through their death. King Herod was threatened by news of the Messianic Son of King David who the Old Testament promised would come to rule over God's people and have an eternal Kingdom.

December 23, 2016 Advent 4: Jesus Messiah

Sun, 06 Jan 2019 16:24:01 +0000

Matthew teaches us that Jesus is the Son of Abraham and the Son of David. The promise to Abraham was that one of his descendants would bless the entire earth; and the promise to David was that one of his descendants would be a Great King with an eternal Kingdom! Jesus is that Great King with an eternal Kingdom who blesses the entire world! Jesus is the King of the Jews who was crucified on a cross to pay for the sins of every single person ever conceived. His death --- and His resurrection --- bless the entire earth and bring the eternal Kingdom of God to all people! Jesus is the promised Son of Abraham and the Son of David! Matthew also teaches us the Christmas story from Joseph's viewpoint. The angel's words, along with the witness of the Old Testament prophecies, reveal that Jesus is Immanuel: God with us. God is with us to save us in the person of Jesus Christ! The most important thing that Matthew highlights and teaches us in preparation for the Christmas celebration is that Jesus is the Christ, the long awaited Messiah of the Old Testament.

December 16, 2018 Advent 3: Immanuel: Jesus!

Sun, 06 Jan 2019 15:31:22 +0000

The Gospel of Matthew begins with the "genesis" of Jesus: His beginning. Jesus begins the "new Creation", the New Era of Salvation where Jesus will overturn and restore everything that Adam corrupted and destroyed in the original creation.

Matthew then traces Jesus' family line through the Old Testament showing that He is the Son of David and the Son of Abraham. Jesus is the promised Messiah of the Old Testament: He is the "Christ." He is the One anointed by God to bless the entire earth and who will rule over an eternal Kingdom! He is the Savior of the world!

Matthew then tells the story of the birth of Jesus – which we heard in our Gospel lesson for today. Matthew focuses on Joseph's side of the story – specifically, he highlights that there are two witnesses that prove Jesus is the Christ; the Son of David; the Son of Abraham. The first witness is the angel sent from God, and second witness is an Old Testament prophecy from the Word of God itself.

The story begins with Joseph and Mary being engaged. In Old Testament times engagement was a legally binding agreement that would have prepared the way for their marriage. But Mary started showing signs that she was pregnant; the baby wasn't Joseph's, and he assumed that she had committed adultery. At this point, he had no idea what had actually happened. Joseph has no idea that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and will be born of the Virgin Mary.

Joseph needed someone to tell him…just like we needed someone to tell us about Jesus. You don't learn about Jesus in the created world, nor in your own thoughts and conscience using your own wisdom and understanding. Rather, Jesus is revealed to you through the Word of God; IN THE GOSPEL!

December 09, 2018 Advent 2: The Genealogy of Jesus

Sun, 06 Jan 2019 14:55:42 +0000

A popular thing to do today is to trace your family tree and to do research on your genealogy. Maybe you have tried your hand at that to some degree. There are several websites that will help you find your family history. You can even do DNA testing to help. One of the things that makes it interesting and exciting is finding the exact birth records, or a marriage certificate, or even a tombstone of a family member from generations past. Today, people consider it a success if they can track down relatives from 200 years ago or more.

Can you imagine finding relatives

from over 2,000 years ago?!!

Matthew, in his Gospel, traces Jesus' family tree back 2,000 years --- all the way back to Abraham ---- the great patriarch of the Old Testament!

December 02 2018 Advent 1: Who Is Jesus?

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 22:20:55 +0000

The word "Advent" is a Latin word (adventus) that means "coming, approach, or arrival of a King;" in Church usage it means "the coming of the King, our Savior." Advent is one of the most special times of the Church Year as we prepare for the fast approaching Christmas season.

November 25, 2018: Christ The King

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 21:50:10 +0000

The "Church Year" is an intricate system of Scriptures lessons and themes that teach us about the Lord Jesus and our life in His Kingdom. You may recognize the "seasons" of the Church Year such as Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. Each season has a unique color, represented by my stole and the altar colors in the traditional service, and the altar colors and the stage up-lighting in FLC services. On the one hand, the Church Year is as simple as the diagram on the sermon worksheet; and on the other hand, it is so complex that books have been written about it!

Today is the last Sunday of the current Church Year, and the theme is the return of Christ the King on the Last Day.

November 18, 2018 Life 3: Sancitified Life

Sun, 18 Nov 2018 19:50:03 +0000

Living your life each day as a Christian is called Sanctifying Faith. How much do you trust God with the details of your life? Sanctifying faith is trusting God each day through the joys and hardships of life. Sanctifying faith holds on the promises of God, it strives to remain faithful to God, it patiently endures all things, it is repentant, and it lives a life of good works.

November 11, 2018 Life Sunday

Sun, 11 Nov 2018 17:22:08 +0000

Because we have been reconciled to the Creator of all life, and we know Him as our Father in Heaven who gives us spiritual and eternal life, we are pro-life people. God is not the god of death; He is the God of life --- ALL LIFE. The Lord teaches us to value life, even the life of the unborn. From conception to natural death, people are valuable; their life is important. God teaches us that we are pro-life people because He is a pro-life God.

November 04, 2018 All Saints' Day

Sun, 11 Nov 2018 14:42:12 +0000

One of the blessings of salvation that the Bible talks about frequently is LIFE. God is the author of life; He is the creator and the giver of all life. In Scriptures, there are two aspects to the life that you have through faith in Christ: spiritual life and eternal life.

October 28, 2018 Reformation: Guard The Good Deposit

Sun, 28 Oct 2018 17:05:56 +0000

In whatever way God worked in your life to bring the Gospel to you, it is the most significant gift that you have received from God's good hand. St. Paul describes the Gospel as a "deposit" that you are to guard for the rest of your life.

The "good deposit" is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that God has given to you through faith. The Gospel is the 'good news' that God sent Jesus to be the Savior of the world, and that forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given to you by grace through faith and never by your own work or effort.

October 21, 2018 Conversion Stories: The Woman At The Well

Sun, 21 Oct 2018 18:02:10 +0000

The LWML is the official women's auxiliary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. This group of Lutheran women are mission minded disciples who have a compassion for the lost. For over 75 years, this organization has collected more than $100,000,000 in loose change, which they call "mites", for mission work in 43 countries!

These Lutheran Women in Mission focus on three things: (1) affirming each woman's relationship with Christ, (2) encouraging and equipping women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries and (3) to support global missions.

The L.W.M.L. ladies remind us that we all are missionaries;
we are all witnesses to God's grace and mercy
in Jesus Christ.

Today we saw Jesus use His grace and mercy with the Samaritan woman at the well.

October 14, 2018 Conversion Stories: Andrew

Sun, 14 Oct 2018 17:44:59 +0000

As conservative Lutheran Christians, we are a "Confessing People". To "confess" the Christian faith means that you ECHO what God teaches us in His Word. The Holy Spirit works in you to open your heart and your mind so that you learn the truth about Who God is and what He has done for you, and then you share that with other people. It's like an ECHO: what you hear & learn, you repeat & share. That is Confessing Christ to others!

October 07, 2018 Go and Tell: The Philippian Jailor

Sun, 14 Oct 2018 15:26:56 +0000

Have you ever been persecuted because of your faith?

One day, as Paul and Silas were preaching in the city of Philippi, a demon possessed girl kept harassing them day after day, saying, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." While what she said was certainly true, St. Paul did not need a demon possessed girl advertising for him. In compassion for her, he cast the demon out of the girl and set her free from being demon possessed.

The girl's owners, however, who exploited her to make money as a fortune teller, caused a stir in the city. Paul and Silas were arrested, and without a trial, they were beaten with rods and thrown into jail.

Can you imagine that? They were beaten with rods and thrown into jail simply for setting a poor slave girl free from possession by demons and exploitation by evil men!

September 30, 2018 Conversion Stories: Philip

Sun, 07 Oct 2018 14:52:41 +0000

The Word of God is powerful, active, and effective. In the New Testament book of Hebrews, the Word of God is described as a Mighty Sword that cuts through all sin, deception, and lies that hide in our heart. In the New Testament book of Romans, the Word of God is the "dynamite" of God that breaks down sin and brings salvation to people.

Today in our Gospel lesson from John, the story of Philip and Nathaniel, we see Jesus' powerful Word active and effective in bringing two men to faith.

September 23, 2018 Conversion Stories: Lydia

Sun, 07 Oct 2018 14:35:48 +0000

In theology, there is a term that is helpful to know and remember when you think about the Gospel. The term is "Divine Monergism". Divine Monergism is formed from three Latin words and it means "God's One Work." It refers to salvation being God's One Work alone; that from beginning to end, our salvation is God's work on our behalf. We do not help, assist or contribute to our eternal salvation in any way. Salvation is because of God's love and mercy in the Lord Jesus Christ. It's Divine Monergism: GOD'S ONE WORK.

In the Book of Acts, St. Paul was directed by the Holy Spirit to go to Europe, to the city of Philippi, the leading city of the area. Once there, Paul shares Christ with a group of women, and the miracle of salvation happened.

September 16, 2018 Conversion Stories: Matthew

Wed, 19 Sep 2018 23:22:02 +0000

The word "conversion" is a Latin word that means to "turn around"; in theology it means the turning of sinners to God.

Only God can convert sinners. Only the Lord can take someone without faith in Christ and give them faith in Christ. Conversion is God's work alone through His powerful Word.

Matthew was a tax collector for the Romans, and because of that, he was despised by the Jews. Tax collectors were notorious thieves.

But yet, Jesus finds Matthew. Jesus intentionally goes to where Matthew is collecting taxes and converts him. With His powerful Word, Jesus simply says, "Follow Me!", and faith is created in his heart and Matthew immediately leaves his life of sin and follows Jesus.

That is how you came to faith. At some point in your life, God found you – personally, and as an individual -- GOD FOUND YOU. But He found you in sin; He found you not knowing Christ or believing in Him. He found you spiritually dead with no hope of eternal salvation.

But God loves you, and He is merciful to you! GOD FOUND YOU and worked in your life with His powerful Word.

September 09 2018 Revelation 13: Heaven!

Sun, 09 Sep 2018 17:45:46 +0000

You are on a journey from Baptism to Heaven.

In Holy Baptism, the Lord rescued you from the sinful, corrupt, and collapsing world and brought you into His Kingdom. In Baptism, God forgave your sins and gave you His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides you through the Word of God as you make your way through this world.

Jesus has taught us that the way to Heaven is narrow, and it is full of danger. The Lord's mighty power enables us to be faithful, repentant, and patiently endure as we make our way to Heaven.

September 02, 2018 Revelation 12: The Lake Of Fire

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 18:08:42 +0000

The Lake of Fire image is similar to the "fire and brimstone" of the Old Testament.

Fire and brimstone is an Old Testament way to speak of God's wrath, condemnation, and judgment on the ungodly and unrepentant. "Brimstone" is an archaic name for sulfur; it's that harsh odor of volcanic activity.

In the Old Testament, the most memorable use of fire and brimstone is when God rained down fire and brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah. It was Judgment Day for their depraved homosexuality and their wicked lifestyles ----

August 26, 2018 Revelation 11: Hallelujah

Sun, 26 Aug 2018 17:40:39 +0000

The word Hallelujah[1] is the combination of two Old Testament Hebrew words that mean "Praise the Lord!". It is a joyful and lofty word that rejoices in God and all of His blessings to us. Hallelujah is a faith response; it is praise and thanksgiving to the Lord for Who He is and what He has done for you!

Remarkably, in the New Testament, Hallelujah is used only four times, and all four of those are in Revelation 19. Think of how significant that is:

Hallelujah was NOT sung by the angels when Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Hallelujah was NOT shouted at the Transfiguration nor on Palm Sunday.
Hallelujah was NOT spoken when Jesus redeemed the world by dying on a cross
Hallelujah was NOT sung by angels when the Son of God rose from the dead in great power and glory
NOR was Hallelujah mentioned when the crucified and risen Savior of the World ascended to the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty.

In the New Testament, Hallelujah is reserved for the FINAL VICTORY of Christ over His enemies. Revelation 19 is the VICTORY CHAPTER where Christ is described as a Mighty Warrior on a white horse with new names and many crowns. He leads the armies of Heaven and destroys all of His enemies.

[1] Hallelujah is a Hebrew word from the Old Testament; the New Testament Greek transliteration is Alleluia. Both are used in English and mean the same thing: Praise the Lord!

August 19, 2018 Revelation 10: The Showdown At Armageddon

Sun, 19 Aug 2018 16:41:01 +0000

In the book of Revelation, there are several different apocalyptic metaphors and visions of the Last Day; all of them are Old Testament images that are now reused in the last book of the Bible:

Perhaps the most familiar Last Day image is that of Armageddon.

Armageddon is a "showdown image" – similar to Elijah confronting the prophets of Baal in the Old Testament. Satan and his evil forces are symbolically portrayed as gathering together in one place to fight against God and His People. The emphasis that is repeated three times is that it is a WAR OF WORDS --- who speaks the truth? Christ or Satan? It's a showdown to prove who is actually speaking the truth.

August 12, 2018 Revelation 9: Babylon The Great

Mon, 13 Aug 2018 21:50:37 +0000

A "mystery" in the New Testament is a special truth that God reveals to us; if God would not have revealed it, we would not know it or understand it. A "mystery" is God revealing something important to us. When we believe the mystery that God reveals, then we are wise. If you do not believe what God reveals, then you are foolish.

In the Book of Revelation, the mystery that is revealed is this: that there is an Unholy Trinity at work in the world: (1) Satan, (2) all ungodly secular influences, and (3) all the false religions, false teachers, and false doctrines.

This Unholy Trinity

is called Babylon the Great.

Babylon the Great wars against

Christ, His Word, and His People.

July 29, 2018 Revelation 7: False Teachers

Sun, 12 Aug 2018 15:13:45 +0000

Some of the most graphic and fantastic images in the book of Revelation have to do with FALSE TEACHINGS that lead people away from the Lord Jesus.

These graphic and fantastic images begin with Satan dramatically falling as a star out of heaven. In Revelation, Satan is the King of Hell, and his name is Destroyer. He is given the key to the Gate of Hell, and when he opens it, smoke like a gigantic furnace darkens the sky and smothers the earth.

Out of the fires and smoke of Hell come gruesome creatures that destroy people. Some of these creatures are described as locusts that look like war-horses and have tails like scorpions. Others are described as horses and riders that are dressed for battle. In these graphic and fantastic images, three things stand out:

All these dangerous creatures come from Satan
The danger is in their mouths. It is what they say that makes them dangerous.
Their number is vast: 200,000,000

These dangers from Satan are FALSE TEACHERS AND FALSE DOCTRINES inside the Holy Christian Church, as well as all the FALSE IDEAS, THEORIES, AND PHILOSOPHIES in the secular world that lead people away from Christ and His Word.

August 05, 2018 Revelation 8: Satan The Destroyer

Sun, 05 Aug 2018 16:49:30 +0000

Today in Revelation chapter 12, the Lord has given us a Christian world view in apocalyptic imagery. The Lord has painted a picture for us of a cosmic battle that affects every single one of us.

Satan, pictured in Revelation as The Destroyer Rev 9:11 who slanders God and persecutes His People, is now seen as a Great Red Dragon, who tries to destroy Christ during His time on earth!

July 22, 2018 The Feeding Of The 5000

Sun, 22 Jul 2018 18:10:42 +0000

Welcome to Pastor Les Self as he speaks about the compassion Jesus had on the lost from the text of Mark 6:30-44, and the directive power, perspective power, and effective power of God through the Holy Spirit as we are moved to also care for the lost. Note there is no .pdf sermon text this week. Pastor Bolte will return from vacation next week.

Fire On The Mountain

Wed, 18 Jul 2018 21:51:39 +0000

Trinity Lutheran Church welcomes Mr. Ed Rupprecht as he shares a message of urgency in sharing the saving words of Jesus in light of his experiences as a missionary in Nigeria.

July 08, 2018 Revelation 6: Sealeld For Heaven

Sun, 15 Jul 2018 17:51:18 +0000

In the book of Revelation, one of the names that is given to the one, holy, Christian, and apostolic Church is the "144,000." In the numerology of Revelation, 12 is the number of the Church -- reflected in the 12 tribes of Israel in the Old Testament, and the 12 apostles in the New Testament. Twelve Old Testament tribes x twelve New Testament apostles = 144. That 144 is multiplied by the complete number of 1,000, and you get 144,000. 144,000 is the complete number of all of God's people throughout both the Old Testament and the New Testament times. It is not a literal number, but figurative. It means that no one is excluded. Every single believer in Christ is included – including you. In the book of Revelation, the 144,000 are SEALED. A "seal" is a mark that identifies those who belong to God. God knows whose are His!

July 02, 2018 Revelation 5: Signs Of The End

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 15:49:24 +0000

The Book of Revelation pictures the End Times as a scroll that has seven seals; and only the Lord Jesus, who died and who has risen from the dead --- the Lamb Who was Slain but yet is Standing (Rev 5:6) --- can open the scroll and reveal to us what is in it.

When Jesus does open the scroll, the first thing He reveals to us are the signs of the End Times; things that will continually be happening around the world and throughout history as the day of His sudden return gets closer.

The signs of the End Times in the book of Revelation are pictured as FOUR HORSEMEN who ride across the earth bringing havoc and evil on the land and on people. The FOUR HORSEMEN represent the signs of the End.

As with all the images of the book of Revelation, the FOUR HORSEMEN are Old Testament images reused in the book of Revelation. See Zechariah 1:8-11; 6:1-8, Ezekiel 14;12-23 for example. The extreme value of this is that we are not left to create our own interpretations, rather, Scripture Interprets Scripture for us! The false teachings concerning Revelation arise from false teachers creating their own false ideas of what the images mean, neglecting what Scripture has already taught us!

June 24, 2018 Revelation 5: Lamb! Slain! Standing! Reigns!

Mon, 25 Jun 2018 21:12:20 +0000

In the book of Revelation, the first five chapters are preparatory, teaching us how to live in the End Times. The first five chapters give us a Christian worldview, they focus our lives on Christ, they assure us that all things are under Christ's power and authority, and they teach us to live faithful Christian lives of repentance and patient endurance. The first five chapters escalate to a GRAND VISION OF CHRIST where ALL of creation worships Him in majesty and splendor.

When Jesus ascended into Heaven, He was coronated as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation chapter 5 gives us a glimpse of that Coronation!

June 17, 2018 Revelation 3: Faithfulness

Sun, 17 Jun 2018 16:53:31 +0000

The One, Holy, Christian, and Apostolic Church is the formal way of talking about all believers of all times and all places. It is the sum total of all who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins.

Dressed like a High Priest, with a long robe and a golden sash, Jesus walks among His People, watching over them, knowing them, working through them, and protecting them. As we live our lives in these End Times, Jesus is assuring us that He with us, that wherever "two or three are gathered in His Name" He is right there with them. He has promised us that He is with us always, even to the end of the age!

TO THESE 7 CHURCHES, which represent the One, Holy, Christian, and Apostolic Church during the entire End Times, Jesus writes letters. Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation are some of the most familiar – "The Seven Letters to the Seven Churches." The Seven Churches are real churches that existed at the time of Revelation. Those Seven Churches became representative of the entire Holy Christian Church during the End Times.

In these 7 Letters to the 7 Churches, the Lord Jesus teaches us and warns us about the importance to remain faithful to Him as we live our lives in the End Times. The overarching theme is:

Faithfulness to God is the Most Important Thing!

June 10, 2018 Revelation 2: A Vision of Christ

Sun, 10 Jun 2018 17:33:46 +0000

The time between Jesus' Ascension and when He returns on the Last Day is called the End Times, or the Last Days. We are living our lives in these Last Days; these End Times have been about 2,000 years or so, so far. Only the Father in Heaven knows when the End will come, but the Bible is clear: Jesus will return, and He will return soon.

Revelation 1: The Parousia

Sun, 03 Jun 2018 16:33:34 +0000

"Parousia" is the New Testament word that means "return of the King". It is used to describe the Last Day when Jesus will return as the King of all things. Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead; it will be visible, every eye will see Him, history will end, and the dead will rise. Believers will spend eternity in Heaven, unbelievers will be condemned to hell. When Jesus returns on the Last Day -- at the Parousia -- it will be judgement day for every single person ever conceived. The Parousia is the third and final "once and for all" event in earth history.

April 29, 2018 Miracles: Washing With Water

Mon, 14 May 2018 20:45:01 +0000

The Miracles of Jesus are "signs" that teach us that He is sent from God, "signs" that His Word and promises are true, "signs" that He has the power and authority to do what He says. The miracles of Jesus are "signs" that validate His teaching as the Son of God and Savior of the world!