Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

The Roman world was full of many temptations just like ours is today. Casual sex was a way of life for many. Finding a Christian spouse was difficult. Being lazy and freeloading off of others was commonplace. It wasn’t easy to live a sanctified life pleasing to the Lord. But that didn’t stop the Thessalonians from trying. More and more with God’s help they learned what God’s will is and through th...

To be a Christian in Thessalonica was not easy. They faced persecution and many trials. But they endured because life was different now. They knew they didn’t face these challenges alone. They had the encouragement of their church family. This made them want to stand firm in the Lord as they looked for ways to love and support each other. So too in our world it's easy to feel isolated and alo...

When the Thessalonians first heard the gospel, they realized it was wonderfully different than any message they’d ever heard before. That’s why they received it as they did—not as the words of mere human beings, but as God’s Word—life changing and worth holding onto for dear life. We also want to take all of God's truth seriously because even in our modern world it's the Word of God that...

The Thessalonians turned away from the idols they used to serve. Why? The power of the gospel! Idols are demanding. But Jesus is different! Unlike idols, Jesus is the only living God who, even when you fail him, will not punish you and doesn’t demand more from you. He is the only Lord who even when you fall short, forgives you freely by his grace. Live for him and you will never be let down in the...

There are false gods battling for the place of honor in our lives. We can’t live the life God wants us to live when we are pursuing something else. Behind the sins we struggle with, the discouragement we deal with, and the lack of purpose we live with, are false gods that are winning the battle for our hearts. They are vying for our attention. But so is our gracious God, through his Word. Through...

The last couple years showed us more than ever how divided we are as a people. We are divided along racial lines, political lines, gender lines, religious lines, and economic lines. It is too easy for us to think in terms of “us and them.” We judge others on this basis, and we feel superior. We tend to emphasize the weaknesses of those on “their” side and minimize the weaknesses of those on “our”...

“They must be doing something right!” Have you ever thought or muttered that when someone roared past you in their sports car or fancy boat? Or while you were watching a professional sports contest or singing contest? Or browsing the blog or YouTube channel of a successful influencer? We spend lots of time at the “altar of influence” worshiping gods of people, celebrities, influencers, and culture...

Would you do anything for love? “Falling in love” with another person often keeps us from thinking straight. It takes a high place of importance. It isn’t hard for that kind of infatuation to take a place higher in our hearts than it should. We spend lots of time at the “altar of love” worshiping gods of romance, family, and our own ego. These things are actually good gifts and blessings from God,...

It is easy in this world to think that the “best life” or “life to the full” means binging on all the things that bring us temporary pleasure. Didn’t the year of shut-down show us how powerfully addicting binging on Netflix, snack foods, and alcohol can be? We were made to worship God, but we often end up spending lots of time at the “altar of pleasure” worshiping gods of food, sex, and entertainm...

We live in a world where everyone wants to be “King of the hill,” right? Climb the ladder. Be on top. Be the highest paid whatever we are. We were made to worship God, but we often end up spending lots of time at the “altar of power” worshiping gods of success, money, and achievement. These false gods, which are so attractive to our world, keep us from the real relationship with Jesus that we need...

There are false gods battling for the place of honor in our lives. We can’t live the life God wants us to live when we are pursuing something else. Behind the sins we struggle with, the discouragement we deal with, and the lack of purpose we live with, are false gods that are winning the battle for our hearts. We were made to worship God, but we often end up valuing and honoring the idols of succe...

We believe that Jesus is the fulfillment of all God's promises. Through Him, we utter our Amen to God. The creed summarizes the many promises God has made to us. It's appropriate we conclude with our "Amen." In the end, we are still and know that our Lord is God. In the end, we have confidence in his promises because of Christ.  Support the show

We believe there will be a future physical resurrection of the dead for those who turn from sin and to Jesus. Those who believe will be raised to eternal reward. We hope for many things, yet there must be some ultimate hope that provides the drive to propel us forward each and every day. For those who confess the words of the creed, that hope is the resurrection and the life everlasting. Support t...

We believe only through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ and repentance from sin can one be reconciled to God and experience true life and joy. The beauty of God's grace allows us to openly admit our failings and weaknesses, relying on a God who is full of compassion and grace.  Support the show

We believe the universal Church contains all Christian believers, spanning the time of the early church to today. The creed reminds us that the life of a Christian is one that desires community with other believers.  Support the show

We believe the Holy Spirit is living and working in the heart of every believer. No one can know Jesus Christ except by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit makes known an optimism that transcends our experience as he brings Christ's peace and Christ's presence.  Support the show

We believe Jesus will return and judge the sin of each person. Believers should prepare for and eagerly await this second coming. While our confession is of truth, it is belief in the truth God has revealed. We don't insist on all the details, but rely on the wisdom of God in his plan.  Support the show

We believe Jesus went to heaven after His resurrection. He rules and reigns over all things with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Are we there yet? As Christians we certainly have a longing for heaven. We long for the complete removal of sin from our life and the lives of those around us - its consequences and its nature. Perhaps because we long and trust, we also grow impatient with God's tim...

We believe Christ experienced death with us and for us. He descended into the grave but He defeated death and was resurrected. The creed reminds us that the war is over. Victory is complete. Let's remember to live in such victory, and carry ourselves with the triumph of Christ - his triumph over sin, death, hell, and Satan.  Support the show

We believe Jesus died as the sacrificial substitute to pay the penalty for sin. He truly suffered and died on the cross for us and was buried in a tomb. The historical, spiritual, and biblical truths of the cross assault our intellect and reason. Through our confession of faith, we reject the intellectualism that has become the god of our age.  Support the show

We believe Jesus was born of a virgin, Mary, and His birth came about through the workings of the Holy Spirit. We have the opportunity to look at a familiar narrative, but apart from all the trappings of modern, worldly Christmas. While those celebrations and embellishments of the season are enjoyable and serve a good purpose, as we look at the miracle of Christ's birth apart from them we are...

We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, and He is both fully God and fully human.  This confession of the person of Jesus Christ is so important because it wages war on hell itself. It is the assault against Satan, his temptations, the accusations he hurls at us, and the very prison to which he would enslave us. All because Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God. So we combat th...

We believe there is only one God, who has been and will always be. He exists in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and He created everything.  This truth gives us incredible comfort and promises on which we can rely. It also calls us to worship and honor him alone as the God of all creation. God is both infinitely powerful and intensely personal.  Support the show

When you realize how Jesus has saved you, you can't help but want to serve. When God fills you up, you can't help but overflow. It's no wonder that Christians love to be encouraged to live like no one else. We truly believe it is more blessed to give than to receive.  Support the show

Do you love someone enough to hurt them? Sometimes the truth hurts, and yet the people we love we need to hear that truth. Sometimes we need to hear the truth, even when the truth hurts. That leads to godly sorrow, which leads to repentance, which leads to salvation. It is that message that leads our attack on sin in our lives.  Support the show