Serving Jesus Christ

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:   Standing Firm Until He Comes Today we're opening God's Word to 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 —a passage about calmness in confusion, truth in the face of deception, and endurance when the world seems to shake. Paul writes to believers who were frightened, convinced that the day of the Lord had already come. Some were anxious, some disillusioned, some even giving u...

"Welcome to Words To Live By . This is Pastor Warren. Life isn't always easy, and we all face trials that test our faith. But in God's Word, we find promises that steady our hearts and truths that guide our steps." In this episode we will consider 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our af...

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:   God's Call To Wash And Return Today's message comes from the book of Isaiah, chapter one, verses ten through eighteen — a passage where the Lord speaks to His people about the danger of empty religion. It's a strong word, yet a gracious one. God is not rejecting worship itself; He is calling for hearts that are sincere, lives that match the prayers we pray...

"Welcome to Words To Live By . This is Pastor Warren. Life isn't always easy, and we all face trials that test our faith. But in God's Word, we find promises that steady our hearts and truths that guide our steps." In today's episode, we will consider Joshua 1:9 NAS95: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you." There's a...

[My apologies for not uploading this earlier!] This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:   Finishing Well: The Crown That Awaits This week's message is titled "Finishing Well: The Crown That Awaits." We'll be studying 2 Timothy 4:6–8 , where the Apostle Paul, nearing the end of his earthly journey, reflects with calm assurance upon a life spent serving Christ. These verses are often read at funerals...

"Welcome to Words To Live By . This is Pastor Warren. Life isn't always easy, and we all face trials that test our faith. But in God's Word, we find promises that steady our hearts and truths that guide our steps." In today's episode, we will consider Matthew 28:20 NAS95: Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." There are certain...

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:   Faithful in the Word, Urgent in the Task In today's message we're turning to 2 Timothy 3:14–4:5 , a passage that captures the last words of the Apostle Paul. He's sitting in a Roman prison cell, chained, forgotten by many, but not by God. His earthly journey is nearly complete. He's about to hand the torch of ministry to a young pastor named Timothy. And h...

"Welcome to Words To Live By . This is Pastor Warren. Life isn't always easy, and we all face trials that test our faith. But in God's Word, we find promises that steady our hearts and truths that guide our steps." In today's episode, I want us to consider Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will no...

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:   Be Strong In Christ's Grace You know, life often feels like a relentless struggle. The world tells us to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, to dig deep and "just try harder." But if we're honest, there are plenty of days when that well of inner strength feels empty. Maybe you've been walking through a season of health struggles, financial pressure, or sp...

"Welcome to Words To Live By . Life isn't always easy, and we all face trials that test our faith. But in God's Word, we find promises that steady our hearts and truths that guide our steps." In today's episode, I want us to consider Psalm 23:4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." (NASB95) The...

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:   Hope in a World That Feels Hopeless We live in a world where hope feels like a rare commodity. Every headline seems to scream despair—wars, moral collapse, division in our communities, sickness, and uncertainty about the future. And yet, Scripture insists that followers of Christ have something the world can't offer: a blessed hope . Not a fragile optimism...

September 29, 2025 Let me ask you—what would change if you really believed that God was upholding you with His righteous right hand? Would you approach today's challenges differently? Would you sleep more peacefully tonight, knowing your life is not hanging by a thread but held in His grip? This verse ultimately points us forward to Christ. Jesus Himself said, "No one will snatch them out of My ha...

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:   A Lesson On Eternity The passage we're looking at today is one of Jesus' most sobering stories: Luke 16:19–31, the account of the rich man and Lazarus. Some passages in Scripture wrap us in comfort like a warm blanket on a cold night. Others shake us awake like an alarm clock you didn't want to hear. This one somehow does both. It comforts us with the real...

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:   Why Am I A Christian? Today's message carries a personal title: "Why Am I a Christian?" It's not a trick question. It's a heart question. Many of us quietly ask it when we suffer, or when we're tempted, or when a friend challenges our faith. Why am I a Christian? Let me explain where we're going. We'll drop our anchor in John 6:66–69 , where Simon Peter an...

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:   God's Pursuit of the Lost Today, we're diving into Luke 15:1-10, the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. These vivid stories unveil God's relentless pursuit of the lost and the uncontainable joy in heaven when one soul repents. Written around AD 60-62 to Theophilus, a Gentile believer, Luke's Gospel portrays Jesus as the Savior for all—tax collec...

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:  Counting The Cost Welcome to "Serving Jesus Christ," the podcast from Our Savior's Free Lutheran Church in Argyle, Minnesota. I'm Pastor Warren Swanson, and today we're diving deep into Luke 14:25-35. This passage is a gut-check for anyone who claims to follow Jesus. It's not about casual faith or half-hearted commitment—it's about giving everything to Him....

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:  Discernment In A Distracted Age Today we're digging into a message that feels urgent for our times. Our sermon, "Discernment in a Distracted Age: Truth Over Trends," is rooted in Proverbs 4:25-27, where Solomon calls us to fix our eyes straight ahead and guard our paths from evil. In an era overwhelmed by social media noise, shifting cultural fads, and mora...

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is: Striving For The Narrow Door In this powerful passage, Jesus is on His journey toward Jerusalem, and He addresses a profound question about salvation, urging us all to strive diligently to enter through the narrow door that leads to God's eternal kingdom. We're going to take a deep dive into the historical backdrop of Jesus' ministry at this pivotal time, as...

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is: Trust In God's Sovereignty Today, we're diving into Psalm 33:12–22, a passage that radiates praise for God's unshakable sovereignty, His steadfast love, and His watchful care over His people. This psalm is like a beacon in the fog, guiding us through life's uncertainties—whether it's personal struggles like financial stress, family challenges, or the broader...

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is: Trusting In God's Provision Today we're diving into Luke 12:22-34. This passage hits home in our busy world, where worry about finances, health, and the future often consumes us. Jesus speaks directly to His disciples, urging them not to fret over food or clothing, pointing to birds and flowers as examples of God's care. He reminds us that life is more than...

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is: Being Rich Toward God Today, we're diving into Luke 12:13-21. This passage hits hard on greed and what really matters in life. Jesus gets pulled into a family squabble over inheritance, but He turns it into a powerful lesson: beware of all forms of greed because life isn't about piling up stuff. He shares the parable of the rich fool who hoards his wealth, p...

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is: Rooted and Built Up in Christ I'm Pastor Warren Swanson, and today we're diving into Colossians 2:6-15, a passage that's like a roadmap for a faith that stands strong. Paul wrote this letter around 60 AD to a young church in Colossae, a city buzzing with ideas—Greek philosophy, Jewish rules, pagan mysticism—all trying to pull believers away from Jesus. Sound...

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is: Reconciled and Proclaiming Christ Friends, Colossians 1:21-29 is a roadmap for transformed living. Jesus reconciled us to God, so we live with gratitude, thanking Him for His grace that made us holy and blameless. He gives us the hope of the gospel, so we stand firm, anchoring ourselves in His Word and promises, no matter what storms come our way. And He dwe...

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is: The Good Samaritan What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself? In our tight-knit community, we understand the beauty of lending a hand—whether it's helping a neighbor clear snow or sharing a meal during harvest season. Yet, Jesus' teaching in Luke 10:25-37, the parable of the Good Samaritan, stretches our understanding of neighborly love far beyond...

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is: The Authority of Scripture This episode is all about the authority of Scripture, rooted in the powerful words of 2 Timothy 3:16-17, where Paul declares that all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for every facet of our lives. We're going to unpack three practical, life-changing ways the Bible shapes us: 1.       It teaches us God's unchanging truth, 2.    ...