Grace Alone Online

This is the third part of a three-part sermon series on "turns."  We began with U-Turn that churches have to make when they discover they are straying from their purpose in God's mission.  Last week we look at the We-turn, what our congregation needs to make in order to spot Satan's lies that would distract us from God's purpose.  Today we call this I-Turn.  Although we can tur...

Last week we started a three-part sermon on turning around.  We called it a U-Turn.  Churches make U-Turns, or they should, whenever they lose their direction.  Today, we make it personal.  We-Turn.  How does the individual congregation make that turn.  Large or small, congregations always run the risk of making things about themselves and not about god's mission. &nb...

Everyone knows that when you are driving in the wrong direction, you need to make a U-turn and perhaps start over, or at least change your route.  Do churches need to make a U-turn?  Churches need to assess the route that they're on: their reason for existence.  We are challenged in this day and age to re-examine who we are and what we are as Christian congregations as more and more...

Baptism is God's mask of mercy and grace, through which he reveals the forgiveness and salvation his son accomplished through death and resurrection, defeating evil, Satan and death itself.  Why a mask?  Listen and find out.

Our normal interpretation of Psalm 23 is that of a shepherd careful and caring, cuddling the sheep.  But, King David actually describes a shepherd who is not just loving, but one who is strict and sever with the sheep to keep them out of danger in life.  The shepherd is more like a policeman hunting down lawbreakers but with the ultimate goal of saving them from self-destitution.

Matthew 28:1-11 - He is risen!  He is risen, indeed!  Then, why is the  resurrection story plagued with so many people are are AFRAID.  What  does being afraid have to do with the resurrection?!

OUR LORD RIDES INTO JERUSALEM FROM BETHPHAGE ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES. HOLY WEEK BEGINS TODAY. HOW THE CROWDS WILL CHANGE THEIR SONGS AND PRAISE TO CRIES FOR CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH. (check out this sermon as well on video: https://youtu.be/tLA8xeThaVc)

In our Lenten journey with Jesus, we visit the judgment hall of Pontius Pilate. After the disciples left Jesus, he was taken prisoner and brought to the judgment hall of Pontius Pilate. Peter waited and denied Jesus in the courtyard outside, while inside Jesus stands judgment. We contemplate Innocence, guilt and freedom in this place. - https://youtu.be/Q6I6O2WOFu g

Guilt begins with "G" - but Grace also begins with "G".  Which do you want?  How is hearing the rooster crow when Peter denied knowing Christ in Caiaphas' courtyard a sound of guilt, as well as it is a sound of grace?  How does your guilt stand in your way of seeing God's grace and forgiveness?

This is the Third Sunday in Lent and our Place of the Passion is in the  Garden of Gethsemane where a perfect storm is about to hit.  How does  Jesus handle this situation?  How do you handle perfect storms in your  life? (video sermon: https://youtu.be/LXFcbnyNdKI)

This Lenten season we're visiting specific Places of the Passion. Today we walk with Jesus to the Mt. of Olives, where in minutes Jesus will be betrayed by Judas, denied by Peter, spit upon, beaten and then crucified.  But, even though these things are about to happen Jesus teaches his disciples to sing. Yes, sing! And, there are three reasons to sing even in the most horrific times in our li...

Follow this midweek devotional through the 5 Wednesdays of this midweek Lenten season.  Each Wednesday a different Psalm will be studied.  Credit goes to Creative Communications and author Dr. Reed Lessing for our study material.

We continue our sermon series called Places of the Passion. Today we walk with Jesus to Bethany. In Bethany we meet Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha. And who is Mary?

Today Is Transfiguration Sunday. Today marks the end of Epiphany season, in which the Lord revealed to the world who he was. On this day, He leaves no shadow of a doubt in the mind of this disciples and us as he is transformed, presto change-o to shine like the sun. But there's more here than bling and bedazzlement.  Jesus transfiguration is an exclamation point to the recurring question of t...

In authority and power Jesus heals many people, including the mother-in-law of Simon Peter. Which might make one think, “With Jesus’ power and authority, why are there so few miraculous healings today?” Why have I, or anyone I know, not experienced a miraculous encounter when we most needed it? Has Jesus lost his authority and power?

Authority and Power; something we all want AND something we hate that others have.  We resist authority, people telling us what to do.  What is authority and power.  Can someone have authority without the power, or, power without authority.  There is a difference.  Does Satan have power and authority equal to that of God/Jesus?  Why does Mark spend so much time on thi...

While some people may idolize great prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Jonah seems doomed to be demoted as a inflated and conflated whale story. Yet, we have more in common with our poor chum Jonah than we do with any other Old Testament prophet.  (This sermon uses graphics and may best be selected from the playlist for January 24, 2021 here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpA9chnf...

Pastor Aaron Putnam gives this message based on Isaiah 60.  Aaron is director of LINC Bay Area.  LINC is Lutheran Inner City Mission Coalition, which helps people who have a vision and desire to be pastors or evangelists realize their calling through mentoring.  Rev. Putnam's message is about being a light in the darkness.  At times our presence in this world can be like explor...

Today we celebrate Jesus' Baptism. On this Epiphany Sunday, Jesus begins His public ministry by which he reveals himself as the Light of the World. Many ask, “Why was Jesus baptized if he had no sins?” While attempted answers to this question range from “He had to” to “fulfill Scripture.” I think Jesus’ baptism deals more FOR US rather FOR HIM. This podcast originally contains many visuals and can...

A question lurks in the background of our Galatians text when Paul says “the time was right.” And, this is my question today. How did God know or determine when the time was right? How was everything put in place and ready for His Son to come? The prophets couldn’t say when – just like we cannot say when the world will end.  So, I wonder, did things get so bad that God needed to intervene the...

Join our service of prayers and song, meditation and peaceful reflection on the past year and strength for the year to come.

When the angel said to the shepherds, “And this shall be a SIGN unto you: a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes,” they were not talking about a sign of proof. The nature of God’s signs is different from our understanding. They are not proofs of His existence; they are tokens of His mercy and love.  There is a big difference between what we claim or hope are signs from God and what God actually...

Unto Us a Savior is Born.  The story of Christmas from Luke 2 is so well known that it permeates even the "folklore" of secularized Christmas.  Songs, readings, and imagery on TV and in songs retell a story that is ages old.  We can rejoice for the true reason...not a Christmas "feeling" or a "time of peace and unity" in the way the world portrays it.  We can rejoice in the tru...

Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, "whereas human beings cannot become God, God can and does become a human.  Thereby, he changes humans into a form acceptable by God.  Through him, all is created anew."  Join us in celebrated and rejoicing in the advent of our King.  DON'T FORGET TO WORSHIP WITH US THURSDAY, December 24, Christmas Eve!

Firstborns are important in the bible.  They inherit the wealth of the father.  At times, the firstborn is not an exemplary person.  Take Cain, for example, who killed his brother.  On there other hand, take Isaac, who was the firstborn of Abraham according to the promise given him by God.  He was the firstborn according to promise and God tested Abraham to offer him in sa...