Sandhills Lutheran Ministry Podcast Series

(Philippians 3:17-4:1). Models of faithful following of Jesus are significant parts of the Holy Spirit’s bringing up God’s children in the way that they are to go. We learn to follow Paul’s example in walking Christ’s way in the family, the congregation of his people.

(Genesis 45:3-15) Joseph embraces his brothers, weeps, and they finally talk. Even in their sinful attempt to murder him, God was saving lives. Relationships can be restored. God is at work even in the most difficult of places right now. How can we see even the worst things of life as occasions when God works for the good of people, often despite the actions of people?

(Luke 9:28-36) The three “inner circle” disciples witnessed the transfiguration of their Lord, heard God the Father’s voice, looked upon Jesus who was found alone and then we are told that they kept silent. What? Yes! It may be a bit counterintuitive, but we also carry an open secret until an opportune time comes to share it.

How can we enjoy the good things of life without turning them into idols? Jesus gives an “orientation flight” to his disciples and to us, so that we remember to keep Him as our top priority, find our way back home to God and give orientation flights also for our children, grandchildren and others.

(Luke 5:1-11) Peter returned to his boats and the fishing he had already once left. Jesus found him there, called him, and gave him a new purpose. Yes, he would follow, but he would also fish for men.  If you are going to follow Jesus, just be ready because you are following a God of surprises.

The Gospel reading for the Baptism of Our Lord (Epiphany 1) is Luke 3:15-22. Because it is Good News that matters, John the Baptist, with exhortations preaches Good News to people. We do the same. We thank God for the power and peace of the Gospel, for it alone creates real and lasting change in our lives!

(Luke 2:40-52). Although Luke gives some interesting details, he doesn’t report the conversations that we might like to hear in today’s Gospel reading. But he does record the conversation worth having between Mary and the young Jesus. This conversation starts with “Son, why have you treated us so?” At times, as humans, we ask of God. “Why, God, are you doing this?” Other readings for the Second Su...

(Luke 2:22-40) Here are two poor people, two old people, and an infant, standing on the portico of the temple. The world is rushing by, the temple was a busy place. There were many important people busily about doing important things. But here in this little tableau, these marginalized and unimportant people were the only ones who recognized the most important thing in all the universe. Other read...

(Micah 5:2-5a) .  The Therapist , is a false christ who reduces sadness, unfulfillment, stress and averageness. Who is this false Christ? Do you worship him? The prophet Micah says that the Christ will be our real peace. Today, we turn away from The Therapist Jesus and turn toward the real Jesus who reconciled to himself all things, making peace by the blood of his cross (Colossians 1:20). This is...

(Zephaniah 3:14-20). Today we meet the third false christ as seen in American culture: The Good Teacher , who is not the incarnate Divine Lord and nothing more than a wise religious person. However, the knowledge and ways of this false christ are not God’s knowledge and ways (Isaiah 55:8). The real Jesus is indeed so much more. Today God comes to me and you. He is in our midst. “Hosanna to the Lor...

(Malachi 3:1-7b) . The promised messiah will be a refiner. God only refines what he values. What needs refining in our lives this season of Advent as we consider the Real Jesus? Repentance is the doorway to freedom from being taken in by the wily charms of the false Christ called “The Mascot.” This is the second week of the Advent sermon series called, “Promise Fulfilled: Let us See (the Real) Jes...

(Jeremiah 33:14-16). This is the first week of the 2024 Advent sermon series called, Promise Fulfilled: Let Us See (the Real) Jesus ! Today, we meet one of the false christs that is so prominently seen in American culture: “The option among many” . The Old Testament prophets are declaring God’s promised Messiah to come long before he showed up. Christ’s exclusive incarnation, life, death, and resu...

What motivates you to give? Zacchaeus will help us answer this question as he shows money’s generous side. This weekend we wrap up our three-week series called Money Talks and Zacchaeus is our man. The readings are about money’s generous side OT: Proverbs 3:5–10; EP: 1 Timothy 6:17–19; GO: Luke 19:1–10

Money Talks! That’s the name of the three-week sermon series we’re in. Today’s money talk comes from 2 Kings 5. The focus? A greedy man named Gehazi. The sermon and the readings for week 2 are about money’s tempting side: OT: 2 Kings 5:1–27; EP: 1 Timothy 6:11–16; GO: Matthew 6:24–26

This Sunday we begin a three-week series called Money Talks and Lot is our focus. Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Lot, whose wife famously became a pillar of salt. Lot, whose life shows us money’s dark side. There is much to learn! Scripture Readings: The readings are about money’s dark side: OT: Genesis 19:1–11; EP: 1 Timothy 6:6–10; GO: Luke 12:13–21

Theme of the Day: Today is the day —the Anniversary of the Reformation!  And we do so based upon Christ’s words in John 8:32, “The truth will set you free.” This is our Independence Day! Scripture readings for Reformation Sunday: Revelation 14:6-7; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36.

Luke 1:38. On this Lutheran Woman’s Missionary League (LWML) Sunday we are thinking about service. As redeemed children of God, we serve others as we have been served, to proclaim that Jesus is our Lord and that He came for all nations. Readings for LWML Sunday: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, Philippians 2:5-11 and Luke 1:26-38. For more information about LWML and its ministry and mission, please see LWML.org....

Mark 10:17-22. God has looked at our broken lives and our miserable attempts at righteousness, even when we still are in the midst of our deception and he has loved us nonetheless.

(1 Peter 3:13-17). Even amid suffering, when we talk about Jesus in our everyday conversations, we do this with “gentleness and respect.” Learn more about the Spiritual Conversation Curve in a free course offered by Lutheran Hour Ministries called “Prepared to Respond” at lhm.org/curve

(Ephesians 6:10-20). Becoming more eager to share our faith is something that we all can work toward. Action step: To examine oneself, and work on a piece of Armor of God that we don’t have strapped on tight enough take the online course at lhm.org/learn called “Eager to Share”.

Sharing our faith is good, it has utility, and it is beautiful. But often we make assumptions about ourselves and others that get in the way of us faithfully sharing our faith with non-believers. Epistle reading: Romans 10:11-17 and Gospel Reading: Luke 4:14-30. This sermon begins and ends with the image of the Great West Window of Winchester Cathedral. You can do an Internet search of the image o...

(Luke 22:54-62)    Peter denied Jesus. Before we get too harsh in our thinking of Peter, how often do we find ourselves in similar situations. And through God’s Word, Jesus helps us overcome our fears. Epistle reading cited: 2 Timothy 4:1-5.

 (Romans 10:13-17).   As we consider Paul’s words that people need to hear the story of salvation from God’s people – the Gospel – we need to deeply consider how we are currently doing this. Other readings: Acts 2:42-47 and Luke 24:44-53. Resources: Lutheran Hour Ministries: www. LHM.org . The Spiritual Conversation Curve Card: https://www.lhm.org/curve/ and the book, “The Reluctant Witness” is av...

Ecclesiastes 1:1–14 and Mark 7:1-13. As we consider all that we do in this place, all that we desire for our school, our children, and our lives, we proclaim, “Jesus is the one thing needful!” Apart from Him, all is vanity.

Proverbs 9:1-10 and John 6:51-69. Christ has given us a new path to walk, unlike the ways of the world.