Divine Peace Church Garland

There is the type of fan who follows his team if they make the playoffs. Then there is the type of fan who, regardless of his team’s record, watches every game and knows the stats for every player. There are different types of followers: the half-hearted versus the committed. Jesus is uninterested in followers who pay attention to his Word and will only when their other pursuits provide the time....

We tend to think of mission work as being “over there,” something done in a far-away place. It is good and right to support foreign mission work with our prayers and offerings. However, something is off if we allow our appreciation for “over there” mission work to take our eyes off the mission that is right before us. Here is the two-fold reality worthy of our undivided attention this week. First,...

At the top of the list of things worthy of our undivided attention: God. That does not mean if we focus long and hard, we will understand all there is to know about God. That is impossible! For example, Scripture teaches that there is one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our reason objects, “How can three be one?” So, God’s very existence is a mystery, far beyond our ability to...

Jesus ascended into heaven. That does not mean the gospel has ceased to spread around the world. For Jesus promised to send another advocate to represent God to the world: the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is God. The Holy Spirit is the constant companion of believers in these Last Days. We conclude this worship series with this glorious thought: because he lives, Christ sends us his Spirit. That raises...

After he rose, when Jesus’ followers gathered together, they comprised a group that was not very diverse. They all belonged to the same ethnic group, grew up in the same culture, spoke the same language, and followed the same customs. That would change drastically on Pentecost, when the gospel would be proclaimed in many languages to people from “every nation under heaven” (Acts 1:5). This diversi...

Conventional wisdom says that joy is a direct result of circumstance. Our disposition is nothing more than the product of the events, conditions, and relationships of which our life consists. Therefore, it would seem that for our disposition to change, our circumstances need to change. But Jesus offers a joy that is superior. It is not a product of circumstance; it’s a product of Easter. Easter pr...

The world is full of talkers. There are plenty of people who say they care about you. But we are aware of what many of those people will do when it comes time to put those words into action. Jesus tells you in his Word that he cares for you dearly. . . that he would do anything for you. . . that he’s leading you into the green pastures of paradise. How do you know you can trust him? Simple. Jesus...

A recent survey asked Americans which of the five senses they would least like to lose. 77% chose sight. Navigating life blind poses a plethora of challenges that the sighted do not face. This is why Scripture often uses the concept of blindness as a metaphor for how hard it is to navigate life without a correct understanding of Christ. Spiritual blindness can take many different forms. In some ca...

If Jesus remained dead, all he would provide is an example of a beautiful life. Therefore, if Jesus remained dead, the mission of his followers would simply be to share advice. “Here is how Jesus would want us to love one another. Or “Jesus would want us to think about money like this.” Or “This is how Jesus would pray.” But because he lives, his followers now have a meaningful mission. It is not...

In the darkness before dawn, the women walked to the tomb with heavy hearts. Jesus was dead. His mission was over. In their mind, they were feeble followers of a failure. All that was left to do was finish embalming the corpse and then try to move on. Yet, Jesus wasn’t dead. And because he lived, they were not followers of a failure at all. They were disciples of the one who had conquered sin and...

It is easy to become so engrossed in the details of historical events—who, when, where—that we miss their significance. For example, consider World War II. There are many compelling stories. Lots of dates and data to remember. However, for a moment, set all that aside, and just imagine the Allies had lost. How would the world be different today? What would life be like for those of Jewish heritage...

On Good Friday we remember the crucifixion and death of our Lord both with sorrow and solemn joy. Though the events of this day fill us with horror, the implications of those events give us every reason for praise. Jesus’ death had this breathtaking significance. Once and for all, it paid for the guild of all of us and for all of time. Standing in our place, our substitute was forsaken by his Fath...

Thank you to all who celebrated our 30th anniversary on Palm Sunday! We have a special message from our Pastors: Dear Members and Friends,Welcome to Divine Peace. It was 30 years ago on Palm Sunday that Divine Peace held its first service in a storefront in Rowlett. Over 550 people have held membership at Divine Peace during the 30 years of existence. Today there are 273 souls and 217 communicants...

As we begin Holy Week, we see Jesus bury humanity’s endless attempts at seizing power. In our world, power dynamics are almost always in play. Those who don’t have power want it, often more than anything else. Those who have power are willing to do anything to keep it. In contrast, Jesus possesses all power as the Son of God—willingly surrendered his power and placed himself in the hands of his en...

Join us for our last midweek Lenten service as we continue our journey to the cross. Check out Pastor Hering's sermon, "Pilate Declares Jesus' Innocence!" #easter #lent #christ #christian #faith #gospel #lutheran #garlandtx

This week we see how our Father makes the treasures of his house available to any and all. He places them in the last place we’d expect—the trash. In God’s family, the things the world prizes and pursues are counted as worthless. Conversely, what the world rejects and discards is considered priceless and worth pursuing. The best example of this is Jesus Christ himself. The Father sent his greatest...

It doesn't take long to think of an example in your own life of a time you were distrusted, sad, or felt hurt. Sometimes it goes on in our life and we don't even know it. Join us as we continue our journey to the cross this Lenten season. Check out Pastor Hering's sermon, "It's Never A Good Idea To Betray Jesus," to learn more! #lent #faith #gospel #christian #christ #Jes...

We assume people get what they deserve. We assume that what goes around comes around. We assume God helps those who help themselves. Those assumptions are false. God does not operate on the principle of merit but of grace. No one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. God never turns it off. At the entrance of God’s open door is not a Father looking to condemn us, but a Father who has eagerly longed...

The theme for our Lenten services has been "Jesus I will ponder now"...but do we? Check out our most recent sermon, "Peter's Denial," to learn more! Thank you to Pastor Koelpin from Calvary Lutheran for leading our service! #lent #grace #Jesus #Christ #faith #Christian #Lutheran #GarlandTX

The heavenly Father is always present in the lives of his children. He sees every sorrow we endure. He also sees every sin that we commit, even if it’s only in our thoughts. He is always present. Yet, he is also always patient. God does not snap at us the second we turn from him. He gives us time to see the error of our ways. He assures us that the door back to him remains always open. By giving u...

What were you thinking? 😧 There are many reasons why someone might ask you that. Sometimes, it's in total disbelief. How could you possibly think that was a good idea? Join us as we continue on the path to the cross with our latest mid-week Lenten sermon, "Jesus Arrested." Thank you to Pastor Schone from Calvary Lutheran Church for leading our service! #lent #christ #christian #fait...

The door to God and the glory he has prepared for us stands wide open. However, he has mapped out a very specific pathway to that door. It is not an easy one. As it did with Jesus, this route takes us through opposition, suffering, and even death. While our human nature may cause us to want to take a detour around these things, Jesus own life shows us that no detour is allowed. His cross came befo...

How could they sleep at a time like this? 🤔 Join us on our journey to the cross this Lenten season. Thank you to Pastor Strucely from Atonement Lutheran Church for leading our service! #lent #gospel #Christ #christian #Jesus #lutheran

Normally in a family everyone must do their part. . . pitch in. . . pull their weight. In God’s family, he assigns and accepts the work of one on behalf of all. In God’s house, God’s Son—our brother, Jesus— stands alone on the field of battle against our enemies in our place. He fights vicariously. He fights victoriously. This week we see one man, Jesus Christ, stand against Satan. We simply sit a...

Did you miss our Ash Wednesday service from last night? Check out Pastor Hering's sermon, "Make A Commitment To Spiritual Fitness!" 💪 #faith #fitness #christ #christian #gospel #lutheran #garlandtx