God's Word in Our Lives

We would do well to study the tactics Satan used in the Garden of Eden and to study them often. He uses the same tactics on us every day. This week we'll dig into the account of the fall into sin recorded in Genesis chapter 3. We'll learn Satan's tactics and see our Savior overcome Satan's best efforts once and for all!

When we consider Jesus and the people around him in his Passion, we can’t help but think of their hands - the hands that beat their breast, accepted money for betrayal, petulantly swung swords, pointed in accusation, beat and disavowed, praised, washed, were pierced and offered eternal life. In short, we can’t help but think about how we sinners have had the same sinful hands of those who surround...

We’re less than 50 days from Easter! But before we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior Jesus, we have the season of Lent which begins on Wednesday. During Lent, we come to grips with the reality of our own sin. Lent is a season of repentance. What better way to prepare ourselves to journey through Lent, than with a glimpse of who Jesus really is! Today, we’ll see a glimpse of his glory on a m...

It's a simple parable, really. There is a sower who scatters some seed. Depending on where the seed falls, different results are sure to be evident. Jesus even explains it for us! The seed is the Word of God. The sower is the one sharing God's Word. The not-so fertile environments on which the seeds fall are caused by sin and devil. The good soil is only made good in one way! This week,...

“I am good.” Humans, in our natural state, believe that statement about ourselves. Grace is a concept our sinful nature hates. Grace is love that is not deserved. My sinful nature, and yours, wants to deserve. Martin Luther once stated, “It is certain that man must utterly despair of his own ability before he is prepared to receive the grace of Christ.” This is most certainly true. Today, one of J...

As you read through the Scriptures, there is a ton of information! One massive narrative, compiled over the course of more than 1500 years, is interspersed with prophecies and poetry. Promises are made and promises are kept. Everything we need to know about who we are and where we stand with God is found in this library of books we call the Bible. God has told us so much. And yet, a time will come...

Parents, have you ever lost track of the location of one of your children? I’m sure it’s not quite as common as it seems, but a lot of folks seem to have “lost child” stories. The most common one is usually set in a department store. Rows and rows of clothing on hanging racks tends to reduce sight lines for the tall parents looking for their small children. “ Thinking he was in their company, ” ma...

12 days after Christmas every year, for centuries, the Christian Church has remembered how the Magi came from a foreign land to worship Jesus who was only about a year old. The church commemorates this part of Jesus’ life because it reminds us that Jesus appeared not only with salvation for the Jewish people, but he appeared also for non-Jews like you and me. Today we’ll see that lesson applied in...

There are quite a few common misconceptions about the magi who came in search of the one who had been born king of the Jews. Art, like that found in today’s worship folder, often depicts 3 magi. There may have been 3, but that’s simply an assumption based on the 3 gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. How many magi were there? We simply don’t know! What was this star guiding them—even all the way to t...

A brief study of world history reveals a list of evil rulers as wide as it is long. This week, we'll hear about the wicked actions of King Herod the Great. As we do, we receive a humbling reminder that the evil found in Herod's heart is found in ours as well. Only Christ, God's promised Anointed One, King of Kings and Lord of Lords can heal our sinful hearts!

My perspective often needs refreshing. As a father, when my children aren't getting along, I often become convinced I know why. But then, more often than I’d like to admit, a few hours later a little more information leads me to a humbling conclusion. I was wrong. My perspective was limited and I didn’t have enough information. As humans, our perspective is always limited. God’s perspective i...

What does it mean to be a “child of God.” For starters, as Jesus teaches us in the Lord’s Prayer, it means we rightly get to call God “Our Father!” That alone is an amazing truth, but there’s so much more! As children of God, THE Son of God (Jesus himself) is our brother! And as we’ll see today, the fact that you and I are children of God means we are heirs of the estate—THE estate! Heaven itself!...

When do we give gifts? It’s usually twice per year, right? Birthdays and Christmas (which is another birthday celebration). Why are gifts so closely associated with birthdays? This year, our Christmas celebration will focus our eyes on the greatest gift ever given—Jesus our Savior! But that’s not the only gift you receive thanks to Christmas! Thanks to Jesus, you’re given the gift of being born ch...

Christmas brings Glory to God and Peace to Men? Really? Glory to God? Peace to Men? Doesn't seem like it... Join us this Christmas Eve to dig into the great news found in the song sung by angels who announced Jesus' birth!

In our Gospel lesson for today, John the Baptist responds to questions from the Jews. "Who are you?" they ask. John tells them clearly, "I am not the Christ!" He then goes on to explain who he actually was. John was the one God promised to send who would prepare the way for the Messiah! As we prepare to celebrate the birth of God's promised Messiah this Christmas, it is fi...

This year, the theme for our mid-week gatherings leading up to Christmas Eve has been “The Songs of Christmas.” In Luke chapters 1 and 2 there are 4 specific Christmas songs recorded for us. In order, they are Mary’s song, Zechariah’s song, the Angel’s song and finally Simeon’s song. For our three mid-week gatherings leading up to Christmas we’ll be focusing on Mary’s song, Zechariah’s song, and e...

If you were poor, what would good news sound like? Would it be news of a bill paid by a stranger? News that you've been hired for a new job? News that your spouse was bringing food home? Notice the words "If you were poor,..." poses the question in a way that assumes you're not poor. Is that true? This week God's Word will remind us of a poverty that is absolutely necessar...

This year, the theme for our mid-week gatherings leading up to Christmas Eve will be “The Songs of Christmas.” In Luke chapters 1 and 2 there are 4 specific Christmas songs recorded for us. In order, they are Mary’s song, Zechariah’s song, the Angel’s song and finally Simeon’s song.  For our three mid-week gatherings leading up to Christmas we’ll be focusing on Mary’s song, Zechariah’s song, and e...

Find a few movies that focus on the potential destruction of earth, and you’ll find a common theme somewhere in those movies. Humans will be the heroes! At its core, our sinful nature thinks very highly of itself. Today Jesus challenges that humanistic confidence with the reality of his imminent return, the destruction of the universe as we know it, and the Judgment of all humanity. There is only...

This year, the theme for our mid-week Advent gatherings leading up to Christmas Eve will be “The Songs of Christmas.” In Luke chapters 1 and 2 there are 4 specific Christmas songs recorded for us. In order, they are Mary’s song, Zechariah’s song, the Angel’s song and finally Simeon’s song.  For our three mid-week gatherings leading up to Christmas we’ll be focusing on Mary’s song, Zechariah’s song...

So here we are. Thanksgiving in the year 2020. I’m guessing a part of you would be just fine with fast forwarding to Thanksgiving 2021, if that were an option. When we were celebrating Thanksgiving 2019 I’m confident no one saw all this coming. On the surface, it might seem easy to be less “thankful” in 2020 than we were back in good ole 2019. Thankfully, we have every reason to be just as thankfu...

Is Christmas on your mind yet? If you're not quite there yet, you probably will be soon. Lights and Christmas trees are going up. Christmas classics will soon be playing on the radio. People all around us are preparing to celebrate Christmas. We're preparing too. Advent is a season designed to help us prepare for Christmas, but Advent is more than lights, trees, music and warm fuzzy feel...

God’s Word is clear. Sin destroys relationships. It destroys our relationships on this earth, and it destroys our relationship with God. Sin means a concept like “God is here!” should terrify us. This is why Jesus matters so much. Faith in Jesus means our sins are forgiven. Faith in Jesus means death is not the end. Faith in Jesus means instead of terror, God’s presence now brings joy!

Our God has made us with a hunger for eternity. We crave things that last and can’t stand things that fade away. Can you imagine a car that never breaks down, needs repair, or runs out of gas? How about a body that never breaks down, never gets sick, never dies? Today in worship, we’ll see how our GOD is exactly what we crave! The eternal “I AM.”   

Do you think much of God? That question could be understood in 2 ways depending on how you interpret the word “much.” It could mean, “Do you think often of God?” It could also mean, “Do you think highly of God?” This week, we’ll begin a 4 part sermon series that will ask us to rethink how we view our God. * *This series is based on the book of the same title written by Pastor Mike Novotny. Used by...