Saints Peter and Paul Sermons

We are people who love to be in control. We want things our way, when we want them and how we want them. Yet, ultimately we are not in control. God is. Are you living life out of control? Or, are you allowing God to be in control?

Blood (Heb. dām). The essential fluid of human, animal, and even plant life (cf. Gen. 49:11–12; Deut. 32:14).In addition to its literal meaning, blood can be interpreted figuratively as the equivalent of life itself. Thus, the “voice” of Abel’s shed blood cries from the ground for vengeance (Gen. 4:10). At Gen. 9:4–6 Noah is forbidden to eat flesh with “its life, that is, its blood,” either of ani...

Not many people will voluntarily give up power. It is something we cling to and a desire we crave. Yet, in life, we are often forced to acknowledge that we are ultimately powerless when faced with life's afflictions. During these times, where will we find power? In ourselves, or in our God?

Hebrew mizbēaḥ, from zbḥ “to slaughter” (and subsequently “to sacrifice”), designates a place where various types of sacrifices and offerings (e.g., animal, grain, incense) were presented. (Originally the term may have indicated that animals were placed on the altar and then slaughtered, but in general practice the killing took place in front of the altar [Lev. 1–7; cf. Gen. 22:9].) The altar was...

During Lent we will focus on giving up certain things that can inhibit us from experiencing the fullness of life in Jesus Christ. Today, the theme is "I Give Up: Comfort."

Our hearts should break when we see how great our sin is. We cannot escape the effects of our sin. And we cannot escape the effects of God's grace for us in Jesus Christ. From dust we are and to dust we shall return.

In chapter 4, we finally hear the heart of the prophet Jonah. He lets us in on how he's feeling, and why he acted certain ways. As he does this, he turns more and more in on himself. His selfishness is evident. Yet, God remains consistent in being who he is: gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

Jonah gets a second chance to respond to God's call in chapter 3. Believe it or not, he does what God commands. God gives us new life each day through His grace. And He has a plan and a call for you as well. Will you go?

In Chapter 1, Jonah had fled from God. Yet, God rescued him by delivering a great fish to swallow him up. Chapter 2 is a song/Psalm of Thanksgiving from the lips of Jonah as he is in the belly of the fish. What does Jonah have to say for himself? How does he understand what God is actually doing? Take a listen to this sermon to find out!

In Chapter 1, the Word of God comes to Jonah with a clear command. What does Jonah do? The opposite. Hear how it unfolds in this sermon.

A sermon introducing the book of Jonah. This is a well-known story, but how much do people know about it? Is this story true? Did it actually happen? These and other questions are answered in this introductory sermon.

Simeon recognized that Jesus was the Messiah. Taking him up in his arms he said, "Now I can die in peace."Jesus is holding you.

We live noisy lives in the midst of a noisy world. Where is God in all this noise? He is with us. And He most often speaks to us in a still small voice. He can speak to us in a whisper because He is near to us. He is with us always.

This final Sabbath on Christmas Eve morning is like the calm before the storm. The calm before the storm of Christmas celebrations. But also the calm before the storm of Christ's return.

When we remember the Sabbath, there is a kind of death. We die to ourselves and we rise to new life in Jesus Christ. We rest, and then we rise. This sermon also takes us to the fact that death itself is a form of Sabbath. Pastor Aaron reads prayers from the graveside burial service that point towards the hope we have in rising from the dead.

Jesus was accused by Pharisees of allowing his disciples to break the Sabbath? How did Jesus handle it? He told the Pharisees that they had a wrong interpretation of the law. He also reminded them that the Sabbath is not meant to be burdensome, but it's intended as a gift.

During this season of Advent we will focus on the theme "Sabbath: There is Rest for Those Who Wait." Are you restless? Anxious? Stressed? We are people infatuated with being busy. We try to take matters into our own hands. We want to get all the credit for our work. When in reality, God provides all that we need just when we need it. Therefore he commands us to rest because it's goo...

On this Last Sunday of the Church Year, we look at Jesus' words in Matthew 25. When Jesus returns, he will come to deliver the inheritance of eternal life to the sheep (righteous people). But, what is it that makes someone righteous? And, what about the people who don't believe in Jesus? What's in store for them?

People love the Bible. It's the best selling book year after year after year. But, what is the Bible? Is it history, philosophy, a moral compass, a self-help book, or something much greater? How do we know that the Bible is trustworthy? Can it hold up to academic and historical scrutiny? These are some of the questions that are sought after today as we look at the final sola of the Reformatio...

Martin Luther cried out, "Sola Fide" - that is we are saved THROUGH faith alone. Luther's understanding of the Gospel as a gift of God on account of Christ, influenced the role of faith in the life of the Christian. In some ways, faith is a passive gift of God that is received and allows us to believe that Jesus is who he says He is. And, in another sense, faith is also a lively and...

The cry of Luther, "Sola Gratia" (Grace Alone) was a shocking assertion in the 1500s. The church had long stood on merit-based salvation. As a matter of fact, every day of our lives, living on this earth, is merit based. If I eat healthy food, I'll be healthier. If I exercise, I'll be in better shape. If I follow the speed limit I won't get a ticket. Do any of the opposite...

When it all comes down to it, all of our generous actions come back to this: Time and Money. Some people say that time is money. Some people say that money is time. Either way, it hardly seems like we ever have enough of either. Yet, it's exactly these things that God gives to us not only for ourselves, but also to live generously for others.

What motivates you to be generous? Today we look at the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector.

Attitudes differ when it comes to Generosity. What does Generosity mean? Is there one action that's more generous than another? What does the Bible say about it all? In this first sermon in a 3 week series, we will open this conversation about a core Christian practice: Generosity.