Sandhills Lutheran Ministry Podcast Series

(Daniel 2:1-19). What is your mission impossible? Is it business related? Family related? Finance related? Have no fear, Daniel 2 is here!   Engaging Today’s Sermon Text - A Guide for Reflection and Prayer: Read Daniel 2:1–49 and answer these questions:  1. What impossible situations have you recently found yourself in? 2. What is impossible for Daniel? How does God help him? 3. Nebuchadnezzar’s d...

How do we avoid conforming to our culture? We follow this verse—“Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself.” (Daniel 1:8) God will strengthen our resolve, too! Scripture Readings: The readings are about thriving when we’re pressured to conform. OT: Daniel 1:8–21; EP: Romans 12:1–2; GO: Matthew 5:10–16 Engaging Today’s Sermon Text - A Guide for Reflection and Prayer: 1. Why is Daniel 1:8 the...

For the next eight weeks, we will delve into the Old Testament Book of Daniel. The series is called -- Thriving No Matter What Hits You. Today’s topic? When Our World Ends! Scripture Readings: The readings are about thriving when our world ends: OT: Daniel 1:1–7; EP: Romans 5:1–5; GO: John 14:1–10. Use the following questions as a guide for further reflection and prayer. Let's remain in God’s...

(Job 41:20-34) Job 41 ends with this description of Leviathan. “On earth is not his equal.” These words famously appear in Martin Luther’s hymn, A Mighty Fortress is our God.  On Palm Sunday Christ was greeted with palm branches—the ancient symbol for victory. Job 41 is also all about victory. God’s victory over that same evil foe who still means deadly woe!

( Romans 5:1-8 ). Paul doesn’t tell me that suffering is like some spiritual exercise. He speaks of God pouring out a gift into my heart. Suffering is not the cause, but the occasion of God’s gift of love and thus Paul’s occasion for joy.

(John 9:1-41). Jesus healed the blind man and gave him eyes to see—not only to see the physical world around him but also to see Jesus as the Christ (John 9)—so Jesus heals our sinful blindness and gives us eyes to see the truth. Ultimately, it is the light of Christ that enlightens our vision and reveals who we truly are.

 (II Peter 1:16-21). Peter has seen and touched and heard the Lord of Life speak. Peter’s experience of the One who is the Truth is far more substantive than any myth.

(I Corinthians 2:1-12) . Paul is trying to get his congregation and us to lose our reliance on the ways of this world. He uses the example of his own preaching, but also notes that it came among them with power and the Spirit of God. It was not because Paul was right, but God was right. Thus, both Paul and the Corinthians need to put aside their own ideas and let the Spirit of God have his way wit...

(Luke 1:26-38): We contemplate the name Jesus, which was given to him at his birth. It is a reminder to us of his reason for entering into our world: He came to save us. You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. Luke 1:31.

(Matthew 2:13-23). The slaughter of the innocents may seem like a macabre theme for the Sunday after Christmas. Herod clearly was due for some coal in his Christmas stocking. Can’t we just let the season be and forget all this nasty stuff? It would be nice to continue the sentimentality of Christmas and just leave this story unread. But to do so would be to miss Christmas’ greatest point. In the f...

Psalm 119:81-88. We conclude the four-week sermon series from the Psalms called, “O Sing to the Lord.” The psalmist helps us to respond to the day when our trust in the Lord will be put to the test. Let’s finish our journey in God’s Word. Other Scripture reading referenced: Hebrews 11:17-31; 12:1-3.

( Psalm 33:10-22)  The psalmist points us toward living without anxiety about the things of life but rather simply trusting that God who loves is looking out for us. Our Father created us and is watching over this world, always caring for it. This is the third sermon in the sermon series from the book of Psalms called "O Sing to the Lord."

(Psalm 100). Jesus warns us of covetousness and calls us to a joyful and living trust (Psalm 100). As God’s people, the sheep of His pasture, together, we praise and give thanks to the Lord and serve Him with gladness. This is the second week in our sermon series from Psalms called, "O Sing to the Lord." During the service we blessed the new Bible Story curriculum, for use in Noah’s Ark...

 (Psalm 138). Prayer is faith/trust in embodied action. But many people have at one time or another found their prayer life unsatisfying. David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, calls us to know, trust, and communicate with our Heavenly Father – and He with you! This is the first sermon in the “O Sing to the Lord” sermon series from the Psalms.

(Revelation 21:1-7) . The message is one of hope for John’s persecuted people and for us. The person who stands firm, who conquers in his language here, will be in this band of festive-clad people. This sermon was preached on the Fifth Sunday of Easter and on Confirmation Day (May 18, 2025) for our congregation.

 Ephesians 1:15-23 Christ is in control, head over all! He has been given all rule, authority, power, dominion. That is why he ascended on high. With the eyes of our hearts so enlightened, with that revelation and spirit of wisdom, let us not lose heart. Our ascended Lord rules and fills all things for us, his Church.

Psalm 23 Psalm 23 reveals three reasons why we need this Good Shepherd: He knows our needs, transforms our lives, and brings us home in thankfulness. Today we are celebrating that Jesus is our Good Shepherd.

(Philippians 3:8-14 ). St. Paul had violently opposed God’s Son (Phil 3:6), but now he had discovered that the true inheritance was “the upward call of God in Christ Jesus ” (3:14, emphasis added). What we know our future to be can actually change our present.

Acts 9:1–22 Saul meets Jesus, and everything changes. We meet Jesus, and everything changes. Meeting Jesus, Risen and Alive, Makes a Difference in Every Area of Life.

(Luke 4:1-13) The Holy Spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness and leads Him into temptation and victory. That same Spirit of God, poured out by Jesus, unites me to His victory. I need to participate in that victory of Christ.

(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.