Sermons from Ascension Lutheran Church, RPV

This sermon emphasizes the significance of women as the first witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus, challenging cultural norms of inadequacy that existed in both Roman and Jewish societies. It highlights how Jesus intentionally chose women to deliver the most important message in history, symbolizing a transformative shift in perception and value, as everything changes through the light of the r...

This sermon for Palm Sunday emphasizes the chaos and turmoil in Jerusalem as Jesus enters on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy from Zechariah. This moment highlights the conflicting expectations of the people, who hoped for a Messiah to liberate them from Roman oppression, yet Jesus had a much broader mission of salvation that transcended their immediate desires. This message encourages us to reco...

In our Christian life, as we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we should then fill others and share with them the abundant life of Jesus.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes that he wishes everyone was single, like he is. This week we explore what he means by saying something so unusual in his day, for both his Jewish and Gentile audiences, and how this relates to the Church.

The sermon emphasizes the doctrine of "simul justus et peccator", meaning that every individual is simultaneously a saint and a sinner. It highlights the importance of recognizing our inherent flaws—described as being "naked," "wretched," and "fouled"—while also affirming that God loves and values us deeply, as demonstrated by Christ's sacrifice. This d...

Guest Pastor John Bromhal, author of "Living Greatness - 28 Days to a Cruciform Life," emphasizes the importance of listening to Jesus and responding to God's call in our lives, as illustrated by his journey from a press mechanic to a pastor, highlighting the transformative power of obedience to God's voice. It discusses the significance of worshiping in spirit and truth, encou...

Our sermon for Ash Wednesday emphasizes the importance of repentance and the significance of wearing ashes as a sign of humility before God. It encourages us to reflect on our spiritual practices, avoiding hypocrisy by not using our faith as a means to elevate ourselves above others, as highlighted in the teachings from the Gospel of Matthew (e.g., fasting and praying in secret). The message also...

This sermon emphasizes the importance of breaking personal patterns during the season of Lent to foster spiritual growth and community. It introduces the concept of a "cruciform life," as presented in the book Living Greatness by John Bromhal, which involves understanding our vertical relationship with God through justification and our horizontal relationships with others through sanctif...

This sermon emphasizes the importance of being generous and the gifts each individual possesses, highlighting that we are all called to serve and give as part of the body of Christ. Jesus is the ultimate giver, having selflessly given his life for humanity, and encourages us to emulate this generosity in our own lives. We are called to practice generosity without hesitation, cultivating a mindset...

The gift of Mercy creates harmony. It breaks the world's cycle of violence and gives us a sense of peace.

This week we focus on the spiritual gift of discernment.  While all Christians are called to have a discerning spirit, some possess a unique gift in this area. Discernment is a process of growth, learning to love what God loves and hate what God hates. There are two things God consistently opposes: idol worship (anything replacing God as the source of security) and the mistreatment of the poor.  G...

This sermon focuses on the importance of spiritual gifts in the Christian life, emphasizing that these gifts are meant to serve others, not oneself. As stated in 1 Corinthians 12-14,  spiritual gifts should be used to build up the church and serve others. This week we focus on the gift of evangelism, and we are urged to share the Gospel as God provides the opportunities to pull others towards fait...

This week during our Youth Group led worship service, Grace Hawkins delivers a sermon emphasizing the importance of faith and light in overcoming life's challenges. She discusses how fear of the dark can be likened to life's difficulties, but assures that God's light, as described in the Bible, can dispel fear and guide us, encouraging us to stand up for righteousness, be kind, and...

This sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing and using individual spiritual gifts for the common good, highlighting that each person is uniquely wired by God to serve in specific ways within the body of Christ. It draws from 1 Corinthians 12, stressing that no gift is superior to another, and all are vital for the church to function as the living body of Christ in the world. We are encoura...

We discuss how our congregation will explore, during this year, how we will contribute our time and talents to mission organizations globally, nationally, locally, and in our immediate vicinity.

When Jesus was baptized and stepped out of the Jordan River, it was like Cesar crossing the Rubicon, a point of no return, as he began his mission and proclaimed the coming of the Kingdom of God.

This week the Moore family joins us to share their experiences as missionaries in Taiwan and let us know how we can support missions through praying, giving, and going.

This sermon encourages us to reflect on the significance of water in our lives and to remember our baptism as a source of hope and identity amidst chaos. We are invited to see every encounter with water as a reminder of God's presence and promises.

This sermon intertwines the themes of Christmas, gift-giving, and the presence of Jesus, encouraging us to reflect on the deeper meanings behind these traditions. God's love is ever-present and accessible, especially during the Christmas season.

This week we explore Jesus' role as King. Unlike earthly kings, Jesus doesn't seek to exploit us for his own gain, but to seek relationship.

This week we explore Jesus' role as Priest, as he intercedes for His people.

This week we explore Jesus' role as Prophet, where He speaks on behalf of God, calls us to repentance, reveals God through His teaching, and offers hope for the future.

As God's family, the Church is called to three holy actions: 1. Baptism - God claims His people. 2. The Lord's Supper - God sustains His people. 3. Foot washing - God sends His people into service.

This week we dive into the Parable of the Good Samaritan to explore the question, "Who is my Neighbor?" Jesus challenges us to see the person God has put in our way. This is our Neighbor. We are called to be the Samaritan to this person, to do the messy, inconvenient work to meet their needs.

This week we begin our new sermon series, Who Is My Neighbor?"