St. John's Lutheran Church Red Bud

It can be difficult to find true contentment in a world filled with "stuff" and seemingly better options all around. So where should our focus be? Well, with the things that will last.

THE question on everyone's mind throughout history. Death looms over us, how do we conquer it?

We celebrate our nation's freedom...how do we use that freedom in our lives and what does it mean for our faith?

On the Day of Pentecost God poured out His Spirit and the apostles proclaimed God's Word to many nations. But why are there all these languages? What does it mean that God poured out His Spirit on the Apostles and they spoke in languages of those gathered in Jerusalem? Rejoice as we hear God's Word in our language today.

Jesus prayed that we would all be united with Him and the Father. He then went and did what needed to be done to accomplish that unity. Sin continues to afflict us, but in Christ we are forgiven, we then forgive others, and this creates unity.

The 12 pearly gates stand open, set upon the 12 foundations. The Lord welcomes us into eternal peace.

Acts 11 gives us a dramatic shift in the thinking of the early church, but not God's mission. God desires all to be saved...ALL people means Gentiles, too. So when God tells Peter to eat the unclean animals, He is telling Peter that no one is outside of God's grace. So now the Gospel goes into all the world, thanks be to God.

God knows that this world is full of trials and tribulations - and even though it's because of our sin, He still desires to comfort us as He shepherds us. So in Revelation 7 God shows us that there is something better, far greater than anything this world has to offer, that awaits we who endure. Learn about the most comforting chapter in Scripture, the "light at the end of the tunnel," so that you...

What does it mean that the Lamb who was slain has taken the scroll? How do we find comfort in this enthronement of Christ? God knows your future, therefore we can face each day in confidence. We can also offer our bodies and praises as sacrifices pleasing to God, seeking to bring glory to God in whatever path we choose.

It's a comfort to know you have keys, it means safety, home, and that we're welcome to enter. What does it mean for Jesus to hold the keys? To what does He hold the keys? For the Church to have been given the keys? How do we use the keys?

What does it mean that the Lord is at your right hand, as King David says in Psalm 16? What comfort can we find by having the Lord with us? As we finish up our Lenten series on the Mighty Hand of the Lord, we see Jesus with nail-pierced hands risen from the dead to save us. There we find peace now and forever.

We spend our lives in search of freedom. Where do we find true freedom? Not from chasing our dreams...

How do we endure the day of trials and struggles? The same way God's people have for millenia, we look back at God's acts of salvation and promises which remind us of His promises kept and love shown. We then look forward to the fulfillment of His promises to us through Christ and live in that hope.

The temptation of Christ shows us who He is and how we, too, can be equipped to battle Satan's temptations. Jesus did it in our place, did not sin, overcame the assaults of the devil for us, and then took our punishment to give us His life.

Like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings so God desires to gather us together to save, protect, care for and bring safely home.

God asks why would we die? He calls us to turn, repent, and be saved. God desires to give life, why do we choose death? Turn and Live.

Jesus tells us this parable in Luke 15. Who is the prodigal? Who are you in the parable? What does this mean for us?