St. Paul Lutheran Church

When we have to ask someone else for something we want, we often think we have to form a strategy for how to get what we want. We approach this with the underlying assumption that the person whom we ask does NOT want to give us something. So we come up with somewhat sneaky ways to get it anyway. We might use flattery, persuasion, bargaining, persistence, or other such approaches. Should we try the...

Everyone has reasons for why they do what they do- especially when it costs you in some form to do it. Join Pastor Josh as he digs into Colossians 1 and discusses why it is that we (should) do what we do as Christians, even when it’s difficult or costs us.

Pastor Buegler's TRADITIONAL sermon based on the TE DEUM canticle in the Matins liturgy?

Focus verses – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” – Eph. 6:10-11

Get The Devil Out Of Here | Isaiah 65:1-9, Luke 8:26-39 Pastor Beugler The Public, Old, Delightful Wisdom of God | Proverbs 8:1-4; 22-31 It was important for Jesus to assure His followers (Jews and Gentile) that He has power over not only sin and death….but also the DEVIL. Driving demons out of possessed people was an important illustration of this power. Discuss how the power of our BAPTISM gives...

It is Holy Trinity Sunday, the time when the church reflects upon the unique relationship and nature of God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This passage from Proverbs talks about the wisdom of God, and how it has existed since before the beginning. The church throughout its history has identified the Wisdom of God as being the same as the Son of God. So, in a way, we get the “prequel story” of the S...

Stairway to Heaven Pastor Josh Stairway to Heaven Have you ever had some kind of food or project that was missing one key ingredient that made the whole thing not work? Share a time when you tried to communicate with someone who spoke a different language. What was that experience like? Is it difficult or easy for you to come to grips with the fact that you are brought into faith, and it’s not due...

This is a special Sunday in the church year that falls between Ascension Day and Pentecost, and our Gospel reading actually takes us back to the upper room on Maundy Thursday, when Jesus is praying. The content of His prayer is very striking–Jesus not only is praying for His disciples who are with Him in the room, but He also is praying for us! He says in verse 20: “I do not ask for these only, bu...

Memorial Day Weekend | This Nation Remembers to Live Under God Pastor Buegler Memorial Day Weekend | This Nation Remembers to Live Under God In Pastor Buegler’s opening story the punchline was: “Whoever gets the son….gets everything”. He then capitalized the word SON so that it also refers to Jesus Christ. Discuss the similarities and the differences in the sacrifices of the men and women who lost...

Truth Be Told | John 16:4b-22 Pastor Josh Truth Be Told | John 16:4b-22 NEWS: Catch up on all the latest St. Paul Westlake news in our Monday and Friday emails or read it here:   https://bit.ly/News51925 Not seeing our emails? Check your junk file or contact churchoffice@stpaulwestlake.org to update your information. Enjoyed this sermon? Listen to more St. Paul Westlake Sermons below! Permali...

In this sermon, Pastor Smith dives into the three Scriptures appointed for Good Shepherd Sunday, and shows us how comforting it is to know that Jesus is leading us through life, no matter what happens. In all three of these passages, we see wonderful destinations where our Good Shepherd is leading us. However, there are also some scary parts of the journey that we read about, much of which is unce...

Breakfast Fit For A King….and His Church | Rev. 5:1-14, John 21:1-14 Pastor Buegler Breakfast Fit For A King….and His Church | Rev. 5:1-14, John 21:1-14 Isn’t it interesting when we fish for fish we bring them from their beautiful underwater world to their death and when we fish for humanity we bring them from death to the beautiful world of God’s grace? Discuss. Jesus used Peter’s old rickety boa...

Your Labor is Not in Vain | 1 Corinthians 15:58 Pastor Smith Your Labor is Not in Vain | 1 Corinthians 15:58 Think of a time when your “labor was in vain.” What was that experience like? Think of another time when your labor was meaningful and it mattered. What was that experience like? How does the resurrection of Jesus give more meaning to the work you do in His name? What was the biggest takeaw...

In his Easter Sunday sermon, Pastor Smith explores the power of memory. We see the angels tell the women to remember Jesus’ words, foretelling that He would die and rise again. They do remember and then they understand that He is really risen. Memory has the power to do two different things. First, it can take you away from the present to a time that has passed. But this is not the only role memor...

In this sermon, Pastor Smith focuses on how the little children “get it” when it comes to Jesus. They give him worship and praise, as they should! Whereas the adults, especially the leaders, WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER, don’t get it at all. Jesus quotes Psalm 8 which gives rise to the common expression “out of the mouths of babes.” It is interesting to speculate that perhaps the same children whom Jesu...

The Psalms: A Playlist for Life’s Journey, Forged Through Fire | Psalm 116 Pastor Josh The Psalms: A Playlist for Life’s Journey, Forged Through Fire | Psalm 116 What is one of your biggest pet peeves? Do you find it difficult or easy to thank God for answered prayer? _____________ Why? _____________________________ Discuss Luther’s (dying) words, “We are beggars, this is true.” What types of pray...

The Psalms: A Playlist for Life’s Journey, Why We Should Sing Praise In Lent | Psalm 98 Pastor Buegler The Psalms: A Playlist for Life’s Journey, Why We Should Sing Praise In Lent | Psalm 98 There’s a joke about “being Lutheran in the Midwest is to live as though everyday is Lent”. Discuss why LENT is understood as being a somber, emotionless season? If Psalm 98 points us to the coming of the Mess...

This week we look at the group of psalms known as the “imprecatory psalms.” These psalms are characterized by the curses and calls for destruction the psalmist cries out for God to bring upon his enemies. It is likely that when you’ve read a psalm like this before, it has made you uncomfortable. How can we love our enemies, while at the same time asking God to wipe them out? We will take a careful...

What makes someone a “safe” person to open up to with your raw emotions? Do you find yourself able to openly lament to God, or is that uncomfortable for you? Have you ever felt like David in Psalm 13, “How long O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” What benefits come from opening your heart to someone like this?

Remember the New Testament encouragement to “put on the whole armor of God” because the devil “prowls around like a roaring lion seeking to devour” believers? Discuss the reality of this warning and encouragement. King David knew all about the need to engage the physical enemy. And then he wrote Psalm 27 to encourage us in our spiritual battles. He begins by saying: “If the Lord is my LIGHT should...

In this sermon Pastor Smith ties in Jesus’ teachings right before the Transfiguration event with His “exodus” to come in Jerusalem. We see a brief moment of glory here on the mountain, but things will get gory once Jesus goes to Jerusalem and the cross that awaits Him. It is cross first, then glory. This goes for Jesus and it also goes for us. We too have future glory in store for us. But first…th...

Is there an example of something that was “simple but not easy” in your life? (How) does it change your perspective to think of people who bring harm/treat you poorly as your enemies? Discuss how it might look to love your enemy even if you don’t like them. In your experience, how has it “cost you” to truly forgive someone who has deeply wronged you? Why do you think it’s important for Christians...

In Luke’s gospel lesson for today we have his version of the BEATITUDES. It gives us Jesus’ advice for living a “blessed” life. When we greet one another and say, “Have a BLESSED day” are we making a statement about Christ’s Easter resurrection miracle? “Goodness without Godliness” is how a lot of people live. They believe being a good person and doing good things in life will somehow make them ri...

Surprising Second Chances | Luke 5:1-11 Pastor Smith Surprising Second Chances | Luke 5:1-11 NEWS: Catch up on all the latest St. Paul Westlake news in our Monday and Friday emails or read it here: https://bit.ly/News21025 Not seeing our emails? Check your junk file or contact churchoffice@stpaulwestlake.org to update your information. Enjoyed this sermon? Listen to more St. Paul Westlake Sermons...

With hundreds of voices and causes seeking your attention every day….why is it that we search through them all seeking some lasting authority? And when we find an authoritative voice, we are amazed? Why? Is it because most of the voices we hear lack meaningful authority? Discuss. Young Jeremiah was hesitant to take up the task of serving as the Lord’s prophetic voice. But God assured Him that “all...