Sure Foundation Lutheran Church

What truly fixes the problem of unworthiness, guilt, and inner unrest? Near the end of the 20th century, the “self-esteem movement” claimed that low self-worth was the root cause of crime, violence, and social breakdown—and that the solution was simply learning to think better about ourselves. In this sermon, we examine that claim through the lens of Scripture and discover that while the diagnosis...

Why does the birth of Jesus—announced by angels as “peace on earth”—so quickly give way to suffering, violence, and sorrow? In Matthew 2, the beauty of Bethlehem is overshadowed by Herod’s cruelty, the massacre of the innocents, and the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt. This is no fairytale. Christ enters a real, fallen world marked by sin, evil, and tragedy. In this sermon, we carefully and revere...

Who is Jesus, really? Drawing on C.S. Lewis’ famous “Trilemma,” this sermon presses the unavoidable question: Jesus cannot simply be a good moral teacher—He is either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. From John’s Gospel to the cradle in Bethlehem and the cross outside Jerusalem, we dig deeply into what Scripture reveals about Jesus as both the Son of God and the Son of Man. In this message, we explo...

When doubts creep in, where do you look for assurance? In this episode, we walk through a series of powerful miracles from Jesus’ ministry—healing the paralyzed, restoring sight to the blind, opening the ears of the deaf—and ask what these signs truly reveal about who Jesus is. These weren’t random acts of compassion or displays of power for their own sake. They were fulfillments of ancient promis...

Imagine standing in a forest of giant oaks—all cut down, nothing left but stumps. That’s how God’s people felt when they looked at the once-glorious line of King David. How could anything—let alone God’s promised forever-King—come from what looked completely dead? In this sermon, we explore Isaiah 11 and the powerful promise of the Branch: the Savior who would rise from the stump of Jesse. We walk...

What message does God deliver at just the right time? In this sermon from Isaiah 2, we explore how the Lord speaks both law and gospel perfectly into the lives of His people—those in ancient Israel and Judah, and us today. Isaiah ministered in turbulent times. The Assyrians threatened the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, but the real danger wasn’t geopolitical—it was spiritual. God’s people had wan...

That makes the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper different than, say, unlimited breadsticks. Jesus comes to communion: a meal from the Lord; Jesus’ body and blood; proclaiming his death until he comes again. Then he says it’s “for you.” That makes this meal not some symbolic story. It’s Father and Son making a deal: “Father, accept my body and blood in place of theirs.” In place of your body and...

In this powerful message, we step onto the porch with 30-year-old King David, looking out over Jerusalem as he reflects on two decades of God’s faithfulness. From shepherd boy in Bethlehem… to giant-slayer of Goliath… to fugitive running from King Saul… to anointed king of Israel—David’s story is overflowing with God’s protection, provision, and unfailing promises. As David looks back, he sees how...

In this sermon, we explore the heavy reality of guilt, the relief of confession, and the freedom found only in Christ. Using the real-life story of Brian Keith Hawkins—who carried the weight of guilt for 25 years before finally confessing—we see how the conscience refuses to remain silent. His story mirrors the spiritual struggle King David describes in Psalm 32: when we hide our sin, our bones wa...

This message explores one of the most important writings of the Reformation — Martin Luther’s The Bondage of the Will. Written 500 years ago, this work helped clarify what Scripture teaches about human will, sin, and God’s saving grace through Jesus Christ. Because of sin, our wills are bound — we cannot choose or desire God on our own. But through Christ, God has set us free! Luther’s words remin...

What does it mean to wrestle with God? In this powerful sermon, we explore the life of Jacob—the “grabber,” the deceiver, the runaway—and how God transformed him into Israel, a man of faith. From stealing his brother’s birthright to physically wrestling with God, Jacob’s story shows us what it looks like to hold onto God’s promises even when life feels uncertain. Discover how God meets us in our s...

What was your first word? Maybe it was “Mama” or “Dada.” But today we are speaking about another set of words that you learn pretty early in life, “Thank you.” In this message based on Luke 17:11–19, we look at the story of the ten lepers and how Jesus’ mercy changed their lives forever. True gratitude goes deeper than good manners—it flows from understanding mercy. When we realize that we don’t d...

In this sermon from Luke 17:1–10, we explore Jesus’ powerful teaching on temptation, faith, and forgiveness. Within the context of Luke 15–17, Jesus reminds His disciples that forgiveness is not optional—it’s central to our identity as followers of Christ. Jesus uses the striking image of a millstone to show the seriousness of leading others into sin, especially those new in faith. He commands us...

In this sermon, we travel back to Pompeii, a city that once felt untouchable in its wealth and comfort—until Mt. Vesuvius erupted and exposed just how fragile that sense of security really was. This is similar to the sense of the security that the Jewish people felt at the time of the prophet Amos. Amos’ sobering words indicate this, “Woe to you who are complacent…”, this sermon challenges us to e...

What if you could see life through Solomon’s perspective? He had power, pleasure, and riches beyond imagination—yet in the book of Ecclesiastes, he declared it all meaningless when pursued for its own sake. Even modern voices like Jim Carrey echo this truth: wealth and fame cannot deliver lasting joy or peace. In this sermon, we explore Solomon’s wisdom and God’s perspective on money: ✅ Why lovin...

“He’s lost.” We use that term not only to refer to someone who is bewildered about where they are but also to refer to someone who is in a helpless, hopeless state. Mankind’s natural state is one of complete spiritual helplessness, a profound lostness. It manifests itself in countless ways. The one who simply wants God to leave him alone: lost. The one who feels she can handle life on her own: los...

What does it really mean to follow Jesus? In this sermon, we look at striking examples like the unfinished Ryugyong Hotel in North Korea and the failed Argentinian invasion of the Falkland Islands—modern reminders of what happens when someone doesn’t “count the cost.” Jesus was very upfront with his followers: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow...

We’ve all been there—you finally carve out time to rest and recharge, only to have your peace interrupted by demands and distractions. Jesus experienced something similar when He sought solitude after hearing about John the Baptist’s death. Instead of turning people away, Jesus healed, taught, and fed a crowd of more than 5,000. In this message, we reflect on the extraordinary humility of Christ:...

Are you just “around” Jesus, or are you truly following Him? In this sermon, we explore a crucial question Jesus faced: “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” Instead of satisfying curiosity, Jesus redirects to what truly matters—Are YOU saved? Too often, we settle for mere association with Jesus—church attendance, Christian activities, or a cultural connection—while neglecting real fait...

Welcome to Sure Foundation Lutheran Church's podcast. This sermon was preached August 17, 2025, from Luke 12:49–53. Unity sounds like a beautiful goal, but is unity always good? In this sermon, we wrestle with a difficult truth: the world has been most united not in righteousness, but in wickedness. From the days before the flood to the times of empires and wars, humanity’s unity has often stood i...

Life in the waiting isn’t easy—just ask Abraham. He left everything behind to follow God’s promise, yet faced famine, battles, and family drama before ever seeing its fulfillment. In this message, we explore the tension of living between God’s promises and their fulfillment—both for Abraham and for us today. From the struggles of daily life to the deeper heart issue of worry, we’ll hear Jesus’ cal...

Frederick Douglass once wrote, “A new world had opened upon me” when he escaped slavery. That same joy—deeper, eternal, and soul-changing—is what the Apostle Paul proclaims in Galatians 5. Not freedom from earthly chains, but from the far greater bondage of sin, death, and the devil. In this sermon, we reflect on the life of Frederick Douglass as a powerful illustration of the kind of freedom Paul...

What does God expect from those who shepherd his people? In this message, we explore the Lord’s expectations for spiritual shepherds—not according to the world’s standards of charisma or popularity, but according to faithfulness, humility, and sacrificial love. Drawing from 1 Peter 5 and Ezekiel 34, we reflect on the tragic failures of Israel’s past leaders and the ultimate hope found in Jesus, ou...

Everyone in the region of the Geresenes knew that man — the one they pitied, scorned, and whispered about. Isolated. Broken. Possessed by demons. A danger to others and to himself. No human solution could help him. But when Jesus showed up, everything changed. In this powerful message, we reflect on the true story from Mark's Gospel — a dramatic encounter between Jesus and a man filled with demons...

On this special Pentecost Sunday, we reflect on the incredible blessings God has poured out on this church family—from humble beginnings in an apartment gathering to this beautiful new space. But today’s message asks a crucial question: “Whose accomplishment is it?” Pastor shares a powerful personal story about his dad running an ultra-marathon—a reminder of the hard-earned sense of accomplishment...