Abiding Savior Weekly Sermons: Recent Episodes
Abiding Savior Free Lutheran Church
Enjoy Sunday messages each week from Abiding Savior. Abiding Savior is a growing church in South Eastern Sioux Falls. Our mission is Knowing the Savior and Making Him Known. Which we summarize as Know - Grow - Go. Abiding Savior is a member of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations (aflc.org).
The discussion of greatness regarding nearly any matter is one that involves a number of opinions and answers and the debate of any “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) is likely...
This Sunday we will be celebrating “Shepherding Sunday” and welcome Pastor Brandt to share a message. The text we will use is 2 Peter 1:12-15 and the sermon titled “Reminded.”
When someone visits with a therapist, they are often seeking relief to a problem that is preventing them from fully enjoying life. By addressing their problems and identifying their goals,...
When someone visits with a therapist, they are often seeking relief to a problem that is preventing them from fully enjoying life. By addressing their problems and identifying their goals,...
There have been many memorable experiences this week with VBS. One of my favorites occurred on the first night of Bible teaching as I was leading a group of 2nd...
Am I the only one who has had days, weeks, or even seasons when you felt simply “overwhelmed”? You know, times when deadlines loom, any number of big decisions must...
The courtroom is likely a place we do not ever want to find ourselves in (unless of course your name is Laura, Rhonda, or Doug!) Psalm 50 provides us with...
The courtroom is likely a place we do not ever want to find ourselves in (unless of course your name is Laura, Rhonda, or Doug!) Psalm 50 provides us with...
The gospel is not about what Jesus can do for you right now, it is about what He has already done. He has provided the way for us to live...
Individuals often come to be known by a character trait or attribute that describes them in such a manner that when used, one doesn’t even have to know the name...
It is only a personal observation, but one that is nearly universal I believe—that of having a reason for all that we do. Why do I walk nearly every day...
It is not uncommon for my desk at home or at church to be littered with any number of yellow stickie notes containing names, words, or numbers as a reminder...
In my own experience, many things in life are made more enjoyable with a “double portion”. For example, two scoops of ice cream are definitely better than one, two days...
Sometimes you just need a Gospel refresh, meaning sometimes you just need to bask in the Gospel message for yourself. There is no greater affirming and refreshing message to tell...
Have you ever worked through a hard thing and discovered you were the better for it? Maybe it was a disagreement with a co-worker or friend, a rigorous academic class...
Many of you are likely planning or have planned a summer vacation already. An important part of that plan is the selection of a destination, and there are a countless...
As follow up from another typical pheasant season that found me missing way more birds than I shot, I found myself considering a new shotgun. My eyes were on a...
“He has risen!” With those words, the darkness and despair of the Crucifixion are transformed into the great joy that is ours on this Resurrection Sunday. Hallelujah!! Pastor Flaa
I am confident that at some point in our lives, we have either ‘made a scene’ or watched one unfold…you know, the 3-year-old in a grocery store getting dragged by...
This week’s message will focus on a phenomenon that is urgently important for the church and families to maneuver through with great care—the “generation gap.” Specifically this phrase describes the...
It is not uncommon for a believer to feel “stuck in the mud”. It can happen in nearly every area of our lives, from the spiritual to the practical. Perhaps...
As I wrap up my schooling for a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Pastor Kirk has asked me to consider some sermons on how we as the church...
I trust most of us celebrated Valentine’s Day this week by sharing with someone how much we love, appreciate, or cherish them. Maybe by a thoughtful gift, a bouquet of...
It is not uncommon for Gloria and I to turn on the TV in the kitchen as supper is prepared. Truth be told, if it were all up to me...
I remember years ago when we purchased a one-acre lot and built a home ‘in the country’. It was in a development called Lincoln Lakes just north of Spring Creek...
All of us have likely experienced those times when a few words pack quite an impact and, in fact, can be life-changing. A couple come to my mind for me, like...
Have you ever been reading Scripture and found yourself wishing God would do that for me? You know, like when reading how God granted insight to Solomon when faced with...
One of the special joys of the end of summer is the sharing in the harvest of the garden. As a child growing up near Kearney, Missouri I too had...
One of the special joys of the end of summer is the sharing in the harvest of the garden. As a child growing up near Kearney, Missouri I too had...
Over the course of any given year all of us likely receive (or send) several “Save the Date” postcards. These cards tell us of an important celebration coming up in...
Last week Pastor Brandt gave a beautiful sermon about what it means to be a “Kingdom man”. This week as we continue through our series on Proclaiming the Parables, Pastor...
This Sunday we will be celebrating “Shepherding Sunday” and welcome Pastor Brandt to share a message. The text we will use is Colossians 4:7-18 and the sermon titled “Teammates”. It...
Our parable this week will be “The Unforgiving Servant” from Matthew 18:21-35. Few things are sweeter to receive than forgiveness, yet at the same time, few things are harder for...
All of us have experienced the angst of losing something. Perhaps it is a wallet, an iPhone, or a set of car keys, and generally, our ensuing effort at finding...
Jesus in his famous parable on the Prodigal Son taught about two different brothers. One who had a selfish faith and one who had a weak faith. The problem with...
Most of us likely have an extensive list of things we should do. My own list includes many items–I should iron the 32 dress shirts hanging in the closest downstairs;...
Life consists of contrasts and differences. One day is great and all things are smooth sailing, and the next the wheels fall off and troubles pour in. As you head...
This week’s teaching will take us to the text of Matthew 7:24-29, most commonly referred to as the Parable of the Builders. It is likely that you do not always...
If you were to take an assessment of your life right now, what do you need more of? What do you wish you had more of? Wouldn’t a bit more...
This parable brought back many memories of my high school days and farming with my dad and grandpa. We farmed near Galchutt, ND and were blessed with an abundance of...
As we gather together over the summer months we will be looking to the parables of Jesus in a series titled “Proclaiming the Parables.” Constituting at least one third of...
One truth in life that no one escapes suffering, it is part of the human condition. Suffering has and always will be a part of life and since the beginning,...
It’s graduation season, a time we celebrate our young adults as they transition into the next, and major phase of their lives. As adults they will be tasked with making...
It has been a grand journey, and we now arrive at a fitting end to the book of Ecclesiastes. This week’s message will focus on the final verses, 12:9-14, as...
I suspect all of us live in the hope and dream of having a life of meaning and significance. Solomon has dealt with this over the course of the previous...
The big question before us this week is a focus on the two ways in which we conduct our lives. In Ecclesiastes 10 Solomon uses a number of individual statements...
I suspect all of us could draft quite a list of things we know for certain, some good and some not so good. For example, children are a gift of...
This Sunday we’ll be tapping into that age old question of fairness. How is it fair that bad things happen to good people and that good things happen to bad...
We continue our Lenten series “Eyes on the Savior” with our message titled “The Cross Bearing Savior”
We continue our Lenten series “Eyes on the Savior” with our Maundy Thursday service and the message titled “The Serving Savior”.
We generally remember a place or event by its sights and sounds. Whether it be a special place for a vacation, a fond memory, or an event of significance, we...
Our Lenten Series continues as we look at all the different ways that Scripture shows Christ to us.
Dr. James Molstre from our Free Lutheran Seminary shares an example of Jesus as he intentionally dedicated time for prayer and rest. He will be sharing from Mark 6:30-34 and...
I recall fondly one of our first activities of our many visits to Bismarck, ND to see Gloria’s parents. Upon our entrance to their condo and after the removal of...
This week we will look to Ecclesiastes 2:12-26 and a message titled “Simply True.” I am confident that all of you can identify some simple, basic truths that you have...
This week we will visit Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 and discover what could be called the Gospel of Self, that is, the effort to find meaning and significance in pleasure, possessions, and...
As a youngster I had pet gerbils. They were finely furry and definitely cute and cuddly, and I recall vividly how I enjoyed watching them get onto the metal wheel...
Problematic behaviors lead to distressing results…But why then do we keep following our problematic behaviors if we don’t like the end result? This is the issue with so many of...
For our Christmas service we’ll be looking at what Mary treasured as talked about in Luke 2:19.
As you prepare your hearts, Christmas Eve’s message will be based on the text of Luke 2:9-10 and titled “Fear Not Shepherds” and Christmas Day focusing on the text of...
This week we return to Philemon for our third and final sermon in the series “Refresh My Heart.” We will look specifically at the idea of “promise” and the observation...
This week’s message will focus upon discovering refreshment through purpose. In Paul’s letter to Philemon he addresses three items that impact all of us in our lives to greater or...
It is not uncommon in the course of most days to find myself sending one or two emails to “pastorflaa” as a way of reminder of things or tasks that...
The thought of heaven, it’s what all us Christian’s enjoy thinking about. The awe of God’s presence, the beauty of heaven, the fellowship we’ll have for all of eternity…I got...
STOP!!! I know what you are thinking…”this will be a good Sunday to skip because pastor is going to talk about money!” But before you carry out this ‘nefarious’ plan...
In nearly every activity and decision in our lives, at some level there exists a conscious choice about avoiding and embracing. For example, if I desire to become a better...
Get ready for another story around the fireplace, as Pastor Dave will share with you excerpts of a fascinating story called “The Mansion” from John Weightman. This story talks of a main character who perfectly highlights the two issues that James is speaking on in our sermon text this week, which is the fourth chapter...
The other services and testimonials can be found at the links below: 9:30am – https://vimeo.com/766253214 11am – https://vimeo.com/766255784
We have all either said or heard the phrase, “talk is cheap.” Oh, now true! I can talk all day about how hard I work, but it is completed tasks and results that will verify that statement; I can talk all day about being a great husband, but it is a conversation with my wife...
I’m not going to lie, I don’t like to have my flaws pointed out to me. If you’re like me and you don’t like it when the truth hurts, you may want to skip this message, because as we go through the Book of James, we’re going to be talking about chapter 3, verses...
You will likely recall my use of this personal example before, but it is one that is worthy of repetition. Early on in our marriage, I fell into the habit of continually telling my new bride how much I loved her—like 15-20 times a day! Not that those words were unappreciated, but at some...
I remember the fall of 2003 and our family’s transition to Plymouth, MN for Seminary. On our first trip to the local Target store, I immediately noticed everyone walking around, pushing a cart with a built-in cupholder and their $4.00 Starbuck’s coffee. And my mind immediately made a judgment: “look at all these wealthy coffee...
Is the word “religious” a good word or a bad word? It really all depends on how the word is being used. Pastor Dave leads us through our series on the Book of James (1:19-27) to examine the good and bad of religion and makes a case that our religious behavior is actually based on...
Life is full of unknowns, but it is also full of certainty. I don’t know who will win the Super Bowl, but you can be certain I will be cheering for the Chiefs; I don’t know when Gloria and I will indulge in ice cream again, but you can be certain it will be Cold...
With the end of summer of course, comes “Back to School”! Speaking of which, most teachers will tell you that one obstacle to be overcome as the students return is that of forgetfulness; all of us are prone to forget things not relied upon regularly, and this applies to education and learning as much as anything...
If you spend about 10 minutes watching the news or scrolling on Facebook would would see that we have a problem with injustice in this country. The truth is we have always had an issue with injustice since the beginning of time. Injustice is a result of sin in the world and sin in each...
Much emphasis is placed today upon personal security and protection. From seatbelts and airbags, conceal/carry, home alarms, security systems, “safe rooms”, Ring doorbells, to even the supposed Lady Gaga’s ‘invisible shield” at concerts, we are presented with but a few of the ways our desire for safety is manifested in our lives today. In no...
Perspective is everything…What might be good for me, might not be good for you. The same goes for our relationship with God, though it should always be a good thing, it can be a scary thing if you’re not walking with God. Pastor Dave Ryerson looks at the different perspectives of how wonderful, or how...
Of my many personality quirks, one that often finds itself at the center of attention is what Gloria fondly refers to as my “stock pile” mentality. And rightly so as it is exhibited in any number of ways, including always having at least one spare coffee maker new in the box in our home, keeping...
I would submit that most of the action of our lives can be listed according to two headings or types: proactive or reactive. That is, we either act with the intent of having someone else respond or we respond to someone else’s actions. Of course, given the broken world we live in this scenario is...
Shepherding the Shepherds Sunday I’m honored to bring the message at Abiding Savior’s worship services this week. Thank you for allowing God to use your prayers and gifts to enable us to be faithful. Together we have the honor of serving those He has Called to serve! We appreciate the financial sacrifices you have made...
Many experience difficulty in sleeping. For me, this is limited to Saturday nights and Gloria can vouch that on every other night of the week sleep is no problem, even after my evening pot of Starbuck’s dark roast! In Psalm 4, David offers to us his own prescription for sleep, a prescription that is available...
What is the “ultimate” life for you? Is it financial security, is it being happy, is it a life without drama, or is it something else? We often look to heaven as the final culmination of all of this, but what if you can have all this right now? Pastor Dave is going to walk...
All of us have experienced a day, a week, or even a season when our joy has greatly ebbed or has been taken away. The times when problems mount, God’s purpose and plan are hidden from us, or when everyday burdens become overwhelming. You are not unique in this, and Psalm 126 addresses this topic...
In the early days of pastoral ministry I quickly learned that the one individual of our many Sunday volunteers that really needed to be alert and listening was our sound man. The lesson was learned the hard way in that I enjoy singing but do not possess a ‘singing voice’. On more than one occasion...
Pastor Kirk delivered an impromptu message to address the historic overturn of Roe v. Wade.
What is the most beautiful thing you can think of…Is it something that you can always have? Is it something you even have right now? This Sunday Pastor Dave preaches from Psalm 1 and will be talking about true beauty, how you can not only have it, but how it is always with you. And...
A few years ago I was deer hunting with a heart surgeon who harvested a nice buck. I received quite a bit more than I expected when we began to field dress the deer and got to its heart for my surgeon friend eagerly and with obvious expertise shared an anatomy lesson on the structure...
Most of us want to stay away from infection, and as a result generally practice great care in washing our hands, avoiding people who are sneezing and coughing, and keeping a safe distance from folks who are contagious with the flu or some other bug. While these practices are great for medical concerns, we learn...
Amidst this time of graduation celebrations, we are reminded of all the planning and decisions that have transpired—what to serve, who to invite, where to host, but even more so, do I continue my education, where do I do so, what will I do after further training, or even where will I work or train...
Generally, all of us act, speak, and think in a particular way due to reasons. I mow my yard for the reason that my grass is long; I do the dishes for the reason that my wife cooked the meal; I pay the water and sewer bill for the reason that I value a shower...
Is church attendance really that important? If God is everywhere, then can’t I worship from anywhere? Technically the answer to both of those questions is “yes”, but if we can worship God anywhere then why would God have called his children to get together to worship him? Why is the church called the “bride of...
I suspect we are all guilty to some extent of permitting small things to overwhelm us and detract us from greater things. To my shame I have often allowed some petty or small concern grow until it is nearly out of control and becomes something that consumes me. It might be something someone has said...
You have likely heard the statement, often offered as a subtle critique, of someone being “so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly good.” After spending an entire chapter on the glory of the resurrection and the sure hope of our own glorious resurrection, Paul takes opportunity in closing out his letter to the...
I recall the “olden” days of classrooms with chalkboards and the task generally assigned to a student every couple of days to take the erasers outside and ‘bang them’ together in order to clean them. Of course, with the advent of computers and the recognition that chalk dust isn’t healthy for students or computers, we...
I am reminded of some years back hearing from my doctor that the 5 pounds I was gaining a year would end up really being a problem health wise. Through the course of a long season of time I endeavored to watch what I ate (no more Twinkies or Chinese buffets twice a week), and...
What if someone promised you they could show you “a still more excellent way”, would you believe them or think they’re just trying to sell you something? But what if it was the Apostle Paul who said those words, are you a bit more intrigued…Come find out about that “more excellent way” this Sunday, as...
I liken Paul’s discussion of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 to that of “opinions”—everybody has one! Seriously though, Paul sets forth for us this week an extended discourse on spiritual gifts, which like all good things, if used improperly, will bring harm and not benefit. Our focus will be upon how we are to...
Up to this point we have seen Paul emphasize the necessity of reflecting God’s glory in our everyday lives. The sad reality that chapter 11 addresses is that despite Paul’s encouragement and exhortation, the church of Corinth actually failed to do so when they gathered for public worship. Paul addresses two of these areas specifically,...
When you think of the word idols, what do you immediately think of? Do you think you have idols in your life? What if everything that you value and cherish on this earth is actually hindering you from being closer to God? God has given us so many wonderful things, but when we seek our...
Many of us are familiar with the idea of recipes, which describe to us how to properly mix something together that results in a delicious treat or meal. And it is likely that if you have spent any time in the kitchen pouring over a recipe card, you know from experience how important it is...
I am very confident that no one reading this finds it distasteful or offensive to receive gifts, especially from those who love and care for us. That is in large measure why all of us, young and old alike, look forward to birthdays and Christmas, for these events are generally characterized by the receipt of...
All of us live and exist in situations dictated by “things you should know.” If you are a pastor, you should know that Sunday mornings are not a morning for sleeping in; if you are a teacher, you should love children and possess incredible patience; If you are a hunter, you should know how to...
Have you ever heard or used the phrase “sweep it under the rug?” Probably so, for it is not uncommon that as certain detrimental or harmful activities, actions, or even attitudes exhibit themselves we find ourselves tempted to ignore, downplay, or excuse them away over that of the difficult work of simply dealing with them...
Ignorant people…No one likes people who are willfully ignorant. But are ignorant people even aware they are? It’s doubtful they are, or they wouldn’t choose to be that way. If that’s the case, how do we know we’re not falling into the ignorant category? The Apostle Paul actually addresses this issue in his letter to...
For most of us, our first experience in ‘building’ likely consisted of Lincoln Logs, Legos, or the sandbox. Regardless of beginnings, and unlike the Clint Ackerman’s, Dan Erickson’s, and Matt Sandvold’s amongst us, I never achieved the status of a “wise, master builder”. This fact Gloria can attest to, and the most common building materials...
I recall moving to Ottawa, Illinios some 15+ years ago as a seminary intern, knowing absolutely nobody and virtually nothing of the church and congregation I had been assigned to. My first correspondence came through a man named David Holl, who would become one of my dearest friends during that year of internship (God bless...
Wisdom is likely something we all wish we had more of. The Word of God has much to say about true wisdom, and while we likely associate wisdom with the book of Proverbs, let’s not overlook the book of 1st Corinthians. It is here that Paul outlines wisdom for a number of topics including the...
This week we conclude our “What is Truth?” series by looking to the account between Jesus and the woman of Samaria, with a special focus on “worship” as expressed in verses 23-24 of John 4. Worship is a topic which holds many misunderstandings in our day and age, and one in which opinions often guide...
Each year the idea of the New Year brings so much optimism. There is so much hope in the newness of a fresh start. New Year’s Day brings “New Year’s Resolutions” with the hope of making improvements in our life, in our health and in our relationships. However, for many New Year’s Day has become...
Pastor Dave Ryerson brought a message entitled “Still the Same” based on Hebrews 3:8. Find out how God being the same yesterday, today, and forever, can be a source of stability in an ever-changing world.
We had our Sunday School Christmas Program entitled “Stranger in the Manger” as well as a short message from Pastor Kirk titled “What Is the Truth About Fear?” Fear is one of those emotions that nearly everyone experiences in life. Admittedly, one is afraid of spiders, another of mice, another of tests, another of public...
Most, if not all of us, have at some level been impacted by the dreaded “C” word, cancer. We know that if left untreated, it is a disease that eats away our body, sometimes quickly and sometimes over longer periods of time, but it ravages the body nonetheless. This reality also applies to a spiritual...
In this week’s message in our “What is Truth” series, we will stop at the prophet Micah and look at one of the best known summaries of ethical teaching contained in Scripture with the text of Micah 6:8. In our sermon we will answer the question “What is Good?” and learn how this is accomplished...