Moments from the Mount: Recent Episodes
Pastor Ben Schaefer
Listen to Bible classes, sermons, discussions and more from Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Redding, California, and Pastor Ben Schaefer. We preach Christ crucified and welcome all to hear the good news!
Zeal for the Father's House consumed Jesus, and John 2 pictures that for us. Worship is not about our rituals, but about Jesus' merciful cleansing and peace.
Do you wonder about the suffering and pain in your life? How can your cross of pain result in any peace? Jesus tells us how. His cross saves and our cross confesses our faith in Him. This is a sermon based on Mark 8:31-39.
Where do we fit in the labels you find for other churches? Fundamentalist? Evangelical? Pentecostal? Today Pastor Schaefer answers a question about the categories for different churches. Our Evangelical Lutheran Church has a rich history and solid foundation in Jesus Christ, saved by grace alone, received by faith alone, and found in Scripture alone.
Two questions this week deal with the meaning of the phrase "being born again" and also, why doesn't our church do more fundraising or sales drives?
Questions, questions, questions! Abraham's bosom? The "gospel" before Christ died and rose again? Claims to "hear" God's voice or other promptings? Who are the "gods" in John 10? Join us for learning and growing in God's Word! Grab your Bible and listen to this episode from Pastor Ben Schaefer of Mt Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Redding and Anderson, California.
Why do we "lay down our crown" before Jesus? What happened to the tongues on Pentecost? These two questions are the topics this week with Pastor Ben Schaefer of Mount Calvary. Revelation 2 and 4... 1 Corinthians 13:8 and Hebrews 2:3-4. Join us and grow in your faith!
Satan prompts Judas, so what's the deal in John 13? Dead people rise when Jesus died in Matthew 27! Huh?! And Jesus was Jewish so why aren't we???? Check out Colossians 2:16-17 and listen to these great questions and a few decent thoughts from Pastor Ben Schaefer of Mount Calvary in Redding/Anderson, CA.
Pastor Ben Schaefer answers your questions. Today's questions... Did Lilith really exist? Spoiler: NO! and a question about the Apostles' Creed: what is the "descent into hell" and why do we confess it in our divine services? Read 1 Peter 3:18-19 and join us for these important questions. God's Word has the answers we need!
What are your questions? Today Pastor Schaefer answers two questions: 1) what do our Christian loved ones who have died know about our lives here on earth? and 2) Does God hate the devil? Does God hate those who are in hell? How do we reconcile that with passages like John 3:16 that talk about God's love?
Today Pastor Schaefer answers questions about marriage and gambling. What does the Bible say about each of these? That's the question! To read more about these questions and see the Bible's answers, click here for a brief answer to the gambling issue: https://wels.net/faq/gambling/
Today Pastor Schaefer answers questions about death and what happens to the soul, what age we will be in eternity, and finally was Jesus really in the tomb for three whole days, 72 hours? Check out these links for more info...NO RAPTURE!! see https://wels.net/faq/wels-belief-on-rapture/72 hours/3 days?? see https://www.1517.org/articles/was-jesus-in-the-grave-for-three-days-and-three-nights-avoiding-literalism-by-accepting-hebrew-idiom
Your questions, the Bible's answers! Pastor Schaefer deals with two today: WHAT HAPPENED TO LAZARUS between the time he died and when Jesus raised him? AND - What can we say about Noah's flood and other flood accounts out there? How was it possible to repopulate the earth so quickly? How many people were around before the flood? Answersingensis.org has some good answers as well to these questions. Watch their videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuBfkloVYus or read more at https://answersingenesis.org/the-flood/flood-legends/the-genesis-flood-not-just-another-legend/
What's happening around Mount Calvary this weekend? The Savior's Sermon in Matthew, a congregational meeting, and FREE food afterward. What could be better?!
Listen to the announcements for the weekend of January 22. Pastor Schaefer shares a devotion about the mission of the church and then summarizes that events around Mount Calvary.
These are the weekly announcements for Mount Calvary and a devotion on Isaiah 65:24. At church you can grab a printed copy of the full announcements or check your email to get our weekly "blast." This is one more way to stay connected to our ministry and learn what's going on.
This is the second of three parts from sainted Prof. Daniel Deutschlander called "Cheer Up! It's the Cross!" Originally delivered in Watertown, Wisconsin to pastors and former students, Prof. Deutschlander gets into the "meat and potatoes." May you be encouraged by this lecture and rejoice in the cross Jesus carried for you!
Thanks to the WELS Western WI District for recording and sharing; for more go to https://welswwd.weebly.com/deutschlander-seminars.html
Music in this episode is again from J.S. Bach, "Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme" BWV 645 ("Wake, Awake, for night is flying!")
This episode has a lecture from sainted Prof. Daniel Deutschlander called "Cheer Up! It's the Cross!" This lecture was originally delivered in Watertown, Wisconsin, in 2010 and it was given to pastors. Jesus talked about the "cross" in Mark 8:31-38, Matthew 16:21-26, and Luke 9:22-27. Christians carry their cross as followers of the One who saved them by His cross. Be encouraged by this lecture. Thanks to the WELS Western WI District for recording and sharing; for more go to https://welswwd.weebly.com/deutschlander-seminars.html
Music in this episode is from J.S. Bach, "Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme" BWV 645 ("Wake, Awake, for night is flying!")
On July 18 this sermon was preached at Mt Calvary in Redding, CA. Text is Philippians 4:4-7.
Do you have a good marriage? God promises you an amazing, unconditional marriage sealed through the blood of Jesus. Listen to this message today from God: "I promise to be faithful to you!" This is a sermon for the 5th Sunday in Lent, based on Jeremiah 31:31-34.
Matthew 27:27-31 records the brutality Jesus suffered at the hands of the Romans. He did this for us and our salvation. His love changes us and enables us to live in love toward all people.
In Luke 18 Jesus spoke a parable against self righteousness, arrogance, and the way we sin against one another. Yet, in humble faith there is hope. God's mercy is there for sinners and Jesus cam for YOU! BELIEVE IT!
The Bible is not just another holy book, like all the other religious writings out there. The Bible is absolutely unique and this lesson tells us why.
We see the brokenness, the diseases and the death all around us in the world. Why? And what can we do about it? God has the answers to these tough questions.
23 and Me, Ancestry.com, and the list goes on. People want to know where they come from and what their history is all about. God gives the big answers about the world's origins and he describes his continuing care for Creation. YOU matter to God!
People have many concerns in life, but nothing is more important than what happens next after life. Jesus said, "What good is it to gain the whole world, but forfeit and lose your soul?" We will examine this question in the light of God's Word.
People don't know what God says in his Word. Jesus calls us to hear his voice. Careful listening leads to confident walking. The Bible lesson for today is Matthew 5:21-37 from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.
This episode deals with the way of salvation in Islam and contrasts that with the certainty of the Christian faith. We welcome Pastor John Zarling to talk about his time in Saudi Arabia and close it off with a history of Muhammad's life.
What are you waiting for in life? Are you ready to welcome whatever God brings? We celebrate a taste of Christmas with the Presentation of our Lord. The message is based on Luke 2:22-40.
This was our class on January 29 from "A Christian look at Islam." We examined the source of Islam, the Quran, and contrasted it with the Bible, the true Word of God. The major issue between Christianity and Islam is Jesus. He is the only way, truth, and Life!
Jesus is the Light of the world. He appeared to save us from the darkness of sin and death. He calls us to follow him through every dark moment!
Christianity's greatest challenge is Islam, the fastest growing religion in the world. What does Islam teach? Why should Christians be aware of Islam's teachings and how can we show Muslims the patient love of Christ? This is the first of 5 classes on the subject.
Baptism is God's gift to us and Jesus himself was baptized. Learn more about the Lord's baptism and his power bestowed on you in your baptism.
Jesus is the Word made flesh to provide hope and healing. This sermon focuses on Hebrews 1:1-9 and blessed reality that the Savior has come. We dont need to wonder how God feels about us or what his plans are for the world. We have his greeting and gift in Jesus Christ. Heaven is our real home now!
Are you looking for a sign from God? Look no further than Jesus and His Word! This message is from the 4th Sunday in Advent. Jesus is coming and we want confidence to see him, as he promised. No matter the situation in your life God is with us "Immanuel."
John the Baptist came with a serious message about repentance and forgiveness only through Jesus. We hear his voice today calling in the wilderness.
Today is the start of our church year calendar, Advent. This word means "coming" and our lesson from Roman's 13:11-14 gets our attention. Jesus is coming soon, so are you ready?
This session talks about the power of prayer, as our ascended Savior listens to his people. Jesus also promises that he is coming back to take us to glory and the end of the world is not a scary thing for believers.
Today is Christ the King Sunday. Jesus is the King who has conquered sin, death, and the devil for us. We know he will work all things for our good.
Christ the King Sunday is the perfect time to celebrate the power, majesty, mercy and love of our God. When life seems to fall apart, Jesus holds it all together!
People look for a place to belong. We all need to be connected to someone else in some way. God satisfies us by bringing us into the Holy Christian Church through faith in Christ. Within the church we serve one another and are continually strengthened by God's forgiveness in Christ.
This message focuses on the Triumph we have through faith in Jesus. God doesn't promise an easy road. God doesn't promise your problems will melt away in a Kumbaya moment God does promise that he has chosen you to be his own by grace and through the power of his Word the victory is ours.
People want to get the bigger house, get the better job, and make a difference in this world. But you can't get ahead if you leave God behind. Jesus helps us see his will for our lives, especially as we deal with our possessions and our personal relationships (7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th Commandments). We live and move forward in life with thankful hearts for what Christ has done for us.
We observe Last Judgement Sunday and consider God's perfect justice at the end of time. We trust him as the faith-filled people and hear his warning against being faith-less.
What's the Christian attitude toward government? How do you treat someone who wrongs you? What does God say about sex and marriage? These are just a few of the questions that we address in this episode. The 4th, 5th, and 6th Commandments have much instruction from God!
The Reformation was a special time when God reformed his Church with the Word. We pray that God continues his work of Reformation in us today.
After a person know and trusts in Jesus for full salvation, the question arises: what now? God has given us his Law to continue to convict us and also to guide us, after we repent. God has a purpose for you! We love God and love our neighbor.
Sometimes we feel the sting of our sins and we need the personal assurance of God's forgiveness. Holy Communion is that assurance. Jesus gives us his body and blood in, with, and under bread and wine. It's a mystery but God's love and forgiveness are personally offered in this Sacrament. Rejoice! You are forgiven!
Ever wish you could get a fresh start in life? By God's grace, given in Holy Baptism, we have a fresh start every day. God has washed away our sins, delivered us from death and the devil, and he gives eternal life to all who believe. Listen to that good news!
Luke 18:1-8 gives us Jesus' teaching about the need for persistent prayers. Sometimes we pray, but we give up. Sometimes we pray, but we lose heart. Jesus is there for us who believe, in order to assure us that God hears and wants us to continue coming to him in prayer.
What are you worth as a person? No matter how we feel at any time, God shows us our worth by sending his Son to die for us. This lesson examines Jesus' life following the outline of the Apostles' Creed.
This sermon was preached on October 20 at Mt Calvary Lutheran Church. The text was Luke 17:1-10.
Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them. Some were appalled at what he was doing but this is the Christian faith. God seeks sinners completely and carefully. We want to have the same love for others. Help us to do this dear Father in heaven!
Do you ever think you deserve some recognition? Do you ever expect an upgrade in life? Jesus puts all this into perspective with our message this week. Together we examine Luke 14:1,7-14 and hear about the first-class life God graciously gives us through Christ.
There are many "holy" books among the world's religions, but the Bible is unique. It makes absolute claims, points to an exclusive Savior, and stands alone as the most important Book in the world. It is truly God's Word for our salvation and direction.
In the beginning, God created a perfect world. But now things are far from perfect! What happened and what will you do about it? Listen to God's answer to this question and see what HE has done for us.
It's a practical and existential question: where did I come from? You have to know where you came from, in order to know where you're going. This universe is not an accident, but rather the special creation of God himself. He created it and he still cares about it, about YOU!
There are many "big" questions in life but one we often push off is this: What happens when I die? Jesus tells a story about two men in Luke 16:19-31, two men who couldn't be more different! And yet, we search our own hearts and must wrestle with the questions about what's important now and where am I going when I die.