Messages From Trinity South Naperville: Recent Episodes
Trinity Lutheran Church: Lisle, IL
Live messages recorded at Trinity South Naperville in Naperville, IL. Join us as we explore God's word together.
When Jesus comes into the world, from his “fullness” we receive grace upon grace. Paul describes this in this way: “though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9) This “love in action” by Jesus did not just extend to certain people, but to all.
When Jesus comes into the world, from his “fullness” we receive grace upon grace. Paul describes this in this way: “though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9) This “love in action” by Jesus did not just extend to certain people, but to all.
Advent Conspiracy is a radical idea that we can celebrate Christmas humbly, beautifully, and generously. Advent is the story of a wondrous moment when God entered our world to make things right. It is the greatest story ever told, and it changes everything — including the way we celebrate Christmas.
Advent Conspiracy is a radical idea that we can celebrate Christmas humbly, beautifully, and generously. Advent is the story of a wondrous moment when God entered our world to make things right. It is the greatest story ever told, and it changes everything — including the way we celebrate Christmas.
One of the consistent images that we find in the New Testament for the life of a disciple is a race. Paul himself writes, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). This means that though our journey through the Being Challenge is coming to an end, the journey is just beginning. As we wrap up the Being Challenge, we want to Invite you to reflect: what challenges didn’t you do and why? What might God be calling you to revisit and reflect? What is the one challenge you want to work on?
One of the consistent images that we find in the New Testament for the life of a disciple is a race. Paul himself writes, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). This means that though our journey through the Being Challenge is coming to an end, the journey is just beginning. As we wrap up the Being Challenge, we want to Invite you to reflect: what challenges didn’t you do and why? What might God be calling you to revisit and reflect? What is the one challenge you want to work on?
. In talking about how the early church grew, Tim Keller says that the reason Christianity displaced the “the older Greco-Roman Empire and culture itself and way of thinking” was because they were “attractively different.” And what was so attractive about them? Quite simply, they were sold out for Jesus…together...and people noticed. Choosing church brings consistency into our lives. And the consistency that it brings is the good news of Jesus. The church is the consistent place where the good news of Jesus is proclaimed in word and deed, so that we can hear, experience, and live in light of his grace. And part of being the church is recognizing that God has given each of us gifts to use in helping others to look, live, and love more like Jesus.
. In talking about how the early church grew, Tim Keller says that the reason Christianity displaced the “the older Greco-Roman Empire and culture itself and way of thinking” was because they were “attractively different.” And what was so attractive about them? Quite simply, they were sold out for Jesus…together...and people noticed. Choosing church brings consistency into our lives. And the consistency that it brings is the good news of Jesus. The church is the consistent place where the good news of Jesus is proclaimed in word and deed, so that we can hear, experience, and live in light of his grace. And part of being the church is recognizing that God has given each of us gifts to use in helping others to look, live, and love more like Jesus.
We live in a world that is increasingly distracted, and the result is that we are no longer present to the relationships that matter most. Which is why, in the midst of his busiest seasons of ministry Jesus took time away to be with his Father. Solitude was a central practice of his life, for in solitude he could be truly present to what his Father was saying. Solitude isn’t isolation; it is a place of restoration and re-focus in which we get back in tune with the God who loves us and allow him to re-shape our priorities.
We live in a world that is increasingly distracted, and the result is that we are no longer present to the relationships that matter most. Which is why, in the midst of his busiest seasons of ministry Jesus took time away to be with his Father. Solitude was a central practice of his life, for in solitude he could be truly present to what his Father was saying. Solitude isn’t isolation; it is a place of restoration and re-focus in which we get back in tune with the God who loves us and allow him to re-shape our priorities.
When you take a close look at the four gospels what you find is that Jesus either practiced prayer or taught on the importance of prayer nearly 50 times. He prayed to seek his father’s guidance, he prayed before feeding the 5000, he prayed at meals, he prayed in the morning, he prayed in the evening, he prayed before he raised Lazarus from the dead. Looking at all these prayers of Jesus, what we find is that he was in nearly constant conversation with his Father. In fact, Jesus’ prayers seemed so powerful and moving that, finally, his disciples came to him and demanded, “Teach us to pray!” And the beautiful thing is…he does!
When you take a close look at the four gospels what you find is that Jesus either practiced prayer or taught on the importance of prayer nearly 50 times. He prayed to seek his father’s guidance, he prayed before feeding the 5000, he prayed at meals, he prayed in the morning, he prayed in the evening, he prayed before he raised Lazarus from the dead. Looking at all these prayers of Jesus, what we find is that he was in nearly constant conversation with his Father. In fact, Jesus’ prayers seemed so powerful and moving that, finally, his disciples came to him and demanded, “Teach us to pray!” And the beautiful thing is…he does!
The Bible is easily one of the highest selling books of all time. The Guinness Book of World Records estimates that over 5 billion copies of the Bible have been printed. It has been translated into over 700 languages. But why? What it is about this book that is so powerful?
The Bible is easily one of the highest selling books of all time. The Guinness Book of World Records estimates that over 5 billion copies of the Bible have been printed. It has been translated into over 700 languages. But why? What it is about this book that is so powerful?
Jesus did not call his disciples into individual one-on-one relationships with him. He called them into community so that “they might be with him and that he might send them out” (Mark 3:14).
Jesus did not call his disciples into individual one-on-one relationships with him. He called them into community so that “they might be with him and that he might send them out” (Mark 3:14).
God has chosen us to be conformed to the image of Jesus (Rom. 8:29), but that kind of transformation doesn’t happen by accident, nor simply by following a random set of religious rules.
God has chosen us to be conformed to the image of Jesus (Rom. 8:29), but that kind of transformation doesn’t happen by accident, nor simply by following a random set of religious rules.
The phrase “Grow Up!” has become something of a put-down in our culture today, but what is interesting to note is that growing up is exactly what Paul expected Christians to do!
The phrase “Grow Up!” has become something of a put-down in our culture today, but what is interesting to note is that growing up is exactly what Paul expected Christians to do!
The final vision of Ezekiel is a beautiful one. Just as God’s glory came to His people in exile, so His glory will one day return to the Temple, but not just a single building, but all of creation
The final vision of Ezekiel is a beautiful one. Just as God’s glory came to His people in exile, so His glory will one day return to the Temple, but not just a single building, but all of creation
In Ezekiel 37, God gives him a vision that begins with destruction and ends with resurrection. He shows Ezekiel a valley of death, a place where bodies lay unburied and bones dried out. He asks Ezekiel, “Can these dry bones live?”
In Ezekiel 37, God gives him a vision that begins with destruction and ends with resurrection. He shows Ezekiel a valley of death, a place where bodies lay unburied and bones dried out. He asks Ezekiel, “Can these dry bones live?”
The First Commandment You shall have no other gods. What does this mean? We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
The First Commandment You shall have no other gods. What does this mean? We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
In Jewish thought, the first commandment is not so much a commandment as it is a declaration
In Jewish thought, the first commandment is not so much a commandment as it is a declaration
This week we ponder the very strange and beautifully intricate poem that Jonah utters in the belly of the fish. This is a powerful and heavily ironic moment in the story.
This week we ponder the very strange and beautifully intricate poem that Jonah utters in the belly of the fish. This is a powerful and heavily ironic moment in the story.
Jonah is God’s own prophet and yet he is the only one in the story who refuses to listen to God.
Jonah is God’s own prophet and yet he is the only one in the story who refuses to listen to God.
This first week we lay the groundwork for exploring the story of Jonah from a fresh perspective: Who is Jonah? Why did he flee and get on a boat to Tarshish? And why is his story in the Bible?
This first week we lay the groundwork for exploring the story of Jonah from a fresh perspective: Who is Jonah? Why did he flee and get on a boat to Tarshish? And why is his story in the Bible?
Sometimes the need seems so great, and our resources so small, that we are reluctant to give, fearing what we give might go to waste.
Sometimes the need seems so great, and our resources so small, that we are reluctant to give, fearing what we give might go to waste.
While God calls us to be generous as he is generous, he also knows that we need to grow into this goal for our lives.
While God calls us to be generous as he is generous, he also knows that we need to grow into this goal for our lives.
Before we begin a discussion of our own generosity, we need to ponder anew the generosity of our God!
Before we begin a discussion of our own generosity, we need to ponder anew the generosity of our God!
One of the first keys that is needed in order to pursue true reconciliation is repentance.
One of the first keys that is needed in order to pursue true reconciliation is repentance.
As believers we have a different perspective, focused on Christ and the new life we have in him.
As believers we have a different perspective, focused on Christ and the new life we have in him.
Jesus is truly God. All things were created through him, hold together because of him, and are reconciled to God in him.
Jesus is truly God. All things were created through him, hold together because of him, and are reconciled to God in him.
Attitudes toward gender roles in American culture have moved well beyond assessments of those roles in the workforce.
Attitudes toward gender roles in American culture have moved well beyond assessments of those roles in the workforce.
The problem of suffering is one that every religion and philosophy has to deal with, and that is because suffering is a universal human issue.
The problem of suffering is one that every religion and philosophy has to deal with, and that is because suffering is a universal human issue.
We have discussed priority, intentionality, and now we look at the influence that being a good steward has for our lives.
We have discussed priority, intentionality, and now we look at the influence that being a good steward has for our lives.
Jesus attracted crowds through teaching, proclaiming the Gospel, and healing. He did this because he cared about them. He calls us to join him in this mission and invites people to come and see.
Jesus attracted crowds through teaching, proclaiming the Gospel, and healing. He did this because he cared about them. He calls us to join him in this mission and invites people to come and see.
Jesus teaches us to end our prayers by acknowledging that all things belong to God and by proclaiming our trust that what we have prayed will be so.
Jesus teaches us to end our prayers by acknowledging that all things belong to God and by proclaiming our trust that what we have prayed will be so.
Jesus teaches us to pray that God would deliver us from evil, acknowledging that He is NOT the source of that evil.
Jesus teaches us to pray that God would deliver us from evil, acknowledging that He is NOT the source of that evil.
Jesus teaches us to pray that we are forgiven and that we would become forgiving people.
Jesus teaches us to pray that we are forgiven and that we would become forgiving people.
Jesus teaches that when we pray we are to ask that His Kingdom would come and his will be done.
Jesus teaches that when we pray we are to ask that His Kingdom would come and his will be done.
We need to prepare our hearts and lives to celebrate his first coming and receive him when he comes again.
We need to prepare our hearts and lives to celebrate his first coming and receive him when he comes again.
When God poured out his Spirit on all the disciples, they all began to share the Gospel with anyone that would listen.
When God poured out his Spirit on all the disciples, they all began to share the Gospel with anyone that would listen.
The believers in the early church were willing to sell their possessions for the sake of meeting the needs of others. This flowed from the “generous hearts” that God had created in them.
The believers in the early church were willing to sell their possessions for the sake of meeting the needs of others. This flowed from the “generous hearts” that God had created in them.
We too are called by God to go where it might not be comfortable and welcome people different than us into His kingdom.
We too are called by God to go where it might not be comfortable and welcome people different than us into His kingdom.
In the early church there were disagreements. They solved these disagreements by seeking God’s will together and then respecting those in authority God had placed over them.
In the early church there were disagreements. They solved these disagreements by seeking God’s will together and then respecting those in authority God had placed over them.