First Immanuel Lutheran Church: Recent Episodes
FIL Ministries
FIL Ministries wants to help equip you to live out your faith. Every day. We are dedicated to creating and curating high quality content for you. Continue to check here for our messages fostered in reaching up to God, reaching in to each other, and reaching out to the world.
As We Gather in worship we begin our Lenten worship series, “Flowing From the Cross.” It is the forgiveness of Jesus that brings life to our souls, moving us to live through Him and for Him. Sermon from Pastor Ethan Luhman on February 17, 2021.
Job responds to God's answer. After God proclaims His power and greatness, Job responds with humility and repentance, willing to accept whatever God's will is. We join Job, by faith, whenever we pray, "Your will be done." Sermon from Pastor Ethan Luhman on January 31, 2021.
We consider the account of Job, who struggled through the terrible challenges of life that many of us face. He wrestles with issues of what is right and just and fair. He is burdened by the accusations of friends. He is instructed by the Lord. Above all, it is through his suffering that Job finds many blessings. So do we. Sermon from Pastor Tim Seban on January 17, 2021.
We consider the account of Job, who struggled through the terrible challenges of life that many of us face. He wrestles with issues of what is right and just and fair. He is burdened by the accusations of friends. He is instructed by the Lord. Above all, it is through his suffering that Job finds many blessings. So do we. Sermon from Pastor Randy Raasch on January 10, 2021.
Today, our pastors sat down to dive into the latest sermon series and unpack what it meant to them, what they got from it, and close the series with one final, candid, roundtable discussion. Listen in as they walk through their conversation.
We consider a feeling that often strikes us when we are unprepared—anxiety. We become anxious when situations are out of our control. Anxiety causes us to panic, to lose control, to withdraw. The peace we need in times of anxiety comes from a trust in the love of the God who created us and redeemed us. Sermon from Pastor Randy Raasch on December 6, 2020.
"How are you feeling?" It's a phrase we commonly use, but there are so many answers to this seemingly simple question. In this sermon series "Deck the Halls with All Your Feelings" we look at the well known people of the Christmas narrative and reflect on what they must have been feeling on that first Christmas. Today we look at Zechariah and Elizabeth. They were advanced in years and had never had the privilege of being a parent. Even though they were faithful followers of God, you can imagine they still felt empty. Their emptiness was filled, with a baby named John! Today we check our faith tank, and fill it up, for with Jesus we are not empty! Sermon from Pastor Tim Seban on November 29, 2020.
As we gather we are reminded that in the presidential proclamation for Thanksgiving Day in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln had this to say:
"It is the duty of nations as well as of citizens to owe their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord....
"We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.
"It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens." Sermon from Pastor Randy Raasch on November 26, 2020.
We encounter situations and circumstances in our lives that bring us to our knees, that wipe out everything we've known. When faced with the wind and waves of the storms, we are easily overwhelmed. But there is a God speaking in the midst of the whirlwind, and his words to you today are "PEACE! Be still!"
We listen to His voice among the noises of the world. There are many who call us to follow them, but their paths lead to pains and problems. It is the voice of our Good Shepherd who guides us to green pastures of peace and still waters of contentment.
We are reminded that life, even for Christians, isn’t always pleasant or pain free. In this sin-filled world we experience challenges in body, mind and soul. Today we consider the emotional challenges that seem to put us in a prison. Jesus conquered the prisons we face and the eternal prison of hell, that we may, in the face of all challenges, be confident of Jesus presence, power and promise of heaven. Sermon from Pastor Randy Raasch on November 8, 2020.
Being thankful isn’t something we set aside for one day each year, instead it is to be a part of who we are each day. God’s people haven’t had it easy, and that isn’t going to change. Sin causes suffering, suffering leads to pain and heartache. Yet we are called to be thankful. Thankful in the good times, thankful in the bad, and everything in between. This series will walk us through Psalm 107 which demonstrates thankfulness even in the midst of suffering. Sermon from Pastor Tim Seban on November 1, 2020.
We have been elected to two positions. However, we have not been elected to rule, but to serve. We live in the world and in the Church and have responsibilities to both. Are we ready to live our faith in both? Sermon from Pastor Randy Raasch on October 25, 2020.
Are you worried you’re not qualified? You’ve failed, time and time again. Morally, spiritually, fiscally. Your actions have not measured up to your promises. Your resume is not impressive. Can you get kicked out of the kingdom of God? Join us as we answer the question Can you get recalled? Sermon from Pastor Randy Raasch on October 18, 2020.
You’ve been elected, but you’re not quite sure what you got yourself into. The rules, the people, the responsibilities, the accountability… Can you reject the gift of faith? Can you turn down the nomination? Sermon from Pastor Randy Raasch on October 11, 2020.
Congratulations on your election. You didn’t run. Didn’t campaign. But you won. How does that work? Even though we are sinners and unworthy of God’s grace and blessings, He has called us into a living faith. Sermon from Pastor Randy Raasch on October 3, 2020.
God has given us hope, and we don’t keep that to ourselves. We will be bold enough to share the confidence we have in the cross to others. Sermon from Pastor Ethan Luhman on September 27, 2020.
Our personal homes and our church home is an important place for us to share our faith. Family devotions and small groups are places God uses to foster faith. Sermon from Pastor Randy Raasch on September 20, 2020.
Our theme is “BOLD Enough to Share.” Today we consider the privilege of sharing our heart with the Lord who shared His with us. Sermon from Pastor Randy Raasch on September 13, 2020.
Training. Repetition. Routine. If you want to get better or improve at something you need to get the proper coaching and persevere through training so you can improve your skills. What is your current discipline to exercise your faith? We invest time in caring for our bodies, financial accounts, and our relationships, may God give us the same intentional focus to continue to grow in the truth of His Word at a consistent and regular pace, until that final day when we see our Savior face to face! Sermon delivered by Pastor Tim Seban on September 6, 2020.
Today, our pastors sat down to dive into the latest sermon series and unpack what it meant to them, what they got from it, and close the series with one final, candid, roundtable discussion. Listen in as they walk through their conversation.
For this final weekend of our current worship series, “Interruptions,” we find that we can often be dissuaded from following Jesus. Our culture has become increasingly less Christian and less tolerant to the Christian faith. We also find that our own attitudes can dissuade us from committing ourselves to following Jesus. Our gracious Lord still loves us and continues to guide us in His way that we have abundant life today and life eternal. Sermon from Pastor Randy Raasch on August 30, 2020.
Have you ever felt undermined, redirected, or misdirected? Like making a phone call, trying to get your money back and getting re-routed to different "people in charge," we all face diversions. When we know God's will for us, God's great purpose for our lives, we are able to see these interruptions for what they are: a chance to clarify and communicate who God has made us to be and what we've been called to do. Sermon from Pastor Ethan Luhman on August 23, 2020.
Isn't life filled with opportunities for distractions? Technology only enhances our problems, but the real problem is our focus. When we, like Jesus, see God's work as our sole focus, we will get rid of useless distractions and welcome the interruptions from God. Sermon from Pastor Randy Raasch on August 16, 2020.
As we gather in worship as the family of Christ, we begin our new worship series, “Interruptions.” Each of us can tell stories how our plans for life were interrupted by unplanned circumstances. Today we recognize how disasters can interrupt our lives. But we also know that Jesus enters into our lives and uses all things for good as we love and trust Him. Sermon from Pastor Randy Raasch on August 9, 2020.
We are reminded that because of the craziness of COVID-19, we are all having to pivot from our “normal.” We are trying to figure out what life, relationships, work, money, etc. look like. Romans 8 is a pivot chapter in the book of Romans. Our new life in Christ is marked with life and peace instead of chaos and death. We are marked with freedom instead of slavery. We pivot from worry into prayer. We pivot from condemnation to victory. What an essential chapter for us to be immersing ourselves in this summer! Today we “Pivot to Peace.” Sermon from Pastor Randy Raasch on July 12, 2020.
In our worship series, “PIVOT,” we hear how St. Paul, in Romans 8, calls us to move into positions of confidence in Christ. Today we are called to “Pivot into Freedom.” Often, without realizing, we are slaves to the sins that rob our lives of meaning, purpose and joy. Through Christ, and His saving work, we are free to live the lives that the Lord has designed for us. Sermon from Pastor Randy Raasch on July 19, 2020.
Jesus has big plans. But we have to wait patiently for the last Day. In fact, we are not alone in our waiting. All of creation is waiting, groaning together for God to come back! Thank God we have the Spirit, interceding for us, and helping us to PIVOT to HOPE. Sermon from Pastor Ethan Luhman on July 26, 2020.
Whether playing sports, board games, or any other competition we all want to win. We love the joy and celebration that goes along with the win. Today we focus on Jesus who has won the victory over sin, death, and the devil. Because of His victory, nothing can separate us from His love… nothing! Sermon from Pastor Tim Seban on August 2, 2020.