Sermons From Albertville: Recent Episodes
Michael Trask
Life is often very puzzling and complex, but it doesn't have to be. There is a reason for the complexity and a very solid solution.
This sermon is an exposition of the moment Jesus pulled Peter out of the churning waters of the sea of Galilee. It offers a description of faith and its qualities as well as the Savior to which it is directed.
At the feeding of the 5000, Jesus shows the disciples that when you are with the Lord, you have everything.
This sermon covers the two short parables of Jesus, found in Matthew 13:44-46 which describe the ultimate value of the Kingdom of God.
As we Christians seek to remain in the faith there are times when we feel quite isolated and alone. But if we are Christians, we are not at all alone. We have the indwelling Spirit of God who helps and leads us.
Many imagine that being a Christian means that you cease to be a sinner and live a life of wonder and perfection. This is not so. The wonder and perfection will come to be at the end, but in the now time the call to be a follower of Christ ends up being an epic struggle. This sermon defines the struggle as well as how can ultimately win.
In Matthew 10:34-39 Jesus begins a discourse that is most difficult for present day Christians to accept. He says "Do not think I have come to bring peace on earth, I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." This Sermon is an attempt to clarify this difficult text.
Jesus told his disciples that as they went out into the world to spread the good news they were going to be like sheep in the midst of wolves, so they needed to be as wise as serpents, and as innocent as doves. This Sermon, based on Matthew 10:16-32, explains.
Matthew 9:35-38 comes in a small package, but offers a lot of insights into the mission of Jesus and the church he started. This sermon slowly opens the text so that God's plan can be seen clearly
Just because something looks good, does not necessarily mean that it is good. Nevertheless, for much of our lives we make choices by the way something looks. We are often fooled. This sermon explores a different way to regard things.
Giving Thanks is not dependent on our outward circumstance. It is possible to be grateful and give thank no matter what. This Thanksgiving Sermon explains how.
One of the dying men who went to the cross with Jesus asked the Lord to remember him. This was a most proper prayer, for the Lord is pleased to remember us. This sermon reveals the extent of his remembering.
We assume that all of the things on earth that we depend on for life will always be there for us. However, in talking about the last day, Jesus says this is not so. All of the things of this world will ultimate be unable to help us. We obviously need something more solid and lasting; that's the Lord.
God has promised to be present in the congregation that worships him. Seriously, he is there! wherever The Word is preached in all of it's clarity and the Sacraments are practiced rightly, he is there offering us great help for living our lives. Yet sometimes we've got trouble. We can't get see any help in worship. This sermon explores the causes and cures for this serious problem.
This sermon, based on the parable of the unrighteous Judge asks and answers the question of why we pray.
Life can actually be seen as a series of choices and consequences. The choices we make will have effects on the course of our lives. So is there a way to make better choices? Yep. In the Account of Ruth, we see how this is possible.
For those who live in the land of consumer goods, the great temptation is to imagine that one can be made complete by buying stuff. In this sermon, based on 1Timothy 6:6-12, Pastor Trask instructs his confirmands on the day of their confirmation on how they might avoid that way of life.
For those who live in a land of consumer goods, the great temptation is to imagine that one can be made complete by buying stuff. In this sermon based on 1 Timothy 6:6-12, Pastor Trask instructs his confirmands on the day of their confirmation on how they might avoid that way of life
God tells us to pray for everyone everywhere; including those who govern. The idea of praying for those who govern might be the opposite of what we want to do, for we have seen the corruption. In this sermon you will hear four solid reasons why it is good to pray even for these.
People often imagine that God regards sinful people as detritus that should be forgotten. That could not be further from the truth. All the people he created are regarded as valuable to him and he has dedicated himself to restoring them.
In Luke 14:26, Jesus said "If anyone comes after me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and Children.....he cannot be my disciple." A very intense and seemingly dark thing for him to say! Whatever does he mean? This Sermon investigates.
In reference to being saved Jesus say's "Strive to enter the Narrow Door" What does it mean to strive? Why is the door to salvation narrow? In this sermon based on Luke 13:22-30 these questions are answered.
In this sermon based on Jeremiah 23:16-29, Pastor Michael Trask compares and contrasts the religion which is based on God's Word with the religion that is based on the thoughts, words, and feelings of man.
Why is so easy to trust that bottled water is safe, but so difficult to trust that God will do right by you? This sermon starts with this question, answers it, and ultimately shows the way to stronger faith in God.
One of the great discoveries and tragedies of life is the truth that there's very little meaning to be had. We tend to define ourselves by what we do, by what we've built, and by what we have managed to acquire. But what happens when we can no longer do, build, or acquire? We lose what we consider to be our meaning. Is this definition of self correct? Is there a better place to find meaning? There is indeed!
Sad but true, a lot of folks feel a guilty about their prayers. This shouldn't be. We are able to pray because God has declared us not guilty in his Son! This message explores the reason we can pray without guilt and addresses various things that confuse our to prayers.
The well know account of Jesus visiting the house of Martha, Martha hustles to get dinner ready, but Mary, her sister is pleased to sit at Jesus' feet and hear his teaching. Martha get's angry that Mary is not helping, expects Jesus to scold Mary, but is surprised to hear that Mary got it right. Do we get it right?
The desire to justify oneself is universal among all people. People are actually quite preoccupied with justifying themselves before their fellow man and also God. Our lives are made more difficult and less joyful when we know that we have not been just. Old memories of things we have done or failed to do eat away at our soul. In this sermon we follow the struggle of man seeking to justify himself and we learn truth about how one can actually be justified.
Many choices and opportunities make it nearly impossible to commit to any one. But it's in commitment where the meaning is found. This is particularly true in our relationship to God.
There are many stories about crowds gathering from miles around just to see Jesus. But in this Sermon, you will meet a people who were so afraid of Jesus that they asked him to leave! You will find it helpful to review the the text: Luke 8:26-39 before you listen.
Isaiah was called to be a prophet in most uncertain times. He was given a vision that would remove all uncertainty.
Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. We Christians spend the whole month of December contemplating this. Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. On the third day he rose again. We spend 7 weeks in preparation for Easter. But then we come to "he ascended into heaven." and we don't give it a thought? It's about time we did! This Sermon, based on Ephesians 1:15-23 describes the powerful truth behind the ascension of Christ.
Much of our struggle in life is about keeping ourselves together, and not just ourselves, but everything we care about. Of course, keeping it together is actually quite difficult; especially since we don't really have control over everything. In response, we obsess and make ourselves and those around us miserable. Jesus came upon a man at a very famous pool called Bethesda. A lame man lay their obsessing over the pool. Jesus broke into his life and made him whole. He does the same for all who know him.
We often only imagine what will be in the life God has in store for us in the hereafter. But imagination can only take you so far. It is better to have our thoughts informed by what God says about it in his word. In this Sermon, based on Revelation 21: 1-7, new insights are offered on heaven
People often wish that God would just show up in their lives and tell them what to to do. They are surprised to learn that he already has showed up and they've been listing to his voice!
When we wrong another person, we might imagine that we can just forget it, and go on as normal. We also imagine that if another person wrongs us we can just forget about it and all will be okay. But it doesn't really work that way. The outstanding wrong remains between us and will only diminish any relationship we might have had. Jesus shows us the way to reconciliation as he seeks reconciliation between himself and Peter who had denied him.
Sometimes God seems to ignore our prayers. We prayer and no apparent answer is given. God seems aloof and uncaring. But God's silence doesn't mean he's not working for you.
We are undergoing a time of testing in our nation. Testing our resolve, our sense of humor, and our patience. How shall we respond? This sermon on the testing of Job offers some direction
Most people believe that that satisfaction is impossible to achieve. Not so. In fact God wishes to give every person complete satisfaction. This sermon on Isaiah 55 explains how.
Many in our day would insist that the law is the problem; that if we just got rid of the law and those who represent it, all would live in harmony and peace. This Sermon explores the Law and it's purpose as described by Paul in Romans 7
We have a habit of maintaining different "worlds," that is, different social groups, where we behave differently according to the group. We don't like the groups to mix because our personal fraud will be exposed. There is only one world. And we should be true to who we are always.
During a time of riots in our country, this sermon explains what's really behind it and what is really needed.
This sermon on Genesis 1:2 Talks about how God brought order and meaning to all that he created. In world that is moving more and more to disorder, God would bring order to that too.
A biblical explanation of the evil we all witnessed in Minneapolis of late as well as what God has done and will do about it.
In Athens there is a place called Mars Hill. Philosophers would gather there. Paul was taken there to explain himself. He didn't hold back; nor should we!
This sermon delves into the contrived realities we often like to create for ourselves. The ultimate reality, which is God will be revealed to us. The sooner, the better.
In John 10 Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd; those who follow him, he calls his sheep. He knows each by name. Implications!
The risen Jesus meets up with two disciples on Easter Afternoon and walks with them but they don't recognize him! As he walks with us do we recognize him?
This Sermon based on Acts 5:29-42. It notes the big difference that the resurrection of Jesus made in the life of Peter. The resurrection of Jesus also makes a big difference in our/
This is the audio version of the sermon from Easter 2020. It's based on John 20:19-20, which describes Jesus appearing to his disciples even though they were locked away. He comes to us who are locked away too!
Not knowing how things are going to turn out is miserable.... But Jesus knows and he's got plans.
A sermon based on Romans 5:1-4 that looks at how troubling times like Corona time can be a positive for the Christian
Is Jesus an angry judge or a big pushover? inquiring minds need to know. In his meeting with the woman at the well (John 4:5-26) we meet the true Jesus.
How can we see the work of God in our world? How will we see the promised world made new? This sermon explains.
All too often, we see the Law of God as negative, but the law is also positive. The Law shows that God has not forgotten would we could be.
In Matthew 5:19, Jesus talks about people who "relax" the law of God. People think that relaxing the law is loving, but just the opposite is true.
This sermon explains how people who don't see God at present will see him in the hereafter and how they might begin to see him in the now time.
Jesus began his ministry in the most spiritually dark places of Israel. This has much meaning for us who struggle with the darkness.
This sermon explores the perceptions people have of Jesus with the aim of overcoming our own perceptions so that we might know him better.
How did Jesus get so smart? You might think you know, but the answer will surprise you and even convict you!
There are two Christmas stories. There's the account offered by Luke with all the historical details that we love to review each year, but then there's John's account which takes a different approach. He cares not so much about the details of his coming, but the reason that he came and what it means to us.
In a systematic way, this sermon takes a look at the virgin Birth demonstrating that it wasn't some clever ruse to disguise an early pregnancy, but God's plan.
This sermon explores the origins of doubt in the human mind as well as they way to overcome it.
Surprising truth about Jesus' family tree.... It shows us what God really thinks of people... and also helps us to rethink how WE think of people.
Malachi 4 speaks of God cleansing the earth as a farmer who burns his his field to rid it of weeds. How to survive this cleansing? Pastor Trask explains.
This sermon investigates Moses' meeting with God at the burning bush (actually the unburned bush) and what it means for us and all creation.
We live in a time when people are often detached. Detached from others and also detached from God. There's a solution.
How can one live free and without fear? Using the story of an old cat, this sermon lays out the precious freedom that comes from being justified by faith in Jesus.
There is a rising tide of unbelief in America? How can we survive it? God has given Christians what we need to survive.
Giving thanks to God, there's more to it than you think. It's not so much for God's benefit as it is for you. This Sermon shows how.
Through the story of the Prophet Habakkuk, this sermon explores how Faith in God can bring peace to the heart and mind despite how bad things might look.
With a very unique parable, Jesus demonstrates that sometimes criminals are more shrewd in looking after their own interests than us Christians! Need to fix that! Luke 12:1-9
In a parable Jesus offers this truth: "Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." The implications of this are explained here.
In Luke 13:22-30 Jesus tells of a door the leads to Eternity! What is it? Where is it? and, How does one enter it?
There are several places in the recorded words of Jesus where Jesus says things that are shocking and seem out or character for him. But they only seem that way, because we have a limited understanding of him.
Like characters in a movie have background music, we have a kind of "music" that plays in our soul. Ofttimes this music in our soul is dark when it shouldn't be. But the tune can be changed.
Everyone has their own idea of what is necessary in order to live the good life. They set the course of their lives to achieve it. Only to be left with a question in the end: Is this as good as it gets?
A call to faith is a call to grapple with the reality of an all powerful God who aims to save you. He is not the benign God of human imagination, but the God who you will both fear and love. He's the real thing.
Because of the limitations placed upon us by the realm in which we live, we find it difficult to grasp the limitless promises of God. This sermon shows how to get past that.
An exploration of what it means to love and how God has not only called us to love but helps us to make a good start.
As God's kingdom comes into the world, it runs head-on into the Satan's kingdom of darkness. This is to be expected. This sermon is about Christians living in the world.
Just about every generation believes that their generation might be the last in one way or another. This way of thinking darkens our days. God would have us live differently and more brightly.
Jesus meets a weird naked man who was infested with demons. People have struggled to understand this account for centuries. But it actually quite easy to understand and bears much meaning.
Lots of opinions about God! People form opinions and then live as if they are true. But God says "I am who I am." Apparently what we think God is like or should be like has no effect on who he is!
Acts 2 gives a very difficult to read listing of all the nations of people represented on Pentecost, but it was all according to God's plan. This sermon is about the plan.
The first part of Genesis speaks of the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. What was is this tree of life? How will we see it again?
The pressure that the sinful world places upon the Christian to give up on what is good and true is often intense. But Jesus makes it possible to endure.
This sermon is a description of the profound relationship that the Christian has with Jesus.
A lot of times fear closes us down and prevents us from really living. Fear is a tomb. This sermon applies Jesus' empty tomb to help us empty our tombs of fear.
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was a big deal, Jesus said even the stones would cheer! The scope of our salvation includes nature itself!
One of the greatest errors of our time is to confuse God's patience with God's forgiveness which results in great tragedy. How to tell the difference?
So many different ways that the world categorizes people!. The categories bring instant and often unnecessary divisions. God sees people in a different way. We can too!
Sometimes people are so overcome with guilt that they fell like God is out to get them for what they've done. Jesus disabuses us of this notion.
Because of abundance of our age we find ourselves presented with an extreme number of options that confuse our lives and take us away from the Lord. But options can be managed.
On the hill of transfiguration, Peter, John, and James were privy to the main conversation in heaven. This sermon reveals what it's about.
The people in our lives, how to love them truly? We learn from Jesus in his Sermon on the plain.
Jesus' sermon on the plain is a most penetrating and thought provoking view of the way we live and think. If you listen be ready to rethink!
In scripture, meeting God has always been a frightening thing, what with him being perfectly holy and us being sinful. Yet, we will all will meet him. How will we survive it?
How to live with people who cause you to be resentful? in 1Cor. 12:31 The apostle Paul speak of the more excellent way to live... which is love. This sermon talks about how to love.
This sermon explores the how and why people lose their faith in Jesus and how to avoid the same..
This sermon explores the background of the magi who brought gifts to Jesus; the how's and why's as well as the meaning.
Where's the evidence for God? It's actually everywhere if you care to look! Isaiah 52:10 says "The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all nations." This sermon explores this.
Bethlehem, compared to many other cities of it's day was nowheresville. Why did God choose to have his Son born there. This sermon explains.
The Christmas season is the season of joy. And how difficult it is to be truly joyful! There's a very simple reason for that. This sermon show how joy works.
What's going on when you and God seem to be having a break-up? What is happening when God seems distant and detached? The prophet Malachi explains.
Many Christians have been mistakenly led to believe that Jesus' return will be a day we should dread. But a careful reading of Revelation 1:4-8 says otherwise.
Jesus said In Mark 13: "He who endures to the end will be saved." Why is it so hard to endure? How can we endure? In this sermon we learn how.
"What does God want from me?" A question second only to "What did I do to Deserve this?
What God wants is really no great mystery. He's been telling us since forever, if we care to listen.
In this Reformation Day sermon, Pastor Trask speaks on the eternal nature of the Gospel of Christ. It hasn't changed, nor will it ever change.
What if the world doesn't really work as we think it does? Learning the truth would then be like waking up from a dream. The reality of God is way better.
This sermon describes the many ways that God has reached into your life to bring you to faith...and what a blessing and opportunity. Not to be missed or lost.
Getting over yourself is a big part of becoming yourself! Counterintuitive? Yes. But True! Jesus' disciples had an argument about who was the greatest. Here his response!
From the very beginning, God established the human race to be based upon marriage. Though this might seem to rather obvious, it is now controversial. This sermon explains how to remain with God's original plan.
This sermon describes what real faith looks like. Much to the surprise some, its not about hiding your weakness, but rather admitting them and seeking God's help to conquer them.
At the heart of Christian faith is the most graphic scene of Christ's Crucifixion. So very very graphic! But he had come to answer our very graphic problem.
We naturally tend to believe that if we could just eat the right food that we will lengthen our days. When Jesus said "I am the bread of life" he was telling us that he is that food. He is the Bread of life!
The deepest need for all people is to know they are worthy of the life they've been given. If they don't know or haven't been worthy, they will not ever feel right. This sermon is about the hows and why's of personal worthiness.
Feeding of the 5000. BIG miracle! But something much much bigger and more significant was happening there that most people overlook.
John the Baptist spoke the light of truth to a dark and sinful world. The darkness raged against him. Christians, if they are faithful experience the same thing.
Getting "your piece of the pie" is thought to be the goal of life. But the prophet Jeremiah says "The Lord is my Portion," a most exciting and different way to look at your life.
We regard the world through our eyes, however this is not all there is to reality. There is much unseen beyond what we see with our eyes, and in particular the working of God. Faith helps us see what is normally unseen.
Jesus refers to Satan as a strong man, but then adds that he must be bound. This was Jesus' purpose in coming to bind Satan so that he might rescue us. This sermon explores what this means for us.
On the outside, Christians don't look that different from anybody else, the difference is what's inside! Concealed within the Christian is the greatest treasure of all... the eternal gospel. This sermon describes what it's like to have this treasure.
How can a sinful person ever stand before the most holy God? This generation falsely answers in two ways 1)Don't even try. 2) Change God so you don't look so bad in contrast. In the call of Isaiah We see the true approach. Isaiah 6
This sermon was offered on pentecost. It describes the events of pentecost as well as it's meaning for faith and life.
This was a sermon for Mothers day which focuses on the very last appearance of Mary in Scripture, speaks of Mary's experience, and then the importance of Motherhood in General.
Lot of folks believe that being a faithful follower of Christ is a drag. Faithful Christians are often portrayed as being driven and bedraggled. But 1John 5:3 offers a completely different take saying, "His commands are not Burdensome". This sermon explores that.
Jesus meets his disciples. They think he's a ghost. That's the only answer they can come up with. So he opened their minds. He open's our minds too.