Immanuel Cares: Recent Episodes
Immanuel Lutheran Shirley (WELS)
Pastor shares 2 ways Christians mess up this text and the practical wisdom and power Jesus gives to keep God's family together.
Website: Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares #Christian #sermon
Even if you have a hard time saying no to someone, you still are saying No to something. What should we if the thing we have to say "No" to is ourselves?
Website: Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares #Christian #sermon
Pastor begins by addressing one of his pet peeves, and invites you to make it your own.
Website: Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares #Christian #sermon
Jesus has a provocative conversation with a Canaanite woman that reveals His mercy for all and her faith in His words, even when the words are difficult to hear. May we also cling to the Word of God even when it is difficult to hear, for His Word is the Bread of Life.
Website: Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares #Christian #sermon
Second of 2 sermons on Elijah. Today Elijah's emotions get the best of him, and God does not fail Him. Not only does God remind Elijah that God's Word still works, God gives a a direction, a commission, and a promise. Discover that God does the same for us when our emotions get the best of us.
Website: Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares #Christian #sermon
First of 2 sermons on Elijah. Today Elijah holds God to His promises, and God does not fail.
Website: Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares #Christian #sermon
Website: Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares #Christian #sermon
Website: Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares #Christian #sermon
Christ brings a family together, but He also drives them apart. Discover why today by listening to this podcast!
Website: Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares #Christian #sermon
Pastor Ruddat is joined by Pastor Will Harley (St. John's Maribel) and Pastor Dave Endorf (www.brooklynlutheran.com) to talk about the previous week's sermon.
Bible characters are relatable to us, but why?
Website: Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares #Christian #sermon
Pastor Ruddat is joined by Pastor Will Harley (St. John's Maribel) and Pastor Dave Endorf (www.brooklynlutheran.com) to talk about Genesis 1 and Matthew 28:16-20.
Although the creation account in Genesis is a common story among Christians, it is at odds with the theory of evolution espoused by this world. Even among Christian adults, it is good to walk through the creation account and see how it reveals our triune God and the way He interacts with his creation.
Website: Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares #Christian #sermon
Website: Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
The feast of Pentecost invites a more thorough investigation in the Holy Spirit, who is the gift giver who is still giving gifts.
Website: Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares #Christian #sermon
Taking offense at Jesus isn't something that unbelievers do, it's what believers when faced with a hard teaching from the Bible. If you are a follower of Christ, there will times when Christ offends you. What will you do?
Website: Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares #Christian #sermon
Anew podcast, going beyond what was preached on the previous sunday, and answer your questions
Email: castingnetspod@gmail.com
Watch the video on facebook: www.facebook.com/castingnetspodcast
Watch the video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/castingnetspod
Does your mom live a questionable life? Do you live a questionable life? A thoughtful sermon on the challenge that Peter lays out for the Christian church to live a life that causes people to question you about the hope that you have.
Website: Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares #Christian #sermon
Pastor start a new LIVE podcast on Tuesdays at 10:00am, going beyond what he preached on the previous Sunday, and answer your questions.
Website:
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
God Builds His Temple With Living Stones
Christ is the Living Foundation
God's Royal Priesthood Offers Spiritual Sacrifices
Website:
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares #Christian #sermon
Peter makes a bold claim, that we can too, because we are redeemed.
Website:
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares #Christian #sermon
Are you naturally optimistic? In what way does the resurrection of Jesus give you hope for the future as well as help you cope with your past?
Website:
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares #Christian #sermon
Nicodemus takes over the pulpit, and tells us his story. Why is he carrying a dead body?
Website:
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares
Interview with Jeffrey Samelson, Director of Mission Advancement for Christian Life Resources.
https://christianliferesources.com/
https://bayarealifecenter.com/
prolife #christianlifereources #thelifechallenges
Rev. Jeffrey L. Samelson began his service as Christian Life Resources’s Director of Ministry Advancement in April 2021, having served on the CLR National Board for the previous four years. He came to CLR with experience both in and out of the parish: he was the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church (WELS) in Clarksville, Maryland from 2000-2021, and prior to studying for the ministry spent five years in the U.S. Foreign Service as a consular officer, serving at the embassies in Singapore and Bogotá, Colombia. He has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis (1988), an MDiv. from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (2000), and is a Fellow of the International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism, & Human Rights (2018).Rev. Samelson’s role at CLR includes establishing opportunities for Christian service and equipping Christians affected by the erosion of life and family values. Applying the truth of God’s Word on pertinent life and family issues, his responsibilities will include a regular schedule of preaching engagements, education on the broader scope of the CLR ministry, monitoring of life issues, and leadership as a contact for the affiliate organizations of CLR. Rev. Samelson’s service continues a long family involvement: his father was one of the founding members of the first affiliate of Christian Life Resources. Rev. Samelson resides with his wife, Charlene, in Grafton, WI.CLR MISSION STATEMENTThe mission of Christian Life Resources is to use life and family issues as bridges to convey the love of God and to share the message of salvation through Christ.Website:
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares #prolife
Are you spiritual or religious? Regardless of your answer, what do you found your faith on? More than one witness?
Website:
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #immanuelcares
We are always being pushed into something, which direction do you want to be pushed?
Website:
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #sanctification #vocation #1Thessalonians #immanuelcares
The text was 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Website:
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
Who are you? Which identity comes first?
Website:
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #identity #1Peter #immanuelcares #gender #intersectionality
Website:
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran #boasting #1corinthians #immanuelcares
It is true the church is full of hypocrites. The reason church going people are not perfect is the darkness in their hearts. It is also the reason people go to church (even those you think are hypocrites) is so that the light of Christ might shine in their darkened hearts. Without Christ your heart is dark, so listen to the light that is Christ, for He is already shining.
Website:
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
WELSsermons #WELS #WELSlutheran
Website:
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
Newyear #WELS #WELSlutheran
The church's season of Advent is at odds with our culture's season of Christmas. A Christian combats this with knowing the deeper meaning of words thrown around this time of year, words like :Joy, Gentleness, and Peace.
advent #gentleness #peace #joy
Where is God's country?
The sermon and prayer from our Deer Hunter's Service.
EHV #conservation #hunting #God'scountry
How is freedom in Christ like being in a spotlight?
Children's devotion: If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
Christianfreedom #Reformation #EHV #MartinLuther #WELS #WELSlutheran
Pastor Ruddat and Pastor Enderle go through the book of Jonah chapter 4
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Morrison Zion: www.mzluth.org
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
Casting Nets Podcast https://castingnetspod.podbean.com/
Pastor Roy Rose Preaches from Psalm 145:3
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
Even Christians can feel like they are losing their way sometimes. Let's talk about God's Positioning System (G.P.S.)
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
prayer #God'sword #1John
is Grace like a pie pan, or is it more? Discover how God's grace for us in Christ is always MORE!
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
EHV #Grace #WELS
Pastor Enderle and Pastor Ruddat walk you through the city of Nineveh and the ministry of Jonah.
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
Casting Nets Podcast https://castingnetspod.podbean.com/
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
Pastor Ruddat and Pastor Enderle go through the book of Jonah chapter 2
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares podcast: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
Casting Nets Podcast https://castingnetspod.podbean.com/
Pastor Timothy Flunker, our synod's Hispanic consultant, preached for our mission festival.
Christian Conduct Starts in the Heart (1 Timothy 6:6-19)
A Heart that is Content
A Heart that Pursues.
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
Lost but Found
Can one who listens to this podcast still be lost?
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
A personal letter between Paul and Philemon demonstrates a different way to:
1. Look at the world around you (in terms of vocation).
2. Interact with other Christians (in their lives of sanctification).
Philemon 1:4-21
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon, our dear friend and coworker, 4I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5because I hear about your love and faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints. 6I pray that this fellowship of your faith may become active in understanding every good thing that belongs to us in Christ. 7For I have received great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother. 8For that reason, even though I have plenty of boldness in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9I am appealing to you instead, on the basis of love, just as I, Paul, am an old man and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10I am appealing to you on behalf of my child Onesimus. I became his father while I was in chains. 11There was a time when he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. 12I have sent him (who is my very heart) back to you. Welcome him. 13I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might serve me in your place while I am in chains for the gospel. 14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your kindness would not be the result of compulsion, but of willingness. 15Perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while: so that you would have him back forever, 16no longer as a slave, but as more than a slave, as a dear brother. He certainly is dear to me, but he is even more of a dear brother to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18And if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19I, Paul, have written this with my own hand: I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20Yes, brother, I am asking for a favor from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. 21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
Philemon #vocation #WELS #sermon
Psalm 112
1Praise the Lord!
How blessed is a man who fears the Lord.
In his commands he delights greatly.
2His descendants will be mighty in the land.
The circle of the upright will be blessed.
3Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness stands forever.
4In darkness, light dawns for the upright.
He is gracious and compassionate and righteous.
5Good things will come to the man
who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his business with justice.
6Surely he will never fall.
The righteous will be remembered forever.
7He will not fear bad news.
His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8His heart is secure.
He will have no fear, until he looks in triumph on his foes.
9He scatters seed—he gives to the poor.
His righteousness stands forever.
His horn will be lifted high in glory.
10The wicked person will see and be frustrated.
He will gnash his teeth and melt away.
The desire of the wicked will perish.
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
A divine strategy for handling stress, as well as a reality in Christ that is yours in the midst of your stress.
Satisfaction guaranteed! Children's devotion on favorite things.
Psalm 90 (EHV)
1Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. 2Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity you are God. 3You grind people to dust, and you say, “Return, children of Adam.” 4For a thousand years in your sight are like a day, like yesterday that has gone by, or like a watch in the night. 5You sweep them away like a flood. They are like sleep in the morning, like grass which changes quickly. 6In the morning it sprouts and grows. By evening it is cut down, and it withers. 7Surely, we are consumed by your anger, and by your wrath we are terrified. 8You have laid out our guilty deeds in front of you. Our hidden sins are revealed in the light of your face. 9For all our days pass away under your fury. We finish our years like a sigh. 10The days of our lives add up to seventy years, or eighty years if we are strong. Yet the best of them are trouble and sorrow, for they disappear quickly, and we fly away. 11Who can understand the power of your anger? But your fury is consistent with the fear that is owed to you. 12Teach us to number our days in such a way that we bring a heart of wisdom. 13Turn, O Lord! How long! Change your mind toward your servants. 14Satisfy us in the morning with your mercy, so that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. 15Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. 16Let your deeds be seen by your servants and your majesty by their children. 17May the kindness of the Lord our God rest upon us. Establish the work of our hands for us. Yes, establish the work of our hands.
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
Children's Devotion on posture for prayer.
Psalm 138 (EHV)
I will thank you with all my heart. Before the gods I will make music for you. I will bow down toward your holy temple. I will give thanks to your name because of your mercy and because of your truth. Yes, you made your word even greater than your name. By day I called, and you answered me. You have made my soul strong. All the kings of the earth will thank you, LORD, when they have heard the message from your mouth. Then they will sing about the ways of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD is great. Indeed the LORD is exalted, but he sees the lowly, and he recognizes the proud from a distance. If I walk surrounded by danger, you keep me alive in spite of the anger of my enemies. You stretch out your hand. You save me with your right hand. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me. LORD, your mercy endures forever. Do not let go of the works of your hands.
Immanuel Shirley: www.shirleygreenleaf.com
Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
EHV #sermon
If you're busy, what is one thing that you need? When you are not busy, what's the one thing you need?
We also are including the children's devotion for today on "Hallowed Be Thy Name"
Luke 10:38-42 (EHV)
As they went on their way, Jesus came into a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who was sitting at the Lord’s feet and was listening to his word. But Martha was distracted with all her serving. She came over and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me.” The Lord answered and told her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is needed. In fact, Mary has chosen that better part, which will not be taken away from her.
Immanuel Shirley: www.shirleygreenleaf.com
Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
EHV #sermon
Psalm 25 (EHV) 1To you, O Lord, I will lift up my soul. 2In you I have trusted, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame. Do not let my enemies triumph over me. 3All who hope in you will never be put to shame, but those who are treacherous for no reason will be put to shame. 4Make known to me your ways, O Lord. Teach me your paths. 5Make me walk in your truth and teach me, because you are the God who saves me. In you I hope all day long. 6Remember, O Lord, your compassion and your mercy, for they are from eternity. 7Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways. According to your mercy remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord. 8Good and upright is the Lord. Therefore, he instructs sinners in the right way. 9He directs the humble to what is just, and he teaches the humble his way. 10All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11For the sake of your name, O Lord, you forgive my guilt, although it is great.
12Who, then, is the man who fears? The Lord will instruct him in the way he chooses. 13That man will enjoy a good life, and his descendants will possess the land. 14The guidance of the Lord is with those who fear him. His covenant will give them knowledge. 15My eyes are always on the Lord, because he frees my feet from the net. 16Turn toward me and be gracious to me, because I am lonely and afflicted. 17The distress of my heart increases. Bring me out of my anguish. 18See my affliction and my trouble, and take away all my sins. 19See my enemies —how they have increased, and how violently they hate me! 20Guard my life and rescue me. Do not let me be put to shame, for I have taken refuge in you. 21May integrity and uprightness protect me, because I wait for you. 22Redeem Israel, O God, from all its distress!
We say "God bless you" or "God Bless America," but do we recognize why and how He blesses America?
Our culture has an answer to these questions, but our Bible has another. This is a difficult message for Christians in America to hear, because the answer to "Why does God bless America" is not what most think or are conditioned to think. Many will not like this message from God's Word today, although for some, it is life-changing.
We also are including the children's devotion for today.
Immanuel Shirley: www.shirleygreenleaf.com
Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
EHV #sermon #notchristiannation #Godblessamerica
Psalm 62 1My soul rests quietly in God alone. My salvation is from him. 2He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be disturbed. 3How long will you threaten a man? Do all of you want to murder him, like a leaning wall, like a fence to be pushed down? 4Yes, they plan to push him down from his lofty place. They are delighted with deceit. With their mouths they bless, but inside they curse.
5My soul, rest quietly in God alone, for my hope comes from him. 6He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be disturbed. 7My salvation and my honor depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God. 8Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your hearts before him. God is a refuge for us.
9Yes, the sons of Adam are only a breath. The sons of man are a delusion. On a scale they weigh nothing. They are nothing but air. 10Do not trust in extortion. Do not put empty confidence in stolen goods. If your wealth grows, do not set your heart on it. 11One thing God has spoken, two things that I have heard: that God has strength 12and that you, Lord, have mercy. Surely you will repay each person according to what he has done.
Immanuel Shirley: www.shirleygreenleaf.com
Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
EHV #sermon #roevwade
The LORD speaks from a storm.
Youtube videos, click here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTVpr2Z7-ykFMSNi-FyW6abjdoUdnT8Xg
We use the Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV). No bible study downloads are needed. Grab your favorite beverage and join Pastor Ruddat as he give you the highlights from Job chapter 32 to chapter 37
bookofjob #immanuelshirley #EHV #biblestudy
A new friend speaks, Elihu, younger and more direct than the other three friends. Surprisingly, Job doesn't have anything to say in response to him, neither does the LORD. What does Elihu add to the conversation about the Christian's suffering, God's justice, or His goodness?
Youtube videos, click here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTVpr2Z7-ykFMSNi-FyW6abjdoUdnT8Xg
We use the Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV). No bible study downloads are needed. Grab your favorite beverage and join Pastor Ruddat as he give you the highlights from Job chapter 32 to chapter 37
bookofjob #immanuelshirley #EHV #biblestudy
What does the Church (as an institution and as individuals) need in order to do well, whether it's 62 AD or 2022AD? What does the church think it needs in order to do well, and what does God think it needs in order to do well? God calls all of us to have an authentic Christian presence in this world.
Authentic: Paul commends Timothy's sincere faith, as well as those in Timothy's life who were like Christ to Timothy.
Christian: Be about Christ and what he has done for us.
Presence: In God’s Family (in worship and receiving God's Gifts) and in God’s World (not sheltered, but in the community and interacting with those around us with the love of Christ).
1 Timothy 1:3-10 (EHV)
I thank God, whom I serve with a clean conscience as my ancestors did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day. 4When I remember your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5I remember your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced that it also lives in you.
6For this reason I am reminding you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a timid spirit, but a spirit of power and love and sound judgment. 8So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Instead, join with me in suffering for the gospel while relying on the power of God. 9He saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10and it has now been revealed through the appearance of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Immanuel Shirley: www.shirleygreenleaf.com
Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
EHV #authentic #presence #wels
What is man (or humanity)? A deep question the Bible asks and answers in Psalm 8.
Psalms 8:1-8 (EHV)
1O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Set this glory of yours above the heavens. 2From the lips of little children and nursing babies you have established strength because of your foes, to put a stop to the enemy and the avenger. 3Whenever I look up at your heavens, the works of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place— 4what is man that you remember him, the son of man that you pay attention to him! 5Nevertheless, you make him suffer need, apart from God for a while, but you crown him with glory and honor. 6You make him the ruler over the works of your hands. You put everything under his feet: 7all flocks and cattle, and even the wild animals, 8the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea, which pass through the currents of the seas. 9O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Immanuel Shirley: www.shirleygreenleaf.com
Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
wels #lutheran #sermon #summerofpsalms
Job 27-31 Job's Final Monologue
Youtube videos, click here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTVpr2Z7-ykFMSNi-FyW6abjdoUdnT8Xg
bookofjob #immanuelshirley #EHV #biblestudy
How does a person tell the difference between good unity and bad unity? The unity, the good, the bad, and the prideful, are all on display at the Tower of Babel.
Genesis 11:1-9 (EHV)
The whole earth had one language and a single vocabulary. As people traveled in the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they settled there. They said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used mud brick instead of stone for building material, and they used tar for mortar. They said, “Come, let’s build a city for ourselves and a tower whose top reaches to the sky, and let’s make a name for ourselves, so that we will not be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” The LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the people were building. The LORD said, “If this is the first thing they are doing as one people, who all have one language, then nothing that they intend to do will be too difficult for them. Come, let’s go down there and confuse their language, so that they cannot understand one another’s speech.” So the LORD scattered them from there over the face of the whole earth, and they stopped building the city. It was named Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of the whole earth. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
wels #lutheran #sermon #towerofbabel #unity #pride #community #pridemonth
The ascension of Jesus, is it a beginning or an end?
Revelation 22:12-17,30
12Look, I am coming soon and my reward is with me, to repay each one according to what he has done. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the Tree of Life and so that they may enter through the gates into the city. 15Outside are the dogs, that is, the sorcerers, the adulterers, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star. 17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears this say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift.. 20The one who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
What does an American Christian need to consider before taking up arms to fight for the freedom of Ukraine?
see also:
https://bookofconcord.org/small-catechism/table-of-duties/
https://wolfmueller.co/whether-soldiers-can-saved/
devotion #askthepastor #wels
Essays
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Why My Faith is Important to me
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Why I want to be a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church
Sermon text - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 (EHV) But we are always obligated to thank God for you, brothers, loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation by the sanctifying work of the Spirit and faith in the truth. For this reason he also called you through our gospel so that you would obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold on to the teachings that were passed along to you, either by word of mouth or by a letter from us. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.
God’s Choice
To save you through the Gospel
To encourage you through that Gospel
That you would live in and speak of that Gospel
Why does God allow suffering to happen to the Christian? Don't we pray "Deliver us from evil?" Where's the deliverance?
lordsprayer #suffering #whyGod #wels #welslutheran #evil #hiddenGod
Job 22-26. Round 3 of the verbal "boxing match" between Job and his friends. Job and his friends toss the darkness and water metaphors at each other, oh, and the RAHAB sea monster.
To see the video click here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTVpr2Z7-ykFMSNi-FyW6abjdoUdnT8Xg
bookofjob #immanuelshirley #EHV #biblestudy
Six chapters, the entire round 2 of the verbal "boxing match" between Job and his friends, and the central chapter of the book of Job!
To see the video click here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTVpr2Z7-ykFMSNi-FyW6abjdoUdnT8Xg
bookofjob #immanuelshirley #EHV
We meet Zophar, and peer down the "well of why?" Asking God "Why" is a not as comforting as we might think.
bookofjob #immanuelshirley #EHVBible #EHV #onlinebiblestudy #wels #welslutheran
We meet Bildad
To see the video click here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTVpr2Z7-ykFMSNi-FyW6abjdoUdnT8Xg
bookofjob #immanuelshirley #EHV
No Bible sheet needed, just listen as Job's first friend speaks and Job responds.
to see the video click here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTVpr2Z7-ykFMSNi-FyW6abjdoUdnT8Xg
bookofjob #immanuelshirley #EHV
Introduction to Job and chapters 1-3
bookofjob #immanuelshirley #EHV
to see the video click here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTVpr2Z7-ykFMSNi-FyW6abjdoUdnT8Xg
Pastor Aaron Schultz from Messiah in Bellevue preached today, as Pastor Ruddat is still struggling with COVID symptoms
Washing us clean in His Blood
Until He Brings us out of the Great Tribulation.
Revelation 7:9-17
After these things I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing in front of the throne and of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and with palm branches in their hands. They called out with a loud voice and said: Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from the Lamb. All the angels stood around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures. They fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying: Amen. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen. One of the elders spoke to me and said, “These people dressed in white robes, who are they and where did they come from?” And I answered him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me: These are the ones who are coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Because of this they are in front of the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. They will never be hungry or thirsty ever again. The sun will never beat upon them, nor will any scorching heat, for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Easter #WELS #immanuelcares #Lutheran #WELSlutheran #sermons #sermon #Revelation #Tribulation
Some movies we can watch over and over, but can we watch them 52 times in a year? Is worship just a rerun we've seen one two many times? The disciples had a rerun in the gospel for today. Listen and discover the power of a rerun, especially when the rerun is Jesus. Gospel reading by Isaiah Ruddat. Sermon Preached by Pastor Rik Krahn from MLHS.
John 21:1-14 (EHV)
After this, Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. This is how he showed himself: Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They replied, “We’ll go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus was standing on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. Jesus called to them, “Boys, don’t you have any fish?” “No!” they answered. He told them, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” So they cast the net out. Then they were not able to haul it in because of the large number of fish. The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard, “It is the Lord!” he tied his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about one hundred yards. When they stepped out on land, they saw some bread and a charcoal fire with fish on it. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed aboard and hauled the net to land, full of large fish, 153 of them. Yet even with so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, eat breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them, and also the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
EHVBIBLE #WELS #immanuelcares #Lutheran #WELSlutheran #sermons #sermon #John
We celebrate the Resurrection for more than one day. How does a person keep their joy up when life and its problems return?
Revelation 1:4-18 (EHV)
John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is, who was, and who is coming, and from the seven spirits that are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his own blood and made us a kingdom and priests to God his Father―to him be the glory and the power forever. Amen. Look, he is coming with clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. And all the nations of the earth will mourn because of him. Yes. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, the one who is, and who was, and who is coming, the Almighty. I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingship and patient endurance in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony about Jesus. I was in spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard a loud voice behind me, like a trumpet, saying, “Write what you see on a scroll and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me. When I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands, and among the lampstands was one like a son of man. He was clothed with a robe that reached to his feet, and around his chest he wore a gold sash. His head and his hair were white, like white wool or like snow. His eyes were like blazing flames. His feet were like polished bronze being refined in a furnace. His voice was like the roar of many waters. He held seven stars in his right hand. A sharp two-edged sword was coming out of his mouth. His face was shining as the sun shines in all its brightness. When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He placed his right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last―18the Living One. I was dead and, see, I am alive forever and ever! I also hold the keys of death and hell.
Easter #WELS #immanuelcares #Lutheran #WELSlutheran #sermons #sermon #Revelation
You have 60 seconds, why is Easter important to you. Pastor's suggestion:
"Jesus Gives You an Objective Victory that's Joyful."
Easter #WELS #immanuelcares #Lutheran
Devotions on the Seven words from the cross and a prayer of the church
The Prayer of the Church & the Lord’s Prayer
P: Heavenly Father, you are a just God who accepts nothing less than perfection. All too often we fail to realize how much our sins offend you. We forget that the wages of sin truly is death. We forget that there actually is a hell. Lead us to recognize the seriousness of our sinfulness. Lead us also to admit our inability to make things right with you.
C: Teach us to look to you as the only one who can make us just and right.
P: Today we are reminded not only of your justice but also of your love. You did not spare you own Son but gave him as a ransom for each one of us. Comfort us with the knowledge of this great love. Give us the peace that the forgiveness of sins brings.
C: When we feel our guilt, point us to the cross, where our guilt was washed away in Jesus’ blood.
P: Lord Jesus, we thank you for paying the debt that we could not pay. We thank you for coming to earth so that we could be with you forever in heaven.
C: For being our perfect substitute, we thank you, Lord Jesus.
P: Son of God, you offered up your body as an unblemished sacrifice for sin and commended your spirit into the hands of your Father. Teach us to cast the cares of this brief life on our heavenly Father and commit our bodies and souls to his love.
C: Give us the courage to face death, knowing that it is the gate to our home in heaven.
P: Hear us, Lord, as we offer our personal thanks for the forgiveness that you have given us and for the home that you have won for us.
Silent prayer
P: The cross was once and instrument of death. It is now a sign of life.
C: Dear Savior, we humbly kneel at the cross in awe of your power and of your love. Amen.
Luke 22:7-20 (EHV)
The day of Unleavened Bread arrived, when it was necessary to sacrifice the Passover lamb. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.” They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare it?” He told them, “Just as you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters. Tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there.” They went and found things just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. When the hour had come, Jesus reclined at the table with the twelve apostles. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” He took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves, for I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup after the supper, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is being poured out for you.
contact the podcast: immanuelshirleywels@gmail.com
immanuelcares #wels #welslutheran #immanuelshirley
What is inevitable doesn't have to be terrorizing. Also, the Bells play "King of Glory."
Philppians 2:6-11 (EHV)
Though he was by nature God, he did not consider equality with God as a prize to be displayed, but he emptied himself by taking the nature of a servant. When he was born in human likeness, and his appearance was like that of any other man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
contact the podcast: immanuelshirleywels@gmail.com
immanuelcares #wels #welslutheran #immanuelshirley
Lenten Series entitled, "The Crucial Hours." Looking at key moments on Maundy Thursday through Good Friday.
Luke 23:13-16 13Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, 14and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one who is misleading the people. Look, I have examined him in your presence. I have found in this man no basis for the charges you are bringing against him. 15Herod did not either, for he sent him back to us. See, he has done nothing worthy of death. 16So I will have him flogged and release him.
A Christian life is lived forewords, not backwards. The life we have from Christ The life we live for Christ
Philippians 3:4b-14 (EHV)
What the world considered valuable, Paul no longer valued. What Paul valued was Christ, whom God had exalted in the resurrection. Through Christ God exalts us as well, regardless of what the world thinks of us.
If anyone else thinks that he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6in regard to zeal, persecuting the church; in regard to the righteousness that is in the law, blameless. 7But, whatever things were a profit for me, these things I have come to consider a loss because of Christ. 8But even more than that, I consider everything to be a loss because of what is worth far more: knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord. For his sake, I have lost all things and consider them rubbish, so that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, which comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God by faith. 10I do this so that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, 11in the hope that in some way I may arrive at the resurrection from the dead. 12Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus also took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it yet, but there is one thing I do: Forgetting the things that are behind and straining toward the things that are ahead, 14I press on toward the goal, for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Lenten Series entitled, "The Crucial Hours." Looking at key moments on Maundy Thursday through Good Friday.
Matthew 27:3,4 (EHV) Then when Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he felt remorse. He brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders 4and said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? That’s your problem.”
Luke 15:1-3; 11-32 (EHV)
All the tax collectors and sinners were coming to Jesus to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the experts in the law were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3He told them this parable:
11Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons. 12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all that he had and traveled to a distant country. There he wasted his wealth with reckless living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need. 15He went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16He would have liked to fill his stomach with the carob pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, and I am dying from hunger! 18I will get up, go to my father, and tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’
20“He got up and went to his father. While he was still far away, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, hugged his son, and kissed him. 21The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick, bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us eat and celebrate, 24because this son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate.
25“His older son was in the field. As he approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. 27The servant told him, ‘Your brother is here! Your father killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28The older brother was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him.
29He answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I’ve been serving you, and I never disobeyed your command, but you never gave me even a young goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours arrived after wasting your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’
31“The father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’”
Lenten Series entitled, "The Crucial Hours." Looking at key moments on Maundy Thursday through Good Friday.
Luke 22:66 (EHV) "As soon as it was day, the council of the elders of the people met together, both the chief priests and experts in the law. They brought him into their Sanhedrin."
When personal tragedy or collective tragedy strikes, we naturally ask, "Why?" Jesus gives us a better question to ask.
Luke 13:1-9 (EHV)
At that time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2He answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered these things? 3I tell you, no. But unless you repent, you will all perish too. 4Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse sinners than all the people living in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, no. But unless you repent, you will all perish too.”
6He told them this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it, but he did not find any. 7So he said to the gardener, ‘Look, for three years now I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and I have found none. Cut it down. Why even let it use up the soil?’ 8But the gardener replied to him, ‘Sir, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put fertilizer on it. 9If it produces fruit next year, fine. But if not, then cut it down.’”
Lenten Series entitled, "The Crucial Hours." Looking at key moments on Maundy Thursday through Good Friday.
Lenten Series entitled, "The Crucial Hours." Looking at key moments on Maundy Thursday through Good Friday.
Lenten Series entitled, "The Crucial Hours." Looking at key moments on Maundy Thursday through Good Friday.
"The fox is in the henhouse," is a metaphor for "danger is near." Jesus uses the fox and the hen picture, but turns the picture on its head. Who is the fox, and who is the hen, and which will win out in the end?
Jesus is told he is in danger, and he currently assessed what truly is dangerous and reveals his beautiful plan to handle it. What can Christian’s learn from the life of Jesus when the fox is in the henhouse?
Luke 13:31-35 (EHV) In that very hour, some Pharisees came to him and said, “Leave, and go away from here, because Herod wants to kill you.” 32He said to them, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I am going to drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal. 33Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the next day, because it cannot be that a prophet would be killed outside Jerusalem!’ 34“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I have wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 35Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you will say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
The temptations of Jesus, a challenge for Jesus, may not seem like a challenge to us who have heard the story time and time again. Is it so hard to resist not worshipping Satan, or throwing yourself off a cliff? Listen as the temptations of Jesus are brought forward to our time, and we see a champion who faced every temptation we face, and in our place, remained the Undefeated Champion.
Wield the Sword of the Spirit
Luke 4:1–13 (EHV)
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2where he was tempted by the Devil for forty days. He did not eat anything during those days. When they came to an end, he was hungry. 3The Devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
4Jesus answered him, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”
5The Devil led him up to a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6The Devil told him, “I will give you all this power and the glory of these kingdoms, because it has been entrusted to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. 7So, if you worship me, it will all be yours.”
8Jesus answered him, “It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”
9The Devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here, 10because it is written:
He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you.
11And,
they will lift you up with their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
12Jesus answered him, “It says: ‘You shall not test the Lord your God.’”
13When the Devil had finished every temptation, he left him until an opportune time.
Is it a good thing to encounter Jesus outside of where He wants to be found? How would you like to encounter Jesus? Would you like an experience like what happened on the mount of transfiguration, or something like it? How do we encounter Jesus that is for our good?
How Good for Us to Be With Christ!
Luke 9:28-36 (EHV) About eight days after he said these words, Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29While he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30Just then, two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with him! 31They appeared in glory and were talking about his departure, which he was going to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem. 32Peter and those with him were weighed down with sleep, but when they were completely awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not realize what he was saying. 34While he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them. They were afraid as they went into the cloud. 35Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” 36After the voice had spoken, they found Jesus alone. They kept this secret and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.
The Sermon from LaVerne Zeamer's Funeral 2 Corinthians 4:13-18 (EHV)
13Since we have that same spirit of faith, which corresponds to what is written: “I believed; therefore, I have spoken,” we also believe, and therefore we speak. 14For we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and bring us (together with you) into his presence. 15In fact, all this is for your benefit, so that as grace increases, it will overflow to the glory of God, as more and more people give thanks. 16Therefore we are not discouraged. But even if our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17Yes, our momentary, light trouble produces for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond any comparison. 18We are not focusing on what is seen, but on what is not seen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal.
How to Handle Your Neighbor’s Moral Failings
If you’re here, it will always be there.
As Christ is to you, you are to them.
Know Your Role.
Luke 6 27-37 (EHV)
“But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. 28Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, offer the other too. If someone takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes away your things, do not demand them back. 31“Treat others just as you would want them to treat you. 32If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? To be sure, even the sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even the sinners do the same thing. 34If you lend to those from whom you expect to be repaid, what credit is that to you? Even the sinners lend to sinners in order to be paid back in full. 35Instead, love your enemies, do good and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the unthankful and the evil. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven
Luke 6 17-26 (EHV)
17He went down with them and stood on a level place with a large crowd of his disciples, and a large number of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, as well as from the coastal area of Tyre and Sidon. These people came to listen to him and to be healed of their diseases. 18Those who were troubled by unclean spirits were also cured. 19The whole crowd kept trying to touch him, because power was going out from him and healing them all. 20He lifted up his eyes to his disciples and said: Blessed are you who are poor, because yours is the kingdom of God. 21Blessed are you who hunger now, because you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, because you will laugh. 22Blessed are you whenever people hate you, and whenever they exclude and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. 23“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy because of this: Your reward is great in heaven! The fact is, their fathers constantly did the same things to the prophets. 24But woe to you who are rich, because you are receiving your comfort now. 25Woe to you who are well fed now, because you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, because you will be mourning and weeping. 26Woe to you when all people speak well of you, because that is how their fathers constantly treated the false prophets.
Luke 5:1-11 (EHV) 1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2 he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
When Jesus “Leaves,” It’s Only For Something Better. For the Christian, there are times when illness, disease, or suffering make it seems like Jesus leaves. Pastor also shared a time when his dad had cancer and died, and how it felt for him that Jesus left. What is the "something better" when Jesus withholds His providential hand? Let's discover the better thing that was left for the people of Capernaum, how might that help you when it seems like Jesus leaves you.
Luke 4:38-44 (EHV)
Jesus got up, left the synagogue, and went into Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever. They asked him to help her. 39He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them. 40As the sun was setting, they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases. He laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41Demons also came out of many people, crying out, “You are the Son of God!” He rebuked them and did not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. 42When it was day, he went out to a deserted place. The crowds were looking for him. They went up to him and were trying to prevent him from leaving them. 43But he told them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is why I was sent.” 44And he continued to preach in the synagogues in the land of the Jews.
Colossians 2:10(EHV)
10And you have been brought to fullness in him. Christ is the head over every ruler and authority.
John 2-1-11(EHV)
Three days later, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. 2Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.” 4Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My time has not come yet.” 5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6Six stone water jars, which the Jews used for ceremonial cleansing, were standing there, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. 8Then he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” And they did. 9When the master of the banquet tasted the water that had now become wine, he did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew). The master of the banquet called the bridegroom 10and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have had plenty to drink, then the cheaper wine. You saved the good wine until now!” 11This, the beginning of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.
Christmas is over, the decorations are taken down, yet the cold, snow, and winter doldrums still remain. The joy of Christmas seems to be so far away, in the fast or in the future. What message does God have for you when you're living between the Christmasses?
Luke 3:21-22(EHV) 21When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. While he was praying, heaven was opened, 22and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love. I am well pleased with you.”
MAtthew 2:1-12 (EHV) After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, when Herod was king, Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem. They asked, 2“Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4He gathered together all the people’s chief priests and experts in the law. He asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, because this was written through the prophet: 6You, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are certainly not least among the rulers of Judah: because out of you will come a ruler, who will shepherd my people, Israel.” 7Then Herod secretly summoned the Wise Men and found out from them exactly when the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report to me, so that I may also go and worship him.” 9After listening to the king, they went on their way. Then the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them, until it stood still over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with overwhelming joy. 11After they went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12Since they had been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route.
Luke 12:13-21 (EHV) 13Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14But Jesus said to him, “Man, who appointed me to be a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15Then he said to them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because a man’s life is not measured by how many possessions he has.” 16He told them a parable: “The land of a certain rich man produced very well. 17He was thinking to himself, ‘What will I do, because I do not have anywhere to store my crops?’ 18He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and goods. 19And I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry.”’ 20“But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your soul will be demanded from you. Now who will get what you have prepared?’ 21“That is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.
Lessons and Carols from Immanuel's instrumentalists, the bell choir, and the festival choir.
Bulletin can be found here: https://shirleygreenleaf.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Lessons-and-carols-2021.pdf
Luke 1:39-55 (EHV) In those days Mary got up and hurried to the hill country, to a town of Judah. 40She entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41Just as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44In fact, just now, as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy! 45Blessed is she who believed, because the promises spoken to her from the Lord will be fulfilled!” 46Then Mary said, My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, 47and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, 48because he has looked with favor on the humble state of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52He has brought down rulers from their thrones. He has lifted up the lowly. 53He has filled the hungry with good things, but the rich he has sent away empty. 54He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, 55as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever.
A message from serious John the Baptist that brings Joy because John points us to Christ.
Luke 3:7-18 (EHV)
So John kept saying to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Therefore produce fruits in keeping with repentance! Do not even think of saying to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ because I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. 9Even now the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is going to be cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10The crowds began to ask him, “What should we do then?” 11He answered them, “Whoever has two shirts should share with the person who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.” 12Tax collectors also came to be baptized. They said, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13To them he said, “Collect no more than what you were authorized to.” 14Soldiers were also asking him, “And what should we do?” He told them, “Do not extort money from anyone by force or false accusation. Be satisfied with your wages.” 15The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John could be the Christ. 16John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But someone mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will thoroughly clean out his threshing floor. He will gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18Then with many other words, he appealed to them and was preaching good news to the people.
God's unique advertising campaign prepares us for His ultimate product: Salvation through His Son Jesus.
Luke 3:1-6 (EHV)
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene— 2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. 3He went into the whole region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4Just as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: A voice of one calling in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord! Make his paths straight. 5Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be made low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth. 6And everyone will see the salvation of God.”
Tensions arise when the real Jesus is different than the Jesus we want Him to be.
Luke 19:28-40
After Jesus had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29As he came near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples ahead, 30saying, “Go to the village ahead of you. When you enter it, you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you will say this: ‘The Lord needs it.’”
32Those who were sent ahead went and found things just as he had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34They said, “The Lord needs it.”
35Then they brought the colt to Jesus. They threw their robes on the colt and set Jesus on it. 36As he went along, people spread their robes on the road. 37As he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began to praise God joyfully, with a loud voice, for all the miracles they had seen, 38saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39Some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40He replied, “I tell you, if these people would be silent, the stones would cry out.”
What lessons can we learn from how God's people gave thanks throughout history?
History that is covered in this podcast: The First Thanksgiving Cain & Abel (Genesis 4:2-5a) Thanksgiving after the Flood Noah & His Family (Genesis 8:15-22 & 9:12-15) Thanksgiving at the Harvest Ruth & Boaz (Ruth 2:2-9) Thanksgiving in the Gospels Jesus & the Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-19) Thanksgiving in the Epistles Paul & Timothy (1 Timothy 6:6-10) The first civil Thanksgiving Proclamation Governor William Bradford (1623) Thanksgiving is Nationally and Annually Celebrated Abraham Lincoln (October 3, 1863)
All readings from the Evangelical Heritage Version. Music by the Martin Luther College Choir Casting Nets Podcast can be found at: castingnets.fireside.fm
Three things a blind beggar teaches us about the Christian life:
He sees what isn’t obvious. He discovers how to get Jesus’s attention. His faith makes him well. .
Matthew 10:46-52 (EHV)
46They came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, a blind man, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road begging. 47When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48Many told him to be quiet, but he kept shouting all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!” 50He tossed aside his outer garment, jumped up, and went to Jesus. 51“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man replied, “Rabboni, I want to see again.” 52Jesus told him, “Go. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight and began following Jesus on the road.
Pastor Peter Zaferos, pastor at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and the Bay Area Life Center, was our mission speaker.
Matthew 25:31-46 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
When people say they are blessed by God, what are they looking at in their lives as proof of this?
Matthew 5:1-12 (EHV) 1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Pastor begins by explaining a Latin phrased used during the Reformation: Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum (“Word of the Lord Remains Forever”) He also talks about how the Word does remain, no matter what, and that it remains to do a purpose that matters.
Mark 13:5–11 (EHV)
5Jesus began by telling them, “Be careful that no one deceives you. 6Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.
7“Whenever you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled. Such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8In fact, nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. 9But be on your guard! People will hand you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand in the presence of rulers and kings for my sake as a witness to them. 10And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11Whenever they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand what you should say. Say whatever is given to you in that hour, because you will not be the ones speaking; instead it will be the Holy Spirit.”
How we view our possessions reflects on how we view our God. There are two dangerous extremes to avoid, overestimating ourselves and underestimating God.
Mark 10:17-37 (EHV)
17As Jesus was setting out on a journey, one man ran up to him and knelt in front of him. He asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God. 19You know the commandments. ‘You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony. You shall not defraud. Honor your father and mother.’” 20The man replied, “Teacher, I have kept all these since I was a child.” 21Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22When he heard this, he looked sad and went away grieving, because he had great wealth. 23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” 24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus told them again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in their riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26They were even more astonished and said to one another, “Who then can be saved?” 27Jesus looked at them and said, “For people, it is impossible, but not for God, because all things are possible for God.”
The image of God, displayed in Adam and Eve, lost through their sin, given to us in Word and Sacrament, changes how we view the world and empowers us to live as the family of God.
Genesis 2:18-24 (EHV)
18The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is a suitable partner for him.” 19Out of the soil the Lord God had formed every wild animal and every bird of the sky, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them. Whatever the man called every living creature, that became its name. 20The man gave names to all the livestock, and to the birds of the sky, and to every wild animal, but for Adam no helper was found who was a suitable partner for him. 21The Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. As the man slept, the Lord God took a rib and closed up the flesh where it had been. 22The Lord God built a woman from the rib that he had taken from the man and brought her to the man.
23The man said, “Now this one is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. She will be called “woman,” because she was taken out of man. 24For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and will remain united with his wife, and they will become one flesh.“
If Only... a sermon that Pastor rerecorded in his office due to a bad sermon recording in worship.
Numbers 11:16;24-26
16So the Lord said to Moses, “Gather seventy men from the elders of Israel for me, men whom you know to be elders and officers for the people. Take them to the Tent of Meeting and make them stand there with you.”24Moses went out and told the people the Lord’s words. He gathered seventy men from the elders of the people and had them stand all around the tent. 25The Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him. He took from the Spirit that was on Moses and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did not do it again. 26Two men, however, remained in the camp. The name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other was Medad. They were listed among the elders, but they had not gone out to the tent. The Spirit rested on them, and they prophesied back in the camp. 27A young man ran and reported this to Moses. He said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!” 28Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide from his youth, answered, “My lord Moses, stop them!” 29Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? If only all of the Lord’s people were prophets so that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”
Nothing lasts forever...unless Jesus makes an eternal covenant. Discover what this eternal covenant means for you right now and for the life to come. Sermon preached for the closing of St. Paul's in Greenleaf.
Hebrews 13:20-21
20 Now may the God of peace—who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, in connection with his blood, which established the eternal testament— 21 may he equip you with every good thing to do his will, as he works in us what is pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Pastor counts himself among the weary. Listen to the Word from Isaiah that sustains those who are weary.
Isaiah 50:4-10 4The Lord God gave me a tongue like the learned, an instructed tongue, so I know how to sustain the weary with a word. He wakes me up morning by morning. He wakes up my ears so that I listen like the learned. 5The Lord God opened my ear, and I myself was not rebellious. I did not turn back. 6I submitted my back to those who beat me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from disgrace and from spit. 7The Lord God will help me, so I will not be disgraced. Therefore I have made my face hard like flint. I know that I will not be put to shame. 8The one who will acquit me is near! Who can accuse me? Let us take our stand. Who can pass judgment on me? Let him approach me. 9Look, the Lord God will help me. Who then can declare me guilty? Look, all of them will wear out like a garment. A moth will consume them. 10Who among you worships the Lord and listens to the voice of his servant? Anyone who walks in darkness and who has no bright light— let him trust in the name of the Lord, and let him lean on his God.
Put Your Worries Where They Belong! 1. On the Lord's Powerful Shoulders. 2. In His Loving Hands.
Commas save lives, and make the difference.
Ephesians 6:10-17 (Evangelical Heritage Version) 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand against the schemes of the Devil. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13For this reason, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to take a stand on the evil day and, after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand, then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness fastened in place, 15and with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace tied to your feet like sandals. 16At all times hold up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. 17Also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Strong connection between baptism, your life, and your marriage. Daniel and Danielle were also baptized today.
Ephesians 5:21-31 (Evangelical Heritage Version) 21 …and by submitting to one another in reverence for Christ. 22Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he himself is the Savior. 24Moreover, as the church submits to Christ, so also wives are to submit to their husbands in everything. 25Husbands, love your wives, in the same way as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, by cleansing her with the washing of water in connection with the Word. 27He did this so that he could present her to himself as a glorious church, having no stain or wrinkle or any such thing, but so that she would be holy and blameless. 28In the same way, husbands have an obligation to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29To be sure, no one has ever hated his own body, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30because we are members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones. 31“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will be one flesh.”
Go from the most depressing introduction to a conclusion some said was very inspiring.
Ephesians 5:15-20 (Evangelical Heritage Version) 15Consider carefully, then, how you walk, not as unwise people, but as wise people. 16Make the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17For this reason, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk on wine, which causes you to lose control. Instead, be filled with the Spirit 19by speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (singing and making music with your hearts to the Lord), 20by always giving thanks for everything to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A visible church is united as one with Christ as the head. How does our reaction to anger disrupt that unity and grieve the Holy Spirit?
Ephesians4:30-5:2 (Evangelical Heritage Version) 30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of every kind of bitterness, rage, anger, quarreling, and slander, along with every kind of malice. 32Instead, be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one other, just as God in Christ has forgiven us. 5:1Therefore, be imitators of God as his dearly loved children. 2And walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
What leads to true bliss?
Pastor tries doing a podcast and a video at the same time .Videos can be found at Immanuel Shirley
Ephesians4:17-24 (Evangelical Heritage Version) 17So I tell you this and testify to it in the Lord: Do not walk any longer as the Gentiles walk, in their futile way of thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, due to the hardness of their hearts. 19Because they have no sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality, with an ever-increasing desire to practice every kind of impurity. 20But you did not learn Christ in that way, 21if indeed you have heard of him and were taught in him (since the truth is in Jesus). 22As far as your former way of life is concerned, you were taught to take off the old self, which is corrupted by its deceitful desires, 23and to be renewed continually in the spirit of your mind, 24and to put on the new self, which has been created to be like God in righteousness and true holiness
What binds a visible church together? The same thing that builds it up. It takes work keeping God's visible church together, but we are given gifts to both keep it together and build it up.
Ephesians 4:1-7;11-16 (Evangelical Heritage Version) As a prisoner in the Lord, therefore, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called. 2Live with all humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in the one hope of your calling. 5There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all. 7But to each one of us grace was given, according to the measure of the gift from Christ. 11He himself gave the apostles, as well as the prophets, as well as the evangelists, as well as the pastors and teachers, 12for the purpose of training the saints for the work of serving, in order to build up the body of Christ. 13This is to continue until we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, resulting in a mature man with a stature reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ. 14The goal is that we would no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, when people use tricks and invent clever ways to lead us astray. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we would in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head. 16From him the whole body, being joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows in accordance with Christ’s activity when he measured out each individual part. He causes the growth of the body so that it builds itself up in love. God Builds His Community In Christ, God Called You to Be a Part of this Community. In Christ, God Gives Gifts to Build this Community Up.
When God builds His Church, some walls have to come down. Find out which ones.
Ephesians 2:13-22 (Evangelical Heritage Version) 13But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14For he himself is our peace. He made the two groups one by destroying the wall of hostility that divided them 15when he abolished the law of commandments and regulations in his flesh. He did this to create in himself one new person out of the two, in this way making peace. 16And he did this to reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by putting the hostility to death on it. 17He also came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19So then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household. 20You have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the Cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22In him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
"Why me?" Predestination is a Biblical truth: God made a choice before He created the world. What was the choice, and why does it include you?
Ephesians 1:3-14 (Evangelical Heritage Version) 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.4He did this when he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ. He did this in accordance with the good purpose of his will, 6and for the praise of his glorious grace, which he has graciously given us in the one he loves.7In him we also have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in keeping with the riches of his grace, 8which he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight. 9He made known to us the mystery of his will in keeping with his good purpose, which he planned in Christ. 10This was to be carried out when the time had fully come, in order to bring all things together in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth.11In him we have also obtained an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in keeping with the purpose of his will. 12He did this so that his glory would be praised as a result of us, who were the first to hope in Christ.13In him, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and in him, when you also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14He is the down payment of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own possession, so that his glory would be praised. You are Blessed but not Special. God chose you in Christ. The Holy Spirit Seals you in Christ
Keep a clear head. What does that mean biblically? Discover how God's Word equips you to free the illusions in your life and free you from things that drag you down, both of which keep you from doing what God has called you to do.
1 Timothy 3:10-4:5 (EHV) 10But you have faithfully followed my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfast endurance, 11my persecutions, my sufferings—the kind that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, the kind of persecutions I endured—and the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12Indeed, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14As for you, continue in the things you have learned and about which you have become convinced. You know from whom you learned them 15and that from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and for training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be complete, well equipped for every good work. 4:1I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom: 2Preach the word. Be ready whether it is convenient or not. Correct, rebuke, and encourage, with all patience and teaching. 3For there will come a time when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, because they have itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in line with their own desires. 4They will also turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5As for you, keep a clear head in every situation. Bear hardship. Do the work of an evangelist. Fulfill your ministry.
"God bless America." Either it's used as a throwaway tagline in political speeches, or used as a club as if God only blesses our country if we collectively elect this person or pass that law. Why do you think God blesses America? Discover why God blesses any country, and it's not for the reasons people typically think. The reasons why God blesses countries like America is because Christian are in it and Christians pray for it.
Psalm 33:12-22 How blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose to be his possession. 13 From heaven the Lord observes. He sees all the children of Adam. 14 From his throne room he looks at all the inhabitants of earth. 15 He alone is the one who shapes all their hearts. He understands all their deeds. 16 No king is saved by the great size of his army. No hero is rescued by his great strength. 17 You cannot rely on a horse to save you. Its great strength will not deliver you. 18 Look, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who wait for his mercy. 19 He will deliver their souls from death. He keeps them alive in famine. 20 Our souls wait for the Lord. He is our help and our shield. 21 Yes, in him our heart rejoices, because we trust in his holy name. 22 May your mercy, O Lord, be on us, even as we wait confidently for you.
God's message for the world needs a messenger, that is, you. Fortunately, the message you share is a message you cherish.
2 Corinthians 5:14-21
14For the love of Christ compels us, because we came to this conclusion: One died for all; therefore, all died. 15And he died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves but for him, who died in their place and was raised again. 16As a result, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we knew Christ according to the flesh, we no longer know him that way. 17So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. The new has come! 18And all these things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 19That is, God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them. And he has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation. 20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, inasmuch as God is making an appeal through us. We urge you, on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him, who did not know sin, to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
Dads and their tools, but which is better, to be a tool (pun alert!) or to be an operator of that tool? Pastor uses the tool/operator question to help unpack 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, a passage that tells us more than our longing to be in heaven, but how we get there, and what should be our worldview until we arrive there.
2 Corinthians 5:1-10 Now we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal home in heaven, which is not made by human hands. 2In fact, the reason we groan is that we long to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven. 3If we do indeed put it on, we will certainly not be found naked. 4To be sure, while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as the down payment. 6Therefore we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord, 7for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8But we are confident and would much prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9And for this reason we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home or away. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he did while in the body, whether good or bad.
It's Not About You.
2 Corinthians 4:5-12 Indeed, we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For the God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” is the same one who made light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the person of Jesus Christ. 7We hold this treasure in clay jars to show that its extraordinary power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not despairing; 9persecuted, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of the Lord Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11To be sure, while we are living we are continually being handed over to death because of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12So then, death is working in us, but life is working in you.
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Pentecost Power comes from the Word 1. It has a power to bring life to those who are dead. 2. It has the power to give hope to those who are hopeless.
Ezekiel 37:1-14 (EHV) The hand of the LORD was upon me. He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of a valley, which was full of bones. 2He had me pass through them and go all over among them. There were very many on the valley floor, and they were very dry. 3He said to me, “Son of man, can these dry bones live?” I answered, “LORD God, you know.” 4Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.’” 5This is what the LORD God says to these bones. I am about to make breath enter you so that you will live. 6I will attach tendons to you. I will put flesh back on you. I will cover you with skin and put breath in you, and you will live. Then you will know that I am the LORD. 7So I prophesied as I had been commanded, and as I was prophesying there was a noise, a rattling, as the bones came together, one bone connecting to another. 8As I watched, tendons were attached to them, then flesh grew over them, and skin covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the wind. Prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind that this is what the LORD God says. From the four winds, come, O wind, and breathe into these slain so that they may live.” 10So I prophesied as he commanded me. Breath entered them, and they came back to life. They stood on their feet, a very, very large army. 11Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They are saying, ‘Our bones are dried up. Our hope is lost. We have been completely cut off.’ 12Therefore, prophesy and say to them that this is what the LORD God says. My people, I am going to open your graves and raise you up from your graves and bring you back to the soil of Israel. 13Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and raise you up from your graves, O my people. 14I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live. I will settle you on your own land, and you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.”
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Confirmation of Elijah And David
1:21 Elijah "Why I want to be a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church." 4:26 David: "Why I am glad to be a Christian" 7:19 Prayer by congregation and Rite of Confirmation 9:53 Sermon "Equipped with Power"
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Relationships take effort to maintain, and a relationship with Jesus is no different. Discover why remaining with Jesus, the true vine, has benefits for you today. Listen to a sermon from John 15:1-8
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Your good shepherd helps you face your fear. a Sermon from John 10:11-16
Music by our organist and the Bell choir.
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Are you a person who gives people a second chance? Pastor gives 5 main reasons why we should give Thomas another look. He's courageous He's a thinker with questions. His rugged individualism finds use for community. His belief in the Risen LORD. When Jesus sends him, he goes.
John 20:19-31 19On the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were together behind locked doors because of their fear of the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you!” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you! Just as the Father has sent me, I am also sending you.” 22After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23Whenever you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven. Whenever you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” 24But Thomas, one of the Twelve, the one called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26After eight days, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Take your hand and put it into my side. Do not continue to doubt, but believe.” 28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30Jesus, in the presence of his disciples, did many other miraculous signs that are not written in this book. 31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Music by our organist and the Bell choir.
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Sermon and special music from our Easter Festival Service: Bell Choir plays "I know that my Redeemer Lives" and "Easter Hymn" and the Festival Choir sings, "Jesus Christ is Risen Today."
1 Corinthians 15:19-20 19If our hope in Christ applies only to this life, we are the most pitiful people of all. 20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
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IMG 2021
Let's take a look at all those who were there to see the nail-pierced hands.
Luke 23:32-34 32 Two other men, who were criminals, were led away with Jesus to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on his right and the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
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The Praise of Palm Sunday reveals the types of praising we will do in the new heaven and earth, and it's not all about singing.
Mark 11:1-11
11 As they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2 and told them, “Go into the village ahead of you. As soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it, and he will send it back here without delay.’” 4 They left and found a colt on the street, tied at a door; and they untied it. 5 Some who were standing there asked them, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 The disciples answered them just as Jesus had instructed them, and the men let them go. 7 They brought the colt to Jesus, threw their garments on it, and Jesus sat on it. 8 Many people spread their garments on the road. Others spread branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 Those who went in front and those who followed were crying out,Hosanna! blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!7b10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest! 11 Jesus went into the temple courts in Jerusalem and looked around at everything. Since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
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God makes contracts with humanity. Is it time to renegotiate your contract with God? Too late, he already re-negotiated, and it's a better deal for you.
Jeremiah 31:31-34 (EHV)
31Yes, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers, when I took them by the hand and led them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant of mine, although I was a husband to them, declares the Lord. 33But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put my law in their minds, and I will write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34No longer will each one teach his neighbor, or each one teach his brother, saying, “Know the Lord,” because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord, for I will forgive their guilt, and I will remember their sins no more.
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This sermon was preached on the day we remembered the 1 year anniversary of the pandemic shutdown. An emotionally charged day that needed this reminder of God's grace.
Numbers 21:4-9 (EHV)
They set out from Mount Hor along the road to the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom, but the people became very impatient along the way. The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? Look, there is no food! There is no water! And we are disgusted by this worthless food!”
The Lord sent venomous snakes among the people, and the snakes bit the people. As a result many people from Israel died. The people went to Moses and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord to take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed on behalf of the people.
The Lord said to Moses, “Make a venomous snake and put it on a pole. If anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” Moses made a bronze snake and put it on the pole. If a snake had bitten anyone, if that person looked at the bronze snake, he lived.
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What is often missing from our understanding of the 10 commandments?
Exodus 20:1-17 (EHV)
Then God spoke all these words: 2I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt, where you were slaves. 3You shall have no other gods beside me. 4You shall not make any carved image for yourself or a likeness of anything in heaven above, or on the earth below, or in the waters under the earth. 5Do not bow down to them or be subservient to them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God. I follow up on the guilt of the fathers with their children, their grandchildren, and their great-grandchildren, if they also hate me. 6But I show mercy to thousands who love me and keep my commandments. 7You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not permit anyone who misuses his name to escape unpunished. 8Remember the Sabbath day by setting it apart as holy. 9Six days you are to serve and do all your regular work, 10but the seventh day shall be a sabbath rest to the Lord your God. Do not do any regular work, neither you, nor your sons or daughters, nor your male or female servants, nor your cattle, nor the alien who is residing inside your gates, 11for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. In this way the Lord blessed the seventh day and made it holy. 12Honor your father and your mother so that you may spend many days on the land that the Lord your God is giving to you. 13You shall not commit murder. 14You shall not commit adultery. 15You shall not steal. 16You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.
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Thank God in These Circumstances? Really?
Philippians 4:12-13 12 I know what it is to live in humble circumstances, and I know what it is to have more than enough. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, while being full or hungry, while having plenty or not enough. 13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
What to do when God doesn't make sense. Why does God ask for sacrifices from us when He has everything?
Genesis 22:1-18 (EHV)
Some time later God tested Abraham. He called to him, “Abraham!” Abraham answered, “I am here.” 2God said, “Now take your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains there, the one to which I direct you.” 3Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, along with Isaac his son. Abraham split the wood for the burnt offering. Then he set out to go to the place that God had told him about. 4On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go on over there. We will worship, and then we will come back to you.” 6Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and loaded it on Isaac his son. He took the firepot and the knife in his hand. The two of them went on together. 7Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father?” He said, “I am here, my son.” He said, “Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8Abraham said, “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them went on together. 9They came to the place that God had told him about. Abraham built the altar there. He arranged the wood, tied up Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. 10Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11The Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” Abraham said, “I am here.” 12He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy. Do not do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13Abraham looked around and saw that behind him there was a ram caught in the thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14Abraham called the name of that place “The Lord Will Provide.” So it is said to this day, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” 15The Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16and said, “I have sworn by myself, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17I will bless you greatly, and I will multiply your descendants greatly, like the stars of the sky and like the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the city gates of their enemies. 18In your seed all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
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We compare the Glory of God shone on Mt. Sinai, Mt. of Transfiguration (wherever that is), and Mt. Calvary. Where else does the glory of God shine?
Mark 9:2-9(EHV)
2After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him and led them up a high mountain where they were alone by themselves. There he was transfigured in front of them. 3His clothes became radiant, dazzling white, whiter than anyone on earth could bleach them. 4And Elijah appeared to them together with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6He did not know what to say because they were terrified. 7A cloud appeared and overshadowed them, and a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him.” 8Suddenly when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus alone. 9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
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God is not ignorant of suffering, he addresses the darkness. Jesus uses the word to address sin's problems and uses the word to stay on course.
Mark 1:29-39 (EHV) 29They left the synagogue and went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed, sick with a fever. Without delay they told Jesus about her. 31He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32That evening, when the sun had set, the people kept bringing to him all who were sick and demon-possessed. 33The whole town gathered at the door. 34He healed many people who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. But he did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who he was. 35Jesus got up early in the morning, while it was still dark, and went out. He withdrew to a solitary place and was praying there. 36Simon and his companions searched for him, 37and, when they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is looking for you!” 38He told them, “Let’s go somewhere else, to the neighboring villages, so that I can preach there too. In fact, that is why I have come.” 39Then he went throughout the whole region of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. If you have any questions or comments, contact Pastor.
What does a demon heckling Jesus teach us about being a Jesus follower.
Mark 1:21-28 (EHV) 21Then they went into Capernaum. On the next Sabbath day, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22They were amazed at his teaching, because he was teaching them as one who has authority and not as the experts in the law. 23Just then there was a man with an unclean spirit in their synagogue. It cried out, 24“What do we have to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25Jesus rebuked the spirit, saying, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” 26The unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions, and after crying out with a loud voice, it came out of him. 27Everyone was so amazed that they began to discuss this with each other. They said, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He even commands the unclean spirits, and they obey him!” 28News about him spread quickly through all the region of Galilee.
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Love, Hate, and the COVID vaccine. Pastor Ruddat walks us through the ethical dilemmas we are facing whether we take or don't take the various COVID vaccines.
1 John 3:11-18 (EHV) 11 This is the message you have heard from the beginning: Love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the Evil One and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own works were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have crossed over from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. 16 This is how we have come to know love: Jesus laid down his life for us. And we also should lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 Whoever has worldly wealth and sees his brother in need but closes his heart against him—how can God’s love remain in him? 18 Dear children, let us love not only with word or with our tongue, but also in action and truth.
This was the insert in the bulletin Pastor referenced. Christian LIfe Resources statement on COVID vaccines
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When God Tears Open the Heavens... If God tears open the heavens without Jesus, there is only judgment. With Jesus there is salvation.
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God's secret of his love is revealed throughout history and today.
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Pastor is not a fan of New Year's resolutions, but he is a fan of self-improvement. A great example of a person whose life was greatly improved was the Apostle Peter, who teaches us a system to improve our lives.
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Christmas message from Luke 2. Music by Immanuel's Bell Choir ("What Child is this?" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing")
WE STILL CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS It actually happened It actually gives comfort
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Even Christians can have trouble finding joy during the Christmas season. Discover the joy God has for you as He gives you His gifts in Isaiah 35:1-10.
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A textual sermon from Isaiah 40:1-11
The way to the Savior is one of comfort The way to the Savior is prepared by God's messengers The way to the Savior also leads to an everlasting inheritance.
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A sermon from Psalm 65. Always a reason to Praise God. He redeems, He creates, He provides.
Psalm 65 (EHV) Praise waits for you, O God, in Zion. To you vows will be fulfilled. 2 You who hear prayer, to you all mortals will come. 3 The record of my guilt overpowered me. You atone for our rebellious acts. 4 How blessed is the one you choose and bring near! He will dwell in your courtyards. We will be satisfied by the goodness of your house, by the holiness of your temple. 5 In righteousness you answer us with awesome deeds, O God who saves us. He is trusted by all the farthest ends of the earth and the sea. 6 He establishes the mountains by his power. He has wrapped himself with strength. 7 He stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the peoples. 8 Those living at the ends of the earth fear your signs. From sunrise to sunset you let them shout for joy. 9 You visit the earth and water it. You make it very rich. God’s stream is filled with water. You provide grain for them, just as you planned. 10 You drench the land’s furrows. You flatten its plowed ground. You soften it with showers. You bless its crops. 11 You crown the year with your goodness. The tracks made by your carts overflow with riches. 12 The pastures of the wilderness drip. The hills are wrapped with joy. 13 The meadows are clothed with flocks. The valleys are dressed with grain. They shout for joy. Yes! They sing.
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A sermon from Philippians 4:8-9. When Thanksgiving is painful, when thanksgiving is just another beautiful tradition that 2020 has destroyed, discover a different outlook from the Apostle Paul. His words stand ready for those who are discouraged, disappointed, and just plain out of gas.
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A sermon from Matthew 25:1-13. In a world of multiple realities, the Christian watches for Christ's return. This is the reality that matters.
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A sermon from Matthew 25:31-46. If you read the last page of the story of humanity, imagine how it will help you today with your current page of your human history. The last page of human history also has two narratives for the same turn of events.
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A sermon from All Saints Day, about what it means that the saints in heaven and the saints on earth have a loving heavenly Father.
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“A Mighty Fortress is our God” known as the battle hymn of the Reformation. Martin Luther based this hymn on the words of Psalm 46:1-3. The Hymn and the psalm are rich in imagery and symbolism, calling to mind images of strength and security and solidness. These images give the believer a comforting picture of God. Discover the comfort and the history behind this popular hymn.
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As citizens of this country we hold ourselves to certain ideals, ideals such as are stated in the Declaration of Independence, that all human beings are created equal, with the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Throughout our history the citizens of this nation did not live up to those ideals, but we still held on to them. Each Christian citizen of this nation is shaped by another citizenship, our citizenship in the Kingdom of God, with its own set of ideals. Paul's words in Philippians 3:12-21 help us keep our citizenships in both of these kingdoms in balance.
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Special service of Word and prayer due to members of our church family, extended church family, and our community, who are dealing with Covid. Podcast includes the introduction to the service, a sermon from Matthew 21:28-32, and a prayers for:
Our country All health care workers Those in our church family, extended church family, and community, who have COVID. (prayers requested or pastor sought permission for) Teachers in all our schools, and families. Family of Orval Gutzman. The funeral for Orval Gutzman was held this past Wednesday.
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Sermon from Matthew 20:1-16 Is God fair? Do you struggle wondering if God is treating you fairly? We talk about God's grace and His fairness.
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Sermon from Romans 14:5-8. How can we exist as a group of believers if some of us vote differently than others? What does true diversity in a church look like? How does a Christian come to any conclusions about matters neither commanded or forbidden (adiaphora)?
The Roman Christians were given these two principles to guide them in their issues of adiaphora. 1. Be fully convinced of your choice 2. Be fully accepting of a different choice by another Christian.
Listen to discover how these principles applied to the Roman Christians and how we can apply the same principles when it comes to Christianity and politics. If you have any questions, comment below or contact Pastor.
Sermon from Romans 13:1-10. The election is 40 days away. Is our life over if the other side wins? Listen to Pastor Ruddat as he explains Paul's life-changing message on serving our government and our neighbor.
Sermon from Romans 12:1-8. What makes your worship a transformational experience? We look at why God's mercy transforms our public and private worship lives.
A sermon from Romans 11:13-15, 28-32. Two Things God (and You) Should Not Regret: 1. Provoking In Order to Save 2. Showing Mercy
A sermon from Romans 9:1-5. To save those who don’t think they are drowning, throw them the right lifeline.
A sermon from Romans 8:35-39. We all are dealing with the concepts of separation and safety these days. Romans is ready to comfort and encourage us.
Sermon from Romans 8:28-30. Discover what God’s plan is for you, and how He works to carry out that plan. Also, Pastor talks about a question that can shipwreck a Christian's faith.
Sermon from Romans 8:26-27 Find out how the Holy Spirit makes your next prayer the greatest prayer you have ever prayed.
Sermon from Romans 8:18-25 Do we have anything to look forward to? What future do we present to others as we talk to them about Jesus?
Sermon from Romans 7:15-25. Talks about the trap that Satan sets for us that prevents us from sharing Jesus and God’s Word that helps us overcome that trap.
Sermon from Romans 6:1-11 where the Apostle Paul changes our worldview as look at ourselves.
Sermon from Romans 5:12-15. This sermon Talks about the great reversal that happened to every human being on planet earth, regardless of race. This great reversal also affects how we look at every human being on planet earth.
This was a confirmation sermon entitled, “A Changed Relationship: What you have now, and what you share now.” This sermon, based on Romans 5:6-11, highlights the changed relationship Christians have with God. Also, Pastor talks about snowmobiling.
What happens when our expectations and our Christian faith collide? Sermon from Romans 4:18-25