No One Ever Hated His Own Flesh…
“No one ever hated his own flesh but nourishes and cherishes it…” I preached this sermon for the Matins service for our conference on Life Issues focusing on transgenderism. The conference began with a Matins service and ended with a Vespers service because no matter what the topic or conference, we believe that the Word of God must be priority. We had…
A Small Catechism on Human Life
Over the summer we’ve been considering Luther’s Small Catechism and how God’s Word teaches us how we should view “Human Life.” This catechism has life and eternal life as its main subject. And when we Christians contemplate life both here and in eternity, when we are contemplating faithfully we will always be led to Jesus who himself said,…
Absolution, God’s Antidote to Evil
There are many ways to react to evil and sin. Many try to distance themselves from their sins when they get caught, “Oh that’s not truly who I am.” They try to claim that their sins don’t belong to them while standing with their proverbial hand in the cookie jar. The sin is still present. It is still having its desired effect on those who sinned…
The Ascenion Of Jesus
“[W]hat is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the…
“I believe in… The Holy Christian Church”
This month we will celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord on Easter Sunday, April 17th. The resurrection of Jesus is the basis and foundation of our belief that Jesus is the 2nd person of the Holy Trinity, the Son of God. The resurrection of Jesus is our justification before God. We confess this…
Μαρτυρία (maruria) – Martyr; Witness
The apostle John begins his account of the gospel of Jesus Christ with this word describing John the Baptist in Chapter 1 verse 7, ” He came as a witness(Μαρτυρία), to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.” John the Baptist was a martyr in the true sense…
Lord to Whom Shall We Go?
Words have meanings. Back in 2015 the Supreme Court decided that states had to recognize same sex marriages as valid marriages. In essence, the Supreme Court decided to redefine marriage. The meaning of marriage was changed. Many Christians were mocked for standing against this ruling. We were labeled as haters. Even well meaning Christians said, “Why not just let…
Epiphany – To Reveal; A Manifestation
On January 6 the church celebrates Epiphany. This is the celebration marking the revealing of who Jesus is, true man and true God. On Epiphany we hear about the Wise Men who come to worship Jesus in great joy, but we also hear about King Herod who was not overly joyful at the birth of Jesus. This is how it is with God becoming flesh and coming into the world. John says it…
Christianity Has a Better Story
The Christian Thanksgiving Meal: “Eucharista”
The Reformation: Rooted in Pastoral Care
In Sunday School we are walking through The Augsburg Confession. The reason for this is because the AC (Augsburg Confession) is actually a great Bible Study tool. More than just a historical document, the authors of the AC show that everyday life really is connected to the Word of God in many ways. In fact this was the basis for the writing the AC and the Reformation as a…
COVID Vaccine: To Get It Or Not?
Some employers are requiring vaccines or asking employees why they would like an exemption from being required to receive the current vaccines on the market. It is a strange time when health decisions have become so divisive. The question then is, “Why would I get the vaccine?” or conversely “Why would I not get the vaccine?” Our world moves at…