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"Fear of Drowning"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 4:35-41
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 4:35-41
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When we feel like we are drowning in the problems of life, it's easy to fall into the trap of believing that God doesn't care what's happening to us. The disciples were filled with fear as their boat was being swamped in the storm and Jesus was asleep in the back. "Do you not care that we are perishing?" they cried. He did care and came to their rescue. He cares about us and has come to our rescue by dying for our sins and rising again. He continues to care about us, even in the midst of our "storms." His Word will provide the comfort and strength to deal with whatever is going on and, when we are afraid of drowning in our problems, Jesus has shown that he has it in his hands and will bring us through it.
"The Seed of the Church"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 4:26-34
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 4:26-34
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The Church doesn't "grow" through the plans, programs and surveys done by man. It grows by the Means God has given to it: Word and Sacrament. We don't always understand how God works through these means, and often doubt that He does, so we resort to helping Him in our own way. But true growth is not determined by numbers - either people in the pews or an overflowing treasury. It grows in the hearts and live of people connected to Christ and His forgiveness for our sins. So rather than sit and worry how God will act, we just proclaim truthfully His Word and let the Gospel do its work in the world.
"Naked and Afraid" 2nd Sun. After Pentecost
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Genesis 3:8-15
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Genesis 3:8-15
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As Adam and Eve hid themselves from God after their rebellion and loss of innocence, because they were "naked and afraid," so fallen man of all times ries to cover our sin and hide from God. We hide by avoiding church, prayer, Bible reading and anything else that would expose us. We hid in the things of this world. When God confronts us, we blame everyone else for our sin and, thus, prolong the time it would take to receive the forgiveness of God. Yet, even with the curse that God pronounced on Adam and Eve, and creation itself, He promised a Savior who would come from the woman's seed and crush the serpent's head (i.e. the Devil) by giving his life for ours. It is in Christ that the nakedness of our sin is covered in His righteousness and we will stand before God, not naked and afraid, but clothed and joyful.
"Can These Bones Live?" Day of Pentecost
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Ezekiel 37:1-14
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Ezekiel 37:1-14
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The Word of the Lord that Ezekiel proclaimed through the Spirit to those dry bones, which brought them back to life was a picture of God's action that would restore life to Israel in the Babylonian Captivity. What would be impossible for man is possible for God. He would put His Spirit in them again and they will live. So through the ages: God's Holy Spirit works through the Word of God, calling us "through the Gospel, enlightening us with His gifts, sanctifying and keeping us in the one true faith" which is in Jesus. Though the circumstances of these last couple of years have us feeling scattered and dead, God makes us alive again and will reconnect us to one another as His holy people.
"Far Above All" The Ascension of Our Lord
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Ephesians 1:15-23
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Ephesians 1:15-23
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When God the Father exercised His great power to raise Jesus from the dead and then seat Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, God did not take Jesus away from us. Instead, by His ascension, Jesus is nearer to all His Christians of every time and place than if He were still here on earth as He had been two thousand years ago. Now being far above all things with the name that is above every name, Jesus comes to us in His Word and Sacraments. He rules over His whole church and fills all things. The Ascension of Christ does not mean He is far away from us, but is very near to all of us always.
"Friends of Jesus" 6th Sun. of Easter
Pastor Lee Wenskay
John 15:9-17
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Pastor Lee Wenskay
John 15:9-17
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Jesus constantly and completely abides in His Father's love. He constantly and completely loves us, to even die for us. His command to us who are His friends is to abide in His love and to love one another.
"Connected to Christ" 5th Sun. of Easter
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 15:1-8
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 15:1-8
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Jesus makes a strong analogy a branch that is severed from the vine being powerless to produce fruit and a person who lacks connection to Christ being equally powerless to produce spiritual fruit. The fruit of a branch only comes from the life flowing into it from the vine. So Christ's life must flow into us by our connection to Him through His Word and Sacraments. To be severed from these things while claiming to still be connected to Christ is a contradiction. A living, fruitful faith must come from a lving connection to the life of Christ flowing into us, otherwise we remain unfruitful, fit only to be cast off into the fire.
"What the World Needs Now" 4th Sun. of Easter
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
1 John 3:16-24
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
1 John 3:16-24
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In a world full of rancor, violence, hatred and death, many long for love. But what kind of love can truly make a difference? John says" This is how we know love, He [Christ] laid down His life for us." The willfull, sacrificial love Christ has for fallen sinners is what can truly change the world, especially as that love is lived out toward others by His Christians.
"Holy God; Wholly God" Trinity Sunday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Acts 2:29-33
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Acts 2:29-33
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God did not create us because He was lonely in eternity and incomplete. As a Trinity; one God in three distinct, equal Persons, complete in perfect love and communion, each Person with the others. We were created to have fellowship with God and participate in this love and fellowship with the Trinity. Of course, understanding the nature of the Trinity - that there is only one God, yet "the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God, yet there are not three Gods but one God" is being human comprehension. It can't be explained to the satisfaction of fallen man. Yet this truth is not to be explained, but proclaimed. And this Triune God was invested not only in our creation and preservation, but also in our salvation. As the 2nd Person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, became true Man, he suffered for our salvation and brought about forgiveness of sins and eternal life for all who believe in him. Though now we can't comprehend God fully, we can proclaim him joyfully and know that, when we see him face to face, it will all make perfect sense.
"That's a Fact!" 3rd Sun. of Easter
Pastor Lee Wenskay
Luke 24:36-49
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Pastor Lee Wenskay
Luke 24:36-49
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Many people believing in things as fact even though they are only based on opinions or feelings. Yet when it comes to the resurrection of Christ, many think that it is a belief as opposed to facts or "science." The reality is that the bodily resurrection of Christ is a Fact of history, not an opinion or a feeling. The Scriptures testified to Christ even before His incarnation. You have eyewitness accounts that His resurrection appearances were really, and not a vision or a ghost. The Holy Spirit testifies to the fact of the resurrection. The evidence is in: Jesus, who was crucified for the sins of the world, is risen from the dead. That's a fact to be believed and proclaimed.
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 20:19-31
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 20:19-31
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Thomas wanted proof that Jesus was alive before he would believe the testimony of the other disciples. The problem wasn't his desire to see the risen Lord; it was his demand for proof before he would believe. Jesus gave him that proof, yet Thomas, seeing and hearing his Lord, didn't need to place his finger in the nail marks any longer. Jesus pronounces a blessing on all those throughout the ages who are brought to faith in Him even though they haven't seen Him. To trust in the word of those who saw Jesus accomplish His saving work for mankind and His resurrection is indeed a great blessing.
"Open Tomb; Open Minds" Easter Sunday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Luke 24:36-49
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Luke 24:36-49
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The open tomb and the bodily resurrection of Christ is a glorious thing. Yet, because of the deadness of our human natures, our minds remain closed to this miracle of our salvation. Even if Jesus walked among us today, we would not believe it. Yet, working through the Scriptures, God opens minds to embrace by faith this work Jesus has done for us. Apart from the Word of God, none of it makes sense. But with His Word, it all makes sense to us and we can joyfully proclaim: "Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia!"
"For Us" Good Friday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 53 Selected Verses
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 53 Selected Verses
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In the narcissistic age we live in, people think everything is "about them." But when it comes to Jesus, everything He suffered and endured was "for us." There's a difference. "About us" is an entitlement. "For us" is a gift. We are entitled to be judged and die eternally for our sins. But Christ suffered our judgment and died our death for us that we can have forgiveness and life in Him. So the Scriptures inform us that it's all about Jesus - for us.
"Eating and Drinking With God" Holy Thursday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Exodus 24:3-11
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Exodus 24:3-11
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God came to Israel to establish His covenant with them by means of His Word, which they pledged to follow and keep, and God and the people were committed to each other through the sacrificial blood of the covenant. All the sacrificial blood over the centuries never took away sins, but pointed to both the immensity of sin and its deadly consequences, and to the perfect sacrifice for sin that would be made by the Son of God, Jesus Christ. When Jesus established His "new covenant," it was also by His Word and sealed with His blood. The meal He gave us - The Lord's Supper - is more than just remembering what He did; He gives us His very body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins. Indeed, like Israel of old, in the Lord's Supper we behold God and we eat and drink, and He doesn't lift up His hand against us because we eat and drink forgiveness.
"Alone in the Crowd" Palm Sunday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 12:12-19
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 12:12-19
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The crowds thronged around Jesus believing their Messiah-King had come and would set up His throne in Jerusalem. But Jesus wept over the city, knowing what would happen to it in judgment because of all those who didn't recognize who He really was and what He came to do. Likewise many Christians today are so self-focused in their worship, wanting entertainment, convenience, comfort and a little spiritual jolt, that they also don't recognize the One who comes among them humbly through the means of His Word and Sacraments. He came to Jerusalem to die for our sins. He comes to us having acheived our forgiveness. Indeed, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord" - who is Himself the Lord, and our Redeemer - Jesus Christ.
"It is Finished" Lent 5
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 19:28-30
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 19:28-30
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"It is finished" did not mean that Jesus' life was ended and He could no longer escape death. His cry was one of victory: He had made full atonement for the sins of the world. He achieved all that was necessary to reconcile the Holy God to us fallen sinners. All who still believe they must do something toward their salvation rob themselves of the comfort all that Christ has done. When we finally reach the point of dispair that we will ever be allowed into heaven, we see Jesus upon the cross again saying "It is Finished!" For you. You are forgiven. Believe it,
"The Perfect Son" 5th Sun. in Lent
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Hebrews 5:1-10
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Hebrews 5:1-10
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Obedience when it is comfortable or in keeping with our own desires is easy. But we truly lean the nature of being obedient to another when it entails challenge and sacrifice. In His humanity, Jesus submitted to His heavenly Father's will for our salvation even though it was extremely costly to Him. Because Jesus went to the cross and accomplished everything, He is the perfect source of eternal salvation to all who "obey" Him, which simply is the obedience of faith that trusts in Christ alone and follows in His way. The Perfect Son makes us children of God by faith.
"Away With Him!" Lent 4
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 19:7-16
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 19:7-16
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Convinced of their own righteousness, and despising Jesus and everything He stood for, the religious leaders had Him handed over to Pilate for death. Yet Pilate, pagan though he was, understood Jesus' innocence. Yet the crowds, when offered a chance to save Jesus crid out "Away with Him!" Indeed, that is how our sinful nature operates. When confronted with the holy righteousness of Jesus, we say "away with Him!" Yet, Jesus came to bear our sins and die for them. Through His forgiveness for us, and as the Holy Spirit enables us to believe in Christ as our Redeemer, at that Day of Judgment, He will never say to those who belong to Him: "Away with them!" Thank God for His grace to us in Christ.
"Believe It!" 4th Sun. in Lent
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 3:14-18
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 3:14-18
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Who would think that looking to an object that brings death can give life? It was true in Moses' day when the poinonous serpants were killing the Israelites and God instructed Moses to put a bronze serpant on a pole so whoever was bitten who looks at it will live. It was also true in Jesus' day, and throughout history, that those poisoned by sin and dying in it can look in faith at Jesus who hung upon the cross and have eternal life. To all burdened by guilt, sin and regret, real forgiveness, life and hope can be found only in the Savior who died for all so that, "whoever believes in Him has eternal life."
"What is Truth?" Lent 3
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 18:33-39
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 18:33-39
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Absolute Truth is a rare commodity these days as the world is awash in competing "truths" that are in conflict with each other. When truth claims are advanced, they are often met with skepticism. Pontius Pilate was no different, having become jaded with the culture and world in which he lived. Confronted by Jesus' statement that "everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice," Pilate simply said, "what is truth?" The answer then and now is Jesus. He is the "way, the truth and the life." He is the only One who died for the sins of others that they could be forgiven. He is the only One to conquer death permanently and make us "more than conquerors through Him who loved us." He is the only One who will be the Judge at that final Day of history. He is the only One who can give you eternal life. That's the truth!
"Serious Jesus" 3rd Sun. in Lent
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 2:13-22
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 2:13-22
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In His cleansing of the temple, Jesus was serious that the house of His Father would be treated reverently, and not like a marketplace. In driving out the sacraficial animals and those who sold them, Jesus was overthrowing the old system. He was "The Lamb of God" who would die for the sins of the world. After Him, there would be no more need for sacrifices. This is also a call to repentance when we too often come to the House of God irreverently, seeking only that which will profit us rather than joining with all the heavenly host to receive the gifts of Christ. Jesus is serious about how we come into God's presence - just as He was serious about achieving our salvation.
"Love One Another" Lent 1
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 13:31-35
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 13:31-35
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God's Christians in the Church are called upon to love one another. Love, in this context, means more than just an emotional attachment or affection, though that is always desireable. But love here is the willing care of, and sacrifice for others, especially fellow members of the Body of Christ. It is by this kind of love that the world sees something different in the people of God. But because we are still sinners, that kind of love is difficult if not impossible for us. Yet, as Jesus loved us, so we are to love one another. Jesus is the motivation and the power for this kind of love. It is a reflection of His life in ours. Though our love for others may be imperfect, we still strive to do so for the One who has loved us enough to die for us, and to raise us up on the last day.
"I Am He" Lent 2
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 18:1-9
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 18:1-9
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Led by the traitor Judas, the soldiers sought out Jesus to arrest Him. Yet Jesus met them head on, not to resist them, but to give Himself into their hands to bring about our salvation when He is taken to the cross. In answer to His question of whom were they looking, He answered them "I am He!" His very divinity blasted forth in that statement employing the name of God, and all before Him could not help but drop to the ground. Yet though true God, He came as true Man to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world. Indeed, it is He, Jesus, who is the only Savior of the world.
"Our Hope in Christ" 2nd Sun. in Lent
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Romans 5:1-11
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Romans 5:1-11
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Hope is always an uncertain thing in this world. It is like wishful thinking. Especially when it comes to suffering, we hope never to suffer or, if it should come to us, that it would quickly pass. Yet St. Paul helps us understand that suffering for the Christian is never senseless, but that our dear Lord is using it according to His purposes and for our ultimate good. From suffering in Christ comes endurance which develops our character and gives our hope a solid foundation on the Word and promise of Christ. Here hope is a confidence in these truths that in Christ, "God is for us," so even if the times are uncertain, we are not uncertain regarding our Redeemer and His love for us.
"Symbol/Reality" 1st Sun. in Lent
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Genesis 22:1-8
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Genesis 22:1-8
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The account of Abraham being asked to sacrifice Isaac is indeed a demonstration of remarkable faith in God's Word and promise, demonstrated by both Abraham and Isaac, it really points to God the Father and His Son, Jesus. God did provide the lamb for the sacrifice in place of Isaac. God did provide the Lamb for the sacrifice in our place - Jesus. What God asked of Abraham as a test symbolized what The Father actually did for us in sacrificing His own Son on the cross. The account of Abraham and Isaac is a symbol of the greater reality of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.
"Is It I?" Ash Wednesday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 26:20-25
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 26:20-25
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Jesus' statement that one of the twelve disciples would betray Him sent shock waves among them. Each asked the question, "Is it I?" In reality we are all betrayers of Jesus. We are all the reason why He was crucified. For our sins He willingly went to the cross to reclaim us and make us His own. Though through our sins we continue to betray Him, yet through His crucifixion and resurrection He continues to forgive us and pour His life into us. Though we are "dust, and to dust we shall return," He will raise us up again, glorified forever with Him.
"The Transformer" The Transfiguration of Our Lord
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
2Corinthians 3:12-4:6
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
2Corinthians 3:12-4:6
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As an assurance to His disciples as Jesus had set His face toward Jerusalem and the cross, He was transfigured before the eyes of Peter, James and John. His true divinity hidden beneath His true humanity, briefly burst forth. As we begin our Lenten journey to our Savior's cross, we also are being transformed by Word and Sacrament to have a glory that comes from our connection to Christ. Human eyes can't see that glory, hidden as it is beneath our own ordinariness, yet it is still there and will be revealed fully in heaven. Christ, through the Holy Spirit is transforming us day by day into His image to share in His glory.
"For the Sake of the Gospel" 5th Sun. After the Epiphany
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
1 Corinthians 9:16-27
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
1 Corinthians 9:16-27
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While Christians have the right in Christ to do or enjoy many things that may be forbidden to others, out of love for them and for the sake of opening doors for the Gospel, we may set aside the exercise of those rights for a time. We do this to avoid putting up barriers that would keep others from hearing the Gospel and by the Spirit's power, believing it. We do this out of love for our neighbor, not out of a desire to get something from them or to be approved by them. Though in Christ we are perfectly free and beholden to no man, we are also in Christ to be servants of all that, if possible, the Lord though us might win many and we can share together with them in the blessings of the Gospel.
"Rights, and Wrongs" 4th Sun. After the Epiphany
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
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Many aspects of life that were restricted under the Old Testament have been opened to us as Christ fulfilled the Law for us and brought about our redemption. So certain foods, for example, forbidden to Israel of old we have the right to eat of with thanksgiving. But not all Christians are fully knowledgable about that freedom we have in Christ and may stumble over the eating of certain foods. So there are times when, in Christian love for a "weaker" brother, we would refrain from utilizing that right so we don't cause conscience issues with another or even drive them away from Christ. This applies to other areas of life where we have certain rights, given by God, the state or our own consciences that if engaged in to another's harm, we should instead put aside for a time until they reach the same level of knowledge as us. The key to keeping Rights from becoming Wrongs is Christ's love for us that in turn makes us act in love toward our neighbor.
"It's Time" 3rd Sun. After the Epiphany
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 1:14-20
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 1:14-20
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As Jesus began to preach, it clearly was time for the people to repent of their sins and believe in the forgiveness that Jesus came to bring to the world. It is in repentance and faith that we escape the coming judgment. But repentance should be an ongoing thing, for we sin daily. But it is trust in the Gospel that gives us power to be God's Christians in this world even as we look forward to "the life of the world to come." It's time now for the Church (God's Christians, each of us) to be serious about our faith, the hearing of God's Word and the living out of the faith in our discipleship with Jesus.
