Click on one of the following files to view the available options:
"Come Quickly, Lord Jesus!"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 25:6-9
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 25:6-9
Download
Description
In this fallen world, death is swallowing up life, and it seems its power over us is unending. But when Christ returns in glory, He will swallow up death forever, wipe away our tears and seat us at His eternal banquet. There we will see Him with our own eyes and rejoice that we waited for Him to fulfil our salvation.
"New Year: With or Without Christ?" New Year's Eve
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 30:15-18
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 30:15-18
Download
Description
While only God know what the New Year will bring, how are you planning to approach 2018? Will you do it with, or without Christ? Many are making their plans and resolutions without any thought of God's Word and will. They are only relying on their strength and reason and, sadly, that will finally come to a dead end. But entering a New Year, and living each year of our lives trusting in Christ gives us peace and strength, no matter whether it's a good year or not. Indeed, living our lives in repentance, and in the rest Christ gives, is our peace in this New Year.
"Time to Wait" New Year's Eve
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 30:15-18
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 30:15-18
Download
Description
What a year 2020 has been! All that was lacking were the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse riding in the skies. With all the shutdowns and people staying at home, the last thing people might want to hear is "wait." Yet this is exactly what our Lord calls us to do: not rush around like chickens with our heads cut off, but waiting calmly for Him to come to our rescue. These world events are a call to all to repent of our individual and national sins. But it's also a call to find our rest in Christ. When we are rushing madly about in panic, we lose sight of what God has done for us. But when our souls are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, we know that none of the things we are experiencing can separate us from His love for us in Christ. We don't know what 2021 will bring, but we do know Who is with us as we enter it.
"New Year; Old Watchfulness" New Year's Eve
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 30:15-18
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 30:15-18
Download
Description
Many hope the craziness of 2018 will be replaced with some stability and sanity in 2019. Yet, when a culture forsakes God and His Word, relying instead on their own reason and strength, then things will not improve. The tyranny of the minority will cause the majority to cower in fear or capitulate. Discord and divisions will continue. Yet, even if our lives reflected that chaos in the past, we don't have to carry that into the future. In returning to God we will find our rest and salvation. With the Incarnation and live, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have a sure promise that, whatever is going on in 2019 and beyond, no adversities can separate us from the love of God in Christ. Those who trust in that word and promise will have a good New Year, whatever may come.
"Returning and Rest in Twenty-Two" New Year's Eve
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 30:15-18
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 30:15-18
Download
Description
In dealing with the pandemic the last couple of years, people have been living in fear because the trust they've put into earthly authorities and procedures haven't brought the peace and security we imagined. Lost in the shuffle has been God's involvement. Without Him and His Word, we will find no peace in the coming year. But as He tells Israel of old: "In returning and rest you shall be saved." Anchoring our trust in the ultimate power and mercy of God will bring a restfullness to our souls in this restless world. Understanding that Christ has come to forgive our sins and bring life out of death, even if death comes to us through a virus, can bring an increadible amount of peace and comfort to us. To wait on the Lord's good will for us in Christ makes us truly blessed by God.
"No More Illusions"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 30:18-22
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 30:18-22
Download
Description
Israel of old is not different that our present generation. They were mired in idolatry and disregard of God's Word, and judgment was upon them. Yet, even as God deals with their sin, He hold out the hope of forgiveness and reconciliation. So to us entering this New Year: Though our rebelliousness and sin brings us misery, God holds out His love and forgiveness through Christ. As we now enter 2015, it is time to put away former idols in our hearts, and receive His mercy and grace through His Word in Christ, That will sustain us in this New Year, come what may.
"From Captivity to Paradise" 3rd Sun. in Advent
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 35
Loading the player...
Description
As God brought Israel in joy out of captivity and returned them to their true homeland, so God will bring us through our own "Babylonian Captivity" in this fallen world to our true eternal home with Him. Jesus came to redeem mankiond by His blood and to begin the reversal of what sin wrought in this world. He is coming again to make all things new. We who are the "Ransomed of the Lord" shall come into Zion with singing and all sorrows and pain will pass away. What a reason to rejoice!
"O Joy!"
Pastor Kenneth D. Lueke
Isaiah 35:1-10
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth D. Lueke
Isaiah 35:1-10
Download
Description
Though this world can be a dark and depressing place, we do not need to look for another savior or another way of salvation. Because Christ first came to "open the eyes of the blind and unstop the ears of the deaf," in fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, and to lay down His life for all, we can live daily in the confidence that our sins are forgiven through Him, and look to the time of His return in glory (O Joy!) to make all things new.
"Everlastng Joy" 3rd Sun. in Advent
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 35:1-10
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 35:1-10
Download
Description
The fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple served as a picture of the final Day of Judgment. The signs of its approach are seen throughout history: wars, famines, earthquakes, upheavals. These serve to wake us up and bring us to repentance before that final Day. But there's another side to that coin that give encouragement to God's people about that Day and beyond. Israel's return to their homeland from their Babylonian captivity is the picture of the restoration of all creation and the eternal, joyful celebration of God's people in this new creation. As Jesus came to bring forgiveness and life through His death and resurrection, so He will return to usher us, and all who believe in Him into this eternal new creation no longer subjected to futility, but vibrant, pure, perfect as it was meant to be before sin. The Day of Judgment will be terrifying to those who have rejected Christ, but will be a day of rejoicing as the "ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." All because of Jesus.
"Advent Waiting With Comfort" Advent 2
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 40 & John 1, selected verses
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 40 & John 1, selected verses
Download
Description
People don't need to be comforted in the good times, but rather in the bad times of their lives. While Advent is a penitential, reflective Season, it is also one that waits in hope to be comforted. Our sins distress us, yet in Christ, God has had mercy upon us and forgives us our sins and comforts us in our sorrows. As we get closer to celebrating our Savior's incarnation, we wait as those to whom our Lord brings great comfort.
"Not Like Grass or Flowers" 2nd Sun. in Advent
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 40:1-11
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 40:1-11
Download
Description
Isaiah prophecied Israel's captivity in Babylon long before it occured. That would be God's judgment on His people for their sins and idolatry. But Isaiah also saw that God would deliver them from that captivity, comfort them and forgive all their iniquities. Though the Law says that all flesh is like the grass and the flowers that spring up one day and are withered the next, God's Word endures forever. And it was that Word and promise of deliverance that Israel was to hope in and proclaim. So for us today. COVID may seem like a time of captivity to us, and certainly is a judgment of God upon Sin, but we who are His people have a message of hope. As Christ came and suffered for all, we can point those who are fearful, anxious or discouraged under present circumstances to the face that God acts on behalf of His people. God has come in the person of Jesus. Behold Him! And it is our Good Shepherd who will take us to Himself and set us truly free, no matter what our earthly circumstances are.
"Double for Nothing" 2nd Sun. in Advent
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 40:1-11
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 40:1-11
Download
Description
Like Old Testament Israel in its Babylonian Captivity, Many today are feeling that the future is hopeless; they've given up on God, and they try to muddle through life as best as they can. But as Isaiah spoke words of comfort and promise to Israel of the coming Savior who would pay for their sins and tenderly lead them like a shepherd, so Isaiah comforts us in that Savior who has come - the One proclaimed by John the Baptist; the One who died for our sins and is alive again. Jesus. Because God's word and promise stand forever in Him, the future is no longer hopeless, no matter what the present may bring.
"Tidings of Comfort" Advent 1
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 40:1-5
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 40:1-5
Download
Description
Comfort is a big theme in the Scriptures. Not being comfortable, but in being comforted, especially in our grief over sin. Isaiah' prophecy of John the Baptist offers comfort to sinners in that God is not just sympathizing with us, but is encouraging us in what He will do to accomplish our salvation; to end our "warfare;" to atone for our sins. John would come to prepare the way for Jesus to begin His work for our redemption and to bring Tidings of Comfort to the distressed that forgiveness has been won in Him for us.
"The Divine Contrast"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 40:21-31
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 40:21-31
Download
Description
When we try to make God in our own image, we do a miserable job of it. The idols and "gods" that our hearts devise cannot save, do not care for us, and cannot help us. We forget that the true God is not like us. He is the creator of the heavens and the earth and is not limited in who He is or what He can do. Yet, He did become like us, in the person of His Son, Jesus, to bring about our redemption. As He has created all the starry host and calls them each by name, so He knows us and forgives each of us through Christ. Idols are nothing: but God in Christ is everything.
"God's Strange Ways"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 45:1-7
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 45:1-7
Download
Description
There is only one God, and He is a strange one. He doesn't act like how the "gods" of the pagans, or even our own hearts do. He acts specifically in the lives of individuals and nations, even working through those who don't know Him to bring about His will - for judgment or for redemption. One very strnage way the true God acts is that He did what no other god would do: He became incarnate in Jesus to serve, rather than to be served, and He died for the sins of the world so that anyone trusting in Jesus has forgiveness and life. It is because God does not act as we think He should that we can be sure of our salvation and eternal life through Christ.
"Cross Exam" Good Fri. Service
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 53
Loading the player...
Description
Any thoughts one might have that he can save himself by his own efforts or goodness is shattered by Isaiah's prophecy of the Suffering Servant made 700 years before Jesus fulfilled it at the cross. Over and over we see that our iniquities and sins were laid on Him and that it is only through Jesus that we are reconciled to God and forgiven all our sins. Left to ourselves, we are all lost sheep going astray to death. But because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, through faith in Him we are made righteous before God.
"For Us" Good Friday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 53 Selected Verses
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 53 Selected Verses
Download
Description
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.
"We Were Wrong" Good Friday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 53: Selected Verses
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 53: Selected Verses
Download
Description
They were wrong about Jesus, though they couldn't see it at the time, so they persecuted Him, mocked Him and crucified Him thinking He was getting what He deserved. But they were wrong - and Isaiah saw that 700 years before when he prophecied that Jesus would suffer, not for His sins, but for ours. Everything inflicted upon Him was ultimately for our salvation because of the wrongness in every one of us. Sin has bent us, twisted us and deformed us so that even the best human being in the world can't save himself. Yet, the One who suffered and died for us is our Salvation. Isaiah saw it all long before it happened and, by faith, we now see it too and rejoice.
"Free Food For Life"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 55:1-5
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 55:1-5
Download
Description
Everything the world offers us, even "free" things, come at a price that we must pay. The free things God gives also came with a price, not paid by us, but by Christ. Because of that, God invites all to come and receive His gifts of salvation freely and without cost to us. For, indeed, we can offer nothing for God's grace or forgiveness. Christ has done it all. And in Him, our souls will be truly satisfied.
"Fast and Loose"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 58:1-9
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 58:1-9
Download
Description
God is not interested in merely outward expressions of religious practice, but in a repentant heart that expresses that repentance and faith in its outward actions, not only toward God, but also toward our neighbor. To expect God to bless us simply because we engage in some external ritual while the heart remains unchanged is to invite disappointment, frustration and judgment. But the one who has received mercy and forgiveness from God through Christ will not be content with simply expressing that faith in the liturgies and rituals during our gatherings at church, but in carrying out those gifts to others in our daily lives.
"Humility in Action"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 58:3-9
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 58:3-9
Download
Description
When pride dresses itself in acts of humility in order to manipulate God, it will always be frustrated. God doesn't play games. True repentance and humility is not shown in fasting, sackcloth or ashes, but in works of mercy toward one's neighbor. Christ humbled Himself to death on the cross to redeem us. Our sins are forgiven in Him, and God hears our prayer because of Him.
"Go Forth Forgiven" LWML Thumb Zone Rally
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 6:1-8
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 6:1-8
Download
Description
In our fallen condition, the worst place to find ourselves is in the presence of the Holy God. Like Isaiah, we are unclean. But Christ has atoned for our sins and taken our guilt away. Now, forgiven in Christ, we can gladly respond to God's call to serve saying "Here I am, Lord."
"The Real United Nations" Epiphany Sunday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 60:1-6
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 60:1-6
Download
Description
The real United Nations is not of human construct attempting to secure world peace. Is is a product of God's grace in Christ. The Church is the real United Nations, made up of people of every nation, tribe and language, redeemed by the atoning death of Christ and, who through faith, are members of His Body. Though darkness is over the world, the Church is to Arise and Shine with the Light of Christ, and push back on the darkness.
"Head Toward the Light" The Epiphany of our Lord
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 60:1-6
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 60:1-6
Download
Description
The Old Testament people of God were surrounded in pagan darkness during their captivity in Babylon. Yet God hold out to them His light coming for them. It would bring them back to their homeland, and would usher in the Savior of the world. Thus, they were to arise and shine because of that light. For the last two thousand years since Christ came and accomplished His work of salvation, the New Testament people of God are surrounded by pagan darkness and in a "Babylonian Captivity" of sorts in this fallen world. But rather than giving into the darkness we, too, are to "arise, shine" because our Light has come in Jesus, and He promises to bring us out of this captivity to our true home in heaven when He returns in glory at the Last Day.
"He Came For All" Feast of Epiphany
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 60:1-6
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 60:1-6
Download
Description
Mankind's natural condition is spiritual darkness. We are lost and without the true God. Yet God sent His light to us through His Word culminating in the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ. In Christ, God is reconciled to sinners and, through repentant faith, we are brought out of darkness into His marvelous light. Jesus was revealed to His own people as the shepherds came to the stable to behold Him in a manger. Jesus was also revealed to the gentiles as the Wise Men, guided by the star, came to the place where He was and gave him their gifts and their worship. Truly Jesus came to be the Savior of all, regardless of who they are or what they have done.
"The Reason For Advent" 3rd Sun. in Advent
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 61:1-3
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 61:1-3
Download
Description
Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for the arrival of our Savior, first as the "Babe of Bethlehem" who would be our Redeemer from sin, and secondly, His return at the Last Day to be our Judge. But as we look at the passages prophesying His first coming, we see that this Redeemer is the One who will bring freedom to all in captivity to sin; who will comfort the afflicted and who will heal and lead, like a shepher, His lambs. Rather than being dressed for a funeral, which we all are by nature, He will clothe us in wedding garments - the "garments of salvation," to participate in the Eternal Feast. All of this was fulfilled in time in the person of Jesus Christ, the One annointed by the Holy Spirit of the Lord God to bring about our salvation. This is why we have Advent: to again prepare for this wonderful news of our Savior's arrival - for us.
"The Gift of New Clothing" 3rd Sun. in Advent
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 61:1-3, 10
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 61:1-3, 10
Download
Description
New clothes at Christmas are a great gift. But to be "clothed in Christ" is an even greater gift. No longer dos God look at the rags of our sin and death, but at the righteousness of Christ in which, through Baptism, we are clothed. Because God has changed our condition, we have every reason to rejoice in Him.
"Advent Waiting With Joy" Advent 3
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 61; Luke 4 Selected Vs.
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 61; Luke 4 Selected Vs.
Download
Description
We await the coming of our Lord with prayer, comfort and now with joy. Joy because the One who comes is coming to free us from guilt and condemnation, and will bind up our broken hearts. Though many will reject Him, Christ still comes to give His life for all. We, who trust in Jesus, can have this joy even in troubling times, for we know the ultimate glory we will share with Him.
"Advent Waiting With Prayer" Advent 1 Midweek
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 64, Matthew 27
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 64, Matthew 27
Download
Description
Like Isaiah, we would like God to "rend the heavens and come down" to address the troubles and evils in the world and our personal lives. Yet, if He really came down can we, as sinners, face Him? "We have been in our sins a long time, and can we be saved?" Well, God did "come down" to address the sin and evil in the world and our lives in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. When Jesus died, not the heavens, but the temple curtain and the tombs of the saints were rent, and the earth shook. Sin has been atoned for and Isaiah's question has been answered with a resounding "Yes, we can be saved!"
"Do Something!" 1st Sun. in Advent
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 64:1-9
Loading the player...
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Isaiah 64:1-9
Download
Description
During Israel's Babylonian Captivity, Isaiah prayed that God would do something for His people and punish the evil doers. But as He prayed, he became mindful of his own and the people's sins that God was justly judging. Yet, in faith, he still prayed that God would forgive their sins and rescue them. And God acted on their behalf in His time. So we often cry out to God to do something about the evil and misery in the world and in our own lives. We fear that He's not listening, but He is, and has not stopped acting on our behalf. In Christ, our sins are forgiven and we have been reconciled to God. He still comes to us in Word and Sacrament to heal, comfort, strengthen and preserve us. And at the right time, in His time, Christ will come again and make all things new.
