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"Advent Past" Midweek 1
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 1:1-14
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 1:1-14
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As we prepare to celebrate Christ's birth, we need to consider just who it is we are celebrating. In His first Advent, or appearing, you have the eternal Word, through Whom everything has been created and is sustained, coming into human flesh to bring about the world's redemption. Sadly, even His own did not receive Him, and many today reject Him, preferring to live in the darkness of their own sin. But to all who do believe in Him, Christ gives us His life and light and makes us children born of God.
"What Child is This?" Christmas Day
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 1:1-14
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 1:1-14
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The sentimental customs and traditions surrounding Christmas can cause us to miss who that baby laying in a manger really is. We think of Him as that cuddly baby whom His mother, Mary, holds close. To understand that this Child is the Eternal Son of God through whom all things were created, who humbled Himself to take on our flesh and nature to go to the cross, demands that we pay more attention to the significance of Christmas. Because of Christ's Incarnation, now we have seen His glory in His love and sacrifice for us. Many still reject Him and the light He brings into the world. But for us who do believe, He gives us the right to be children of our heavenly Father. What Child is This? Christ the Lord, our Savior.
"Beneath the Wrapping" Christmas Eve
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 1:14
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Christmas is about the incarnation of God into humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. It was for our salvation that He came, though many do not know or believe this. Yet, God the Son became flesh to bear our sins upon Himself. It is hard to imagine, when we see the baby in the manger how this could be the eternal God, yet it is so. He comes, not to make demands of us, but to save us and make us His own. Whatever our past, or our present, or even our future, these belong to Christ, and so do we. Merry Christmas!
"The Forever Throne"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 1:26-38
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 1:26-38
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Many think that The Annunciation is all about the Virgin Mary, but it's not. It's all about the Baby; it's all about Jesus. Rather than being a "dispenser of Grace," Mary receives the gracious work of God for her, and for all sinners, as she would be privileged to be the one who would bear the Savior of all. Her baby is The Son of God who would humble Himself to death on the cross for the salvation of all. And now that He has accomplished the salvation of all who believe in Him, He now sits on the forever throne of glory ruling over all. And by grace, we will share in that eternal Kingdom one day.
"Come and See"
Pastor Kenneth D. Lueke
John 1:29-42
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Pastor Kenneth D. Lueke
John 1:29-42
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People naturally invite others to come and see what they are interested in, and captivated by. As God's Christians, we have the wonderful privilege of inviting people to "come and see," or Behold Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away our sins. Come and see (or hear, anyway) how this unfolds in this sermon.
"What Are You Seeking?"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 1:29-42a
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 1:29-42a
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John the Baptist's disciples sought Jesus because John proclaimed Him "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." The wanted to become Jesus' disciples and be taught by Him. What about us? What are we seeking from Jesus? If we are seeking from Him an easier life and that He will fix all our problems, then we will be sorely disappointed. But if we seek from Him forgiveness, life and salvation, then we will have that in abundance. And the joy of that forgiveness and life can't help but to be proclaimed to others as well. While many are uncomfortable speaking about Jesus to others, the more we are with Jesus and hearing His word, we just might become more confident, when the opportunity presents itself to proclaim to others: "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away our sin."
"Reflecting Christ's Light in Our Lives"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 1:6-8, 19-28
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 1:6-8, 19-28
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It's not about us; it's about Christ. John the Baptist came to direct people to Jesus. We, who have been redeemed by Christ don't point to ourselves - our feelings or opinions about Christ. We point others to what He has done for all. By our words and by our actions, we can reflect either the darkness of this fallen world, or the light of Christ to those around us.
"Reflecting the Light" 3rd Sun. in Advent
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 1:6-8, 19-28
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 1:6-8, 19-28
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It wasn't about the Baptist; it was about Jesus. John understood that he wasn't the Light, but he was only to point to and confess Christ, who is the Light sent from God. As His Christians today, we also simply reflect to those around us the light of Christ in our lives. We, too, are called to faithfully confess His salvation for all. When we make it about ourselves, Jesus's Light gets hidden. But when we live humbly in Christ, and gladly confess His saving work to others, then they can clearly see His light shining, calling them to come to Him and share in that true Light that has come into the world.
"Which Voice?"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 10:1 ff.
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 10:1 ff.
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There are many "voices" in this world, religious and secular, that promise to lead us to a life of comfort, fulfillment and pleasure. Most of those voices are false, leading us away from Jesus instead of to Him. Too often we are willing to listen to those who tell us what we want to hear instead of what we need to hear. But the true voices of God's shepherds of His sheep speak simply the words of the Good Shepherd who laid down His life to redeem us from sin, death and hell. Those shepherds will tell you what you need to hear, because they love you and want you to have eternal life in Christ.
"Shepherd's Gate" 4th Sun. of Easter
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 10:1-10
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 10:1-10
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There are many religiouds and cultural attacks against Christ's people, seeking to steal them away from Jesus and His Church. But to listen to them, whom Jesus calls "thieves and robbers" of souls, instead of the voice of our True Shepherd, is to court disaster. The true sheep will listen to, and follow Jesus and His Word. Hearing God's Word rightly proclaimed, and His Truth rightly upheld (even when the "thieves" say that's bigoted, intollerant and unloving) is to hear Jesus. The religious and cultural thieves only seek to "steal and kill and destroy," whereas our Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for us, came "that we may have life, and have it abundantly."
"The Good Shepherd - For You"
Pastor Lee Wenskay
John 10:1-10
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Pastor Lee Wenskay
John 10:1-10
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It is Christ who defends His flock against the thieves and robbers of false religion, and it is He who lays down His life to save His flock. We follow Him by hearing His voice in Holy Scripture, and clinging to the true Gospel of salvation through His atoning death on the cross. When the false shepherds come to you with a different message of salvation, run from them and back into the arms of the only One who can save you: Your Good Shepherd, Jesus.
"Flocking to Jesus" 4th Sun. in Easter
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 10:11-16
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 10:11-16
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Shepherds care for and guard, and if need be, die for their sheep. Hired hands don't. Jesus is the Good Shepherd that died for lost and wandering sheep, and those who are truly His will jear His voice in Word, Sacrament and Church and follow Him. Don't listen to the voices of the hired hands and wolves seeking to draw you away from Jesus, for only Jesus has come to bring life to you abundantly.
"Knowing Him Who Knows Us" 4th Sun. in Easter
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 10:22-20
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 10:22-20
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It's a tragedy when one hardens his heart to where, no matter what word is spoken or evidence given, he will not believe that Christ is his Redeemer. It is also a greater tragedy for those who have known Christ to abandon Him. We remain in Christ by hearing His Word and following Him. As we do, nothing and no one can snatch us out of His hand. But to stop hearing His voice and listening instead to the voices of this world (the wolves St. Paul warns about) will leave us lost and destitute. Yet, even for those who have wandered away, Jesus still calls to repentance and to follow Him once more and have the eternal life He won by His death on the cross.
"Shepherd or Wolf?"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 10:22-30
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 10:22-30
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Though culture is becoming increasingly hostile to "Binaries:" male and female, true and false, etc., Jesus speaks in very binary terms. We are either part of His flock by hearing His voice and following Him by faith, or we are not. He give His flock eternal life whereas those outside His flock do not have eternal life. While we are to listen to the voice of our Good Shepherd and follow Him by faith, the voices of the wolves, religious and secular call out to us as well. Who will we listen to? Our Good Shepherd, Jesus, laid down His life for us; the wolves want to take our lives from us. When we truly understand this binary situation, do we really want to wander away from the One who loves us to listen to the ones who only want to eat us?
"Hear His Voice - His Word"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 10:22-30
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 10:22-30
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To be a sheep of Jesus means to hear His Word and follow Him. We hear His voice in Holy Scripture. If you do not hear His Word, preached at church and/or read at home, you are not hearing His voice and, thus, you will not be following Him. Parents have a special privilege and responsibility to model being Christ's sheep by bringing their kids to church and reading God's Word at home. Don't wait to bring your kids to Jesus when catechism classes start. Help them be those lambs of Christ from the moment they are born. For our Good Shepherd, who has laid down His life for us, has wonderful things to give to you and to your children, and all who hear His voice and follow Him.
"That's Why It's Called Faith" 5th Sun. in Lent
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 11
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"Seeing is believing>" Well, not really. To have faith means that one relies on that which is trustworthy and keeps its promises, even if we can see it right now. When Lazarus died, there were questions as to the goodness of Jesus; why He didn't do something to prevent that death. Yet, it was precisely through the death of Lazarus that Jesus' glory and trustworthiness would shine forth. Indeed, He is "the resurrection and the life," and proved it by raising Lazarus - a foreshadowing of His own resurrection. In the midst of our own afflictions and mortality, we can look to Christ and know, because He has made us His own, that "this death will not end in death," and that He has loved us dearly.
"Are You There?" 5th Sun. in Lent
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 11
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Abbreviated Divine Service Three with Sermon. Jesus let Lazarus die. Martha felt if Jesus had been there, Lazarus would have lived. The apparent failure of Jesus is no failure at all, as His glory as the Son of God would be shown as He raised Lazarus from the dead. In the midst of the devastating health and economic consequences of the Coronavirus pandemic, it's easy to believe that God isn't there. Yet He is, calling us to repentance and the forgiveness and life Jesus won for all. Just as Christ brought life to Lazarus, even through his death, so He brings real life to us even through this present distress.
"Christ's Death is Our Life"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 11:1-39
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 11:1-39
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The appointed Lessons for The 5th Sunday of Lent all have a resurrection theme. Israel would be resurrected from captivity and returned to their homeland; Lazarus would be physically resurrected by Jesus after being dead four days. Both emphasize God's power over death, and our hope (confidence) for our own resurrections through Christ. Since Christ died for all, all who believe in Him have forgiveness of sins and victory over death through Him who is "the Resurrection and the Life."
"What a Ride!" Palm Sunday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 12:12-19
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 12:12-19
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"Dead man walking!" is what is declared as the condemned prisoner goes to the execution chamber. Jesus, even in the midst of the cheers and acclaim of the crowds on that first Palm Sunday, is already a "dead man riding" as he rides into Jerusalem to face His execution five days later. He is not being executed for "Crimes Against Humanity," but for humanity's crimes against God. Jesus is riding to take our place under judgment, so that we might have a place with Him forever under grace.
"The Hidden Glory" Palm Sunday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 12:12-19
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 12:12-19
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As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, His true glory and purpose was hidden from the crowds. They though He was coming to take up His throne, whereas He was heading to the cross to redeem the world by dying on the cross and rising from the dead. As we celebrate His resurrection on Easter, it is not just for one day a year, but in all our tribulations and sorrows. We have His assurance that, when He comes again, His true glory will be hidden no more.
"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.
"Triumphal Humility"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 12:12-19
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 12:12-19
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Pride led to the fall of the angels and humanity, as well. Pride seeks to exalt oneself while humiliating and debasing others. Sin is a result of the kind of pride that wants our will above God's will and Word. But the way God addressed this evil was in humility, as the Son of God, Jesus Christ, humbled Himself to suffer for our sins and pay the price for our pride and arrogance. And, indeed, because He humbled Himself to death, even death on the cross, God has exalted Him above everyone and everything. And by faith in Christ, we are humbled at what He did to save us, but will be glorified with Him at our resurrections at the Last Day.
"The Ride of Our Lives" Palm Sunday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 12:12-19
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 12:12-19
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Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem wasn't for Him but for us. It was the culmination of prophecies throughout the Old Testament of how God would save His people. Jesus was riding to the cross to bear our sins, and to the empty tomb where He defeats death for us. As He came humbly into our flesh and nature to save us, so He will come again in glory that we may be with Him forever.
"The True Glory" Palm Sunday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 12:12-19
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 12:12-19
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"Why Are You Here?" Palm Sunday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 12:12-33
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 12:12-33
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The Palm Sunday crowds were there for a variety of reasons, devout and otherwise. Jesus was the centerpiece of their attention and some gentile converts to Judaism came to Philip wishing to see Jesus. It seems their interest was more than just curiosity or a sentimental desire. They wanted to be in His presence and to hear His word. Why do you (should you) go to church? Well, over and above all other considerations - tradition, curiosity, etc., it's because you wish to see Jesus; to hear His Word, to be forgiven your sins, to be strengthened in faith. You go to bless the One who has come in the name of the Lord, and has accomplished your redemption.
"Holy Absolution: Deliverance From Judgment" Advent 2
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 12:46-50
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 12:46-50
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We can try to ignore sin, rationalize it, or even embrace it as a denial that we are sinning, but our conscience picks away at us that there is a Lawgiver to whom we must answer one day for our lawbreaking. And even when we are brought to realize our sin and grieve over it, that still leaves us in dire straits. But God gives us the wonderful gift of Holy Absolution. As Jesus came and spoke all the Father gave to Him, and died on the cross for the sins of the world, so Jesus established an Office that would proclaim to grieving sinners Jesus' words: "I forgive you all your sin." Though it's the pastor speaking those words, they are Jesus' words that we can trust, even when we may still feel guilty. He has taken our guilt and judgment away. Holy Absolution assures us of that and comforts us in His grace.
"He Came to Wash Sinners Clean" Holy Thursday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 13:1-11
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 13:1-11
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Jesus came to wash us clean from our sins. He humbly washed His disciples' feet in Service to them. He humbly gave His life on the cross in service to all sinners, to cleanse them (us) from our sins and make us His own. We need His cleansing every day. Now is not the time, like Peter, to pull back from Jesus - to reject what Christ offers but, instead, by faith to fully receive the cleansing of our souls that only Jesus can give.
"Biting the Hand" Holy Thursday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 13:21-30
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 13:21-30
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Jesus was giving Judas one last opportunity to repent and be saved. He even offered Judas the bread dipped in the bowl while offering His hand of forgiveness and fellowship. But Judas, even taking the bread, remained hardened in his plan to betray Jesus and went out to do his deed, now controlled by Satan. All of us, likewise, are betrayers of our Lord through our sins. But, when Jesus offeres to us Himself in His body and blood in Holy Communion, will we take these gifts, unrepentant, and fully intending to cling to our sin? Or do we receive His body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins and, with His power, desire to live a new life in Him? This account is a cautionary tale: Even to the last, Jesus desires to forgive and renew us. But we can harden our hearts, like Judas, and be lost forever. Jesus' betrayal into the hands of sinners was for the express purpose of saving sinners, including us. May we, indeed, receive His gifts rightly, trusting in His mercy to us, and live as His own dear children.
"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.
"Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled"
Pastor Justin Herman
John 14:1-14
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Pastor Justin Herman
John 14:1-14
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There are many troubles and pains that afflict us and make us want to run away. Yet, even in the midst of these, Jesus calls us to trust Him. He who suffered and died to save us, has also risen from the dead as proof that we are His and that the troubles of this present life do not separate us from His love and mercy. Indeed, because Jesus lives, and comes to us in His Word and Sacraments, there is no need to let our hearts be troubled over the pains and failures of this life.
