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"Remaining in Christ" Confirmation Day
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 15: 1ff. (1st 15 min.)
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 15: 1ff. (1st 15 min.)
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Christ and His Word are the source of our true spiritual life. Remaining connected to Him by faith, our lives show the fruits of Christ's life being lived out in us through our vocations toward our neighbor. Disconnecting ourselves from His Word will eventually end in spiritual death now, and eternal death in the future. But Christ can, and does renew even the deadest of hearts so faith can again come to life. Yet, those that continue to remain in Jesus will continue to receive their true life from Him.
"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.
"How Can We Know?" Pentecost
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 15:26-16:15
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 15:26-16:15
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Christ's ascension to heaven was a good thing, for then He could send the Holy Spirit to apply the finished work of Christ for our redemption. The Holy Spirit testifies to Christ and enables us to believe in Him and in His atoning death for our sins. How can we know that what Christ has done, He has done for us? The Holy Spirit, working through Word and Sacrament, brings us to believe these things are true.
"Whose Choice Anyway?" Confirmation Sunday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 15:9-16
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 15:9-16
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A branch severed from the tree cannot bear fruit and will die. The person severed from Jesus' life-giving Word and Sacraments will also be unfruitful and die. He chose us to be His own (we didn't choose Him!). He Baptized us; gave us His Word and Spirit; feeds us with His Supper to keep us in Him by faith, and to cause His joy and fruitfulness to be in us and work through us. Whether as kids on our Confirmation Sunday, or as adults confirmed many years ago, take your vows seriously and don't let anything separate you from the true source of life - Jesus, your Redeemer.
"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.
"Sorrow to Joy"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 16:12-22
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 16:12-22
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Jesus warned His disciples of the sorrows they would soon experience when they wouldn't see Him, i.e. His impending death, yet He comforts them with the assurance that "in a little while you will see Me." He will rise again. He also promises to send them the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide them in the truth. Jesus' assurance to them, and to us is that though we will have sorrows and griefs, those things will give way to a joy that cannot be taken from us. Because He died for our sins, is risen again and will return to take us to be with Him forever, we know that all sorrows, no matter how great, are temporary. But the joy that will be ours in Christ will never be taken away.
"Sadness Into Gladness"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 16:12-22
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 16:12-22
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Jesus prepares His disciples for the sorrow they will suffer with His upcoming crucifixion and death. But He also assures them that their sorrow will be turned to joy at His resurrection. As God's Christians today, we are in our period of grief and sorrow as we endure the hatred and opposition of the world. The Church is experiencing perceptions worldwide, and appears to many to be impotent in standing against the rising hatred, unbelief and immorality of the world. Rather than caving in to the grief and giving up, we cling to our Savior's promise that we will see Him again and our sadness will be turned to gladness as He makes all things new.
"Impending Joy" 5th Sun. in Easter
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 16:16-22
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 16:16-22
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There are few things in life that hold a sense of impending doom and impending joy. One of them was when Jesus was with His disciples in the upper room. He told them that they will not see Him, then they would see Him. He was talking about His impending death and resurrection. It didn't make sense to them, so He illustrated it by another example of impending sorrow and joy - the birth of a baby. During labor, the pain and sense of doom is overwhelming, but is completely forgotten when the baby is born. So, the disciples will be sorrowful, but that sorrow will turn to joy that can't be taken away when He rises from the dead. This is our encouragement as well. Though we may be sorrowful now, impending joy is just around the corner as we await His return in glory. Even now we can have joy in the midst of sorrows, for Jesus is with us even now in His Word and Sacraments, preparing us for that time when everlasting joy will be upon our heads.
"In Jesus' Name"
Pastor Lee Wenskay
John 16:23-33
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Pastor Lee Wenskay
John 16:23-33
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Prayer is a wonderful privilege given to God's children to approach Him knowing He will hear us for the sake of Christ. We who deserve to be cast away from Him because of our sins are, instead, acceptable to Him because of the forgiveness of sins Christ won for us. When we pray "In Jesus' Name," that simply means that we pray with faith in Jesus, knowing that even our faulty prayers are made perfect in heaven because of the Holy Spirit. Without faith in Christ, our prayers just go into emptiness. But with faith in Christ, they go before the very throne of our heavenly Father and He response to them according to His good and gracious will. Truly, "what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer."
"Facing Reality Courageously" 6th Sun. of Easter
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 16:23-33
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 16:23-33
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Through Christ, the heavenly Father loves us and hears our prayers. Because Christ was abandoned on the cross for our sins, we do not have to fear being abandoned by God because of those sins. In Jesus we can face adversities and realities of life with courage because we do not depend on ourselves or any human institutions, but on Christ, His Word and His grace and mercy to us as our Redeemer, Savior and Friend.
"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.
"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!
"The Misunderstanding of Peter" Lent 3
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 18; 1 Cor. 1
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 18; 1 Cor. 1
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Like Peter, we misunderstand what the Lord is doing so we try to take matters into our own hands. We use the swords of our own reason, strength, wisdom and power against evil and wonder why they are so ineffective. But it's the sword of God's Word that we need. We don't need to prove ourselves to God, but see that Jesus proved Himself to us by dying for our sins. Trusting in His Word of the Gospel is our strength and power and wisdom because all these things are from God to us.
"The Third Word: Behold" Lent 2
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 19:26-27
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 19:26-27
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Even on the cross, Jesus was keeping the Law for us. When He should have been self-absorbed in His own pain, suffering and impending death, Jesus continues to look to the needs of others. In providing for His mother, He was keeping the 4th Commandment. He made sure that she would have a home and a "son" in the Apostle John. And this little band gathered under the cross, surrounded by the curses and blasphemies of the world, are provided for by Jesus; forgiven by Jesus; and made a family in Jesus. Just like the Church.
"The Fifth Word: Thirst" Lent 4
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 19:28
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 19:28
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Jesus' Fifth Word From the Cross, "I thirst," is understandable. Physically, He had borne the deprivations of the scourging and cross. Mentally and spiritually, He had borne the judgment and abandonment of God for sinners. As true Man, it's no wonder He was thirsty. But He was not asking for a drink because of weakness; for He is in full control of all that is taking place for our salvation. The drink is necessary so that He, in full voice, can loudly declare in His next Word the accomplishment of our salvation. This was not a declaration to be croaked out by a parched throat, but one to be shouted out in victory. So He received the wine vinegar for His thirst, and mad His declaration of victory for you and for me.
"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 Sixth Word: Finished" Lent 5
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 19:30
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 19:30
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"It is Finished" isn't Jesus' declaration that His death is immanent, but that Atonement for the world's sin has been accomplished. He is the perfect sacrifice acceptable to God on our behalf. There is no more that you, I or anyone can do to pay for sin, or add to complete the work of Christ for us. All good works and changed lives come as a result of Christ's perfect and finished work for us on the cross, and follow salvation, not contribute toward it. "It is Finished" is pure Gospel - for you.
"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.
"Signs, Mysteries, Sacraments"
Pastor Lee Wenskay
John 2:1-11
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The "sign" Jesus performed of changing water into wine was meant to show forth His glory. That sign did not symbolize something else, but actually connects to the reality of what is. So the mysteries, or Sacraments Christ instituted. The water of Baptism doesn't just symbolize something but, connected to God's Word and Promise, actually delivers what Christ gives. The same is true of the bread and wine in Holy Communion. They don't just symbolize Christ's body and blood but, according to His Word and Promise, delivers Christ to us as He joins Himself with those elements. Rather than looking for more signs from God, let us embrace by faith the Signs, Mysteries and Sacraments Christ gives to manifest His glory as He gives to us forgiveness, life and salvation in Him.
"The Best 'till Last"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 2:1-11
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 2:1-11
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Like Mary, we want Jesus to act so as to make our life easier, help us out of a jam or some other embarrassing situation. But when Jesus acts, it is to increase our faith in Him and to show His glory. Changing the water into wine at the wedding in Cana, where the wine steward remarked that the best was saved for last reminds us that He, who gave His life for our sins, and feeds us upon the gifts of His Word and Sacrament, is giving us a foretaste of that eternal wedding banquet that He will celebrate with His Bride, the Church in all eternity.
"Raising the Real Temple" 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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The Jewish Temple was the place where God dwelled with His people, and where the sacrifices for sin took place. The earthly temple had been corrupted by the practices of the animal sellers and money changers, and Jesus "cleansed" the temple by driving them all out. This was the beginning of the end for the temple and the sacrifices, for Jesus Himself is the true Temple and true Sacrifice for sin. His Body, the Church is where He dwells with His people through Word and Sacrament, and He is "the Lamb of God," that is the true, and only, and final sacrifice to take away sin. As the temple of His body was "destroyed" at His crucifixion, so that Temple was raised again three days later. Now, you and I and all those who confess the name of Christ are part of this Temple, the Body of Christ, and part of each other.
"Clearing Out Corruption" 20 min.
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 2:13-22
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 2:13-22
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Fallen human nature wants region on its own terms. We are willing to buy and sell God's grace (if that could even be possible!), no matter the souls harmed. Jesus' first cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem shows His authority as true God, driving out those who have corrupted the true worship of God. Even as He has come to die and be raised for sinners, we sinners still need the ongoing assurance of forgiveness which Christ's "Once-and-for-all" sacrifice has obtained for us. The second cleansing of the temple three years later reminds us of our ongoing corruption, and ongoing need to be cleansed of that corruption by the mercies of Christ that He gives to us on His own terms - through His Means of Grace in Word and Sacrament.
"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.
"Christ's Easter Commissioning of Unlikely Candidates"
Pr. Khurram Khan POBLO
John 20:19-23
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Pr. Khurram Khan POBLO
John 20:19-23
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As the resurrected Christ called His fearful and unworthy disciples to spread His Word of salvation to all nations, so He continues to call sinners, unworthy though we are but redeemed and loved by Him, to continue to proclaim the Gospel. Missionary groups, like People of the Book Lutheran Outreach, carry the message of Jesus to Muslims, Hindus and others, in spite of great persecution, and God continues to bring many from mission fields, even in our own back yards, to Christ.
"What's the Difference?"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 20:19-29
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 20:19-29
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What is the difference between "Doubting Thomas" who, because of his hurt and anger after the crucifixion of Christ, refused to gather with his fellow disciples, and the church member who no longer attends church or prays because of some disappointment or conflict in his life? There is really no difference. Both miss out on the proclamation of the Gospel. Both miss out being in the presence of the resurrected Christ. Both are left to "stew unhappily in their own juices." But when Thomas finally rejoined his fellow disciples, then he saw and heard for himself the glorious news of the forgiveness of his sins, peace with God, and the victory over death that Christ has won for all who believe in him. That same can hold true as well for the disgruntled church member, if he doesn't continue to reject hearing the Gospel and being in the presence of Christ.
"Never Say Never" Confirmation Sunday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 20:19-31
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 20:19-31
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In his pain, anger and disillusionment, Thomas separated himself from the other disciples and missed out on being in the presence of the resurrected Jesus, and hearing His Word. Many today do the same thing. Because of hurts, disappointments and bitterness, they refuse to attend church and hear God's Word. They, too, miss out on being in the presence of Jesus and His Word. But a week later, Thomas did gather with the other disciples and he saw and heard Jesus. Thomas' faith, which had all but disappeared, was reinvigorated and he could once more confess Jesus as his Lord and God. So you, only as you stay connected to Jesus by His gifts of Word and Sacrament, can your faith flourish to continue to confess Him as your Lord and God.
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.
"Not Construct, But Relationship"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 3:1-16
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 3:1-16
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The complexity of the Athanasian Creed shows that we do not worship a generic "god," but the One, true God who has revealed Himself in a very specific way: as Trinity, one God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Yet, this is not just some abstract theological construct, but a revelation of the relationship of the Persons of the Trinity to each other and to us. As the Persons of the Trinity relate to each other, we truly see what it means when the Bible says "God is love." And all Persons of the Trinity are united in bringing about our salvation and reconciliation to God. To deny the truth of the Trinity, is to deny God and His love and forgiveness for us through Christ.
"It's a 'God-Thing'" Trinity Sunday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 3:1-17
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 3:1-17
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The revelation of the person and nature of God is given throughout the Scriptures. There is only one true God, no more, no less. And yet in this very essence of God, you have three distinct Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each fully and completely God, yet there is only one God. Human reason falters at this, yet this is what the Scriptures reveal, and this is what we joyfully can believe, teach and confess. Though in this life we can never fully comprehend this, yet we are comforted that this God has brought about our salvation in Christ and a time is coming when we will be in the very presence of the true God in eternity, and it will all make perfect sense.
"Again, Above or What?"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 3:1-17
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
John 3:1-17
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The Bible speaks of a new birth that is necessary in order to enter the Kingdom of God. Is that 2nd birth something we accomplish in ourselves by our decision, prayer or experience, or is it something that is worked in us by Another? Listen, as the prevailing understanding of being "born again" is challenged by God's Word.
