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"Recognizing the Signs" 1st Sunday in Advent
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 13:24-31
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 13:24-31
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It's easy to recognize the signs that Christmas is near. The calendar tells us; displays in the store tell us; even the programming on TV tells us. But do we recognize the signs bringing us nearer to Christ's return? That may be more difficult because those signs have been present for millennia: wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, false Christ's, etc. Yet our Lord points to these signs, general though they may be, to keep us vigilant for His return. For His Christians, that Day of His return will be one of joy and renewal as He makes all things new.
"The End is the Beginning" Christ the King
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 13:24-37
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 13:24-37
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"Stay Awake" Last Sun. of the Church Year
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 13:24-37
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 13:24-37
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It's sad to be asleep in the deer blind and miss the big buck. It's a tragedy to be spiritually asleep and unprepared for Christ's return. Jesus first came to be our Redeemer. He is coming again as the Judge. So Jesus urges His Christians to stay awake and recognize the signs in this world that we are getting closer: wars, famines, earthquakes and false christs. Though we see these things throughout history, they are reminders that this world is passing away and getting closer to The End. Thus, we are to remain awake looking for His return. But also to receive Him as He now comes to us in His Word and Sacraments. Meeting Him now where He comes to us will make us prepared when He returns in glory.
"Watchful" Last Sun. of the Ch. Yr.
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 13:32-37
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 13:32-37
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Jesus doesn't give us specific signs so that we can plot out exactly when His return will be. He gives us general signs that will be seen throughout history so that we will remain watchful, and not be found "asleep" at His return. Whether His return is tomorrow, or a thousand years from tomorrow, we live out our vocations daily, continue receiving His gifts of Word and Sacrament, and keep watch for His return, for we are watching for our Redeemer, our Savior, our greatest Friend to return for us.
"A Meal for the Wounded" Holy Thursday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 14:22, 24
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 14:22, 24
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As Jesus prepared for His death on the cross the next day, that Passover Thursday He established His "Last Will and Testament" with His disciples, giving them not earthly treasures, but a meal in which He gives them Himself - His true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins. This meal is not a symbolic meal of remembrance that Jesus died; it is an actual partaking of Christ's body and blood and the forgivness and life He won for us on the cross. From all His wounds, we find healing for our wounds caused by sin. In partaking of this Holy Supper, we take into our lives the life of Christ for us. In repentance and faith we come to His table, confident of His mercy to us and receiving His life in us.
"Behold the Life-Giving Cross" Good Friday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 15:33-41
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 15:33-41
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What would make a hardened criminal and a disillusioned Centurian soldier look to Jesus during His crucifixion and call Him "Lord," and "The Son of God?" It was what Jesus said and how He endured that made the difference. Even being abandoned by His heavenly Father, He was crying out for our forgivness and being abandoned so that we sinners would not be abandoned by God for eternity. He died unlike any other, especially those being crucified, and that grace and peace sank into the hearts of those two men that they would believe in Him and, in the criminal's case, be assured by Jesus that he would be in paradise with Him. And that same assurance is ours: That we are not abandoned by our heavenly Father, no matter what is happening in our lives, but that through Christ's death and resurrection, we know He is the Son of God and our Lord, and we will be with Him in paradise forever.
"The Fourth Word: Why?" Lent 3
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 15:34
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 15:34
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Hell is not just a place; it is also a condition. Hell is utter abandonment by God, where none of His grace and blessings are given to us any longer. In this life, no matter how hellish our situation may be, and no matter how wicked and unbelieving we may be, we still receive of God's blessings to one degree or another. In this world, we are never totally abandoned by God. On the cross, Jesus not only was dying for our sins, but He also suffered the pangs of hell - total abandonment by God - for our sins. As He cried out "Why have You forsaken Me?" the answer is that He was forsaken for us, that we might never have to experience the condition of hell. Even during that time of complete abandonment by His heavenly Father, Jesus still clung to Him as "My God." So for us: no matter how "hellish" life might be, continute to cling in faith to your heavenly Father, for He has not abandoned you. He gave you Jesus as proof of that.
"Trading Places" Good Friday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 15:6-15
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 15:6-15
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Like Barabbas, we are rebels against God and His Word. Like the crowds calling for Barabbas' release and for Jesus' crucifixion, we all to often choose evil over good, wrong over right. Yet Christ traded places with Barabbas, dying his death (and ours) so that we all can have forgiveness and life in Him.
"Yhe 'Sabbath of the Story"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 2:23-28
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 2:23-28
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God commanded one day a week for Israel to observe/remember a time of rest for body and soul. It was in His gracious providence that His people should remember God's creative work and His rescue and redemption of His people. That command is still in effect for God's Christians today - not a particular day of the week, but to sanctify a day each week for His Word and to give rest to our souls as we receive His gifts. In Christian freedom, we can worship on any day of the week, for His Word sanctifies the day. Yet, if possible, we should gather with our fellow believers around the Wiord and Sacraments. These gifts will strengthen our faith and give true rest for our souls.
"A Fatal Division"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 3:20-30
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 3:20-30
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Divisions have existed among people since the fall into sin. Mankind is divided from God and from each other. The division runs so deep that some cannot recognize the good work of the Holy Spirit through Christ but, instead, attributes that work to the devil. To reject the Holy Spirit's work is to reject the forgiveness of our sins won by Christ and leads to eternal condemnation. For some there is no truning back. But thanks be to God that many reject Christ in ignorance only later to be brought to faith in Him as their Redeemer. The division is now healed and eternal joy is ours.
"Binding and Crushing"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 3:20-30
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 3:20-30
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Christ came to bind Satan's power, and release those held captive to it. By His death on the cross, Jesus crushed Satan's head, even though He would give His life to do so. Yet, the religious leaders are attributing all that Jesus is doing, especially casting out demons, to the power of Satan. They are coming perilously close to committing the "Unforgivable Sin," blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. What is that? Listen to this broadcast to find out.
"Binding the Strong Man"
Pastor Lee Wenskay
Mark 3:20-35
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Pastor Lee Wenskay
Mark 3:20-35
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Vices and additions are powerful forces to defeat and often bind us in their power. So Satan also has bound the world under sin. But Christ has defeated the "Strong Man," and has plundered his house. Christ has taken back what is His own as He has redeemed us by His blood. Satan is now bound and defeated and we who trust in Christ are now His own dear possessions. While we, by our own reason and strangth can never break free, we are now free because of Jesus.
"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.
"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.
"Wrong Question"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 4:35-41
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 4:35-41
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Jesus' stilling of the storm not only proves who He is as true God, and His authority to rob Satan of those who belong to him, but also gives His Christians individually, and The Church at large, the assurance that there is no need to fear when the storms of life afflict and assail us. Our Lord cares about us, even though in the midst of life's storms, we may doubt that. Because Christ has redeemed us by His death and resurrection, He continues to hold us in His hand - in life and in death. Because we have been made Christ''s own, there is no need to fear when the storms of life hit.
"In the Boat With Jesus"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 4:35-41
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 4:35-41
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When the storms of adversity threaten our lives, we often despair of God's goodness and question whether He is concerned that we are suffering. In the storm on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples saw the power of Jesus to rescue them and to calm the storm. As we remain in the boat of the Church with Jesus, we likewise see His power to save us, and His love and concern for us. When life threatens us and death looms large, the Gospel proclaimed in Word and Sacrament comforts, heals, protects and sustains us. In this "boat" with Jesus, when adversity comes, we do not cry out "Don't You care that we are perishing?" but rather, "Jesus, Savior, pilot me over life's tempestuous sea."
"Still! Still?"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 4:35-41
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 4:35-41
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The disciples saw many examples of Jesus' power to deliver people from sickness and demon possession. Yet, when a storm threatened to sink their boat and kill them, in their fear they questioned the goodness and compassion of Jesus because He wasn't immediately saving them. They are much like us. We believe in Jesus when things are good and, when a "storm" hits us, begin to doubt and question Jesus. Yet, He does deliver His people - sometimes in this life and sometimes by taking us out of this life. Adversities do not show a lack of concern on Jesus' part, but are the ways He can work in our lives to strengthen our faith and make us more reliant on Him.
"Unbelieving Believers?"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 6:1-13
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 6:1-13
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Even though they went to "church," those of His hometown rejected Jesus because they thought they knew Him and were offended as He preached God's Word and was the fulfillment of that Word. They could not, or would not connect Jesus with that Word. Many today think they know who Jesus is and, while claiming to be believers, live as unbelievers instead. They reject the things He said or did in the Bible because they think they are so much smarter than those who wrote the Scriptures. Yet, you can only know Jesus and believe in Him when you believe what the Bible reveals about Him. There is no other way.
"Compromised; Uncompromising"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 6:14-29
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 6:14-29
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Sin can be denied or ignored and the guilt stuffed down deep inside of us, but there will be something that triggers the guilt to come rushing to the forefront again. In the meantime, unresolved guilt can lead to many self destructive behaviors. King Herod had been compromised so badly in his moral, spiritual and ethical life that his reputation was more important than saving the life of John the Baptist. Then, hearing about Jesus' miracles, wrongly thought John had come back from the dead for revenge. Even today, many are compromised by sin and try to suppress their guilt through alcohol, drugs, sex, work and any number of other things that eventually lead to destruction. It's only whenone is brought to repentance and trust in the atoning death of Jesus on the cross for them that the guilt can be truly released and healing can take place. It is in the uncompromising Gospel that we find peace.
"More Right Than He Knew" Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 6:14-29
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 6:14-29
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When one lives in unrepentant sin, he knows deep down that there will be a judgment. Even the powerful, like Herod, are not free from God's Law, nor from the call to repent of their sin and believe the Gospel. John the Baptist faithfully preached repentance, even to Herod, but the hate of Herod's wife eventually led to John's death. Sin is insidious. It calls us to reject God's Word and to live for oneself instead. But Christ came, as the perfectly innocent One to bear our sins on Himself, not to live in the old, futile ways of our sinful nature, but in the newness of life He gives to us. Vigilance for the Christian is necessary, because sin is still at work in us. Constantly being strengthened by the Means of Grace is critical in our fight against sin. Yet, we do not live in fear, but in the confidence and love of our Redeemer in life and in death.
"Already Dead, Yet Alive!"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 6:14-29
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 6:14-29
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John the Baptist spoke the truth to power, even though he knew it would cost him. He could do this because he regarded himself dead already to this world, yet he was alive to God in Christ. As God's Christians, we may be called on to stand up for the truth in this culture, even against powerful people. It may cost us in terms of reputation and acceptance, yet, because we have died with Christ in Baptism, and have been raised with Him, we can make our stand in His forgiveness, come what may.
"The Shepherd Still Feeds His Sheep"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 6:30-44
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 6:30-44
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The disciples were overwhelmed. There was no way they could feed 5000 + people with what they had. But they forgot who they were with and what He could do. They had everything they needed because Jesus was there. And so Jesus multiplied miraculously the five loaves of bread and the two fish and thousands ate and were satisfied. Congregations also fret over what they perceive they lack, rather than looking in faith to Who is with them and what He has given them. While we worry about what programs we don't have, or what resources we lack, we miss that, whether it's a congregation of fifteen people, or ten thousand, Jesus has given us everything we need to satisfy the souls of those we caare for because Jesus is here. Through His Word and Sacraments, He feeds His sheep everything needed for their souls. While some congregations have more rsources to do more "things," we all have the same resources from Jesus that He multiplies to meet the deepest needs of all. As long as a congregation faithfully preaches and teaches God's Word and rightly administers His Sacraments, The Shepherd still feeds His sheep.
"Still?"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 6:45-52
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 6:45-52
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After all Jesus did to that point, the disciples still didn't get it when Jesus walked to them on water and calmed the storm. In the miraculous feeding of the 5000, they didn't connect that Jesus has control over nature and, thus, they are safe with Him. Before we get too hard on the disciples, we often still don't get it, either. Adversities cause us to doubt, and griefs make us question the goodness of God or the love of Christ for us. Though we don't always "get Him," He still gets us and in dying and rising for us, will continue to forgive and help to unharden our hearts so we become confident that "neither death, nor life ... nor anything in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
"In the Boat With Jesus"
Pastor Lee Wenskay
Mark 6:45-56
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Pastor Lee Wenskay
Mark 6:45-56
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All creation knows its Creator. Only man does not. Before faith, we mistakenly think Jesus is our enemy come to destroy us. But when the Holy Spirit, through the Word of Christ creates faith in our hearts, we now understand Him to be our Savior and Friend. The Church is pictured as a boat and the sea as the chaos of this world. When the Church has Jesus, it is safe, in spite of the chaos. When it does not have Jesus, then it is a shipwreck waiting to happen. In fact, it is not the Church at all. When the chaos threatens to overwhelm you, hear again the words of Jesus for you: "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."
"When Words Collide"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 7:1-13
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 7:1-13
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Traditions can be good when they unite people and give continuity to life. Religious traditions are good when they uphold God's Word and help people to clearly see all that Jesus has done for us. But when traditions contradict or hide God's Word, and make us think that we are right before God by carrying out those traditions, then those traditions become bad. Jesus tears into the Pharisees precisely because they are using the traditions of the elders as a way of justifying themselves and condemning others. Those traditions were hindering them from repentance for their sins and a trust in Christ for forgiveness. Even today we are prone to judging others by whether or not they do what we do and think that we are better than they because we follow our traditions. This requires repentance on our part as well. Traditions are necessary, but hey must never collide with God's Word, either in our practice or in our hearts.
"When Traditions Clash"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 7:1-13
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 7:1-13
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Human beings cannot but help create traditions. Traditions give order and structure to our lives and join us to one another. Traditions in church, when rooted in God's Word, help clarify the Faith and proclaim Christ. But when our churchly traditions are elevated to, or exalted above God's Word, to where the keeping of those traditions is viewed as a way of obtaining grace and God's favor, then those traditions become dangerous. It's not a matter that churches that have traditions made by humans are less "spiritual" or godly than those churches that practice a "spontaneous" style of worship (for, indeed, they are just as tradition bound as anyone else), but rather that whatever traditions we have in the church should uphold God's Word and present clearly before our eyes the mercy, love and grace of God for sinners shown in the life, death and resurrection of His Son Jesus, for us.
"Tradition!"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 7:1-13
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 7:1-13
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Traditions are important to our lives. They give order and stability as these traditions are repeated and handed down through the generations. Religious traditions are good when they uphold God's Word and help us to see more clearly His grace for sinners through Jesus Christ. But, when those traditions are made equal to, or conflict with the Word of God, then by no means should we follow them.
"Heart Attack"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 7:14-23
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 7:14-23
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Some believe that if they eat or drink certain things, that will make them unholy before God. Jesus tells us that our unholiness doesn't come from external things, but from our hearts, which is where all our sin originates. And since we cannot cleanse our hearts by external traditions or practices, we must rely in faith on the cleansing that Jesus provides through His suffering and death for our sins. Our holiness doesn't come from what we do or don't do, but from Christ who died for us.
"The Healing Touch"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 7:31-37
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 7:31-37
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God created us physical beings, and brought about our redemption through His Son taking on our flesh and nature. As such, God often used physical signs to prepare us to receive His Word. As Jesus touched the deaf and mute man's ears and tongue, He was using physical contact to prepare that man for what Christ's Word would accomplish. Now, as the Church, the Body of Christ, we are the hands and feet of Christ to our neighbors around us. As we do good to our neighbor, we prepare them to hear the Gospel and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, embrace the forgiveness that Christ won for them.
"Not Ashamed"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 8:27-38
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Mark 8:27-38
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Opinions can be based on facts or feelings. In many earthly matters, varying opinions really don't matter. But when it comes to Christ, what we believe must be based in the truth of God's Word, for our eternities depend on it. Whatever views the world has about Jesus, His followers must understand (and believe) that He came to die for our sins. He took up His cross to redeem us, and we who follow Him also take up crosses. Not the various afflictions present in this world, but the cross of suffering for being connected to Him. If we are ashamed of Him and His cross, He will be ashamed of us at The Last Day. But because of His love for us that forgives our sins, there's no reason to be ashamed of His Word, no matter what other people's opinions are.
