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"For You" Good Friday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Psalm 22
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The suffering and death of Christ for sinners is not just a record found in the New Testament. Isaiah 52 & 53 describe the "Why" of Christ's death, and Psalm 22 describes the "What" and "How." In His being forsaken by The Father, Jesus bore the full wrath of judgment for our sins on Himself. Because He took our place, we are forgiven. Whatever life throws at you, know that Christ did this "For You."
"Through the Valley"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Psalm 23
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With the various worldwide persecutions of God's people intensifying, the comfort of Psalm 23 take on particular importance. Our Good Shepherd, Jesus, who laid down His life for His sheep, is the One who leads us to the green pastures and quiet waters of His Word and Sacraments to restore our souls. And as He leads us through this life in His righteousness, He is also the One who leads us through death and into the House of the Lord forever.
"O little flock, fear not the foe who madly seeks your overthrow; dread not his rage and pow'r. And though your courage sometimes faints, his seeming triumph o'er God's saints lasts but a little hour." LSB #666.
"Blessed Are the Penitent" Lent 1 Midweek
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Psalm 32
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The world, and our own sinful natures, view penitence as a bad thing. We don't want to admit our guilt, and think about the judgment we deserve because of it, so we avoid, self justify and do about anything else to make ourselves feel good about our sin. But the penitent person is the one truly blessed because, not only does he come to terms with his sin, he also is able to receive the wonderful news of what Christ has done to redeem him from his sins. Unlike the one who avoids or denies his sin and, thus remains in it under God's judgment, the penitent receives the forgiveness of his sin and is set free from it. Truly, blessed are the penitent in Christ!
"The Disposition of the Penitent" Lent 2 Midweek
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Psalm 38
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Psalm 38 is a good look into the disposition ("prevailing mood, tendency or inclination") of a truly penitent person. The penitent recognizes that, whether or not they are directly from God's hand, all adversities we experience are a judgment of God upon sins and a call to repentance. The penitent offers no excuses for his sin, nor tries to justify himself, but seeks out, and relies upon God's mercy. While the penitent fears that his sins may separate him from God, he trusts that God will be a Savior to those who cry out to Him for help. And the disposition of the penitent is to look in faith to Christ, who has borne all our sins, and the wrath of God for them, on Himself for us, and clings in faith to that blood bought forgiveness and reconciliation.
"Every Storm Runs Out of Rain"
Pastor Joseph Liss
Psalm 46
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Life is full of storms, be they personal trials, national crises or even natural disasters. These storms of life leave us wondering when they will run out of rain and the sun will shine upon us again. Psalm 46 helps us navigate these storms of life as we are called upon to look to God, our refuge and strength, who sent His Son to redeem us by His blood and to conquer the storms in our lives and bring us peace. Whatever we are going through that causes us distress, God, who is our Mighty Fortress in Christ, will cause these storms to pass and bring us His peace again.
"The Penitent Prays For a Purified Heart" Lent 3 Midweek
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Psalm 51
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Many believe that sin is only an external matter, and that if they can control what they do or don't do, they can either earn their way to heaven or, at least, contribute toward their entrance into heaven. But if you understand that the corruption of our very natures is what causes us to sin, then we realize that we cannot change or purify ourselves. Only God can do that. So the penitent prays, not just that God would keep us from sinning, but that He would purify our hearts and desires, and that He would have mercy on us and forgive us. And God has done that richly, through His Son, Jesus Christ.
"What it is to be Penitent" Ash Wed.
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Psalm 6
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Our culture does everything possible to avoid feelings of guilt, or to admit wrongdoing. Christians are not exempt from that avoidance. Yet, the life of the Christian should be one of daily repentance, coming to terms with our sins and offenses against God, yet hearing again, and trusting His forgiveness for us in Christ. To not deal with our sin is to leave us open to repeating those sins, or even embracing them. But to acknowledge them as they are, we are now open to the forgiveness of those sins, and strength and determination to fight against repeating them in the future, for the sake of Him who died for us.
"Our Passing World; Our Surpassing Savior" New Year's Eve
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Psalm 90
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As each year passes into a new one, we are reminded that we are one year closer to the grave. All the things we hope for and cling to will pass away. But rather than entering the New Year in anxiety, we enter it right in the middle of the Christmas Season. Here we see the birth of Christ our Savior. Here we see the love of God that redeems sinners. As we enter this New Year, we enter it with Christ, our Emmanuel; our "God with us." This is a passing world in which we live, but we have a surpassing Savior that gives us eternal life in Him. Happy New Year in Christ!
"Numbered Days" New Year's Eve
Pastor Kenneth D. Lueke
Psalm 90
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Pastor Kenneth D. Lueke
Psalm 90
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Passing from one year to the next reminds us that our lives are quickly passing as well. Psalm 90 takes a solemn look at the changes, and the end of life. Seen only from the pains and problems of this life, we feel the pressure of God's judgment for our sins. But seen from the perspective of God's "unfailing love" for us in Christ, we know that our sins are forgiven, and that even the passing of time, and the difficulties we face, are God's way of helping us refocus, and "gain a heart of wisdom" as we trust that "nothing in all creation shall be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
"He is the Key" 2nd Sun. in Easter
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 1:4-18
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 1:4-18
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Now that Easter is past, many are going back into their normal routines, both in life and in worship. We are thankful for Jesus' death and resurrection, but we don't give much consideration to Him now in His full glory in heaven. But the Apostle John saw Him as He truly is, and was both terrified and comforted. Terrified because of his own sinfulness in the presence of the Holy One, but also comforted by that very On who told him to fear not. Jesus died, but has conquered death by His resurrection. He is the One who "has loved us and freed us from our sins by His blood," and now we can stand before Him - not just in that future Day when He comes to judge the living and the dead, but each day of our lives now. Redeemed by Him and made His own, Jesus is the One who hold the keys unlocking death and the grave for us to be with Him forever. All because He loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood.
"The Kingdom of Power" Advent 1
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 12:10-12
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 12:10-12
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The Kingdom of Power is God's work in creating and preserving this world and the whole universe. Each of us, believer or not, operates within this Kingdom, and depends on the poer of God to sustain our lives. It is into this creation that God sent His Son, Jesus, to bring about redemption for the world. Because of sin, God has subjected the creation to futility yet, along with God's Christians, creation itself looks forward to its perfect restoration. But even now, we can live as God's redeemed and forgiven children, trusting in Christ and knowing that God's power will sustain us in this present life and bring us into everlasting life.
"The Eternal Gospel" Reformation Day
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 14:6-7
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 14:6-7
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The Reformation did not introduce a new Gospel to the world but, rather, allowed the "Eternal Gospel" of salvation by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ to come again to the forefront. Yet this was opposed by many inside and outside of the Church. The devil and the world will fight to destroy this Gospel, and the lives of the Reformers were in great danger. Yet, because of this eternal Gospel of Christ, they persevered, even writing hymns of power and comfort for the persecuted that continue to encourage us today. Hymns like: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," and "O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe." Tho devils all the world should fill all eager to devour us, we today can still stand firm in confidence because we, too, have and believe in the eternal Gospel of the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ.
"Holy Communion: Deliverance From Hell" Advent 3
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 19:5-9
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 19:5-9
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In Baptism, Jesus delivers us from death by connecting us to His own death and resurrection. In Holy Baptism, Jesus delivers us from judgment by undergoing judgment for us and pronouncing us forgiven in Him. In Holy Communion, Jesus delivers us from hell by giving us His very body and blood in this Holy Feast in preparation for the Marriage Feast in heaven. He pours His life into us so that we would never have to be separated from Him through eternal death, judgment and hell. As we partake of His body and blood here on earth, we know we will partake of His marriage feast in heaven for all eternity.
"Life Together" Advent 3
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 21
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 21
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The Church is made up of people connected to each other through faith in Christ. We have a life together because we share together the same Savior, the same Holy Spirit, the same Word of God and the same holy calling to be His people. To isolate ourselves from our fellow Christians, and to neglect His Means of Grace is to endanger our faith itself. While in this life we do not see the Church in the best light, there is a day coming when she shall be seen as she truly is: beautiful and holy as the Bride of Christ.
"The Kingdom of Glory" Advent 3
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 21 & 22
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 21 & 22
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As glorious as this world and universe are, they are broken and marred because of man's sin. While we are in awe of the beauty of the creation, we grieve at the death and tragedy found in it. We long for things to be as they were supposed to be. God has promised that as He sent His Son to bear man's sin and judgment on Himself, that He will return to make all things new. It is to this Kingdom of Glory that we look, and that fills us with hope and joy, even in the midst of this broken creation. Even it, though, points us to that which will be restored when Christ returns. God makes us His people through The Kingdom of Grace - the Church where we are given the gifts of Christ. He provides and protects His people through His Kingdom of Power as He works in this world. And He will bring us into His Kingdom of Glory - heaven, when He calls us out of this life, or when He returns again in glory. Amen. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
"Advent Future" Midweek 2
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 21:1-5
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 21:1-5
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We know that with Christ's first Advent, He came into our flesh and nature to redeem us by His death on the cross, and to defeat death for us by His resurrection. We know that at His second Advent, He will return in glory, this present creation will be destroyed, our bodies will be raised from death and the Judgment Day occurs. But what then? What do the Scriptures say God has in store for us and all creation then?
"The City of God"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 21:9-27
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 21:9-27
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Though hard pressed in this world, the church (God's Christians) have the assurance of our glorious future in Christ when He makes all things new. At that time when we dwell in God's perfect presence, there will be nothing impure that will enter this Holy City. Now if that makes us nervous, because we sin daily and are, in ourselves, impure, we look again to "the Lamb who was slain and is alive again." Jesus took our sins and impurity on Himself at the cross. He makes us pure in God's sight, and so we, by faith in Jesus, are part of this New Jerusalem, the Holy City, and will one day walk in the light of Christ.
"Eternal Worship Even Now" Confirmation Sunday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 5:1-14
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 5:1-14
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As Elisha prayed that his servant's eyes would be opened to see the angelic hosts surrounding and protecting them, so the Book of Revelation opens our eyes to the heavenly realities surrounding us. Many believe that gathering for the Divine Service is an isolated thing taking place in a particular location. They view it as something optional for when we are "in the mood." But the reality is that when we gather on earth before Christ and His Word and Sacraments, we don't gather alone. We are united with all the "angels, archangels and the whole company of heaven." We are surrounded by a mighty host in praise of "the Lamb who was slain" for our sins and is alive forevermore. On our Confirmation Day we vow to remain faithful in receiving God's Word and Sacraments and suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from them. Sadly, we all too often forget those vows as life happens. Yet, Christ continues to call us to Himself that He may give us His gifts and prepare us for when we join that heavenly host. May we all renew our commitment to Him and know that, even if we gather with only two or three others, He is there with us.
"The Church Gathered" Confirmation Sunday
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 5:1-14
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 5:1-14
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Joh's vision of the heavenly coronation of Christ reminds us that the Church in heaven is not isolated from the Church on earth. The Lamb who was slain comes to us to serve us as we gather through His Word and Sacraments. His gifts are given to us as we gather in worship, and we respond to those gifts in praise of our Savior. But when we do, we are gathered with all the angels and archangels and the heavenly hosts, which are God's Christians who have departed this life to go to the Lord. So in reality, we do not gather as individuals, or as individual congregations to "worhsip the Lord," but we gather as the church on earth and in heaven to worship the Lamb who was slain and has conquered by His resurrection and is the Savior of His Christians; His Church.
"The Lamb is the Shepherd." All Saints' Day
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 7:13-17
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 7:13-17
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The devil and the world would have us focus on death and decay and leave us in fear of the dead and of our own deaths. God would have us focus on life - the life we have in Christ, and the eternal life that is ours because of Christ. John's heavenly vision in Revelation 7 shows the state of the Blessed Dead. Those who fall asleep in Jesus here immediately go into the presence of "angels and archangels and all the host of heaven" to worship Jesus, the Lamb who was slain for our sins and lives forevermore. He is our Shepherd who continues to provide for and lead His people. Heaven and earth are joined around the gifts God gives in Christ, and in singing His praises. So while we may weep at the passing of loved ones, we can be joyfully confident, because of God's Word and Promise, that they are indeed blessed, for they are with their Savior eternally.
"Out of Great Tribulation"
Pastor Kenneth D. Lueke
Revelation 7:9-17
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Pastor Kenneth D. Lueke
Revelation 7:9-17
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While we live in a Revelation Chapter Six reality, where the Four Horsemen of God's judgment has been, and is being poured out on the world, there is a Revelation Chapter Seven reality occurring at the very same time. As God's Christians leave this world at death, they are immediately gathering with all God's faithful before the Throne of Heaven in the presence of the Lamb, Jesus, who redeemed us from sin, death and hell.
"Standing in Eternity" All Saints' Day
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 7:9-17
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 7:9-17
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While this fallen, temporal world continues, there is another world not been by our eyes but just as real, if not more so. St. John was granted the vision of what is taking place in heaven with all those who have departed this world in faith. Together with angels and archangels, the faithful who die in the Lord are alive and singing the praises of the Lamb who was slain and is alive forevermore. As the Book of Revelation reveals the struggle of Satan and this world against God's Christians, so He assures us all in this vision that there is so much more waitng for us that this world cannot take away. Because of Christ, who died for us and lives forevermore, we shall live also, standing in eternity with our Savior.
"Belongs to God" All Saints' Day
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 7:9-17
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 7:9-17
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A saint is not a sinless "Super Christian," but someone who has been made holy and belongs to God through faith in the forgiveness of sins won for us by the Lamb of God, Jesus. When a Christian dies, he enters into the eternal resurrection, and in the presence of God together with all the faithful from every nation, tribe, people and language. Yet, though we feebly struggle here while they in glory shine, yet we are all still one Church; one Body of Christ, and we are united together in earth and heaven as we come to receive the gifts Christ gives where He has promised to be: in His Word and Sacraments.
"Alive With Christ"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 7:9-17
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 7:9-17
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Our earthly existence can convince us that this is the only reality. But there is another reality, a heavenly reality that exists at the same time. This world's reality, with all of its tribulations and sorrows, including death, is temporary. The heavenly reality that we presently do not see, is eternal. Those who die in Christ here are alive with Christ in heaven. The Apostle John gives us a heavenly view, and what is occurring there even as we live out our lives here.
"What a Day!" All Saints Day
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 7:9-17
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 7:9-17
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Those who try to usher in a "Paradise on Earth" try to do so through the murder and enslavement of millions. The real Paradise brings liberation to millions and came only through the blood shed by One - Jesus Christ. As such, He has, and is redeeming millions of people of every tribe, nation, race and language to be in this eternal Paradise with Him. That also includes even ordinary Christians like ourselves. Though in this life we have tears, there God will wipe away every tear. Though loved ones in Christ die, they leave this great tribulation and enter into the eternal glories of heaven. That gives us every reason for comfort, and for perseverance in the faith.
"Active Rest" All Saints' Day
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 7:9-17
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Revelation 7:9-17
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While engaged in the struggle against sin and death in this world, we still live in the shadow of the resurrection. We, who by faith in the atoning work of Christ for us, are made saints in His sight, we know that when we depart this life we join immediately the "angels, archangels and all the company of heaven" in the presence of our God and Creator, who has redeemed us through Christ to be His own forever. So, even though we sorrow now when a loved one dies, a time is coming when we join all the faithful in heaven where "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
"Hearing, Believing, Confessing"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Romans 10:5-17
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Romans 10:5-17
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People always want to make their fitness before God dependent on who they are or what they do or don't do. But our "rightness" before God comes by faith in Christ, who died for our sins and rose again. Jew or Gentile alike are lost sinners who, also alike, are saved through faith in Christ, which cannot help but confess Him before others. In order to believe in Christ and confess His name, we must hear His Word - not just once in our lives, but constantly. For it is through the Word of Christ that faith is engendered and sustained, giving us the joyous courage to confess Jesus our Redeemer to others.
"Mercy For All in Christ"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Romans 11: Selected Verses
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Romans 11: Selected Verses
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Neo-Nazis, the KKK, certain White Christian Separatist groups all claim that God has rejected the Jewish people, and so must we. But is that true? The fact is, that as long as there are Jewish people being brought to faith in Christ, that is evidence that God still loves His Old Testament people and desires their salvation and inclusion in the Church. Christ died for Jew and Gentile alike. Both groups are saved only through faith in Jesus. Christians must oppose the twisted ideologies of the above groups and others who want to restrict the Gospel only to themselves, for those groups are showing that they do not possess the Gospel either.
"Thinking Outside of the Box"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Romans 11:1-24
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Romans 11:1-24
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Are the Jewish people still God's "Chosen People" in the same sense as they were in the Old Testament, so that we have to support present-day Israel in everything it does, otherwise we will be cursed by God? Can present day Jews be saved under the Old Covenant without faith in Christ? Are the Jews, who as a whole, rejected Christ by having Him crucified and then persecuted the Church now completely rejected by God and beyond salvation? The answer to all those questions is a resounding "NO!" Christians will not be cursed by God for not supporting everything modern Israel does, and Jews absolutely can be saved through faith in Christ. Christ died for all, so that "WHOEVER" believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Indeed, the Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes; first for the Jew and then for the Gentile.
"Out of Many, One"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Romans 12:1-8
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Romans 12:1-8
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Paul exhorts us, by "the mercies of God" in Christ, to live as His called Christians in our daily lives. As Christ died for many and various people, so He unites many and various people into His Body, the Church. The devil tries to split individuals away from the Church, much like a wolf or lion tries to pick off the straggler from the herd, in order to destroy. As we remain in Christ and His Word, and stay connected to His Body, we will remain ultimately safe from destruction and enter eternal life.
