Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

Pastor Stephen shares a message on 1 John 3:11-18.Support the show

Pastor Stephen shares a message based on 1 John 2:18-27.Support the show

Pastor Stephen shares a message based on 1 John 1:1-2:2.Support the show

Pastor Stephen shares a message based on Hebrews 12:18-29Support the show

Pastor Stephen shares a message based on Hebrews 12:1-3.Support the show

Pastor Stephen shares a message based on Hebrews 11.Support the show

Pastor Stephen shares a message based on Hebrews 9:11-14Support the show

Pastor Stephen shares a message based on Hebrews 4:12-16 and Hebrews 7:23-25.Support the show

Pastor Stephen shares a message on Hebrews 4:1-11.Support the show

Pastor Stephen shares a message based on Hebrews 2:5-18.Support the show

Pastor Stephen kicks off our new series with a message on Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:1-14.Support the show

Pastor Stephen Apt shares a message for Easter Sunday based on John's account.Support the show

Pastor Stephen Apt shares a message on John's account of Palm Sunday.Support the show

Pastor Apt shares a message on John 17:15-23.Support the show

Pastor Apt continues his message on John 14: "Do not let your hearts be troubled."Support the show

Pastor Apt shares a message on John 14:1-6.Support the show

Jesus doesn’t ask us to love the easy ones. He commands us to love like Him. This isn’t soft love. It’s cross-shaped love. It's love that gets betrayed, abandoned, and still chooses to stay. Jesus unplugs our shallow notions of kindness and comfort and calls us to a love that costs—yet heals everything.Support the show

Jesus doesn’t take the throne; He takes a towel. In a culture that worships charisma, platforms, and power, Jesus gets on His knees and washes feet. He rewrites greatness with humility and defines leadership as love. This week, Jesus unplugs our obsession with status and invites us into a kingdom where glory is found in stooping low.Support the show

Pastor Stephen shares a message for Ash Wednesday on the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.Support the show

What we give to God is never lost — it’s invested in eternity. The treasures of this world fade, but the impact of a generous, surrendered life endures forever. As we close our Return to Sender series, we’ll celebrate that every time we give, serve, or love in Jesus’ name, we’re returning His gifts to Him — and He uses them to change lives for eternity.Support the show

God doesn’t want our leftovers; He calls us to give our first and best as an act of trust and worship. In a world that tells us to hold tightly to what we have, giving back to the Giver reminds us who truly provides. This week, we’ll learn how generosity flows from gratitude — and how every gift is a way of saying, “Thank You, Lord.”Support the show

Everything we have — our time, talents, and treasures — ultimately belongs to God. We’re not owners, but managers of what He’s entrusted to us. When we understand that truth, it changes the way we handle everything in life. This week, we’ll see that faithful stewardship begins with recognizing God’s ownership and our joyful responsibility to care for what’s His.Support the show

This week ties together the themes of spiritual growth and mission. It shows how the church equips believers to mature in faith and love, building up the body to reach the world. It emphasizes the collective pursuit of maturity and the church’s calling to impact others through a unified, growing community.Support the show

This week focuses on the joy and longing for fellowship within the church community, reflecting Paul’s desire to see and strengthen the faith of believers. It connects to Baptism Sunday by celebrating the inclusion of new believers into the church family, emphasizing communal love and encouragement as newcomers begin their journey in faith.Support the show

This week establishes the church as the body of Christ, where every member is uniquely placed by God to contribute to the whole. It emphasizes unity, diversity, and interdependence, highlighting why believers are “better together” in pursuing God’s purpose as a loving, life-changing family. Support the show

Pastor Stephen shares a message for Epiphany on Matthew's account of the Magi.Support the show

Pastor Stephen shares a message for Christmas on Simeon and Anna.Support the show

Pastor Stephen Apt shares a message for Christmas.Support the show

Joseph had his life planned, but it all came crashing down when he found out Mary was pregnant with a child not his. But God sent his angel to give him hope.  He pointed to the one who actually takes away guilt and gives real hope. Through Jesus, God brings forgiveness, peace, and a future we can trust. He doesn't let us navigate it alone, but Immanuel, God with us, goes too. This Christmas, our hearts are made ready when we turn to him and discover the hope he offersSupport the show

Zechariah’s voice had been silent for months, yet when he finally spoke, he celebrated God’s faithfulness. God had kept his promises and was bringing salvation to the world. His song reminds us that we don’t have to face life’s uncertainties alone—God’s mercy and faithfulness give our hearts confidence as we wait for Christmas.Support the show

Mary wasn’t rich, powerful, or famous. She was an ordinary young woman. Yet through her, God brought his Savior into the world—the one who would lift up the humble and bring hope to all people. Mary’s story reminds us that Christmas isn’t about what we do for God, but about what God has done—and is still doing—for the world.Support the show

The Christmas season often leaves us feeling scattered and stretched thin. But what if the best preparation isn’t about doing more, but about coming home? John the Baptist’s birth was announced as part of God’s plan to turn people’s hearts back to him. This Advent begins with God inviting us home—to forgiveness, peace, and a fresh start.Support the show

We come to the part of the story we have all been waiting for! It’s wedding bells for Boaz and Ruth. She is finally a bride and he is her redeemer. A redeemer is someone who does for us what we could not do ourselves. Pays a price we could not pay. So we could be redeemed. The marriage in this story gives us a beautiful picture of the relationship we have with our Redeemer… what He did for us to make us his Bride. It also shows how God worked this whole story out for that very purpose… so He could be our Redeemer.Support the show

How often have you been willing to use others for your advantage? How often have you tried to manipulate events and situations to benefit yourself? Without caring how it will impact others? It can be too easy to do this. The real test of faithfulness is doing something that might not be desirable or easy to do because it’s the thing God wants you to do. Like Jesus did for us. Our character is tested when we do the right thing even when no one is looking. The faithfulness and character we display will point people to how beautiful our God is. Today’s message will give us much to think about concerning faithfulness and character.Support the show

Today’s installment of our story is the heart-warming meeting of a girl and boy, Ruth and Boaz. God is bringing them together for a very important purpose. God has been bringing men and women together since the beginning of time… for very important purposes. God has a purpose for your marriage. For Ruth, not everything had been going very well. She had been through difficult circumstances. But would she let those circumstances define her? Or would she define her circumstances as obstacles and opportunities she would get through with God’s help? We can learn a lot from Boaz and Ruth in today’s message!Support the show

It’s a classic opening to a tragic short story… “It was a dark and stormy night.” That opening line usually leads to all the challenges and hardships that are making things “dark and stormy.” In the beginning of this story, death separates three marriages, all in one family. The widows have no place to live. No way to make a living. It’s a time of bitterness. Why did this happen? How does God see his people through situations this dark and stormy? Why does He allow it? This story will offer us an enormous amount of life lessons and faith lessons. Lessons about how following God is worth more than anything else.Support the show

We’re told from every angle—school, work, even church—that our worth depends on how we perform. But this Reformation Sunday, we remember the truth that set the Church free: you are saved not by performance, but by grace. As we celebrate 175 years of God’s grace in the WELS, we’re not bragging on ourselves—we’re boasting in Christ alone.Support the show

We all crave happiness—but what kind? The kind that fades the moment life gets hard? Or the kind that endures even in pain? This week, God challenges the popular belief that his highest goal is our short-term comfort. In Hebrews 11, we see an example of someone who could have chosen comfort, ease, and status—but instead chose something better. Through this, God shows us that true happiness isn’t found in chasing pleasure, but in walking with him toward something eternal.Support the show

In a society that has almost tried to get the word “sin” out of circulation, it’s fascinating that self-loathing over unresolved guilt anger over unexpressed forgiveness is still one of the largest drivers of behavior. This week, we look at the most famous fail of processing guilt in history, the story of Judas Iscariot, to see the necessity of finding forgiveness, including self-forgiveness.Support the show

Modern America is what philosophers might call a “soft closed religious society.” What that means is that it’s technically not illegal to discuss matters of faith in public, but it’s considered socially inappropriate. Particularly inappropriate would a discussion of Hell. But it’s actually impossible to be a Christian witness, without modifying the gospel of Jesus, if you never address Hell. So the end result is that most Christians today simply don’t witness their faith in any sort of true, vocal way. If we are called to be witnesses, we need to be confident, and biblical, and loving in our witness of Christ. This week we’re going to learn about how to talk about Hell in a true way, but one that resonates with contemporary culture.Support the show

Modern Americans are very familiar with the practice of the privatization of faith. But if good news is, in fact, good, then how private can you truly keep it before you insinuate it’s not all that life-changing? This week, Jesus shows us that faith was never meant to be hidden—it was meant to be lived, spoken, and shared. Because when the gospel grabs hold of your heart, it can’t help but overflow into your words, your relationships, and your world.Support the show

“If your marriage isn’t happy, you should leave.” It sounds reasonable—even compassionate. But Jesus speaks a better word. In Matthew 19, he challenges not just our decisions, but the lies we believe about happiness, commitment, and love. This week, we’ll wrestle with what God permits in a broken world, what he commands for our good, and what Jesus himself vows to us—an unbreakable covenant love that stays. Whether you're married, single, divorced, or hurting, Jesus meets you with truth that heals and grace that holds.Support the show

Most philosophers and religious leaders throughout history have suggested that contentment is the secret to happiness. And yet, modern research also seems to suggest that $34k/year income is a threshold, and $75k/year is another income threshold for happiness. So which is it? Can we be content without X amount of dollars? Should we be content where we’re at and never pursue more money? What can we do with the money we have that will bring greatest joy? Support the show

Pastor Stephen Apt shares a message on the Great Commission for the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Divine Savior Church.Support the show

It is not a matter of “If suffering will happen… It’s a When?” The better question then is “how do you experience the suffering?” Do you throw pity parties and live as a victim moping around in the darkness? The final secret to a great life is your life changed on a cross 2000 years ago. You are no longer a victim, but a victor in Jesus. Never Forget Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, this is the ultimate Biblical truth that leads to a truly great life, as it is that which proves God is trustworthy. What is truly remarkable about all of these reliable truths to a truly great life is that all are dependent on God’s faithfulness, not ours!Support the show

Unlike the fleeting hacks for lunches, cleaning, or relationships, there is a life hack that when we live it and strive to daily implement it, will radically change our lives. It will transform how you live, impact your health, wellness, emotions, and relationships, and it all flows from something given to you that will drive you. The truth, the real-life hack? Living each day in light of our sure hope in the living God who has redeemed us! Godliness matters! Intentionally living the faith, hope, love, and forgiveness of Jesus each day changes us, by his power, through his word.Support the show

Are you choosing to follow influencers or leaders? We have the privilege of choosing those who will influence our world view, how we handle our emotions, morals, and values. We do this through the podcasts we listen to, the shows we stream, the friends we keep, the mentors we choose and media we consume. An influencers’ job is to get clicks, likes, and views, a leader’s job is to help develop, lead, correct, and train us for a life filled with faith based on our future. The next Biblical truth leading to a truly great life is choosing influencers who honor God, honor authority, and live with character and integrity. I know that sounds like the antithesis of all modern influencers, but Christ’s kingdom and ways are often upside-down from the worldly standpoint? We don’t like anyone overseeing us, yet it is critical that for a great life, we allow ourselves to be led well by faith filled leaders, and we become such leaders. In fact, there are some significant rewards to leading God’s way.Support the show

Living for family, friends, our social media followers, or even just our own view of ourselves is overwhelming and leads to a constant fear of imposter syndrome and not good enough. Our second Biblical truth leading to a truly great life is living every moment of every day for an audience of one! When we live for that ONE, it changes how we view ourselves, how we engage with others, and the power to overcome the past which has haunted and dominated our identity.Support the show

It all starts with understanding your view and an understanding of your identity. Think about it, what type of mirror are you using? Are you using the carnival mirror which distorts your image? When I have a disordered understanding of my own identity it impacts my emotions, relationships, and purpose in life. Or are you using a real mirror which clearly shows who you are? This type of mirror shows who we really are and reveals our need for rescue from ourselves. It helps reorientate ourselves with the one who created us. The first truth to focus on is our real identity, not the one we’ve created for ourselves.Support the show

We all have the childhood fantasies of finding buried treasure - how would we celebrate? What would we do with the wealth and the resources?  How determined would we be if we knew where treasure was to be found?  As Jesus speaks of faith, he describes it's value as that of a buried treasure now discovered.  He leads us to ask the same questions, not with our childhood fantasies but with the reality of this amazing, valuable blessing that God has given to us.  How precious is the kingdom! Support the show