Our Savior Church Spring Hill Sermons

Are you the kind of person who counts down the days until their birthday? It is fun to celebrate the beginning of something special, whether it be a life, a relationship, or even a Church. Today is Pentecost Sunday, the day that some might call the birthday of the Christian Church. And the best part of birthdays is not the cake, but the gifts. At Pentecost, the Church was given the gift of the Holy Spirit. Let's celebrate our shared gift of faith on this special day.

Have you ever been on a new team, maybe in sports or in a work environment, and it started a little awkwardly? Everyone comes in as a stranger, used to doing their own thing, but if you have a good coach or a good cause, strangers suddenly turn into teammates, and a spirit of unity forms. Before Jesus goes to the cross, He prays that His Church would be united, just as He is united with His Father in heaven. How is such unity possible? Only through Christ Himself. Let’s praise His name, together!

A life without hope is a miserable place to be. Because of this, we are quick to put our hope in something, anything! But so often, what we hope for falls short of our expectations. This can cause us to be hesitant with our hope in the future. With Jesus, this is not the way. He has proven time and again to be our living hope. Hope in Him is so life-giving and real that it is hard to hide. In fact, others might ask us about our hope. True, living hope is a witness to the world!

"Don't worry, God won't give you more than you can handle!" Have you ever said those words? Have you ever had those words said to you? Usually, in our worst moments, these words are spoken to provide comfort. But, in reality, they are anything but helpful. Sometimes, God allows us to experience more than we could ever handle on our own. In those times, we can draw near to God, knowing that "in suffering God draws near to us." Let’s draw near to Him in worship!

"It's okay, God just wants me to be happy!" Have you ever said those words? Have you ever used them to justify doing something that you know would not make God happy? It can be easy to deceive ourselves into thinking that God exists only to serve us when and where we please. However, we see that God's love for us is far too great to be satisfied by only doing what we think would make us happy. Instead, He calls us into His death that we may have life, peace, and true everlasting joy!

"If it is to be, it's up to me!" Have you ever thought that? It's easy to believe that if we want God's blessing, we must do our part. This is common to what we encounter in the world. We might even think this is to be found in God's word. However, with God, things are different. He doesn't reward, He rescues! This is what He is doing through His son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who through the cross rescues us out of our sin and into his mercy. So, let's worship Our Savior today!

Have you ever been in a situation where you needed a little help? Perhaps you were able to send a message to someone who could deliver you. On Palm Sunday, the cry for help is clear as the people shout "Hosanna", which means "Lord, save us!" Jesus comes to Jerusalem on the Sunday of Holy Week just for that reason, to save us. He accomplishes this by his death and resurrection. For this reason, we too can cry out, "Hosanna, Lord save us!"

Today, we read that when Jesus was in the boat with His disciples, a storm came over the sea. Even after everything they had seen Him do, they were still afraid, and their faith became weak. Like the disciples, we can know who Jesus is and still struggle to trust Him when life feels overwhelming, and the fear creeps in. But we can be hopeful and peaceful, knowing that no matter how big the storm, we can trust Him because He is present with us, loves us deeply, and His character never changes.

Have you ever cried out to God in a time of need, only to be received with silence? It can be frustrating and make you doubt whether God is even listening. So often, we mistake God's silence for his absence. Jesus is proof that even in times when He seems silent, God is always acting. Because of this, we can be still and know He is working for good, no matter the situation. Let's take some time in our own silence to worship him together this morning.

When is it easier to trust God, when our pockets are full, or when they are empty? So often we look back and see how God has been beyond faithful throughout our lives, but when we look ahead, we doubt He will or can provide. There is no greater example of God's faithfulness than what He accomplished for us through His Son on the cross. He is always faithful! Thankfully, we can trust God to act in our times of need.

Do you enjoy being comfortable? Who would say no to that? Sometimes, God calls us out of a situation we've grown comfortable with to fulfill His mission in a less comfortable environment. This was Abraham's story. Amazingly, he gave up everything he knew to obey God. Thankfully, God worked His promise, even in the uncomfortable times. Let's seek to be like Abraham, even if it means leaving behind our comfort!

How quick are you to point fingers and pass the blame onto someone else? When we are confronted by our sin, it's easy to come up with excuses. This game dates back to the first occurrence of sin in the Garden of Eden. Thankfully, though we are guilty, God chooses to do something about it, motivated by His love for us. He sends His son to pay the wages of our sin and remove our reason for guilt. Because of this, we are bold to repent and rejoice in our Savior.

Are you a good listener? So often, what we call listening is really just mindlessly waiting for our turn to be heard. Sadly, we even do this with God! Instead of listening, we'd rather interrupt and tell God what we expect of him. Not surprisingly, this doesn't always go over so well. Today, we learn that Jesus is worthy of all our attention and all of our obedience. So, let's strive to listen to him this week and worship him together this morning!

Have you ever heard the phrase "when helping hurts"? Sometimes, our attempts to ground ourselves in God can turn into empty distractions away from Him. Though important, these disciplines are never meant to be done in isolation, insulating ourselves from the world. God wants these disciplines to be done in service to those around us. Thankfully, our savior provides a perfect example of how to live out these disciplines daily in service to others!

How we view things is often shaped by our past experience. This perspective is an important gift for understanding. At the beginning of Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount, He reshapes what it means to be blessed in the kingdom of God, helping us to understand the rest of the sermon. We are blessed by God, as demonstrated by the ministry of Jesus, our savior. Thankfully, the Gospel is the key that frames our entire lives. Through it, we know just how blessed we really are. So, let us praise Him!

"What are you seeking?" How would the evidence of your life answer this question? We often seek significance, peace, pleasure, or purpose. Jesus teaches us that the better answer to this question is that we seek after Him, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The good news is that He comes to us and invites us to remain with Him forever! Let us worship Him together!

In Baptism, we believe that God works forgiveness of sins. Before Jesus started His earthly ministry, He went to the Jordan River to be baptized. Why did someone without sin choose to do such a thing? What exactly is Baptism anyway, and why do we do it? Thankfully, Jesus stood in the waters of Jordan, where we belong, so we can stand outside the empty tomb, where only He belongs. Let us worship our "stand in" this morning!

With a new year comes new hopes. What are you resolving this year? Is it going to make much of a difference to the people that God has placed in your life? King Solomon demonstrates that when we can ask for anything, the best thing to ask for is wisdom, a gift that serves others. We can gain such wisdom by spending time with God, His Word, and His people. Let's resolve to spend time in each this morning, as we worship His name together!

Have you ever been in such a desperate spot that you tried something crazy...like prayer? So often, prayer is our last resort, the break-glass after trying everything else. But what if we made it our first priority? Thankfully, when we pray, we are communicating directly with the creator and sustainer of the universe, who lovingly invites us to come to Him. When we pray, we are speaking to the mighty King of creation, the only one who can actually do anything for us. So, let's strive to worship this King!

We have trusted in the past, only to be rejected and left abandoned, feeling both hurt and lost. Because of this, we are reluctant to trust again. Instead, we put guardrails up all around us. Hearing that Advent announcement of the coming of a King can cause us alarm, afraid to trust again. Thankfully, we learn that this King is our trustworthy helper who brings not pain, but everlasting JOY. Let us worship this King!

In life, we eagerly seek deliverance from any bad situation. Sometimes it comes, often it does not. When the stakes are low, we can learn to get by. However, there is a shared experience we all desperately need deliverance from, our sin and its destruction! This Advent season, we remember that God has chosen to deliver us by sending a newborn King. As we remember His first arrival, we also eagerly anticipate His second coming. We are thankful that this King is also our Just Deliverer. Let us worship this King!

It can take a considerable amount of time to build the life we want. Fittingly, it can be difficult not to do everything we can to hold on to it. Yet, like most things in life, the harder we try to hold onto it, the more likely we are to see what we have ruined. Thankfully, what we have is not really ours at all, but rather a gift from our abundant God of mercy. Since He is the giver, we can be free in our giving, knowing that: "Our God of abundance enables us to give abundantly".

The Apostle Paul spent a lot of his ministry collecting funds for believers who were in need. Even when one Church was going strong, he still took the time to encourage others to give. For him, giving was the only response to knowing and trusting in the Lord who had already given everything. We, too, are blessed to know that the more we know the giver, the more we are to grow in giving, and that God uses this for the advancement of His kingdom here on earth. So, let's serve Him by giving for Him today!

"Why does the Church talk about money so much?" If God is the creator, and He can do anything, why does He talk so much about the importance of generosity in the Bible? In writing to the Church in Corinth, Paul helps us to understand that God uses our generosity to create thanksgiving, both in our hearts and also in the hearts of others. He encourages us to give, because our earthly giving produces heavenly thanksgiving! Cheerful hearts can change the world for Him!

All Saints' Day is a bittersweet day. As a community, we remember the faithful lives of those who have received their eternal reward. But for those of us left behind, it can also be a painful day. We celebrate the promise of restoration gifted to us by Christ, but we can't help but also wonder, "When, Lord?" Thankfully, we are blessed by God with the image of our victory parade in heaven, confessing "Salvation belongs to Him". Today, we celebrate, anticipate, and give thanks for the example of our beloved saints.

"If you knew you were going to die tonight, how confident are you that you would be in heaven?” This age old question still causes much doubt. In his earlier days, Martin Luther struggled with the surety of his salvation, always wondering if he had done enough. Thankfully, because of Christ, he learned to live confidently knowing that he was saved by faith and not by his works, and that this was a free gift from God. Do you live with this same comfort? Does your neighbor?

*There were a few audio glitches in the recording*If your name was a good depiction of your character, what would it be? Would it be Joy or Grace, or would it be a little more real, like Broken, Vengeful, or Selfish? Jacob had lived out his namesake, “the supplanter”, often taking matters into his own hands. After encountering God, he is given a new name, “Israel”, or “God Prevails”. Now he could live out his new namesake, trusting in God. Because of Christ, we also have a new name, “redeemed,” and we can go forward trusting in this new identity!

Have you ever felt like an outcast? Like there was some stain in your life that separated you from everyone else? What would you do to get rid of that stain? Thankfully, God hears our cry for mercy, and His grace knows no bounds. Because of him, we are made clean and given a new perspective on Grace! Because of this, we can respond with thanksgiving. Thankfully, Jesus is proof that God’s grace has no bounds in place!

Has fear ever stopped you from doing something bold? It can be easy to let our current surroundings dictate the sharing of our faith. Paul, while awaiting execution, encourages Timothy to remember that God has given him a spirit of power, not one of fear. We are blessed with the same spirit, and we can dare to be bold, even in difficult times. Where has God called you to take a step forward in your life, equipped with such bold, fearless faith? Because of Jesus, in times of hostility, God calls us to faith, not fear!

Today, Senior Pastor Lane Reuter leads us in worship. He will be preaching on “The Rich Man and Lazarus” from Luke 16. Jesus makes it clear that when it comes to eternity, there are only two destinations. One is filled with feasting and celebration, the other is marked by pain and torment. Which future will be yours? Because of Jesus, all are invited to the feast. I pray you may know this truth, and that you will freely share this invitation with those you see throughout this week!

What would be the first thing you did if you won the mega jackpot lottery? How does that answer reveal your priorities in life? Jesus, in Luke 16, states that we were created to serve, with the question being who do we choose to serve? Thankfully, because of Christ’s service to us on the cross, we can seek to serve Him with all that we are and all that we have. Understanding that what is ours is actually really His helps us to be good stewards of His resources. And today we will learn that God rewards shrewd stewards!

*NOTE: There was a glitch to the start of the sermon, Pastor Mark is telling a story about a time when he was 8 and taking a road trip with his family.*Have you ever been lost? Or, maybe worse, has someone or something you loved ever been lost? It is hard to eat or sleep until you are reunited with the object of your love. So too is God's compassion for His beloved who are lost. As the Good Shepherd, He goes to extremes in order to rescue us back to Himself. This is the good news of the Gospel, and this good news is worthy of sharing, because "Our story is THE story of God's great rescue mission"!

This morning, we are blessed to have Pastor Keith Enko lead us in worship. Pastor and his wife Kim served at Emmanuel Lutheran in Hermitage (East Nashville) for 18 years. They also served in Buffalo, NY; New Hampshire; Pittsburgh, PA; and Panama City Beach, FL. They have been married for 47 years. Kim taught High School in Nashville for 15 years, and after playing tennis in College, has never lost a match to Pastor Keith (which he finds very frustrating!) Let’s be sure to give them a warm Our Savior welcome!

If you knew you were going to have one last conversation with someone you love, what would you say? When Paul has such an experience, he chooses to use the time to pray with them. He knew that there was power in prayer, and he sought that power in all circumstances. Who in your life could use a prayer partner today? What is stopping you from seeking the power of prayer? Today, we are reminded that: "God's people pray for one another!"

If you knew your time was coming to an end, how would you choose to spend it? Would you rush through the remainder of your bucket list? Would you spend it with your favorite people, seeking comfort and sharing memories? Or would you volunteer that time in the service of others? Jesus chose to spend his last hours washing his disciples' feet! When we are tempted to think that serving others is beneath us, we can remember, "The way of the Lord is one of service!”

We are blessed at Our Savior in Spring Hill to be a part of a multi-site model that includes our original campus in South Nashville. This model allows us to share resources, experiences, and a mutual mission of Living, Serving, and Giving by Joining Jesus in Community. This morning, Pastor Mark will be preaching at the Nashville campus, and our Senior Pastor, Lane Reuter, will be filling in at the Spring Hill campus.

We are blessed at Our Savior in Spring Hill to be a part of a multi-site model that includes our original campus in South Nashville. This model allows us to share resources, experiences, and a mutual mission of Living, Serving, and Giving by Joining Jesus in Community. This morning, Pastor Mark will be preaching at the Nashville campus, and our Senior Pastor, Lane Reuter, will be filling in at the Spring Hill campus.

"Say your sorry!" Starting as kids, we expect to hear these words at even the smallest of offenses. Yet, we don't speak them so easily ourselves. Forgiveness usually comes with a list of preconditions. Thankfully, this is not how God uses His gift of forgiveness. He freely gives what came at so great a price. And because of that, we can freely give this gift to one another, too. Because of Christ, we now live to forgive one another!

"There is no coming back from this!" Have you ever been to that point? So overwhelmingly confronted by the guilt of your actions that you can't find any possible hope for a future? The amazing thing about God's grace is it is given to those who least deserve it, like you and me. And this gift also provides an unexpected future, one of peace and restoration. This good news changes everything. So, let your guilt be replaced by God's amazing grace!

Have you ever been lost? It can be scary! Once you get your bearings, or someone comes and gets you, a feeling of joy soon replaces the fear. What is true for being physically lost is even more true for those who are spiritually lost. Thankfully, Jesus came to enact a great rescue mission, seeking and saving the lost. The result: a heavenly celebration! And because he invites us to journey with him, we can celebrate, knowing: "Rejoicing is a team sport!"

Sir Oliver Cromwell instructed his portraitist to paint him as he was, "warts and all". Don't you wish someone would accept you for who you are, warts and all? Yet, so often, we hide these parts, afraid we will be both entirely seen and completely rejected. Sadly, we can't hide the worst of who we are from God. Amazingly, He loves us all the more! Jesus is proof that God comes to us, just as we are. Thankfully, He doesn't leave us there, but instead, He makes us new! Now that is something worth celebrating!

"To have a friend, you have to be a friend!" Sadly, statistics show that "true friendship", like between Jonathan and David, is increasingly rare these days. Theirs is a friendship of sacrifice. The type of friendship described in Proverbs 27:17. Jesus is the purest example of one who is willing to sacrifice for a friend. Because of Him, we can live out the truth that: "Real Friendship Sharpens One Another!"

"Lord, give me a sign!" Have you ever desired for your life’s path to be fully revealed before you? It’d be a lot easier to make the right decision! Sadly, going full speed in what we believe is the right direction usually causes us to hit a few speed bumps along the way. Thankfully, even in times like those, we can still trust in God above our own understanding. Today, we will learn that because of Jesus, "God's direction never needs correction!"

How far would you go to avoid a punishment? No one likes being disciplined. Sadly, we are familiar with an unhealthy understanding of earthly discipline. God promises that His discipline is done not out of anger, but out of love, even promising that His discipline will ultimately lead to a wisdom-fueled peace. Because God loves, He disciplines, and "Godly discipline yields Godly wisdom."

This morning, Pastor Mark and his family are out of town for a family funeral. Thankfully, God provides! Please welcome Pastor Carl Wenck, who will be sharing the Word of God with us. Pastor Wenck served as Senior Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Murfreesboro, TN, for over 20 years. He and his wife Gwen are wonderful assets to our Mid-South District.

How much is enough? So often, our desire to have security can be a never-ending quest with an ever-moving goal post. Thankfully, when we begin to understand the source of all things good, we can realize our calling of being managers of what was never really ours to begin with. This mindset of stewardship allows us to participate in God's great generosity. Audacity in generosity proves a heart that trusts.!

"A wise man leaves an inheritance to his children's children" (Proverbs 13:22). Our greatest inheritance, the gift of wisdom, comes not from us, but from God. Solomon starts his proverbs with a key teaching: wisdom comes not from the acquisition or enjoyment of the things of this world, but begins with the fear of the Lord. When we understand that He is God and we are not, His gift of wisdom soon follows. Let's strive to live in this inheritance and pass it on to the next generation!

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where it could have dire consequences if you took the risk to do what you know is right? It can be real tempting to keep quiet and seek our own preservation. Yet, because God is in control, we can dare to have courage, even putting ourselves at risk if necessary. In times of risk, we can have courage, because God is in control!

The average human attention span has been reported to be around 8 seconds (which is less than a goldfish!) It is safe to say that we are easily distracted. Most of the time, that doesn't mean much. Sometimes, it can prove fatal. Thankfully, Jesus never got distracted from His mission of salvation or now in His loving and leading of us. Thankfully, we learn that even when we often lose sight of Him, that: Jesus holds steady, even in the storm!

"You don't really believe all that Jesus stuff, do you?" How would you respond to such a question? As those in the Church are often asked to defend their faith, we can look to the example of Peter and John in Acts 4. When given the opportunity, the Holy Spirit enabled them to choose faith over their fear, daring to bear witness to the resurrection. They discovered: "Where Jesus Resides, Faith Abides!"