Worship Anew

Sermon Text: John 14:21Keepsakes—we all have them—those special things that remind us of special people, places, or events in our lives. God has given you keepsakes to remind you of what He’s done for you. He also has sent the Holy Spirit to help us to “Keep on Keeping.”

Sermon Text: 1 Peter 2:2-10We live in a world where everyone wants to be special; everyone wants to receive a trophy. As the redeemed people of God in Jesus Christ, we are so much more than special. We receive so much more than a trophy! We are chosen and “mercied,” and Christ has given us a glorious mission!

Sermon Text: 1 Peter 1:3-9Wishful thinking or rock-solid certainty? The Christian understanding of “hope” differsradically from that of the unbeliever. A blood-stained cross and an empty tomb create aneternity-changing hope, “A Living Hope.”

Sermon Text: Matthew 28:1-10Death is the reality confronting all of us because we are sinners. But Easter is about life! Because Jesus lives, we shall also live!

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 15:3; Isaiah 53:5It’s Good Friday, but do you feel good about it? Or on Good Friday, do you feel bad for what  Jesus sufered and why that was necessary? Jesus sufered and died for you – for your  salvation, but He died and rose again for your everlasting good.

Sermon Text: John 12:16We are told that the disciples did not understand what was going on during the first Palm Sunday. The crowds were excited about Jesus but were confused,too. What about you? Do you understand Palm Sunday?

Sermon Text: John 11:17-27, 38-53John 11 brings us to one of the greatest miracles of Jesus: raising Lazarus from the dead. In this account, Jesus also teaches us two powerful truths. He shows what it means that He is the Resurrection and the Life, and He moves us to discover that believing this resurrection truth greatly impacts our life.

Sermon Text: John 9:1-7, 13-17, 34-39Jesus performs a miraculous sign, giving sight to a man born blind. What a tremendous gift! But the religious leaders, who were spiritually blind, refuse to see with the eyes of faith that the Man before them is the Christ. We thank God for spiritual sight and the opportunities we have to lead others to spiritual sight.

Sermon Text: John 4:10Our sin has left us parched and thirsty. No mere water can quench our thirst for God. Oh, how we try the alternatives. But, the polluted puddles of this world’s religions and spiritualities can’t quench the deep thirst we have for righteousness, for wholeness, for peace. Only God can provide that Living Water which flows freely like a stream. Only God in the flesh opens up that stream to us so that we may drink and live.

Sermon Text: Genesis 12:1-3God holds your entire world in His hands through three special gifts: Land, Legacy, and Life! Learn how these gifts, promised more than four thousand years ago to Abraham continue to share our past, present, and future.

Sermon Text: Matthew 4:1-11The bad news is that we will be tempted by Satan throughout our earthly lives. The good news is that Jesus also was tempted by the devil in all the ways that we are, yet He never once sinned. He defeated Satan for us and now helps us overcome temptations of the devil.

Sermon Text: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10Lent isn’t about improving ourselves but about seeing what Christ has done for us. The One who knew no sin became sin in our place, bearing our guilt on the cross. In Him, we are made righteous, forgiven, and free to live as God’s beloved.

Sermon Text: Matthew 17:1-9There are times in our lives where we have “mountain top experiences.” The problem is that they do not last; they are forgotten. There is one “mountain top experience” that changed everything.

Sermon Text: Matthew 5:13-20In His “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus pulls us deeper into an understanding of our relationship with Him. Just a little bit of salt brings some great flavor. In complete darkness, even a small light will change everything. Yet in all this, Jesus still has a surprise for us!

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31In the early church, Christians were being challenged by people who said the Christian faith was foolish. Today, the faith of Christians is still challenged as foolish. We know the “word of the cross ... is the power of God.”

Sermon Text: Matthew 4:19Formerly, the disciples fished for fish. Now, they would fish for men, catching men for the kingdom, dropping the dragnet of Jesus’ own sacrificial death and resurrection into the sea of this world and dragging whatever they caught onto the shore and into the church.

Sermon Text: John 1:29 What are people’s first and lasting impressions of Jesus? Who do you think that He is? Will the “real Jesus” please stand up? 

Sermon Text: Matthew 3:13-17 At the Baptism of Jesus there was clear, powerful evidence that He was not only a man but also God—the Son of God. Christ had to be human and divine in order to be the Savior of the world. As the Savior, Jesus closely identified with the human race, and that is why He submitted to being baptized with John. This is wonderful, good news for us today. 

Sermon Text: Luke 2:46 The season of Christmas is coming to an end. The Christmas decorations are put away but don’t put Jesus away. Jesus is still present, but where?  

Sermon Text: Matthew 2:13-23Summary:Aside from the fact that the text tells us about the 2-year-old Jesus, this Gospel reading seems so out of place in the Christmas season. Yet, there is an important truth to be discovered.

Sermon Text: Luke 2:1-14The Grinch was not successful because he did not realize the true meaning of Christmas was not in things. We know the true meaning of Christmas is to be found in Jesus. This world’s Grinch, Satan, still tries to steal Christmas joy from us. Let’s focus on Jesus, the Reason for the season.

Sermon Text: John 1:14The Son of God came in humility that we might be glorified. He came in poverty that we might be rich. He came to die that we might live. He came to dwell with us that we might dwell with Him.

Sermon Text: Matthew 11:2-10John the Baptist asked Jesus if He was the Messiah because earlier John had preached that the Messiah would come in judgment. John did not see this happening in Jesus’ ministry. In response, Jesus indicates that He is indeed the Messiah and that John should be patient.

Sermon Text: Matthew 3:3;It is time for baking. There will be a lot of stirring up. God stirs things up to get us ready for His coming

Sermon Text: Matthew 21:1-11 The First Sunday in Advent turns the pages of our lives to turn our attention toward Christmas. But are we merely going through the motions turning the pages of the calendar or are we turning our hearts to the message of this season? 

Sermon Text: Colossians 1:13-20 Life presents us with many challenges. As we reflect on these challenges, we recognize that in Christ we have the victory. In Him we have the greatest triumph. 

Sermon Text: Luke 21:2Just when things are at their worst and you are left with literally nothing in this world, precisely then, “straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28 ESV).  Jesus is near, now in Word and Supper, and soon in visible glory. With Him there is redemption, forgiveness of sin, and eternal life. 

Sermon Text: Luke 20:38 The myths people believe about heaven! What will it look like? What will we experience? The problem with these beliefs is that they are so much less than what God has prepared for those who trust in Jesus Christ. If you settle for the myths, then your God is too small! 

Sermon Text: Revelation 7:9-17 On All Saints Day we have sadness as we think of our departed loved ones whom we greatly miss. The apostle John in the Book of Revelation presents to us a vision of the saints in heaven. This vision gives us who are still here on earth great joy and encouragement to remain steadfast in our Christian faith and life.     

Sermon Text: John 8:31-32Christ’s Word is what Christians must continually hear. That Word spoken again and again by Jesus includes the harshest Law and then the sweetest Gospel. Martin Luther realized this truth. 

Sermon Text: Luke 18:1Prayer is one of the gifts that God has given to us. Sometimes it is easy to pray and other times it seems difficult. The Good News is we always have help when we pray and a loving Father who always listens. 

Sermon Text: Luke 17:11-19 The miracle of healing the 10 lepers reminds us of the earthly healing and support we receive from God. The one thankful leper reminds us of the miracle of true faith in Jesus, a faith that heals us eternally. 

Sermon Text: 2 Timothy 1:1-14The Apostle Paul, while imprisoned and most likely very near his upcoming execution, writes one more letter to Pastor Timothy. Through this text God is reminding us – who are the people He has used in our life to bring and grow us in faith in Jesus Christ? And He is challenging us – who are the people God is using us to encourage and grow someone in faith in Jesus Christ?     

Sermon Text: Luke 16:31So, who would you rather be? The rich man or Lazurus? We are all Lazarus: helpless andhopeless in our poverty, sick unto death, longing to even eat the crumbs that fall from God’stable. Lazarus is each of us, and unless we see ourselves in him, we cannot be saved. In fact, wewon’t want to be saved.

Sermon Text: Luke 16:10-13Material riches are a wonderful thing ... rightly understood and ordered. Jesus teaches us tolove the right things in the right order. Understanding this, we can faithfully say, The Buck StopsHere!

Sermon Text: Ezekiel 34:11-16That you have been brought to faith in Jesus and have forgiveness and everlasting life is not bycoincidence. No – this is because God is zealous for your salvation. God wanting you to be savedis seen in the history of Israel, in the earthly life of Christ, and in your own life. All this showsthat you are precious to the Lord.

Sermon Text: Luke 14:26 Being a disciple of Jesus is more than just contributing; it is being totally committed to Jesus. How far are you willing to be committed to Jesus? How far is Jesus committed to you? 

Sermon Text: Luke 14:1-14It’s hard to be humble. Our pride encourages us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought. Our Lord Jesus humbled Himself and became like we are, yet without sin. In His humility He won for us the gift of life eternal. He encourages us to put aside our pride and, like Him, live a life of humble service.

Sermon Text: Isaiah 66:18-23Isaiah prophesies about the last days and the gathering of believers from every nation. Who is at the center of this? How is He described as “the glory of God”? And our hearts are also searched to see if we are ready for the “outsider” to become an “insider”?

Sermon Text: Luke 12:49-50 Run the race of faith with joy and hope. Focus on Jesus. His joy was to save you. Your joy is to receive the salvation He won for you, to be welcomed at the end of your race into the open arms of your Savior, and to have Him put the victor’s wreath on your head. 

Sermon Text: Luke 12:22Do you feel as if you are being stretched beyond your limits? That your world is breaking apart? God holds the entire world in His hands. He gave His Son for us. Do not be anxious! 

Sermon Text: Luke 12:13-21Our society often seems crazed with the desire to possess: to have some new product, to increase one’s earthly possessions, to grow wealthy. Christ frequently encountered this same kind of attitude, and in response he told the parable of the foolish rich man. This parable leads each one of us to ask, “What is my view regarding possessions?”

Sermon Text: Luke11:1 God calls us to get to know Him. He has a big surprise of what He wants us to call Him. He also has a big surprise of what He wants us to talk about with Him. 

Sermon Text: Luke 10:38-42Every parent admonishes their child to “make good choices.” God also wants us, His children, to make good choices. Join us on Worship Anew as we answer the question, “What is a good choice in the eyes of God?” 

Sermon Text: Luke 10:25-37The Parable of the Good Samaritan is a well-known and much-loved parable of Jesus. But are we missing something important if we only see a message of “love your neighbor” in it? Could this parable be a sort of theological Rorschach test? Take a deeper dive into this parable to see some truly amazing grace! 

Sermon Text: Luke 10:16It’s all about the sending. The Father sends Jesus. Likewise, Jesus sends disciples as His apostles. And this sending of the seventy-two is one of the foundation stones of the Office of the Holy Ministry. His words are their words. “The one who hears you, hears me” (Luke 10:16 ESV). You have Jesus’ Word on it, and His Word is sure. 

Sermon Text: Luke 9:51, 57-62 Where are you going and how will you get there? Today Jesus begins the journey that will take Him to the cross, the empty tomb, and the right hand of His Father. He called people then and calls us today, to follow Him on The Heavenward Walk. 

Sermon Text: Galatians 4:4-5 Despite the fact that by nature we were enemies of God, He in His love and grace made us his children. We have been adopted by God. That means for us tremendous blessings in this life and in future glories. 

Sermon Text: John 8:58 Do you like surprises? Our God is a God of surprises. Tune in to Worship Anew and hear the surprises God has for you. 

Sermon Text: John 14:23 We celebrate every Sunday in the Church. And on Pentecost we see Jesus keep His promise to send His Holy Spirit. That is reason to celebrate!