Sola: Christ Alone
Last week we saw how God's grace alone gives hope to sinful human beings. Further, we believe that the basis for God's grace to us is the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ alone. The Apostles and Jesus have taught us that there is no other name under heaven, given to men, by which we must be saved. According to our Small Catechism, and the explanation of the Apostles' Creed, we believe "that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature." In other words, we are saved because of God's grace to us in Jesus Christ alone..
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- Jan 31, 2016Sola: Christ AloneSola: Christ AloneLast week we saw how God's grace alone gives hope to sinful human beings. Further, we believe that the basis for God's grace to us is the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ alone. The Apostles and Jesus have taught us that there is no other name under heaven, given to men, by which we must be saved. According to our Small Catechism, and the explanation of the Apostles' Creed, we believe "that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature." In other words, we are saved because of God's grace to us in Jesus Christ alone..
- Jan 24, 2016Sola: Grace AloneSola: Grace AloneAt the heart of what Lutherans believe is the conviction that salvation is the free gift of God's grace (undeserved love and mercy) alone for the sake of Christ alone. "Since the fall of Adam, all who are naturally born are born with sin" (Augsburg Confession, per Romans 5, Psalm 51). This ... makes it completely impossible for anyone toearn God's love and forgiveness. If salvation were dependent on human initiative and effort, there would be no hope for anyone. But God forgives our sins, says Luther, "freely and without condition, out of pure grace" (Large Catechism). God's grace alone gives hope to sinful human beings. And the sole basis for God's grace is the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. - An Introduction to the LC-MS,CPH 2009.
- Jan 17, 2016Sola: Scripture AloneSola: Scripture Alone
Today we begin a message series that will look at four phrases known as the “Solas” of our faith. They summarize teachings that we as a Church affirm and are taught in the Bible. The phrases themselves can be traced back to the 16th Century Reformation. Each contains a form of the word “Sola” (a Latin word meaning “alone”) and summarizes a foundational truth in regards to how God saves sinners. Today we look at “Sola Scriptura” (Scripture Alone). The Bible is God’s inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine. It is authoritative and powerful in the life of the Christian. - Dec 27, 2015Tell Everyone What He Has DoneTell Everyone What He Has Done
Shortly after Jesus birth, He was brought to the temple by Mary and Joseph for a rite of purification and presentation. Simeon was a devout Jew who was present at the time. In keeping with the Lord's promise, he made a proclamation about who Jesus was - the Savior for Gentiles and Jews alike! People are desperately in need to hear what Christ has done for you. Won’t you, like Simeon, tell everyone what God has done? - Dec 20, 2015The Day of His ComingThe Day of His Coming
In this service of Advent we once again hear the prophet Malachi speak. He asks the very question we ask today, “Who can endure the day of His coming?” As we look at our world with its confusion and struggles, we might wonder what the world is coming to. Will wickedness increase? The Bible says it will, but that the Lord will return to judge and finally put an end to evil and sin. We don't know when the world will end or what it will come to in the meantime. But we sure know who will come to the world, and has come - Jesus Christ. - Dec 13, 2015God Will Establish a NationGod Will Establish a NationThe prophet Micah, whose name means “Who is like God?” prophesied that people would come from all over to the Mountain of the Lord. God has always and continually invited people from all around the world to His presence. The prophets give us a glimpse of what will be fully realized when Christ returns, but even now God's people enjoy the presence of the Lord in His Church through Word and Sacrament. We gather so that He may teach us His ways and forgive our sins, and we offer Him our worship and praise.
- Dec 6, 2015Looking for RighteousnessLooking for RighteousnessThe prophet Jeremiah spoke these words 600 years Before Christ, speaking on behalf of God, saying: “Behold, the days are coming when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made.” (Jer. 33:14) Through the prophet Jeremiah God reminds His people of the promised Savior who would come to rescue them. In reminding them, God is calling them back to Him in repentance. During this season of Advent, may we also repent and turn to God for our salvation.
- Nov 29, 2015Counterfeit godsCounterfeit gods
The idol of success cannot be just expelled, it must be replaced. The human heart’s desire for a particular valuable object may be conquered, but its need to have some such object is unconquerable. Only when we see what Jesus, our great Suffering Servant, has done for us will we finally understand that we must not fear, love and trust anything more than God. What breaks the power of any idol over us is not a redoubled effort to try harder, but a deepening understanding of how complete Christ's Lordship over us is. - Nov 22, 2015The End of TimeThe End of Time
Had any good vacations recently? Most likely you enjoyed comfortable accommodations, good food and a nice mix of relaxation and entertainment. Vacations are a time of “suspended stress.” During them, we take a moment and leave the struggles of life behind – the bills, the work and the burdens of our life. But then the vacation ends. You get home, and it all starts over again. As we end our study of The Story today, we see what God has in store for us … and it is good! We learn as we view the Revelation of St. John that God’s plan for us is like a reverse vacation – we have no bills, no stress, and no sin for the rest of eternity… talk about “suspended stress!” When Christ returns he will make all things right! So call on His name, and make your reservation.
- Nov 15, 2015Paul’s Final DaysPaul’s Final DaysThe Apostle Paul knew his share of suffering, but he did not shrink back from his calling. He traveled over much of the known world of his day, but he didn't travel for sightseeing. No, he endured much for the sake of spreading the Gospel. His own account of his hardships included floggings, lashings, beatings with rods, pelting with stones, shipwrecks, dangers from rivers, bandits, Jews and Gentiles, danger in the city and in the country, danger at sea and from false believers. He knew hard labor, lack of sleep, hunger, thirst, cold and nakedness (2 Cor. 11:23-29). He was eventually martyred for his faith, but his ministry carries on much beyond his earthly lifeill yours?
- Nov 8, 2015Paul’s MissionPaul’s MissionWould you choose what one first century writer describes as a “Bald-headed, bowlegged, strongly built man, small in size, with meeting eyebrows, and a rather large nose" who had been pulling Christians from their houses, throwing them into prison and even killing some, as the spokesman for Jesus? Probably not. Yet that’s what Jesus did when He chose Paul (Saul of Tarsus) to be His representative. Jesus had a face to face meeting with Paul and then sent Him to share the Gospel first with the Jews, then with the Gentiles. And it worked! Most of us would not know Christ had Paul not traveled far and wide telling others about Him. Today, we are to continue the work of evangelizing the world that Paul and Jesus' disciples began.
- Oct 25, 2015New BeginningsNew BeginningsWhen children go missing, parents go looking. And that’s what God has done. There’s not a square foot on earth that doesn’t have his footprints. He began searching for them the moment Adam and Eve made a choice and lost their way. He sent the nation of Israel looking. He sent his Son to “seek and save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). Today He sends His Church. In Acts 1:8 we find His search and rescue plan: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The Church has been growing ever since.
- Sep 27, 2015No Ordinary ManNo Ordinary Man
One thing about this Jesus: He never invited neutrality. His followers
called Him the Christ. His contenders called Him a blasphemer. Some were
drawn to Him, while others could muster nothing in His presence but
contempt. His teachings were revolutionary and His miracles undeniable. He
claimed nothing less than equality with God and proclaimed Himself as the
long expected Messiah. Jesus never left “sitting on the fence” as an
option, nor does He today. His Name is still a stumbling block and an
offense…. And yet, His is the only Name that saves. How one receives Jesus
is a matter of eternal significance! - Sep 20, 2015Jesus’ Ministry BeginsJesus’ Ministry Begins
When we see professionals who accomplish outstanding athletic plays we
often say, “Who is that guy?” or “How can she do something like that?” When
Jesus Christ came into public ministry, people made these kinds of
statements: “Who is this?” “How can he have such wisdom?” “How can he do
that?” “… and by what authority?” Jesus often didn’t go into a lot of
explanation about His miracles, but let His actions and wisdom speak for
themselves. - Sep 13, 2015The Birth of the KingThe Birth of the KingHeaven had been very quiet for 400 years. No burning bushes. No parting
seas. No visions or dreams reported by prophets. No message from God…just
silence. Then, in a magnificent yet inauspicious way, God broke the
silence, but not just by speaking a word – but by sending THE WORD … His
Son, to take on flesh and blood. His birth was unspectacular, yet His
presence dispelled darkness and cast an inescapable ray of light across
history. God’s promises to Abraham and David had found fulfillment at long
last. In a way that only God can, He planned the birth of Jesus to
perfectly fulfill the promises He made to the world through His Nation,
Israel. Today we celebrate the birth of the True King of Heaven and the
coming of our Savior. He is the focal point of The Story.