The Roman Church of Martin Luther’s day – and our own – teaches that men can make satisfaction for (make up for) sins by their actions and by obedience to certain church made rules and activities. This is not what God’s Word declares.
Are we sometimes too quick to give up on things? Do we easily despair? We surely have examples in our Bible readings this week that emphasize persistence. Jacob was persistent in wrestling with God, seeking blessing from Him. We should be as persistent in seeking blessing from God. The Apostle John urges us to be … [Read more…]
In about a month and a half (gasp) we will, as a nation, celebrate Thanksgiving Day. As Christians we don’t only give thanks to God one day a year, but every day. It is proper to give thanks to God…like Noah, after spending nearly a year on the ark. It is proper to give thanks … [Read more…]
But that doesn’t mean that we should dabble in it!
God’s Judgment is coming upon humankind. As we draw to the end of the church year, we will find that our Scripture readings will warn us about it and we should listen. Amos warned that Judgment was coming, but some thought that they were exempt because their nation was strong. The Letter to the Hebrews … [Read more…]
This Sunday we have our Fall Mission Festival. Pastor Paul Agenten will be here from Upper Michigan to bring us encouragement from the Word of God. Please join us for Bible Study at 9am followed by Worship at 10am and a Meal at 11am.
This past week we saw again the kinds of evil that proceed from the hearts of sinful human beings…in the senseless stabbing of a young Ukrainian woman and the shooting of a political activist. The wickedness of fallen humankind and the mercy of God are contrasted in our scripture lessons this week. God didn’t write … [Read more…]
From little on, we human beings tend to think that we are stronger than we really are and able to do what we can’t actually do. The Israelites probably thought it would be easy to follow the LORD and keep His Word. They would never forsake Him for idols…until they did. Would it be easy … [Read more…]
I’m sure that we think we are unbiased, but the true answer to the question requires some introspection. We find that in our sermon text this morning.
Name dropping…people like to talk about people that they met or claim to know…especially if the person is famous. I suggest that it’s not who YOU know, but WHO knows you that counts in the end…but only if we are talking about Jesus. It’s not enough to know about Jesus on the Last Day; what … [Read more…]