Feb 4, 2020
Week 1: The Weak Are Strong
By: Troy Schreiner
Series: The World Turned Upside down
“Only the strong survive.” So the world says. In this world, the nations with the strongest militaries are feared. Those with the strongest investment portfolios are respected. Those with the loudest voices draw the biggest crowds. So the world thinks. That’s why it seems so upside down to hear Jesus say things like “Blessed are the poor.” “Blessed are those who mourn.” “Blessed are those who are persecuted.” That sounds like weakness, not strength, doesn’t it? So the world says. But in this world turned upside down, Jesus reminds us that those who the world thinks are strong are weak. And those who are weak, according to the world’s standards, are strong when they look for their strength in the right place.
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- Feb 4, 2020Week 1: The Weak Are StrongFeb 4, 2020Week 1: The Weak Are StrongBy: Troy SchreinerSeries: The World Turned Upside down“Only the strong survive.” So the world says. In this world, the nations with the strongest militaries are feared. Those with the strongest investment portfolios are respected. Those with the loudest voices draw the biggest crowds. So the world thinks. That’s why it seems so upside down to hear Jesus say things like “Blessed are the poor.” “Blessed are those who mourn.” “Blessed are those who are persecuted.” That sounds like weakness, not strength, doesn’t it? So the world says. But in this world turned upside down, Jesus reminds us that those who the world thinks are strong are weak. And those who are weak, according to the world’s standards, are strong when they look for their strength in the right place.
- Jan 27, 2020Jesus Got Baptized? (Baptism of Jesus)Jan 27, 2020Jesus Got Baptized? (Baptism of Jesus)By: Troy SchreinerThe Greek word epiphany literally means "to shine into," bringing to mind how the special star lead the wise men to worship the baby Jesus. But the Greek word is normally used in the sense of "appearance." For 18 centuries, Christians have set aside the early part of the new year to talk about how God reveals Jesus' identity as true God, Messiah, the Christ - the anointed Savior. Epiphany also stresses that when one has seen Jesus with eyes of faith, they are never the same.
- Jan 26, 2020Week 4: Many Parts, One BodyJan 26, 2020Week 4: Many Parts, One BodyBy: Troy SchreinerIf you were compiling a list of the most important parts of your body, it might be hard to come up with a clear answer. So many parts play such important roles for you to stay alive and function; so many parts are dependent on each other's work to function properly! As God tells us in his Word, the same is true of the body of Christ. Many parts play different roles, but all for the same purpose. And you, every single one of you, are part of Christ's body. So what part are you? What role or function do you play? And what's most important? We'll look to God's Word to turn on the lightbulb for us as we celebrate "Body of Christ" Sunday.Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
- Jan 12, 2020Week 3: Why be a Pastor or TeacherJan 12, 2020Week 3: Why be a Pastor or TeachereeThe pay isn't very high, compared to some other jobs. The hours of work are rarely 9-5. The nature of the work sometimes causes people to despise, rather than love you. The work is often physically and emotionally taxing. So, why would anyone ever want to enter the public ministry and serve as a pastor or teacher? today, we have Pastor Evan Chartrand from Luther Preparatory School here to share God's Word with us, and to turn on the lightbulb in our heads for that difficult question! Pastor Chartrand will also talk about the work that's being done at Luther Prep, and other synod schools which exist to encourage and equip young men and women to consider serving God in public ministry as a pastor or teacher.Sermon Text: Matthew 9:35-38
- Jan 5, 2020Week 1: Why the Wise Men?Jan 5, 2020Week 1: Why the Wise Men?By: Troy SchreinerToday we celebrate Epiphany, which means "shine into." This season begins by commemorating the first time the Son of God in the flesh was worshiped by someone from another part of the world than Israel. Magi from the East (Persia) followed a special star, created by God to mark the presence of his Son. These wise Men worshiped Jesus and brought him gifts. But, who exactly are these unknown men? What purpose do they serve, that we celebrate their coming to see Jesus with a special church service? This is a lightbulb moment. Who are these Wise Men? What do they mean for us? We look to God's Word to "turn on the light" and help us understand the value and importance of The Wise Men this Epiphany.Sermon Text: Matthew 2:1-12
- Dec 29, 2019Week 4: When God Calls an AudibleDec 29, 2019Week 4: When God Calls an AudibleBy: Troy SchreinerSeries: Christmas PreparationsOn Christmas Eve, we talked about how God displayed the greatest love when he GAVE his one and only Son, born to be both true God and true man, so that he might be our Savior. But after the joyful peach of Christmas, things weren't always so peaceful for the holy family. As we'll see in our service today, God also displayed his great love for us sinners, in that he SAVED his one and only Son from a dangerous threat. And in doing so, God made it possible for us to be saved!
- Dec 24, 2019The Greatest Love Story Ever ToldDec 24, 2019The Greatest Love Story Ever ToldBy: Troy SchreinerSeries: Christmas EveChristmas is not about a sentimental, warm, and fuzzy kind of love - although these ways that we show love to each other, especially in families, are certainly important. But the heart of Christmas is about God's redeeming love - God's rescue plan for a humanity alienated from him despite all claims of reform, goodness, or morality. The human condition of sin separates us from God, and only his action could have solved that problem. The life, death, and resurrection of his Son has solved the problem. By trusting what Jesus has done for us, heaven awaits us and we live life this side of heaven in loyal thanks for rescue. What great love God has lavished on us, by sending us the greatest gift we've ever received - the child born in Bethlehem's stable. Immanuel, "God with us," our Savior!
- Dec 15, 2019Week 3: Focusing on Jesus in the Storm
- Dec 8, 2019Week 2: Repent!Dec 8, 2019Week 2: Repent!By: Troy SchreinerSeries: Christmas PreparationsYour friend is coming over for coffee, so you straighten up the kitchen and buy some fresh coffee beans. Your state senator is coming over to talk to you about some policy. The preparation is more intense, more meticulous, right? The more important the guest, the more preparation must be made. When it comes to meeting Jesus, whether during his first coming at Christmas or his second coming on Judgment Day, important preparation must be made. It is so important to prepare to meet Jesus that God raised up a special messenger, John the Baptist, whose only job was to help people prepare to meet their God in the flesh. If you want to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, if you want to stand on the Last Day, you need to be prepared too. And as John the Baptist preached to those who gathered to hear his message, part of preparing our hearts for Jesus' coming requires us to repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near!
- Dec 1, 2019Week 1: Keep Watch!Dec 1, 2019Week 1: Keep Watch!By: Troy SchreinerSeries: Christmas PreparationsWe know when Christmas will be. Maybe part of your family’s tradition includes an Advent calendar, or other countdown system used to track how many days are left until Christmas. But when it comes to Jesus’ coming again at Judgment Day, there’s no calendar; no countdown that we can look to to know exactly when Jesus will come again! So, because we don’t know the exact day or hour, we need to prepare our hearts as we keep watch for his coming again. Just as in the days of the flood, Noah didn’t know when the rains would begin, so we don’t know when Judgment Day will come. But just as God kept Noah safe in the ark, so also will God keep us safe on Judgment Day, through faith in the one we prepare our hearts for--both for his coming at Christmas, and his coming again!
