Sermon based on Luke 15:11-32 A Shameful Request. An Unexpected Response A respected man was blessed with two sons. One day, his younger son says to him, “Father, give me the share of the family property coming to me.” Saying this was as good as telling your father he’s worth more to you dead thanContinueContinue reading “It’s Complicated: A Parable about Shame & Grace”
Tag Archives: bible
A Sermon for when Evil Things Happen as did in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, 2025–“Senseless Suffering, Unstoppable Salvation”
“Senseless suffering. Unstoppable Salvation.” Sermon Text: Matthew 2:13-23 Over the past many weeks, we have rejoiced in the miraculous birth of our Lord, Immanuel, God with us. We’ve reflected on the faithfulness of Mary and Joseph, who submitted to the will of God and raised this child and named Him Jesus. We’ve reflected on theContinueContinue reading “A Sermon for when Evil Things Happen as did in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, 2025–“Senseless Suffering, Unstoppable Salvation””
Reformation Reflections: The Power of a Single voice
2024 Sermon | By Pastor Aaron Kalbas What was the Protestant Reformation, and who was Martin Luther? Obviously, the answers to these fundamental questions reveal much about our history and faith. I encourage you to read more about the Reformation and Luther this week, but today, let’s reflect on one pivotal thing about the Reformation:ContinueContinue reading “Reformation Reflections: The Power of a Single voice”
Voting with Faith: Christian Responsibilities Explained
No church or pastor should ever endorse outright a particular candidate for office. The Church’s only endorsement is Jesus Christ. After all, Jesus has never flip-flopped on key issues, used race-based identity politics, or had a questionable haircut. No. Indeed, the Church preaches Christ crucified and Christ risen for the sake of sinners. This, andContinueContinue reading “Voting with Faith: Christian Responsibilities Explained”
Trading Blessings for Sin: Lessons from Mark 6:14-29
You know, it’s beyond frightening to think about how easily we can trade incredible blessings in life in order to accomplish sin’s bidding. First, just think about how much peace God offers us in the gospel through His word, yet we so often choose chaos, instead. Sinners that we are, if onlyw we could forContinueContinue reading “Trading Blessings for Sin: Lessons from Mark 6:14-29”
Psalm 107 — Twelve Psalms for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany
PSALM 107:1-32 & 43 (Color-Coded)Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. 4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in;5 hungry and thirsty, their soul faintedContinueContinue reading “Psalm 107 — Twelve Psalms for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany”
Psalm 121: Twelve Psalms for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany
Psalm 121 is referred to as a “Song of Ascents”. Some fifteen psalms bear this title. These psalms are traditionally connected with the time period of Israel’s Babylonian exile. Much like the Hallelujah Psalms that we talked about last time, except the Songs of Ascents are not songs of praise so much as they are expressionsContinueContinue reading “Psalm 121: Twelve Psalms for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany”
Psalm 147: Twelve Psalms for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany
Psalm 147 was composed at a very bittersweet moment in ancient Israel’s history. The holy city, Jerusalem, had been destroyed. God’s people had been in exile for seventy years in Babylon—taken out of their ancestral homeland and more than a generation passes while living in that foreign land. Grandparents weep at the fact that theirContinueContinue reading “Psalm 147: Twelve Psalms for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany”
O Lord, open my lips... 