Reaching the Lost. Discipling the Saved. Sharing the Love of Jesus with Everyone.

Tag: Sermon Series (Page 1 of 7)

That Day, and Today!

Evil is often louder than good. We see it in the news. We see it in our lives. Criticism lingers even as compliments fade.

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.

Genesis 50:20ab

The evil around Jesus at the crucifixion was deafening. Mocking and ridicule by the religious leaders, by the executing soldiers, and by guilty criminals next to Jesus rand throughout the hilltop. And Jesus, the innocent One, the recipient of it all. Not only that, His own Father had forsaken Him for a time.

But then there is a voice of hope from a strange place. A voice of confession. A voice of longing. A voice of belief. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And this lone voice from a self-proclaimed sinner elicits a response from the One who had been experiencing only evil before now: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Today! You and Me! In paradise!

When all the world lifts their voice in a cacophony of evil and pain, remember those words for you: through faith in Jesus, His salvation is realy for you today and paradise awaits for eternity!

Let those words of truth and hope echo louder than any evil in your lives; for they are the ones that matter! They are the ones that will last! They are the ones for you; today and tomorrow and forever!

Scriptures

  • Luke 23:26-43

Faith for a Complicated World

The world around us is a complicated place that can be hard to figure out. Life sometimes sends us a fair bit of pain and suffering. It’s not hard to spot cruelty and injustice, pain and confusion, all around us. Much of the time, it’s probably best for us to say two things.

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.

Genesis 50:20ab

The first is this: “I don’t really understand how this is all fitting together, but I am here with you as we go through it.”

The other thing that we say and that we believe is: Our God is still at work, and he knows how to take the evil and use it for good.

It’s not a blind faith. The proof of it, simply put, is Jesus.

God worked good from evil for us and all people, through Jesus our King, our living, reigning King through His suffering, trial, death, and resurrection.

And God still does that today, for the people of the King.

Praise the Lord that, even though evil still hurts and affects us, it doesn’t overcome us.

It is a conquered enemy for our eternal future in paradise!

~ The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Gibbs, edited by The Rev. Scott Heitshusen

Scriptures

  • Luke 23:1-25
  • Acts 4:23-28

When You See Such Blind Ignorance, What Do You Think?

Jesus now stands before the religious leaders for a “trial.”

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.

Genesis 50:20ab

Sure it’s really a mockery of one, but even the leaders know they need to go through the paces to get things taken care of. If a mockery of justice will do it, so be it!

In fact, since it is a mockery, mocking this Jesus is given the green light. The guards, even before the trial begins beat and mock. When in the trial, the leaders ask questions with no intention of listening to the answers; so they can ask in mockery. “Are You the Son of God, then?” They weren’t really asking. They weren’t interested in any response Jesus was going to give; so long as they could turn it around and get to the conviction they had already decided to impose.

Jesus knows this and isn’t interested in helping them in this mockery. But He does say something interesting here: “From now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

This time of evil and darkness will be over soon, true; but is there more to this? Is He giving them the ammunition they need to get it over with; to get the Plan moving forward?

Perhaps.

Or maybe He was also giving them an out: a reminder of who He is and a chance to crawl out of their willful, blind ignorance and into the Light; into Him?

Perhaps some of both.

But we mustn’t fall into the trap of thinking that we would act differently than these soldiers and leaders. We would act godly! We would stand up for righteousness and the Righteous One!

These people likely felt they were fulfilling ‘justice’ – maybe just more efficiently.

This man was guilty; anyone could see it! They were doing their job; their godly job!

They were blind-fully ignorant!

But we are blessed now because the Holy Spirit has given us sight into His Will and cured our ignorance of His Plan! We are called to act, no longer in the blind ignorance of unbelief, but in the gracious way of salvation through Jesus!

The Holy Spirit has removed our blinders and lets us see Jesus, the Son of Man, seated at the right hand of the power of God!

All by His grace. All by His mercy. All by His spirit.

There but for the grace and Spirit of God would we go!

“Thank You, Lord Jesus, for enduring mockery for our sake and for the Holy Spirit who has removed our blind ignorance in Faith!”

Scriptures

  • Luke 22:63—23:1

The Real Battle

Heart-wrenching.

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.

Genesis 50:20ab

That may be the closest we come to describing the happenings in the Garden.

Jesus is about to be betrayed, denied, and much more leading to death. He knows it’s coming. He knows the immense pain and suffering about to take place – and at the hands of His friends and religious leaders who were supposed to welcome the Messiah and prepare the people for Him.

But the main antagonist in this story is the one who is not named – “Satan,” Jesus’ adversary.

He tempted Jesus at the beginning of His ministry and would return at “an opportune time.” He entered Judas and was looking for the right time to betray Him. He is looking forward to “sifting” Peter, leading him to deny Jesus. His chaos in this moment cause the disciples, not to stand firm in the temptation, but flea in fear.

This is his hour. His moment. And Jesus knows it!

He tries to tell the disciples to pray in this moment and He Himself makes sure to; with a pit in His being that is palpable.

The real battle of good and evil. Spiritual forces, flesh and blood. And this is evil’s time.

Heart-wrenching.

But where Satan and evil will have the moment, Jesus will have the rest of eternity!

Satan still works his wares. Our sinful nature still gives in to temptation and evil. These things still affect us for the moments we’re this side of eternity. But those moments will end; forever!

Jesus made sure of it; in those moments. In the Garden with blood and tears. On the cross in agony and death.

But that moment ended, and the rest – life – is yet to come!

Just you wait!

Scriptures

  • Luke 22:39-62

He Was Numbered Among the Transgressors

Jesus, the greatest One of all, tells us in today’s Scripture that He is present as “One who serves” and later as the One “numbered with the transgressors.”

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.

Genesis 50:20ab

This at His last supper with His disciples.

Disciples whom He has taught, shared with, suffered with, laughed with, repeatedly banged His head against the wall with.

And what do these disciples, these ones whom Jesus has assigned kingdoms to and who will judge the tribes of Israel; what do they do in this last supper with their Lord and friend?

They argue – again – about whom among them is the greatest.

We are at the beginning of the end of Jesus suffering. The battle of evil in this world and the spiritual realm against God and good is climaxing.

And the disciples are going to be a part of the evil.

They will choose it. They will take part in it. They, the closest to Jesus, who have “stayed with Jesus in His trials” will fall away and deny.

All will seem lost.

And if it were left to the disciples – if it were left to us – that would be the end.

But it wasn’t left to them or us. It was left for the Suffering Servant; the One who took became sin for us; the One who took on all evil and won! Forever!

He is the Victor! He is our Victor! Through faith in Him our place in heaven is secured!

How much greater news is there than that?

“Thank You, Lord Jesus, for dealing with evil and our part in it and conquering it for us!”

Scriptures

  • Luke 22:14
  • Luke 22:24-38

You Meant it for Evil, but God Meant it for Good

Our sermon series for the Lenten season is, “You Meant it for Evil, but God Meant it for Good”. It is based upon a series by the same name ©2022, by Dr. Jeffrey Gibbs, Professor Emeritus of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (used with permission).

In this series we will explore the numerous ways God in His grace turns evil intentions and situations into good!

I hope you’ll join us!

The Real Battle

Heart-wrenching. As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.Genesis…

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ASH WEDNESDAY, 2024

Ash Wednesday worship and the Imposition of Ashes on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at 6:00…
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“Robed in Righteousness”


I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isaiah 61:10

There are times we put on our best. For many that was for big, special occasions, like weddings, funerals, anniversaries, and Sundays. (Remember, “Sunday best” for clothes?)

There’s something to that. Something about dressing up in our best attire for special occasions. But it can go further than that. We can also tell some people by the clothes they wear. Military uniforms tell us branches, campaigns, and ranks. Royalty can be observed with crowns and ornate robes. And, in liturgical traditions, some pastors and priests can be differentiated by their garb.

This was true in Scripture as well. In fact, when God commanded the Israelites to build a tabernacle in the desert, He also gave detailed instructions on how the priests were to dress. The outfits were very ornate. They included many aspects, but one that I find interesting is the gems on the ephod (breastplate). There were twelve, each with the names of each tribe, so that when the priest entered into the “Holy of Holies” (or “Holiest Place”), their names would be born “as a continuing memorial before the LORD” (Exodus 28:29).

But we’re getting ready for Christmas. And we see a Savior born for us and bear our name before the Father, not with gems on an ornate breastplate, but through a manger and swaddling clothes!

There is a “great exchange” which takes place tonight: a priestly intercessor for the Great intercessor. Our wretched sins for His perfection. Our worst for His best. Our hurts and pains born by Him on the cross. Our shame on His cross. Our attempt at a holy projection for the Holy One, naked and dying.

Is dressing up in our best good? Sure! But seeing the One born humbly in the manger; the One who died naked on a cross, well, that’s infinitely better!

Through faith in the One born for us, the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: we have been clothed and covered with a robe of righteousness, so our soul will exalt!

O Come, O come, Immanuel!

Scripture

  • Isaiah 61:10
  • Exodus 28:15-30

“Clothed in Conviction”


The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

Jonah 3:6

This is a tough one. It involved being “clothed” in sackcloth and ashes. (A far cry from “Louis Vuitton” or whatever the fashionable wear is now!)

Jonah was dreading this. He knew of Nineveh’s true, utter, undisputed wickedness cruelty. And he also knew of God’s mercy for those who repent. In the off chance Nineveh would head God’s Word, Nineveh would be spared and their evil continue.

And that’s what happened.

What a disaster!

But this is precisely the point of God’s call for repentance – a turning from sin and back toward God and His ways.

So what does that have to do with clothing or sackcloth and ashes?

Being clothed in sackcloth and ashes was a sign of one’s sorrow and repentance. A sign that they were truly sorry for what they had done.

God didn’t spare the people of Nineveh because they changed their cloths and got a little dirty. He spared them because they changed their hearts and saw that they were very dirty.

The call is for us, too. We are called to repentance. True repentance. Soulful repentance. Deep repentance. Full repentance. Not an outward change of clothing or actions, but an inward transformation of the heart which produces from our very being a want and desire to change our actions.

If our repentance is done only for God and others to see, well, God sees through that; and He isn’t fooled. He wants to see that our sins, which break His heart have broken ours too. He wants to see that the actions He despises are despised by us too. He wants to see our hearts in sackcloth and ashes because we see the seriousness of our sins.

But He doesn’t leave us there! Where there is faith in Jesus there is forgiveness of our sins! Where there is confession sins there is mercy freely given! Where we were covered in ashes, He has traded us Light. Where we were drowning in sorrow and mourning, He has lifted us to peace and rejoicing. Where we wallowed in despair and hopelessness, He has stood us up in Life and hope.

Take to heart your sins, for they are serious.

Even more, take in His heart the forgiveness of all your sins through faith in Jesus, for it is certain and everlasting!

Scripture

  • Jonah 3:6-10

“An Enviable Style”


Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors.

Genesis 37:3

Jealousy is ugly in people. It produces hurts and feelings of inferiority. It feeds insecurities and wounds to the core of who we are, what we do, and our feelings of importance within the scheme of things. It focuses us on others, then ourselves, instead of working toward God’s good and the common good.

This can be especially true in families and for siblings. Comparisons of favor – perceived or real – can be the cause for emotional and spiritual wounds that can last a lifetime.

The story of Joseph and his father’s display of favoritism toward him in this special coat give evidence of this and the consequences that can follow.

He is sold into slavery and communicated dead to his father.

Flagrant hubris displayed through clothing produced devastating jealousy.

But that’s not where things end.

God used Joseph and the special gifts He blessed him with to save people – including those who were hurt by him and, in turn, hurt him.

God used this favorite son of Jacob to save his family, a country, and countless others!

But it goes even further: Joseph as a type of Christ!

Said differently: God’s one and only, special Son saved all!

Are we to be jealous of Jesus’ place? Of the clothing He had to wear to accomplish salvation? That would be foolish.

So it is also foolish to be jealous and hurt by others God is using for His purposes, whatever they are.

And here’s another truth: God blessed you with special, unique gifts and abilities to do His will, too! Gifts and abilities He didn’t give anyone else.

He has clothed you in your beautiful, unique skin and package to work, will, and share a message that clothes and saves others. To share Him in everything you do.

That is a truth we can all celebrate and never have to be jealous of!

Scripture

  • Genesis 37:1-4

“The Foretaste of Fashion”


And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.

Genesis 3:21

The first clothes we find in the Bible are all the way back in Genesis. Adam and Eve have just committed the first sin, corrupting humanity and all creation, plunging them into a fall that fundamentally separates from connection and intimacy with God.

The importance of this rebellion cannot be overlooked or minimized. It forever changed the course of history. It brought with it death and sin and shame. A shame that needed to be dealt with. Put off. Covered.

Adam and eve tried to cover this colossal mistake with fig leaves. But that won’t do. A simply external covering will not – can not – cover the sin itself. Sin demands death. It demands the shedding of blood. And so God shows His first act of mercy in not shedding the blood of Adam and Eve, but instead making the first sacrifice of an animal. Spilling its blood to cover the sin and its hide to cover the nakedness.

Whatever your sin and shame is, through faith in Jesus it is covered. Atoned for. On the cross. Forever. His blood covered your sin. His resurrection covers your shame.

Thank You, Lord, for covering us in every way and restoring us to You!”

Scripture

  • Genesis 3:14-21

“The Clothing of the King” – Advent & Christmas Sermon Series

For our Advent and Christmas journey we are going to look at various aspects of and the importance given to different clothes in Scripture.


Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.

Mark Twain

This may seem odd or trivial, but clothing in the Bible is more than a tangential detail. It often has significant implications for revealing God’s plan of redemption.

Consider: God covered Adan and Eve’s shame and nakedness. He designed and meticulously instructed the Israelites on the priestly garments of the Tabernacle. The Savior Himself was wrapped in swaddling clothes (and later was crucified naked on the cross).

We are going to look at some stories of “The Clothing of the King.” Stories that describe a wardrobe at once splendid and sin-stained, with fabrics that reveal who we are and cover us through His love and redemption. The clothing of the King is both tattered and worn and also incorruptibly glorious – which He freely gives to us!

Join us as we see texture and shape given to the threads of Scripture!

This series is © 1517 and is freely given for use here and is adapted for our use at LifeBridge. We are permitted to use this 2023 Advent Guide and its resources as we do not charge for its use and are not using it for commercial purposes. Sermons in the packet are written by The Rev. Matt Popovits and are adapted for our use.

“Love Where You Live” — Sermon Series & LifeGroup

Pursuing the Good of the Neighborhood.

Staring on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, we will begin a new sermon series and LifeGroup emphasis, focusing on this wonderful community where God has placed us.

The series will help us show Christ’s love and kindness in our community and neighborhood.

This fits right up our ally at LifeBridge!

The following outlines our plan:

DATE

TITLE/TOPIC

DESCRIPTION

Tuesday, Sep. 12 “Lay the Foundation” Love Where You Live begins with you and your small group defining each of your neighborhoods and getting to know your neighbors.
Sunday, Sep. 17 “Love Through Our Mission” LifeBridge was founded with a mindset of reaching and serving this community where God placed us. Our mission statement is “Connecting People to Jesus by: Reaching the Lost, Discipling the Saved & Sharing the Love of God with Everyone.” Indeed, we “love where we live” – and the people who love around us!
Tuesday, Sep. 19 “Discover the Gifts” In Week 2, you’ll learn about the unique gifts, strengths, and abilities each person in your small group brings to the table—as well as the local gifts and assets already existing in your neighborhoods. This provides a launching point for building on those gifts and assets to make a tangible difference in your community.
Sunday, Sep. 24 “Love Through Our Strategic Plan” LifeBridge has a strategic plan to help us focus our energies on how to fulfill our mission and serve the Lord and our community. It includes a focus on “strong youth and family ministries,” having a welcoming, non-judgmental environment, serving “beyond our walls” and “growing in faith.” Some of this we do better than others, but what a wonderful set of goals as we “love where we live” and “connect people to Jesus!”
Tuesday, Sep. 26 “Assess Well-Being” In Week 3, you’ll dive deeper into your community’s health and well-being, working together to assess the current state of your neighborhoods. You’ll also select a specific neighborhood or area of focus for your small group and begin dreaming about new possibilities for the community while continuing to meet and get to know the people who live around you.
Sunday, Oct. 1 “Work & Keep the Land” We all live somewhere with neighbors and it matters to Him how we relate to the people He has put around us. God values what He creates and has given a creation mandate to humanity: “work and keep the land.” As Christians, we know that Jesus redeemed us, not to escape this mandate, but to fulfill it right where God put us.
Tuesday, Oct. 3 “Imagine the Possibilities” Here’s where your small group starts bringing together everything you’ve been learning. You’ll dream together about what God can do through you to impact one of your neighborhoods, selecting one possibility to pursue. During this week, you’ll also create fun new goals and challenges designed for success.
Sunday, Oct. 8 “Become Zealous to Do Good” We are called to relate to our neighbors. But what does that look like in this fallen world? God calls His people to pursue the welfare of the people and place right around us (i.e., our “neighbors”), even when they are exiled and treated poorly. We have been made God’s people by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus, and live by Grace. Now, we use that reality to set our vision of how to live for others in grace.
Tuesday, Oct. 10 “Pursue the Common Good” This is the final phase! Your small group will work together to create—and launch!—a neighborhood action plan, complete with outcomes, measures, and goals. During your meeting time, you’ll take everything you’ve learned to design your action plan. We recommend you add an extra 20–30 minutes to your small group gathering so you have enough time to plan. Then, your focus during the week will be on executing on the tasks required to launch your project with success.
Sunday, Oct. 15 “Love Your Neighbor” Ok, so we are called to “love our neighbors,” but for some of us, we may wonder if God really knows MY neighbor and how they aren’t, well, very ‘lovable.’ Peter encourages the elect exiles in Asia Minor to “love one another earnestly from a pure heart.” This is a beautiful invitation, but the verses leading up to that invitation are profound and reveal how God works inside us to make that kind of earnest love possible.
Tuesday, Oct. 17 “Launch, Celebrate, & Look Ahead” Whether your project is complete, ongoing, or in process, Week 6 is a chance for your small group to celebrate your accomplishments, praise God for His faithfulness, and look toward future adventures and opportunities to bless your neighborhoods.
Sunday, Oct. 22 “Let Your Light Shine” Loving our neighbors is certainly ‘good, right, and salutary,’ but is it enough? Don’t we also need to “share the Gospel of Jesus” with them? Of course that is excellent and desired! But loving others is a good unto itself and shines a light that ultimately brings glory to God. Our good deeds draw attention to our good God.

Join us Tuesdays at 6:30 PM and Sundays at 10:00 AM for this important focus for LifeBridge and for the benefit of our wonderful community!

Contact Angie Wolfe about the LifeGroup and Pastor Scott about the messages.

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