Ablaze Church Sermon Podcast (Video)

Jesus celebrated “First Fruits” in the most appropriate manner by rising from the dead on that day. Easter represents the whole point of Christianity as Christ rose from the dead, so shall we. He is our, “First Fruits” proof of God's promise to bring us back from the dead, “So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable” (1 Cor. 15:42).

Ever since that fateful day in Eden, temptation has been the primary factor that leads men and women away from God. Temptation affects everyone. It does not matter who you are, how strong, how knowledgeable, how Biblical, or how respectful you are; temptation is out to get you. Temptation is the lure of attraction, the pull toward pleasure, the seduction of the will to abandon what we know is right and to indulge in the act of the moment that seems immediately satisfying. Temptation is attractive; otherwise, it would not be tempting. It is also very dangerous and deadly.

Solomon wanted to be able to discern between good and evil so he could act in obedience to God's will. Such discernment required a mind capable of analytical judgments. Solomon knew a heart that listens to the Lord could supply the basis for making correct decisions. His desire was to conform to the Lord's way and for the willpower to act accordingly. That is why Solomon said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10). Along with Solomon, this week we will learn how to overcome confusion with wisdom from God.

May we never forget that we, through faith, have been integrated into the body of Christ that we may help, encourage, and move into action, as a body of believers rather than as individuals. To grow faith that dispels fear, we need other people of faith. This is the power of symbiosis among Christians, a mutual beneficial relationship between people of faith.

The peace that Jesus offers us is not a promise to remove the pain and difficulties in our lives. Those troubles are always a part of daily living. Someday when Jesus returns, all our troubles will be gone; until then, He offers a peace that is calm, unafraid, unruffled, and confident because we place our lives in His hands. When we trust the Lord, nothing can harm our innermost being, nothing can shake us from the intimate connection we have with the Lord. Through our saving faith, despite external circumstances, we have a peace that cannot be destroyed and is beyond our understanding.

There really is no limit to what evil the human heart can conceive. So before we try to confront the evil outside of us, we need to examine the evil within every heart. It is Jesus who pulls no punches when describing the evil that comes out of the human heart. The bad news is that we all have evil inside of us. The good news is that Jesus Christ, in His goodness and mercy, overcame that evil for us by dying on the cross and then offering us His righteousness as a free gift that can only be received by faith. Through the gift of faith our hearts can overcome the evil within. All glory, for overcoming evil, be to Him!

The prophet Habakkuk is a prophet of comfort and strength to a very weak nation. Because of the peoples' sins, the land that they inhabit will be taken away from them. Habakkuk calls the people to find strength in the Lord, their God, and trust Him with a steadfast faith. Habakkuk questions why evil existed and why the Lord permitted evil to afflict His people. The Lord's answer may not completely satisfy our sense of fairness or goodness. Through Habakkuk we too are called to steadfast faith when we are going through difficult times and weaknesses in life. We find His strength in knowing the Lord works through evil circumstances for our good, just as He worked through Jesus' suffering and death for our salvation. No matter what opposes you, take joy in the God of your salvation who is your strength.

The phrase “David and Goliath” has taken on a more popular meaning denoting an underdog situation, a contest where a smaller, weaker opponent faces a much bigger, stronger adversary and wins. Most people are led to believe the smaller weaker one was David, the shepherd boy, and the stronger was the giant named Goliath. Actually, the smaller, weaker opponent was Goliath who faced the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the creator of the heavens and the earth. Goliath faced a bigger opponent and did not even realize it. He defied the armies of the living God, and in doing this, Goliath sealed his fate. God almighty enabled a little shepherd boy to enjoy the victory, but the battle was won by the Almighty.

One day a lawyer asked Jesus a question in order to trap Him and make Him look bad. The lawyer, who was an expert in religious laws of the Jews, asked, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” (Matt. 22:36) God did give the Israelites a great variety of laws including moral, ceremonial, and civil laws. In fact, the Jews had 613 laws that they proclaimed as important.

The firstborn of both man and beast within the nation of Israel belonged to the Lord. This type of consecration was a formidable challenge for the people. It meant that they had to first yield their lives to the Lord. There was a special case when it came to a donkey. The donkey was not acceptable as a sacrifice. The people were to redeem the firstborn male donkey by sacrificing a lamb or by breaking the donkey's neck, thus killing it without spilling blood.

In Chapter 17 of the Gospel of John, we have a prayer that Jesus prays to the Father in Heaven on behalf of the Church. He asks that His disciples would be united in being sent into the world to show to the world that Jesus is the Savior of the world. The goal is not to unify all churches, but to populate heaven. Jesus wants people of the world to see the witness Christians make of the truth about Jesus. Whenever Christians ignore God's Word, they foster divisions within the Church and diminish their witness. But Jesus is the truth that will unite His Church, glorify the Heavenly Father, and enable His people to fulfill their calling in a troubled world.

In Chapter 17 of the Gospel of John, we have the longest prayer of Jesus ever recorded called, “The High Priestly Prayer”. This prayer is rich in theological insight as to what the Lord wants His Church to be doing. In the first part of the prayer, Jesus asks that the Father be glorified through the Son and that those who know the Father, through the Son, would also glorify the Father and that they would keep His Words.

We all have the same number of hours in each day; yet our use of these hours can be so different. We all have the ability to prioritize; yet what we think should be first may not even make it on a list for others. Effective life management is putting things first moment-by-moment, day-by-day, while fellowship with Christ is allowing Him to decide what “first things” are!

It's that time again to celebrate. Let's be sure we keep Jesus as the focus of the season and celebration. Decorations, gifts, and family gatherings are wonderful, but pale in comparison with the best gift the world has ever been offered. Will be it received? Will it be opened up and used?

St. Paul writes to the Philippians about a Peace that passes understanding, and to the Romans the fact that since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By nature, we sinners are at odds with God. But by grace we are no longer enemies, but cherished children and friends. The grace of God delivers pardon for the soul's disturbance, and replaces that with the peace that his pardon provides. Peace is God's Christmas gift to the world, but it's not just for Christmas. It keeps on giving year-round. Let's not let the gift remain unwrapped and not experienced.

Christmas is just around the corner. Christmas is not just the presents, lights, food and traditions. It was Jesus. Feelings don't last. Jesus does. In fact, one of the Royal Titles that Isaiah 9:6 mentions about the Messiah is “Everlasting Father.” Jesus lasts. Forever. He is eternally one with the Father and has eternally committed Himself to our salvation. His presence doesn't just come and go. It lasts.

The "Mighty God" title puts Jesus in a class all by himself. He is not just some spiritual superstar or exalted avatar. He is God. Every attribute of God applies to Jesus. He is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit, the second person of the Holy Trinity. Only He has the qualifications to be the Savior of the world. His coming into the world is the most profound miracle of all. The impossible has happened, God became man yet remained fully God.

Do you need counsel and direction in your life? In Jesus, we have a Wonderful Counselor. He is willing to wisely direct our lives, forgive and correct our errors, and lead us into an abundant life. It begins when we admit, or confess, that we have problems and need Someone much wiser than we are. Then we go to His Word for biblical wisdom to guide and empower us.

THe Bible story follows Jesus in Luke 17, when there were 10 men afflicted with dreaded leprosy. Jesus did for them what Jesus typically does: He heals them. Their lives are restored! How joyful they must be and how eager to get back to normal life. But 9 of the 10 forgot something. They forgot to thank Jesus. We are close to a Day of National Thanksgiving, a summons issued by the United States government to do more than eat turkey and enjoy the blessings we have here. It is a call to give thanks, remembering all the blessings we have and where theyh came from. Most people can articulate what they are thankful for. At the same time not that many will articulate who they are thankful to.

The word Apocalypse brings several things to mind. Its actual meaning is a revealing or disclosure. The last book of the New Testament is frequently called The Apocalypse. It reveals some features of the final struggle and the second coming of Jesus.In popular culture, it implies global catastrophic destruction. Several Hollywood movies include “Apocalpyse” in their titles and plots include doomsday ranging from a destructive asteroid headed for the earth to overwhelming swarms of zombies threatening the collapse of society.Want the real story? It's in the Bible.

Paul wrote that we should always be alert and aware. The Father of Lies is never far off and always looks for where we are vulnerable to deceptions. In an age that tells us there is no real or objective universal truth, we keep our focus on Jesus, who is the truth, and the Bible, which is God's Word of Truth to us.

The Protestant Reformation was launched by Martin Luther on October 31, 1517 by posting 95 theses for debate on the community bulletin board, the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Saxony, Germany. These documents went viral and in a short time nearly everyone was aware that something was happening that would change everything. The rest is history. This action by Luther began a process that restored attention to the completed work of Jesus for us in the Cross and Resurrection, and underlined the biblical teaching of salvation by grace through faith alone. This is the issue on which the Church stands or falls. It is the core of what we preach and teach at Ablaze Church.

How do disciples reproduce? They do what Jesus did. Jesus chose people to disciple. He trained them by spending time with them. They observed everything he did. They listened to everything he said. Then Jesus told them, “Now you go and do the same.” They did what Jesus did; they told what Jesus said. Then they gathered others and trained them just as Jesus had trained his disciples. The result was multiplication of disciples. It worked then and it works now.

How can you know something if you aren't told? Part of what we are emphasizing this month is how to share this Good News with others. How can you tell? Prayerfully look around you and ask God to lead you to people who will be receptive. Look for people with hurts, and point them to Jesus so He can heal them. Look for the lonely and let them know that a best friend is available in Jesus. It's all around us!

When Jesus fulfilled his redeeming work on the cross, ratified in his resurrection, He ascended into heaven and sent the Holy Spirit and set about establishing what He had promised when he said “I will build my church.” He redeemed and set apart for himself a people so closely connected to him and each other it would be designated, “The Body of Christ.” That Body is intended to present Christ to the world. Its very existence bears witness to the very existence and redeeming love of Christ. Jesus gave that Body, the Church, the commission to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins, and to follow that with making disciples.

Christians have discovered what God has revealed in Jesus Christ: that God loves the sinner and is passionate about bringing the ultimate solution for what's wrong. The provision is Jesus, who came into our broken world to fix it with a cross. He offers forgiveness and reconciliation, to restore us into a relationship with God. It's a better world when Jesus finds entry into despairing hearts with hope and restoration. We need to be telling that Good News of Jesus that can turn our upside down world right side up.

Following Jesus in every aspect of our lives can be more than challenging. It actually requires more than the strengths and resources we bring to it. The discipleship summons involves every facet of our lives and every arena where we exist. That would include our personal life, our vocational life, our church live, and our family life. Every area of life needs divine empowerment. Every marriage certainly needs it. Empowerment flows from God's Word and his sacraments, especially in the community of the church. We all need the empowering Holy Spirit to flow in every aspect of our lives.

Jesus gives warnings about the risks of discipleship. He warned the disciples that to follow him they would be persecuted, rejected, and might even lose their own lives on his account. And that is what happened. But note that Jesus did not say that it was at “their own” risk. We never are alone when we are living in Jesus. He took the big risk and paid the big price. That was the cross. So we need not fear the dangers or inconvenience that can accompany discipleship. Jesus promised “I am with you,” and accompanies us even to the ends of the earth.

When you “sign on” to be a follower of Jesus, things begin to change, like your focus in life. Instead of self-focused, your life's point of reference becomes Jesus Christ. That's what just naturally (better yet SUPERnaturally) happens because when Jesus comes, the Holy Spirit comes along. The Four Gospels give us vivid word pictures of the “before and after.” Look at the transformation of the disciples, for instance. A tax collector who keeps the books of his collection accounts becomes one who writes a different kind of book we know as the Gospel of Matthew. Commercial fishermen are taught by their Master how to catch people. And it's not “catch and release,' but catch and keep, retain and retrain. Paul also had a transformation from a bitter opponent of Christ to proclaimer and promoter of Christ. How is your life's focus and mission developing?

Jesus had a mission in mind, and chose a band of followers to mentor and then empower to carry on his work as a team. The call was simple. Jesus just said “Follow me.” The notable thing is that this call was so powerful that fishermen left their nets, a tax collector left his booth, a radical political zealot traded in his cause for a better cause. They followed Jesus. The call is from God. It's not our call to accept or refuse or ignore. The right choice is to follow and experience the fulfillment of what God had in mind when he created us.

Does prayer make a difference? According to the Bible, it does. There are many examples in the Bible and in history, even recent history, where people prayed, God heard, and God changed the course of events away from disaster. Our nation, and all the nations of the world, are in great need of prayer. Left to itself, history seeks the lowest level, following the inclination of the lower impulses of human nature. Sin has brought devastation and will continue to do so unless God intervenes. As we pray for our nation, God hears and God answers. He delights in acting upon the intercessions of his children brought in the name of Jesus.

We all need to continually learn the lessons of prayer. One day the disciples of Jesus asked Him, “Teach us to pray.” Jesus responded to the request of the disciples with the words that are almost universally familiar, starting with “Our Father.” This prayer significantly addresses God in the most touching and familiar of terms, “Father.”

“What is Prayer?” That question has been answered in a lot of ways from the simple “Conversation with God,” to more theologically nuanced complex descriptions that try to say everything and end up saying nothing. Yes, it is conversation with God, and behind that, it's all about a relationship. Conversations don't happen in a vacuum, but flow out of relationships. God's Word tells us to come with confidence to the throne of grace, to relate to Almighty God as our loving Father, to come through the name of Jesus. We are told that we will there find grace and help in all time of need.

There is hope for the church. Sure, the outward institutions can sometimes be threatened. Maybe that's even a good thing. But the real Church that vigorously responds to the Word of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, will grow and flourish until Jesus comes again. For more infomration or to supper Rev. Dr. Tiews and his family go to https://lcms.org/tiews

Is there hope for the Church? For nearly 2,000 years the Church has been in existence in fulfillment of the words of Jesus. The church has the powerful media of Word and Sacrament, through which God supernaturally creates and builds faith. As we remain faithful to God's plan, purposes and power, and in prayer seek wisdom on how to carry out our mission, we can be strong and healthy. God has spoken future history about His Church which overcomes all devices to derail it, and He grants us a glimpse of hope for the Church Universal, Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

People can find themselves stuck in a spot they can't seem to break free from. It doesn't have to be drugs, alcohol, sadness, physical disabilities, or relational dysfunctions, though these are typical ways people can feel like they are prisoners. Every day seems to bring another element of stress rushing at us to demotivate and inhibit, extending a prison sentence. Can there be hope when we're there? Focus on the promises of God. They are promises of deliverance. When all seems helpless and we're without hope, we look to the promises of God and are now Prisoners of Hope, in a protective fortress where sun shines on the cloudiest of days.

The world offers much but delivers little. False hopes can be attractive. They may temporarily entertain but do not sustain. They may give pleasure but are devoid of permanent purpose. Saint Paul wrote to recent converts in ancient Ephesus about what their life was like before Christ, “having no HOPE and without God in the world.”

The Great News of Jesus is that we have an evidence-based ground for hope. Maybe not everything in our circumstances will change for the better, but our hearts and minds can change through Jesus Christ so that we can more confidently face the future. In addition, we are given a Hope of Glory, which is “Christ in you,” said Saint Paul. This hope is eternal, founded on the fact that through what Jesus has done for us on the cross and by his resurrection, we will share the glory of heaven with him.

Before us, spiritually vigorous people invested a huge amount of spiritual capital to form Christian families, build and populate churches, and maintain a high public moral integrity. Internal weakening of America's moral fiber is happening through secularization of our society, huge decreases in attendance at houses of worship, removal of Christian voices and values from the public square, unashamed vulgarity and obscenity in the media, political corruption and polarization, and frightening violence. There is hope. But the solution is spiritual, not political . Jesus Christ is still on the throne, and we need not waste time or emotional resource in anxiety over the direction of our society. But, spend time and effort in prayer. There is hope for America if we allow yourselves to be used as channels of that hope.

The Bible is a book full of conflict. Cain killed his brother Abel. Joseph's brothers plotted to kill him and, instead, sold him as a slave. The Bible is a bloody book, with murders, wars, revenge and deep bitterness. The Bible not only reveals God, it reveals humankind and at the deepest level informs us about the core of the problem: sin. God did not take the attitude, “Just let them fight it out.” Jesus came to the rescue to clean up the bloody mess with his purifying precious blood. Placing trust in him transforms the self-centered ego toward the perfect life of Jesus Christ.

A Bible gives us examples of father failures as well as effective fathers who paved the way for the succeeding generations. Joshua's famous statement “but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14) gives a eautiful example of a dad's spiritual leadership and influence. We need more Joshuas in the world today.

Who your God is, is not a trivial matter. It is the most significant factor in your character in this life and your location in the world to come. The alternatives to the Triune God are quite pitiful, whether it's New Age spirituality, nature religions, neo-paganism, ancient Egyptian, Greek, or Canaanite cults. The truth about those gods is that they are vindictive, envious, lustful - just to name a few of their more common attributes. People tend to become like their gods. That's why we are blessed to know the Holy Trinity. He is the One True God. He is the source of our existence and the only one who can save us from sin and death.

Red is the color of fire. We celebrate Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit to create and empower the New Testament people of God, the Church. It's the 50th day of Easter, and the resurrected Christ fulfills his promise, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” He comes to make us ABLAZE with spiritual fire. We cannot be a robust or effective church without depending on the Holy Spirit. Let's do more than wear red, let's be filled with the Spirit and be active with love, joy and peace, the fruit of the Spirit. Let the gifts and actions of the Holy Spirit stream joyfully out of us and our beloved church, which is Ablaze.

Sometimes things go horribly wrong in a household. Conflict, envy, abuse, even violence can happen in a home, and the Bible is not a stranger to these dysfunctions. The household of Isaac and Rebekah had its share of these things. The result was that each parent favored a different child in the Esau and Jacob twin set. These brothers did not trust each other and Esau wanted to kill his brother. Our family dysfunctions may not be so dramatic, but unhealthy tensions can diminish the blessings and joys God wants for our households. He has answers in his Word that help us regain more stability and household health.

We get an occasional peek into a biblical household. One such household is the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus Even though they experienced heartache and loss they were a strong and Godly household. Join us this weekend as we talk about imperfect households who experience healing of real life hurts thorough the Resurrection and the Life.

There was a couple that had such a godly household. Zechariah and Elizabeth, contemporaries of Jesus, had a well-run home and they were faithful to each other, to God and to the community. But they were unable to have children. The unfulfilled desire for children did not prevent them from living a full life and fulfilling the plan God had for them. There may have been an empty space in their hearts they were praying about, but there was no “God-gap.” God had a plan for them that took its proper time in unfolding. Their prayers about having a child were heard and God promised them a son who became one of the most important men of his time, John the Baptist, the promised forerunner and way-preparer for the Messiah. He was to call sinners to repentance and open their hearts to Jesus the Savior.

God had a great plan for families. It started off with two perfect people, Adam and Eve. They walked with God, they loved each other completely, their home was a place of harmony and filled with joy. Listening to the voice of temptation that offered them something better, they disobeyed God and then everything started to unravel. Ever since then, there has been no perfect household.

Households aren't just people living under the same roof, mostly related. God has a household as well, called “Church.” There are brothers and sisters. There are brothers and sister who get along and who don't. There is unity and disunity. There is harmony and there is drama. The Church is a bunch of real people who live in the real world. At the same time, the Church is holy, redeemed, indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Though frequently failing, it has the highest vision and accomplishes the impossible when under the control of the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ.

We hear that “Seeing is Believing.” That's often true but not always. Many people saw miracles Jesus did and still refused to believe and put their trust in him. The gateway to faith is by the power of the Spirit through the Word, which can be heard and seen. We don't have the privilege of physical sight of Jesus, but we get to encounter the Risen Christ just as certainly as the disciples, through the Word. The Holy Spirit enlightens our eyes and brings us into a living relationship with our Living Lord.

At the core of the Christian faith are the companion features the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If either of them is missing, there is no meaning in life and no purpose of our existence. That's why we go flat out and wide open for Easter. Its not just the decorations, dressing our kids in their best, hiding the eggs and goodies, and having a grand family dinner. It is lifting our hearts in unrestrained joy. “Death is defeated, the King is Alive!” Nothing can top Easter and nothing can stop Easter. Its life-giving, life-changing power is as great in 2022 as it was way back then.

You personally have a Savior. You are not rejected Love took a hit! But in a week that love takes a bow!