Audio Sermons from Bethany Lutheran Church in Long Beach California
At Bethany, We are God's People who are: Gathered! Connected! Sent!We want to connect with you through this Podcast! Leave us a comment! Tell us where you are at! Leave a Review to help our audience grow!--June 15, 2025 -- Pr. John Alwood -- Acts 2:14(a), 22-3614 Then Peter stood up with the eleven apostles. In a loud voice he said to them, “Men of Judea and everyone living in Jerusalem! You must understand this, so pay attention to what I say....22 “Men of Israel, listen to what I say: Jesus from Nazareth was a man whom God brought to your attention. You know that through this man God worked miracles, did amazing things, and gave signs. 23 By using men who don't acknowledge Moses' Teachings, you crucified Jesus, who was given over ⌞to death⌟ by a plan that God had determined in advance. 24 But God brought him from death back to life and destroyed the pains of death, because death had no power to hold him. 25 This is what David meant when he said about Jesus: ‘I always see the Lord in front of me. I cannot be moved because he is by my side. 26 That is why my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices. My body also rests securely 27 because you do not abandon my soul to the grave or allow your holy one to decay. 28 You make the path of life known to me. In your presence there is complete joy.' 29 “Brothers, I can tell you confidently that our ancestor David died and was buried and that his tomb is here to this day. 30 David was a prophet and knew that God had promised with an oath that he would place one of David's descendants on his throne. 31 David knew that the Messiah would come back to life, and he spoke about that before it ever happened. He said that the Messiah wouldn't be left in the grave and that his body wouldn't decay. 32 “God brought this man Jesus back to life. We are all witnesses to that. 33 God the Father used his power to give Jesus the honored position—the one next to him on the heavenly throne. Jesus has also received and has poured out the Holy Spirit as the Father had promised, and this is what you're seeing and hearing. 34 David didn't go up to heaven, but he said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Take the honored position—the one next to me [God the Father] on the heavenly throne—35 until I put your enemies under your control.” ' 36 “All the people of Israel should know beyond a doubt that God made Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”http://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
At Bethany, We are God's People who are: Gathered! Connected! Sent!We want to connect with you through this Podcast! Leave us a comment! Tell us where you are at! Leave a Review to help our audience grow!--June 8, 2025 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "Holy Spirit" -- Acts 2:1-21(2) When Pentecost, the fiftieth day after Passover, came, all the believers were together in one place. 2 Suddenly, a sound like a violently blowing wind came from the sky and filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 Tongues that looked like fire appeared to them. The tongues arranged themselves so that one came to rest on each believer. 4 All the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. 5 Devout Jewish men from every nation were living in Jerusalem. 6 They gathered when they heard the wind. Each person was startled to recognize his own dialect when the disciples spoke.7 Stunned and amazed, the people in the crowd said, “All of these men who are speaking are Galileans. 8 Why do we hear them speaking in our native dialects? 9 We're Parthians, Medes, and Elamites. We're people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the country near Cyrene in Libya. We're Jewish people, converts to Judaism, and visitors from Rome, 11 Crete, and Arabia. We hear these men in our own languages as they tell about the miracles that God has done.” 12 All of these devout men were stunned and puzzled. They asked each other, “What can this mean?” 13 Others said jokingly, “They're drunk on sweet wine.” 14 Then Peter stood up with the eleven apostles. In a loud voice he said to them, “Men of Judea and everyone living in Jerusalem! You must understand this, so pay attention to what I say. 15 These men are not drunk as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning. 16 Rather, this is what the prophet Joel spoke about: 17 ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and daughters will speak what God has revealed. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. 18 In those days I will pour my Spirit on my servants, on both men and women. They will speak what God has revealed. 19 I will work miracles in the sky and give signs on the earth: blood, fire, and clouds of smoke. 20 The sun will become dark, and the moon will become as red as blood before the terrifying day of the Lord comes. 21 Then whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'http://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
At Bethany, We are God's People who are: Gathered! Connected! Sent!We want to connect with you through this Podcast! Leave us a comment! Tell us where you are at! Leave a Review to help our audience grow!--May 25, 2025 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "GO!" Acts 16:9-159 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul[a] had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the[b] district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. -ESVhttp://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
At Bethany, We are God's People who are: Gathered! Connected! Sent!We want to connect with you through this Podcast! Leave us a comment! Tell us where you are at! Leave a Review to help our audience grow!--June 1, 2025 -- Pr. Kyle Blake -- "GO!" -- Acts 20:17-3517 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.[a] 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by[b] the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,[c] which he obtained with his own blood.[d] 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” -ESVhttp://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
At Bethany, We are God's People who are: Gathered! Connected! Sent!We want to connect with you through this Podcast! Leave us a comment! Tell us where you are at! Leave a Review to help our audience grow!--May 18, 2025 -- Pr. Kyle Blake -- "Go!" -- Acts 11:1-18The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that people who were not Jewish had accepted God's word. 2 However, when Peter went to Jerusalem, the believers who insisted on circumcision began to argue with him. 3 They said, “You went to visit men who were uncircumcised, and you even ate with them.” 4 Then Peter began to explain to them point by point what had happened. He said, 5 “I was praying in the city of Joppa when I fell into a trance. I saw something like a large linen sheet being lowered by its four corners from the sky. The sheet came near me. 6 I looked into the sheet very closely and saw tame animals, wild animals, reptiles, and birds. 7 I also heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter! Kill these animals, and eat them.' 8 “But I answered, ‘I can't do that, Lord! I've never put anything impure or unclean [a] into my mouth.' 9 “A voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Don't say that the things which God has made clean [b] are impure.' 10 This happened three times. Then everything was pulled back into the sky again. 11 “At that moment three men arrived at the house where we were staying. They had been sent from Caesarea to find me. 12 The Spirit told me to go with them without any hesitation. Six believers ⌞from Joppa⌟ went with me, and we visited Cornelius' home. 13 “He told us that he had seen an angel standing in his home. The angel told him, ‘Send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man whose name is Simon Peter. 14 He will give you a message that will save you and everyone in your home.' 15 “When I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came to these people. This was the same thing that happened to us in the beginning. 16 I remembered that the Lord had said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized by the Holy Spirit.' 17 When they believed, God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. So who was I to interfere with God?” 18 When the others heard this, they had no further objections. They praised God by saying, “Then God has also led people who are not Jewish to turn to him so that they can change the way they think and act and have eternal life.”http://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
At Bethany, We are God's People who are: Gathered! Connected! Sent!We want to connect with you through this Podcast! Leave us a comment! Tell us where you are at! Leave a Review to help our audience grow!--May 11, 2025 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "GO!" -- John 21:15-1815 After they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than the other disciples do?” Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus told him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Jesus asked him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus told him, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 Jesus asked him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt sad because Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” So Peter said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus told him, “Feed my sheep." --GWhttp://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
At Bethany, We are God's People who are: Gathered! Connected! Sent!We want to connect with you through this Podcast! Leave us a comment! Tell us where you are at! Leave a Review to help our audience grow!---May 4, 2025 -- Rev. Arthur Rickman -- "Go Cast Your Net" -- Acts 9:1-22(9) Saul kept threatening to murder the Lord's disciples. He went to the chief priest 2 and asked him to write letters of authorization to the synagogue leaders in the city of Damascus. Saul wanted to arrest any man or woman who followed the way of Christ and imprison them in Jerusalem. 3 As Saul was coming near the city of Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” 5 Saul asked, “Who are you, sir?” The person replied, “I'm Jesus, the one you're persecuting. 6 Get up! Go into the city, and you'll be told what you should do.” 7 Meanwhile, the men traveling with him were speechless. They heard the voice but didn't see anyone. 8 Saul was helped up from the ground. When he opened his eyes, he was blind. So his companions led him into Damascus. 9 For three days he couldn't see and didn't eat or drink. 10 A disciple named Ananias lived in the city of Damascus. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” Ananias answered, “Yes, Lord.” 11 The Lord told him, “Get up! Go to Judas' house on Straight Street, and ask for a man named Saul from the city of Tarsus. He's praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 Ananias replied, “Lord, I've heard a lot of people tell about the many evil things this man has done to your people in Jerusalem. 14 Saul has come here to Damascus with authority from the chief priests to put anyone who calls on your name in prison.” 15 The Lord told Ananias, “Go! I've chosen this man to bring my name to nations, to kings, and to the people of Israel. 16 I'll show him how much he has to suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 Ananias left and entered Judas' house. After he placed his hands on Saul, Ananias said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way to Damascus, sent me to you. He wants you to see again and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like fish scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. Then Saul stood up and was baptized. 19 After he had something to eat, his strength came back to him. Saul was with the disciples in the city of Damascus for several days. 20 He immediately began to spread the word in their synagogues that Jesus was the Son of God. 21 Everyone who heard him was amazed. They asked, “Isn't this the man who destroyed those who worshiped the one named Jesus in Jerusalem? Didn't he come here to take these worshipers as prisoners to the chief priests in Jerusalem?” 22 Saul grew more powerful, and he confused the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.http://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
At Bethany, We are God's People who are: Gathered! Connected! Sent!We want to connect with you through this Podcast! Leave us a comment! Tell us where you are at! Leave a Review to help our audience grow!---April 27, 2025 -- Rev. John Alwood -- "Go! Stand! Speak!" -- Acts 5:12-2012 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. 17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” -ESVhttp://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
At Bethany, We are God's People who are: Gathered! Connected! Sent!We want to connect with you through this Podcast! Leave us a comment! Tell us where you are at! Leave a Review to help our audience grow!---April 20, 2025 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "He is risen indeed!" -- 1 Cor. 15:19-2619 If Christ is our hope in this life only, we deserve more pity than any other people. 20 But now Christ has come back from the dead. He is the very first person of those who have died to come back to life. 21 Since a man brought death, a man also brought life back from death. 22 As everyone dies because of Adam, so also everyone will be made alive because of Christ. 23 This will happen to each person in his own turn. Christ is the first, then at his coming, those who belong to him ⌞will be made alive⌟. 24 Then the end will come. Christ will hand over the kingdom to God the Father as he destroys every ruler, authority, and power. 25 Christ must rule until God has put every enemy under his control. 26 The last enemy he will destroy is death.http://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
At Bethany, We are God's People who are: Gathered! Connected! Sent!We want to connect with you through this Podcast! Leave us a comment! Tell us where you are at! Leave a Review to help our audience grow!---April 13, 2025 -- Pr. Kyle Blake -- "Yearning to Deliver!" -- Luke 19:29-4429 When he came near Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives (as it was called), Jesus sent two of his disciples ahead of him. 30 He said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter, you will find a young donkey tied there. No one has ever sat on it. Untie it, and bring it. 31 If anyone asks you why you are untying it, say that the Lord needs it.” 32 The men Jesus sent found it as he had told them. 33 While they were untying the young donkey, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the donkey?” 34 The disciples answered, “The Lord needs it.” 35 They brought the donkey to Jesus, put their coats on it, and helped Jesus onto it. 36 As he was riding along, people spread their coats on the road. 37 By this time he was coming near the place where the road went down the Mount of Olives. Then the whole crowd of disciples began to praise God for all the miracles they had seen. 38 They shouted joyfully, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven.” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell your disciples to be quiet.” 40 Jesus replied, “I can guarantee that if they are quiet, the stones will cry out.” 41 When he came closer and saw the city, he began to cry. 42 He said, “If you had only known today what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden, so you cannot see it. 43 The time will come when enemy armies will build a wall to surround you and close you in on every side. 44 They will level you to the ground and kill your people. One stone will not be left on top of another, because you didn't recognize the time when God came to help you.”http://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
At Bethany, We are God's People who are: Gathered! Connected! Sent!We want to connect with you through this Podcast! Leave us a comment! Tell us where you are at! Leave a Review to help our audience grow!---April 6. 2025 -- Vicar John Alwood -- "Yearning to be received and to give!" -- Luke 20:9-209 Then, using this illustration, Jesus spoke to the people: “A man planted a vineyard, leased it to vineyard workers, and went on a long trip. 10 “At the right time he sent a servant to the workers to obtain from them a share of the grapes from the vineyard. But the workers beat the servant and sent him back with nothing. 11 So he sent a different servant. The workers beat him, treated him shamefully, and sent him back with nothing. 12 Then he sent a third servant. But they injured this one and threw him out of the vineyard. 13 “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What should I do? I'll send my son, whom I love. They'll probably respect him.' 14 “When the workers saw him, they talked it over among themselves. They said, ‘This is the heir. Let's kill him so that the inheritance will be ours.' 15 So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. “What will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will destroy these workers and give the vineyard to others.” Those who heard him said, “That's unthinkable!” 17 Then Jesus looked straight at them and asked, “What, then, does this Scripture verse mean: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'? 18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken. If that stone falls on anyone, it will crush that person.” 19 The experts in Moses' Teachings and the chief priests wanted to arrest him right there, but they were afraid of the people. They knew that he had directed this illustration at them. 20 So they watched for an opportunity to send out some spies. The spies were to act like sincere religious people. They wanted to catch him saying the wrong thing so that they could hand him over to the governor.http://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
At Bethany, We are God's People who are: Gathered! Connected! Sent!We want to connect with you through this Podcast! Leave us a comment! Tell us where you are at! Leave a Review to help our audience grow!---March 30. 2025 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "Yearning For Restoring!" -- Luke 15: 1-2; 11-3215 All the tax collectors and sinners came to listen to Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the experts in Moses' Teachings complained, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Jesus spoke to them using this illustration:11 Then Jesus said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the property.' So the father divided his property between his two sons. 13 “After a few days, the younger son gathered his possessions and left for a country far away from home. There he wasted everything he had on a wild lifestyle. 14 He had nothing left when a severe famine spread throughout that country. He had nothing to live on. 15 So he got a job from someone in that country and was sent to feed pigs in the fields. 16 No one in the country would give him any food, and he was so hungry that he would have eaten what the pigs were eating. 17 “Finally, he came to his senses. He said, ‘How many of my father's hired men have more food than they can eat, while I'm starving to death here? 18 I'll go at once to my father, and I'll say to him, “Father, I've sinned against heaven and you. 19 I don't deserve to be called your son anymore. Make me one of your hired men.” ' 20 “So he went at once to his father. While he was still at a distance, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. He ran to his son, put his arms around him, and kissed him. 21 Then his son said to him, ‘Father, I've sinned against heaven and you. I don't deserve to be called your son anymore.' 22 “The father said to his servants, ‘Hurry! Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let's celebrate with a feast. 24 My son was dead and has come back to life. He was lost but has been found.' Then they began to celebrate. 25 “His older son was in the field. As he was coming back to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called to one of the servants and asked what was happening. 27 “The servant told him, ‘Your brother has come home. So your father has killed the fattened calf to celebrate your brother's safe return.' 28 “Then the older son became angry and wouldn't go into the house. His father came out and begged him to come in. 29 But he answered his father, ‘All these years I've worked like a slave for you. I've never disobeyed one of your commands. Yet, you've never given me so much as a little goat for a celebration with my friends. 30 But this son of yours spent your money on prostitutes, and when he came home, you killed the fattened calf for him.' 31 “His father said to him, ‘My child, you're always with me. Everything I have is yours. 32 But we have something to celebrate, something to be happy about. This brother of yours was dead but has come back to life. He was lost but has been found.' ” --GWhttp://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
At Bethany, We are God's People who are: Gathered! Connected! Sent!We want to connect with you through this Podcast! Leave us a comment! Tell us where you are at! Leave a Review to help our audience grow!March 23, 2025 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "Yearning to Harvest!" -- Luke 13:1-9(13) At that time some people reported to Jesus about some Galileans whom Pilate had executed while they were sacrificing animals. 2 Jesus replied to them, “Do you think that this happened to them because they were more sinful than other people from Galilee? 3 No! I can guarantee that they weren't. But if you don't turn to God and change the way you think and act, then you, too, will all die. 4 What about those 18 people who died when the tower at Siloam fell on them? Do you think that they were more sinful than other people living in Jerusalem? 5 No! I can guarantee that they weren't. But if you don't turn to God and change the way you think and act, then you, too, will all die.” --GWhttp://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
March 16, 2025 -- Pr. Kyle Blake -- "Yearning to embrace!" -- Luke 13:31-3531 At that time some Pharisees told Jesus, “Get out of here, and go somewhere else! Herod wants to kill you.” 32 Jesus said to them, “Tell that fox that I will force demons out of people and heal people today and tomorrow. I will finish my work on the third day. 33 But I must be on my way today, tomorrow, and the next day. It's not possible for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem. 34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you kill the prophets and stone to death those sent to you! How often I wanted to gather your children together the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings! But you were not willing! 35 Your house will be abandoned. I can guarantee that you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!' ”http://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
March 9, 2025 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "Yearning to Be Turning!" -- Luke 4:1-13(4) Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit as he left the Jordan River. The Spirit led him while he was in the desert, 2 where he was tempted by the devil for 40 days. During those days Jesus ate nothing, so when they were over, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “Scripture says, ‘A person cannot live on bread alone.' ” 5 The devil took him to a high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in an instant. 6 The devil said to him, “I will give you all the power and glory of these kingdoms. All of it has been given to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 So if you will worship me, all this will be yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “Scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.' ” 9 Then the devil took him into Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest part of the temple. He said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, jump from here! 10 Scripture says, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you to watch over you carefully. 11 They will carry you in their hands so that you never hit your foot against a rock.' ” 12 Jesus answered him, “It has been said, ‘Never tempt the Lord your God.' ” 13 After the devil had finished tempting Jesus in every possible way, the devil left him until another time. -GWhttp://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
March 2, 2025 -- Pr. Kyle Blake -- "Transfiguration!" -- Luke 9:28-3628 About eight days after he had said this, Jesus took Peter, John, and James with him and went up a mountain to pray. 29 While Jesus was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly, both Moses and Elijah were talking with him. 31 They appeared in heavenly glory and were discussing Jesus' approaching death and what he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem. 32 Peter and the men with him were sleeping soundly. When they woke up, they saw Jesus' glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As Moses and Elijah were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Teacher, it's good that we're here. Let's put up three tents—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Peter didn't know what he was saying. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud overshadowed them. They were frightened as they went into the cloud. 35 A voice came out of the cloud and said, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!” 36 After the voice had spoken, they saw that Jesus was alone. The disciples said nothing, and for some time they told no one about what they had seen. -GWhttp://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
February 23, 2025 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "Everyone, Everything, Everywhere!" -- 1 Cor. 15:50-5750 Brothers and sisters, this is what I mean: Flesh and blood cannot inherit God's kingdom. What decays cannot inherit what doesn't decay. 51 I'm telling you a mystery. Not all of us will die, but we will all be changed. 52 It will happen in an instant, in a split second at the sound of the last trumpet. Indeed, that trumpet will sound, and then the dead will come back to life. They will be changed so that they can live forever. 53 This body that decays must be changed into a body that cannot decay. This mortal body must be changed into a body that will live forever. 54 When this body that decays is changed into a body that cannot decay, and this mortal body is changed into a body that will live forever, then the teaching of Scripture will come true: “Death is turned into victory! 55 Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?” 56 Sin gives death its sting, and God's standards give sin its power. 57 Thank God that he gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. -GWhttp://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
February 16, 2025 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "We're About Him and His!" -- 1 Cor. 15:15-2015 In addition, we are obviously witnesses who lied about God because we testified that he brought Christ back to life. But if it's true that the dead don't come back to life, then God didn't bring Christ back to life. 16 Certainly, if the dead don't come back to life, then Christ hasn't come back to life either. 17 If Christ hasn't come back to life, your faith is worthless and sin still has you in its power. 18 Then those who have died as believers in Christ no longer exist. 19 If Christ is our hope in this life only, we deserve more pity than any other people. 20 But now Christ has come back from the dead. He is the very first person of those who have died to come back to life. --GWhttp://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
February 9, 2025 -- Vicar John Alwood -- "Body-Building" -- 1Cor. 14:12-2012 In the same way, since you're eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in them so that you help the church grow. 13 So the person who speaks in another language should pray for an interpretation of what he says. 14 If I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my mind is not productive. 15 So what does this mean? It means that I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray with my mind. I will sing psalms with my spirit, and I will sing psalms with my mind. 16 Otherwise, if you praise God only with your spirit, how can outsiders say “Amen!” to your prayer of thanksgiving? They don't know what you're saying. 17 Your prayer of thanksgiving may be very good, but it doesn't help other people grow. 18 I thank God that I speak in other languages more than any of you. 19 Yet, in order to teach others in church, I would rather say five words that can be understood than ten thousand words in another language. 20 Brothers and sisters, don't think like children. When it comes to evil, be like babies, but think like mature people. -GWhttp://www.bethanylutheran.orghttp://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beachwww.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
February 2, 2025 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "This is Love" -- 1Cor. 12:31b - 13:13 31 You only want the better gifts, but I will show you the best thing to do. (13) I may speak in the languages of humans and of angels. But if I don't have love, I am a loud gong or a clashing cymbal. 2 I may have the gift to speak what God has revealed, and I may understand all mysteries and have all knowledge. I may even have enough faith to move mountains. But if I don't have love, I am nothing. 3 I may even give away all that I have and give up my body to be burned. But if I don't have love, none of these things will help me. 4 Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn't jealous. It doesn't sing its own praises. It isn't arrogant. 5 It isn't rude. It doesn't think about itself. It isn't irritable. It doesn't keep track of wrongs. 6 It isn't happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth. 7 Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up. 8 Love never comes to an end. There is the gift of speaking what God has revealed, but it will no longer be used. There is the gift of speaking in other languages, but it will stop by itself. There is the gift of knowledge, but it will no longer be used. 9 Our knowledge is incomplete and our ability to speak what God has revealed is incomplete. 10 But when what is complete comes, then what is incomplete will no longer be used. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child, and reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I no longer used childish ways. 12 Now we see a blurred image in a mirror. Then we will see very clearly. Now my knowledge is incomplete. Then I will have complete knowledge as God has complete knowledge of me. 13 So these three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the best one of these is love. -GW http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
January 26, 2025 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "All Together" -- 1 Cor. 12:14-27 14 As you know, the human body is not made up of only one part, but of many parts. 15 Suppose a foot says, “I'm not a hand, so I'm not part of the body!” Would that mean it's no longer part of the body? 16 Or suppose an ear says, “I'm not an eye, so I'm not a part of the body!” Would that mean it's no longer part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how could it hear? If the whole body were an ear, how could it smell? 18 So God put each and every part of the body together as he wanted it. 19 How could it be a body if it only had one part? 20 So there are many parts but one body. 21 An eye can't say to a hand, “I don't need you!” Or again, the head can't say to the feet, “I don't need you!” 22 The opposite is true. The parts of the body that we think are weaker are the ones we really need. 23 The parts of the body that we think are less honorable are the ones we give special honor. So our unpresentable parts are made more presentable. 24 However, our presentable parts don't need this kind of treatment. God has put the body together and given special honor to the part that doesn't have it. 25 God's purpose was that the body should not be divided but rather that all of its parts should feel the same concern for each other. 26 If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts share its suffering. If one part is praised, all the others share in its happiness. 27 You are Christ's body and each of you is an individual part of it. http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
January 19, 2025 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "For the Common Good" -- 1 Cor. 12:1-13 (12) Brothers and sisters, I don't want there to be any misunderstanding concerning spiritual gifts. 2 You know that when you were unbelievers, every time you were led to worship false gods you were worshiping gods who couldn't even speak. 3 So I want you to know that no one speaking by God's Spirit says, “Jesus is cursed.” No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. 5 There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served. 6 There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person. 7 The evidence of the Spirit's presence is given to each person for the common good of everyone. 8 The Spirit gives one person the ability to speak with wisdom. The same Spirit gives another person the ability to speak with knowledge. 9 To another person the same Spirit gives ⌞courageous⌟ faith. To another person the same Spirit gives the ability to heal. 10 Another can work miracles. Another can speak what God has revealed. Another can tell the difference between spirits. Another can speak in different kinds of languages. Another can interpret languages. 11 There is only one Spirit who does all these things by giving what God wants to give to each person. 12 For example, the body is one unit and yet has many parts. As all the parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Whether we are Jewish or Greek, slave or free, God gave all of us one Spirit to drink. http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
January 12, 2025 -- Pr. Kyle Blake -- "Adopted!" -- Isaiah 43:1-7 (43) The Lord created Jacob and formed Israel. Now, this is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid, because I have claimed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through the sea, I am with you. When you go through rivers, they will not sweep you away. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, and the flames will not harm you. 3 I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Egypt is the ransom I exchanged for you. Sudan and Seba are the price I paid for you. 4 Since you are precious to me, you are honored and I love you. I will exchange others for you. Nations will be the price I pay for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, because I am with you. I will bring your descendants from the east and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, “Give them up,” and to the south, “Do not keep them.” Bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the ends of the earth. 7 Bring everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
January 5, 2025 -- Vicar John Alwood -- "You are Stewards of the Revealed Mystery!" --- Ephesians 3:1-12 (3) This is the reason I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus [a] for those of you who are not Jewish. 2 Certainly, you have heard how God gave me the responsibility of bringing his kindness [b] to you. 3 You have heard that he let me know this mystery through a revelation. I've already written to you about this briefly. 4 When you read this, you'll see that I understand the mystery about Christ. 5 In the past, this mystery was not known by people as it is now. The Spirit has now revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is the Good News that people who are not Jewish have the same inheritance as Jewish people do. They belong to the same body and share the same promise that God made in Christ Jesus. 7 I became a servant of this Good News through God's kindness freely given to me when his power worked in me. 8 I am the least of all God's people. Yet, God showed me his kindness by allowing me to spread the Good News of the immeasurable wealth of Christ to people who are not Jewish. 9 He allowed me to explain the way this mystery works. God, who created all things, kept it hidden in the past. 10 He did this so that now, through the church, he could let the rulers and authorities in heaven know his infinite wisdom. 11 This was God's plan for all of history which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 We can go to God with bold confidence through faith in Christ. http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
December 29, 2024 -- Vicar John Alwood -- "2025: Curse or Blessing?" -- Numbers 6:22-27 22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you will bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24 The Lord will bless you and watch over you. 25 The Lord will smile on you and be kind to you. 26 The Lord will look on you with favor and give you peace.' 27 “So whenever they use my name to bless the Israelites, I will bless them.” --GW http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
December 22, 2024 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "Coming Soon: Peace!" -- Luke 1: 6-80; 3:1-18 76 “You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way. 77 You will make his people know that they can be saved through the forgiveness of their sins. 78 A new day will dawn on us from above because our God is loving and merciful. 79 He will give light to those who live in the dark and in death's shadow. He will guide us into the way of peace.” 80 The child John grew and became spiritually strong. He lived in the desert until the day he appeared to the people of Israel. --- (Ch.3) It was the fifteenth year in the reign of the Emperor Tiberius. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea. Herod ruled Galilee, and his brother Philip ruled Iturea and Trachonitis. Lysanias was the ruler of Abilene. 2 It was at the time when Annas and Caiaphas were chief priests that God spoke to John, son of Zechariah, in the desert. 3 John traveled throughout the region around the Jordan River. He told people about a baptism of repentance [a] for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As the prophet Isaiah wrote in his book, “A voice cries out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way for the Lord! Make his paths straight! 5 Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be leveled. The crooked ways will be made straight. The rough roads will be made smooth. 6 All people will see the salvation that God gives.' ” 7 Crowds of people were coming to be baptized by John. He would say to them, “You poisonous snakes! Who showed you how to flee from God's coming anger? 8 Do those things that prove that you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act. Don't say, ‘Abraham is our ancestor.' I guarantee that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones. 9 The ax is now ready to cut the roots of the trees. Any tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire.” 10 The crowds asked him, “What should we do?” 11 He answered them, “Whoever has two shirts should share with the person who doesn't have any. Whoever has food should share it too.” 12 Some tax collectors came to be baptized. They asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He told them, “Don't collect more money than you are ordered to collect.” 14 Some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He told them, “Be satisfied with your pay, and never use threats or blackmail to get money from anyone.” 15 People's hopes were rising as they all wondered whether John was the Messiah. 16 John replied to all of them, “I baptize you with water. But the one who is more powerful than I is coming. I am not worthy to untie his sandal straps. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing [b] shovel is in his hand to clean up his threshing floor.[c] He will gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn the husks in a fire that can never be put out.” 18 With many other encouraging words, he told the Good News to the people. --GW http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
December 15, 2024 -- Pr. Kyle Blake -- "Coming Soon: Forgiveness!" -- Luke 1: 57-76 57 When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very kind to her, and they shared her joy. 59 When the child was eight days old, they went ⌞to the temple⌟ to circumcise him. They were going to name him Zechariah after his father. 60 But his mother spoke up, “Absolutely not! His name will be John.” 61 Their friends said to her, “But you don't have any relatives with that name.” 62 So they motioned to the baby's father to see what he wanted to name the child. 63 Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” Everyone was amazed. 64 Suddenly, Zechariah was able to speak, and he began to praise God. 65 All their neighbors were filled with awe. Throughout the mountain region of Judea, people talked about everything that had happened. 66 Everyone who heard about it seriously thought it over and asked, “What does the future hold for this child?” It was clear that the Lord was with him. 67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, 68 “Praise the Lord God of Israel! He has come to take care of his people and to set them free. 69 He has raised up a mighty Savior for us in the family of his servant David. 70 He made this promise through his holy prophets long ago. 71 He promised to save us from our enemies and from the power of all who hate us. 72 He has shown his mercy to our ancestors and remembered his holy promise, 73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham. 74 He promised to rescue us from our enemies' power so that we could serve him without fear 75 by being holy and honorable as long as we live. 76 “You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way. http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
December 8, 2024 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "Coming Soon: Mercy!" -- Luke 1: 46-55 46 Mary said, “My soul praises the Lord's greatness! 47 My spirit finds its joy in God, my Savior, 48 because he has looked favorably on me, his humble servant. “From now on, all people will call me blessed 49 because the Almighty has done great things to me. His name is holy. 50 For those who fear him, his mercy lasts throughout every generation. 51 “He displayed his mighty power. He scattered those who think too highly of themselves. 52 He pulled strong rulers from their thrones. He honored humble people. 53 He fed hungry people with good food. He sent rich people away with nothing. 54 “He remembered to help his servant Israel forever. 55 This is the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants. -GW http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
December 1, 2024 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "Coming Soon: Joy!" -- Luke 1:24-45 24 Later, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and didn't go out in public for five months. She said, 25 “The Lord has done this for me now. He has removed my public disgrace.” 26 Six months after Elizabeth had become pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee. 27 The angel went to a virgin promised in marriage to a descendant of David named Joseph. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 When the angel entered her home, he greeted her and said, “You are favored by the Lord! The Lord is with you.” 29 She was startled by what the angel said and tried to figure out what this greeting meant. 30 The angel told her, “Don't be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. 31 You will become pregnant, give birth to a son, and name him Jesus. 32 He will be a great man and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 Your son will be king of Jacob's people forever, and his kingdom will never end.” 34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be? I'm a virgin.” 35 The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child developing inside you will be called the Son of God. 36 “Elizabeth, your relative, is six months pregnant with a son in her old age. People said she couldn't have a child. 37 But nothing is impossible for God.” 38 Mary answered, “I am the Lord's servant. Let everything you've said happen to me.” Then the angel left her. 39 Soon afterward, Mary hurried to a city in the mountain region of Judah. 40 She entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard the greeting, she felt the baby kick. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 She said in a loud voice, “You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child that you will have. 43 I feel blessed that the mother of my Lord is visiting me. 44 As soon as I heard your greeting, I felt the baby jump for joy. 45 You are blessed for believing that the Lord would keep his promise to you.” --GW http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
November 24, 2024 -- Pr. Nader Hanna -- "Christ Jesus Our One King" -- John 18:33-37 33 Pilate went back into the palace, called for Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 Jesus replied, “Did you think of that yourself, or did others tell you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own people and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom doesn't belong to this world. If my kingdom belonged to this world, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. My kingdom doesn't have its origin on earth.” 37 Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus replied, “You're correct in saying that I'm a king. I have been born and have come into the world for this reason: to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to me.” --GW Further Readings: Revelation 1:4-8 Daniel 7:9-10; 13-14 http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
November 17, 2024 -- Vicar John Alwood -- "The Original Thanksgiving" -- Psalm 16 (16) Protect me, O God, because I take refuge in you. 2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord. Without you, I have nothing good.” 3 Those who lead holy lives on earth are the noble ones who fill me with joy. 4 Those who quickly chase after other gods multiply their sorrows. I will not pour out their sacrificial offerings of blood or use my lips to speak their names. 5 The Lord is my inheritance and my cup. You are the one who determines my destiny. 6 Your boundary lines mark out pleasant places for me. Indeed, my inheritance is something beautiful. 7 I will praise the Lord, who advises me. My conscience warns me at night. 8 I always keep the Lord in front of me. When he is by my side, I cannot be moved. 9 That is why my heart is glad and my soul rejoices. My body rests securely 10 because you do not abandon my soul to the grave or allow your holy one to decay. 11 You make the path of life known to me. Complete joy is in your presence. Pleasures are by your side forever. --GW http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
November 10, 2024 -- Pr. Kyle Blake -- "You Won The Election!" -- Psalm 146 (146) Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! 2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 3 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. 4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. 5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; 7 who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free; 8 the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. 9 The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. 10 The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the Lord! -ESV http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
November 3, 2024 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "His 'R Us" -- 1 John 3:1-2 (3) Consider this: The Father has given us his love. He loves us so much that we are actually called God's dear children. And that's what we are. For this reason the world doesn't recognize us, and it didn't recognize him either. 2 Dear friends, now we are God's children. What we will be isn't completely clear yet. We do know that when Christ appears we will be like him because we will see him as he is. --GW http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
October 27, 2024 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "Not to brag, but..." -- Romans 3:19-28 19 We know that whatever the Scriptures say applies to everyone under their influence, and no one can say a thing. The whole world is brought under the judgment of God. 20 Not one person can have God's approval by any effort to follow the laws in the Scriptures. These laws show what sin is. 21 Now, the way to receive God's approval has been made plain in a way other than the laws in the Scriptures. Moses' Teachings and the Prophets tell us this. 22 Everyone who believes has God's approval through faith in Jesus Christ. There is no difference between people. 23 Because all people have sinned, they have fallen short of God's glory. 24 They receive God's approval freely by an act of his kindness [a] through the price Christ Jesus paid to set us free from sin. 25 God showed that Christ is the throne of mercy where God's approval is given through faith in Christ's blood. In his patience God waited to deal with sins committed in the past. 26 He waited so that he could display his approval at the present time. This shows that he is a God of justice, a God who approves of people who believe in Jesus. 27 So, do we have anything to brag about? Bragging has been eliminated. On what basis was it eliminated? On the basis of our own efforts? No, indeed! Rather, it is eliminated on the basis of faith. 28 We conclude that a person has God's approval by faith, not by his own efforts. -GW http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
October 20, 2024 -- Vicar John Alwood -- "Sent for (the) Rest" -- Hebrews 4: 1-16 (4) God's promise that we may enter his place of rest still stands. We are afraid that some of you think you won't enter his place of rest. 2 We have heard the same Good News that your ancestors heard. But the message didn't help those who heard it in the past because they didn't believe. 3 We who believe are entering that place of rest. As God said, “So I angrily took a solemn oath that they would never enter my place of rest.” God said this even though he had finished his work when he created the world. 4 Somewhere in Scripture God has said this about the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.” 5 God also said in the same passage, “They will never enter my place of rest.” 6 However, some people enter that place of rest. Those who heard the Good News in the past did not enter God's place of rest because they did not obey God. 7 So God set another day. That day is today. Many years after ⌞your ancestors failed to enter that place of rest⌟ God spoke about it through David in the passage already quoted: “If you hear God speak today, don't be stubborn.” 8 If Joshua had given the people rest, God would not have spoken about another day. 9 Therefore, a time of eternal rest exists for God's people. 10 Those who entered his place of rest also rest from their work as God did from his. 11 So we must make every effort to enter that place of rest. Then no one will be lost by following the example of those who refused to obey. 12 God's word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God's word judges a person's thoughts and intentions. 13 No creature can hide from God. Everything is uncovered and exposed for him to see. We must answer to him. 14 We need to hold on to our declaration of faith: We have a superior chief priest who has gone through the heavens. That person is Jesus, the Son of God. 15 We have a chief priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he didn't sin. 16 So we can go confidently to the throne of God's kindness [a] to receive mercy and find kindness, which will help us at the right time. http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
October 13, 2024 -- Pr. Kyle Blake -- "Connected: to hold fast to one another" -- Hebrews 3: 12-19 12 Be careful, brothers and sisters, that none of you ever develop a wicked, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 Encourage each other every day while you have the opportunity. If you do this, none of you will be deceived by sin and become stubborn. 14 After all, we will remain Christ's partners only if we continue to hold on to our original confidence until the end. 15 Scripture says,“If you hear God speak today, don't be stubborn. Don't be stubborn like those who rebelled.” 16 Who heard God and rebelled? All those whom Moses led out of Egypt rebelled. 17 With whom was God angry for 40 years? He was angry with those who sinned and died in the desert. 18 Who did God swear would never enter his place of rest? He was talking about those who didn't obey him. 19 So we see that they couldn't enter his place of rest because they didn't believe. http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
October 6, 2024 -- Pr. Kyle Blake -- "Gathered to Jesus' as His Siblings" -- Hebrews 2: 8b - 18 (8b) You put everything under his control.” When God put everything under his Son's control, nothing was left out. However, at the present time we still don't see everything under his Son's control. 9 Jesus was made a little lower than the angels, but we see him crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death. Through God's kindness [a] he died on behalf of everyone. 10 God is the one for whom and through whom everything exists. Therefore, while God was bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was the right time to bring Jesus, the source of their salvation, to the end of his work through suffering. Jesus Became One of Us to Help Us 11 Jesus, who makes people holy, and all those who are made holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus isn't ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. 12 He says, “I will tell my people about your name. I will praise you within the congregation.” 13 In addition, Jesus says, “I will trust him.” And Jesus says, “I am here with the sons and daughters God has given me.” 14 Since all of these sons and daughters have flesh and blood, Jesus took on flesh and blood to be like them. He did this so that by dying he would destroy the one who had power over death (that is, the devil). 15 In this way he would free those who were slaves all their lives because they were afraid of dying. 16 So Jesus helps Abraham's descendants rather than helping angels. 17 Therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters so that he could be merciful. He became like them so that he could serve as a faithful chief priest in God's presence and make peace with God for their sins. 18 Because Jesus experienced temptation when he suffered, he is able to help others when they are tempted. http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
September 29, 2024 -- "Strawman: Art of Mis-Direction" -- Pastor Kevin Kritzer -- James 5: 13-20 13 If any of you are having trouble, pray. If you are happy, sing psalms. 14 If you are sick, call for the church leaders. Have them pray for you and anoint you with olive oil [a] in the name of the Lord. 15 (Prayers offered in faith will save those who are sick, and the Lord will cure them.) If you have sinned, you will be forgiven. 16 So admit your sins to each other, and pray for each other so that you will be healed. Prayers offered by those who have God's approval are effective. 17 Elijah was human like us. Yet, when he prayed that it wouldn't rain, no rain fell on the ground for three-and-a-half years. 18 Then he prayed again. It rained, and the ground produced crops. 19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you wanders from the truth, someone can bring that person back. 20 Realize that whoever brings a sinner back from the error of his ways will save him from death, and many sins will be forgiven. http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
September 22, 2024 -- "Strawman: The Grudge Match" -- Pastor Kevin Kritzer-- James 4: 1-12 (4) What causes fights and quarrels among you? Aren't they caused by the selfish desires that fight to control you? 2 You want what you don't have, so you commit murder. You're determined to have things, but you can't get what you want. You quarrel and fight. You don't have the things you want, because you don't pray for them. 3 When you pray for things, you don't get them because you want them for the wrong reason—for your own pleasure. 4 You unfaithful people! Don't you know that love for this evil world is hatred toward God? Whoever wants to be a friend of this world is an enemy of God. 5 Do you think this passage means nothing? It says, “The Spirit that lives in us wants us to be his own.” 6 But God shows us even more kindness.[a] Scripture says, “God opposes arrogant people, but he is kind to humble people.” 7 So place yourselves under God's authority. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. 8 Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners, and clear your minds, you doubters. 9 Be miserable, mourn, and cry. Turn your laughter into mourning and your joy into gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the Lord's presence. Then he will give you a high position. 11 Brothers and sisters, stop slandering each other. Those who slander and judge other believers slander and judge God's laws. If you judge God's teachings, you are no longer following them. Instead, you are judging them. 12 There is only one who creates laws and judges on the basis of them. He is able to save or destroy you. So who are you to judge your neighbor? http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
September 15, 2024 -- Pastor Kevin Kritzer -- "Strawman: !@#$%" -- James 3:1-12" (3) Brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers. You know that we who teach will be judged more severely. 2 All of us make a lot of mistakes. If someone doesn't make any mistakes when he speaks, he would be perfect. He would be able to control everything he does. 3 We put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, and we have control over everything they do. 4 The same thing is true for ships. They are very big and are driven by strong winds. Yet, by using small rudders, pilots steer ships wherever they want them to go. 5 In the same way the tongue is a small part of the body, but it can brag about doing important things. A large forest can be set on fire by a little flame. 6 The tongue is that kind of flame. It is a world of evil among the parts of our bodies, and it completely contaminates our bodies. The tongue sets our lives on fire, and is itself set on fire from hell. 7 People have tamed all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures. 8 Yet, no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil filled with deadly poison. 9 With our tongues we praise our Lord and Father. Yet, with the same tongues we curse people, who were created in God's likeness. 10 Praise and curses come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, this should not happen! 11 Do clean and polluted water flow out of the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree produce olives? Can a grapevine produce figs? In the same way, a pool of salt water can't produce fresh water. http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
September 8, 2024 -- "Strawman!" -- Pastor Kevin Kritzer -- James 2:1-10, 14-18 (2) My brothers and sisters, practice your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ by not favoring one person over another. 2 For example, two men come to your worship service. One man is wearing gold rings and fine clothes; the other man, who is poor, is wearing shabby clothes. 3 Suppose you give special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say to him, “Please have a seat.” But you say to the poor man, “Stand over there,” or “Sit on the floor at my feet.” 4 Aren't you discriminating against people and using a corrupt standard to make judgments? 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! Didn't God choose poor people in the world to become rich in faith and to receive the kingdom that he promised to those who love him? 6 Yet, you show no respect to poor people. Don't rich people oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Don't they curse the good name of Jesus, the name that was used to bless you? 8 You are doing right if you obey this law from the highest authority: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” 9 If you favor one person over another, you're sinning, and this law convicts you of being disobedient. 10 If someone obeys all of God's laws except one, that person is guilty of breaking all of them....14 My brothers and sisters, what good does it do if someone claims to have faith but doesn't do any good things? Can this kind of faith save him? 15 Suppose a believer, whether a man or a woman, needs clothes or food 16 and one of you tells that person, “God be with you! Stay warm, and make sure you eat enough.” If you don't provide for that person's physical needs, what good does it do? 17 In the same way, faith by itself is dead if it doesn't cause you to do any good things. 18 Another person might say, “You have faith, but I do good things.” Show me your faith apart from the good things you do. I will show you my faith by the good things I do. http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
September 1, 2024 -- Rev. Seth Moorman -- "Won By Christ!" -- Ephesians 4:4-6 4 There is one body and one Spirit. In the same way you were called to share one hope. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over everything, through everything, and in everything. http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
August 25, 2024 -- "Armor-Up!" -- Pr. Kyle Blake -- Ephesians 6:10-20 10 Finally, receive your power from the Lord and from his mighty strength. 11 Put on all the armor that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil's strategies. 12 This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world. 13 For this reason, take up all the armor that God supplies. Then you will be able to take a stand during these evil days.[a] Once you have overcome all obstacles, you will be able to stand your ground. 14 So then, take your stand! Fasten truth around your waist like a belt. Put on God's approval as your breastplate. 15 Put on your shoes so that you are ready to spread the Good News that gives peace. 16 In addition to all these, take the Christian faith as your shield. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Also take salvation as your helmet and God's word as the sword that the Spirit supplies. 18 Pray in the Spirit [b] in every situation. Use every kind of prayer and request there is. For the same reason be alert. Use every kind of effort and make every kind of request for all of God's people. 19 Also pray that God will give me the right words to say. Then I will speak boldly when I reveal the mystery of the Good News. 20 Because I have already been doing this as Christ's representative, I am in prison. So pray that I speak about this Good News as boldly as I have to. http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
August 18. 2024 -- "Being Children of Light" -- Pastor Kyle Blake -- Ephesians 5: 6-20 6 Don't let anyone deceive you with meaningless words. It is because of sins like these that God's anger comes to those who refuse to obey him. 7 Don't be partners with them. 8 Once you lived in the dark, but now the Lord has filled you with light. Live as children who have light. 9 Light produces everything that is good, that has God's approval, and that is true. 10 Determine which things please the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the useless works that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are. 12 It is shameful to talk about what some people do in secret. 13 Light exposes the true character of everything 14 because light makes everything easy to see. That's why it says: “Wake up, sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 So then, be very careful how you live. Don't live like foolish people but like wise people. 16 Make the most of your opportunities because these are evil days. 17 So don't be foolish, but understand what the Lord wants. 18 Don't get drunk on wine, which leads to wild living. Instead, be filled with the Spirit 19 by reciting psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs for your own good. Sing and make music to the Lord with your hearts. 20 Always thank God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
August 11, 2024 -- Vicar John Alwood -- "The New Self" -- Ephesians 4:17 - 5:2 17 So I tell you and encourage you in the Lord's name not to live any longer like other people in the world. Their minds are set on worthless things. 18 They can't understand because they are in the dark. They are excluded from the life that God approves of because of their ignorance and stubbornness. 19 Since they no longer have any sense of shame, they have become promiscuous. They practice every kind of sexual perversion with a constant desire for more. 20 But that is not what you learned from Christ's teachings. 21 You have certainly heard his message and have been taught his ways. The truth is in Jesus. 22 You were taught to change the way you were living. The person you used to be will ruin you through desires that deceive you. 23 However, you were taught to have a new attitude. 24 You were also taught to become a new person created to be like God, with a life that truly has God's approval and is holy. 25 So then, get rid of lies. Speak the truth to each other, because we are all members of the same body. 26 Be angry without sinning. Don't go to bed angry. 27 Don't give the devil any opportunity to work 28 Thieves must quit stealing and, instead, they must work hard. They should do something good with their hands so that they'll have something to share with those in need. 9 Don't say anything that would hurt another person Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you. 30 Don't give God's Holy Spirit any reason to be upset with you. He has put his seal on you for the day you will be set free from the world of sin. 31 Get rid of your bitterness, hot tempers, anger, loud quarreling, cursing, and hatred. 32 Be kind to each other, sympathetic, forgiving each other as God has forgiven you through Christ. (5) Imitate God, since you are the children he loves. 2 Live in love as Christ also loved us. He gave his life for us as an offering and sacrifice, a soothing aroma to God. --(GW) http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
August 4, 2024 -- "Unity in the Spirit" -- Pastor Kevin Kritzer -- Ephesians 4:1-16 I, a prisoner in the Lord, encourage you to live the kind of life which proves that God has called you. 2 Be humble and gentle in every way. Be patient with each other and lovingly accept each other. 3 Through the peace that ties you together, do your best to maintain the unity that the Spirit gives. 4 There is one body and one Spirit. In the same way you were called to share one hope. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over everything, through everything, and in everything. 7 God's favor [a] has been given to each of us. It was measured out to us by Christ who gave it. 8 That's why the Scriptures say: “When he went to the highest place, he took captive those who had captured us and gave gifts to people.” 9 Now what does it mean that he went up except that he also had gone down to the lowest parts of the earth? 10 The one who had gone down also went up above all the heavens so that he fills everything. 11 He also gave apostles, prophets, missionaries, as well as pastors and teachers as gifts ⌞to his church⌟. 12 Their purpose is to prepare God's people to serve and to build up the body of Christ. 13 This is to continue until all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge about God's Son, until we become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard. 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like the wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray. 15 Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head. 16 He makes the whole body fit together and unites it through the support of every joint. As each and every part does its job, he makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
May 12, 2024 - "Gathered to Echo!" - Pastor Kevin Kritzer, Bible Text John 17:11b-19 11 I won't be in the world much longer, but they are in the world, and I'm coming back to you. Holy Father, keep them safe by the power of your name, the name that you gave me, so that their unity may be like ours. 12 While I was with them, I kept them safe by the power of your name, the name that you gave me. I watched over them, and none of them, except one person, became lost. So Scripture came true. 13 “But now, ⌞Father,⌟ I'm coming back to you. I say these things while I'm still in the world so that they will have the same joy that I have. 14 I have given them your message. But the world has hated them because they don't belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 15 I'm not asking you to take them out of the world but to protect them from the evil one. 16 They don't belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 17 “Use the truth to make them holy. Your words are truth. 18 I have sent them into the world the same way you sent me into the world. 19 I'm dedicating myself to this holy work I'm doing for them so that they, too, will use the truth to be holy. -GW http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
May 5, 2024 - "Gathered to Flow!" - Pastor Kyle Blake, Bible Text John 15: 9-17 9 “I have loved you the same way the Father has loved me. So live in my love. 10 If you obey my commandments, you will live in my love. I have obeyed my Father's commandments, and in that way I live in his love. 11 I have told you this so that you will be as joyful as I am, and your joy will be complete. 12 Love each other as I have loved you. This is what I'm commanding you to do. 13 The greatest love you can show is to give your life for your friends. 14 You are my friends if you obey my commandments. 15 I don't call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn't know what his master is doing. But I've called you friends because I've made known to you everything that I've heard from my Father. 16 You didn't choose me, but I chose you. I have appointed you to go, to produce fruit that will last, and to ask the Father in my name to give you whatever you ask for. 17 Love each other. This is what I'm commanding you to do. http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
April 28, 2024 - "Gathered to Grow!" - Pr. Kevin Kritzer, Bible Text: John 15:1-8 15 ⌞Then Jesus said,⌟ “I am the true vine, and my Father takes care of the vineyard. 2 He removes every one of my branches that doesn't produce fruit. He also prunes every branch that does produce fruit to make it produce more fruit. 3 “You are already clean [a] because of what I have told you. 4 Live in me, and I will live in you. A branch cannot produce any fruit by itself. It has to stay attached to the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit unless you live in me. 5 “I am the vine. You are the branches. Those who live in me while I live in them will produce a lot of fruit. But you can't produce anything without me. 6 Whoever doesn't live in me is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Branches like this are gathered, thrown into a fire, and burned. 7 If you live in me and what I say lives in you, then ask for anything you want, and it will be yours. 8 You give glory to my Father when you produce a lot of fruit and therefore show that you are my disciples. 9 “I have loved you the same way the Father has loved me. So live in my love. 10 If you obey my commandments, you will live in my love. I have obeyed my Father's commandments, and in that way I live in his love. http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
April 21, 2024 -- "Gathered To Know!" -- Pastor Kevin Kritzer, Bible Text: John 10:11-18 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand isn't a shepherd and doesn't own the sheep. When he sees a wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and quickly runs away. So the wolf drags the sheep away and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand is concerned about what he's going to get paid and not about the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep as the Father knows me.[a] My sheep know me as I know the Father. 15 So I give my life for my sheep. 16 I also have other sheep that are not from this pen. I must lead them. They, too, will respond to my voice. So they will be one flock with one shepherd. 17 The Father loves me because I give my life in order to take it back again. 18 No one takes my life from me. I give my life of my own free will. I have the authority to give my life, and I have the authority to take my life back again. This is what my Father ordered me to do.” --GW http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
April 14, 2024 - "Gathered To Go!" - Pr. Mark Siegert, Bible Text: Luke 24: 36-49 36 While they were talking about what had happened, Jesus stood among them. He said to them, “Peace be with you!” 37 They were terrified, and thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 He asked them, “Why are you afraid? Why do you have doubts? 39 Look at my hands and feet, and see that it's really me. Touch me, and see for yourselves. Ghosts don't have flesh and bones, but you can see that I do.” 40 As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 The disciples were overcome with joy and amazement because this seemed too good to be true. Then Jesus asked them, “Do you have anything to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish. 43 He took it and ate it while they watched him. 44 Then he said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you. I told you that everything written about me in Moses' Teachings, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to come true.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He said to them, “Scripture says that the Messiah would suffer and that he would come back to life on the third day. 47 Scripture also says that by the authority of Jesus people would be told to turn to God and change the way they think and act so that their sins will be forgiven. This would be told to people from all nations, beginning in the city of Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses to these things. 49 “I'm sending you what my Father promised. Wait here in the city until you receive power from heaven.” --GW http://www.bethanylutheran.org http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach
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