Foretaste of the Feast

In this episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle cap off their look at Luke's Gospel by walking through Jesus's resurrection and the unique things Luke includes about what happened that first Easter Sunday.Scripture readings in this episode:Luke 24Other episodes referenced in this episode:-Q & A - The Bible-A Study in Christian Apologetics - Unit 1: What is Apologetics?

After falling a week behind, Pastor Ken and Kyle wrap up their series on Holy Week in Luke's Gospel. In this episode, they look at his crucifixion, death, and burial and the unique things Luke shares in his gospel.Scripture readings in this episode:Luke 23:26-56Get caught up with the previous episode in the series:Holy Week in Luke's Gospel - Jesus's Trial and ConvictionFor more on Palm Sunday and Holy Week, listen to our episode from last year:Palm Sunday & Holy Week, Year B, 2021

Due to some life circumstances beyond our control, we were unable to record the final episode of our series on Holy Week in Luke's Gospel. Instead, this week we're sharing a sermon Pastor Ken preached on March 27th, 2022, titled "What If Grace Like That Was Real?"Scripture passages:Luke 15:1-3, 11-32Isaiah 12:1-6Psalm 32Click HERE to view and download Pastor Ken's sermon manuscript

In this episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle continue looking at Holy Week in Luke's Gospel. After being found guilty of being God, Jesus now stands before the political leaders of his day. Once again he's innocent. Scripture readings in this episode:Luke 23:1-25Get caught up with last week's episode:Holy Week in Luke's Gospel - The Trials and Testimonies of Jesus and PeterFor more on Palm Sunday and Holy Week, listen to our episode from last year:Palm Sunday & Holy Week, Year B, 2021

In this episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle continue looking at Holy Week in Luke's Gospel, by looking at the trials and testimonies of Jesus and Peter to see that where one fails, the other succeeds. Scripture readings in this episode:Luke 22:54-71Get caught up with last week's episode:Holy Week in Luke's Gospel - More Temptation, More Swords, More Failure, More JesusFor more on Palm Sunday and Holy Week, listen to the episode we did on it last year:Palm Sunday & Holy Week, Year B, 2021

In this episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle continue in their look at Holy Week in Luke's Gospel, by looking at more of the events of Maundy Thursday.Jesus faces more temptation. The disciples bring up their swords again and this time, use one of them. As in the upper room, the disciples still fail to see the Father's will which Jesus has set himself to do. Jesus also quashes the earthly attempt to rescue him from his imminent suffering and death. Instead, he heals a man injured by his disciple's zeal and takes one step closer to saving the world from sin.Scripture readings in this episode:Luke 22:39-53Get caught up with last week's episode:Holy Week in Luke's Gospel - Are two swords enough? and other hard sayings of JesusFor more on Palm Sunday and Holy Week, listen to the episode we did on it last year:Palm Sunday & Holy Week, Year B, 2021

In this episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle continue in their look at Holy Week in Luke's Gospel, by looking at some odd and hard sayings of Jesus in the upper room. On the heels of Jesus's surprise announcement that one of them is going to betray him, the disciples argue about who's the greatest (and conversely, the worst) among them. Jesus's response includes telling Peter that Satan demanded to have him, but that Jesus prayed that his faith may not fail. Then Jesus predicts Peter's denial of him.Jesus gets even more enigmatic when he tells them, "let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me." When his disciples say, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” He says to them, “It is enough.”What does all this mean? What does it have to do with Holy Week? Why does Luke include these details? Listen as we unpack what's going on. Scripture readings in this episode:Luke 22:24-38Get caught up with last week's episode:Holy Week in Luke's Gospel - Jesus's Last SupperFor more on Palm Sunday and Holy Week, listen to the episode we did on it last year:Palm Sunday & Holy Week, Year B, 2021

In this episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle continue in their look at Holy Week in Luke's Gospel. They take a look at the resolve of the religious leader to put Jesus to death, the part Judas plays in all this, and Jesus's last supper during which he institutes Holy Communion.Scripture readings in this episode:Luke 22:1-23Get caught up with last week's episode:Holy Week in Luke's Gospel - Palm SundayFor more on Palm Sunday and Holy Week, listen to the episode we did on it last year:Palm Sunday & Holy Week, Year B, 2021

Pastor Ken and Kyle kick off a new series for the season of Lent. Over the next seven episodes, they'll be looking at the events of Holy Week from the Gospel of Luke.In this episode, they look at Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey to cheering crowds and jeering religious leaders, more commonly called Palm Sunday. They look at the implications of Jesus's action as well as some of what happened right before. They close with a brief sketch of what Luke tells us happened over that Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.Scripture readings in this episode:Luke 19:28-40 (main reading)Luke 19:41-21:38 (talked about but not read)For more on Palm Sunday and Holy Week you can listen to the episode we did on it last year. Palm Sunday & Holy Week, Year B, 2021

In this episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle finish their series on apologetics following Steven Hein's booklet titled You Can Give An Answer: A Study in Christian Apologetics.They explore the various answers people give when asked, "Who is Jesus?" Is he a liar, a lunatic, a legend, or Lord, that is, the Son of God? They finish their conversation by looking through some popular, but misguided views people hold of Jesus and his message, like seeing him as purely a moral teacher, or as a mascot who merely cheers us on from his heavenly throne. But what happens when Jesus is viewed in these ways?You can purchase Steve Hein's booklet from 1517 Publishing HERE. But it is not needed to follow along.Scripture passages in this episode:Luke 9:57-58Luke 12:13-34Luke 22:66-71Luke 23:13-25Exodus 20:1-7Deuteronomy 13:1-5Matthew 5:17-19

In this longer-than-usual episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle continue in their series on apologetics following Steven Hein's booklet titled You Can Give An Answer: A Study in Christian Apologetics.They explore the two most common objections to the Christian faith: 1) Christianity can't be true because modern science has proven miraculous events impossible or highly suspect, and 2) A good, all-knowing, all-powerful God cannot exists alongside suffering and evil.Click HERE to watch Pastor Matt Popovits's video referenced in this video exploring the question, "Why do bad things happen?"You can purchase Steve Hein's booklet from 1517 Publishing HERE. But it is not needed to follow along.Scripture passages in this episode:Matthew 1:8-21Matthew 8:23-27Genesis 1:26-31Romans 5:12-14Psalms 53:1-3

In this episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle continue in their series on apologetics following Steven Hein's booklet titled You Can Give An Answer: A Study in Christian Apologetics.They finished their conversation about apologetics in the New Testament by looking at how the Apostles, Peter, Paul, and John practiced it in their ministry.You can purchase Steve Hein's booklet from 1517 Publishing HERE. But it is not needed to follow along.Scripture passages in this episode:2 Peter 1:13-21Acts 26:1-291 John 1:1-4

In this episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle continue in their series on apologetics following Steven Hein's booklet titled You Can Give An Answer: A Study in Christian Apologetics.They start a two-part conversation about apologetics in the New Testament by looking at how Jesus practiced it, how he defended and provided positive evidence for his divine identity throughout his ministry.You can purchase the booklet from 1517 Publishing HERE. But it is not needed to follow along.Scripture passages in this episode:Matthew 9:1-8Luke 3:18-20; 7:18-23John 10:30-39John 20:19-29Previous episodes in this series:A Study in Christian Apologetics - Unit 1: What is Apologetics?

In this episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle begin a new four-part series on apologetics following Steven Hein's booklet titled You Can Give An Answer: A Study in Christian Apologetics.In unit one, they explore the questions "What is apologetics?" "Can we have absolute objective certainty?" and "What is the relationship between evidence and faith?" Throughout the episode, they look at the classic Biblical texts related to apologetics and faith including 1 Peter 3:14-15, 1 Corinthians 15, and more. You can purchase the booklet from 1517 Publishing HERE. But it is not needed to follow along.Scripture passages in this episode:1 Peter 3:14-151 Corinthians 15:3-8, 13-20Acts 1:1-3; 2:22, 29-36Hebrews 2:3-4

In this episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle wrap up The Spiritual Realms Bible Study series by looking at ideas of the afterlife found in literature, movies, and pop culture at large. These have little to no basis in the Bible but usually come about from trying to answer well-intentioned questions for which we have little to no answer. The Spiritual Realms: A Bible Study on Heaven and Hell and Places Beyond This World is produced by Sola Publishing. A participant guide is available for purchase HERE, though not needed to listen along.A Note to Our Listeners:We're shifting the focus of the podcast. We originally started the podcast by looking at the lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday. We've decided to move away from that and focus more on issues of the Bible, theology, catechesis, defending the Christian faith, and more. We hope this shift will better help you, our listeners as you learn and grow in faith.

In this penultimate episode of The Spiritual Realms Bible Study series, Pastor Ken and Kyle look at what the Bible has to say about life after "life after death." What will the new heaven and new earth look like? And what does it mean that a new Jerusalem will "come down" to us?The Spiritual Realms: A Bible Study on Heaven and Hell and Places Beyond This World is produced by Sola Publishing. A participant guide is available for purchase HERE, though not needed to listen along.

In session 7 of The Spiritual Realms: A Bible Study of Heaven and Hell and Places Beyond This World, Pastor Ken and Kyle look at the word most commonly translated as "hell" in the Bible. What does Jesus mean when he uses this word to describe a spiritual realm which had a real-world parallel in Vally of Himmnon? The Spiritual Realms: A Bible Study on Heaven and Hell and Places Beyond This World is produced by Sola Publishing. A participant guide is available for purchase HERE, though not needed to listen along.

In session 6 of The Spiritual Realms: A Bible Study of Heaven and Hell and Places Beyond This World, Pastor Ken and Kyle look at a word used only once in the New Testament (in 2 Peter 2:4, 9). Tartarus, another Greek word often translated as "hell" in English, was used to refer to the mythological prison of the underworld that held the wicked. They look once again at the parable of the rich man and Lazarus as well as look further into one of the things we confess of Jesus in the Apostles' Creed, that he descended into hell or hades. The Spiritual Realms: A Bible Study on Heaven and Hell and Places Beyond This World is produced by Sola Publishing. A participant guide is available for purchase HERE, though not needed to listen along.

Jesus once told a parable about a rich man and a poor man who died and went to what appears to be opposite ends of the same place and could see and even communicate to one another. He also told one of the thieves who was crucified with him, "Today, you will be with me in paradise." Yet, we know and confess that Jesus did not go straight to heaven when he died. So what is Jesus trying to teach about life after death? Listen along as Pastor Ken and Kyle tackle all this in session five of the Spiritual Realms Bible Study.The Spiritual Realms: A Bible Study on Heaven and Hell and Places Beyond This World is produced by Sola Publishing. A participant guide is available for purchase HERE, though not needed to listen along.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word Sheol is used 66 times to talk about the place of the dead. But what exactly is Sheol? Is it like purgatory or limbo? Is it just a little higher up than hell, but not quite heaven? Pastor Ken and Kyle talk about this and more in Session 4.The Spiritual Realms: A Bible Study on Heaven and Hell and Places Beyond This World is produced by Sola Publishing. A participant guide is available for purchase HERE, though not needed to listen along.

In this session (session 3) of The Spiritual Realms: A Bible Study on Heaven and Hell and Places Beyond This World, Pastor Ken and Kyle talk about earth. Is it a spiritual realm? Who rules it? What role do we play in it? The Spiritual Realms: A Bible Study on Heaven and Hell and Places Beyond This World is produced by Sola Publishing. A participant guide is available for purchase HERE, though not needed to listen along.

Pastor Ken and Kyle continue walking through a study called The Spiritual Realms: A Bible Study on Heaven and Hell and Places Beyond This World produced by Sola Publishing. In session 2, they talk about heaven, who's there, and where it is.A participant guide is available for purchase HERE, though not needed to listen along.

Pastor Ken and Kyle are still on a break from looking at the texts for Sundays. Instead, in this and the next several episodes, they'll walk through a study called The Spiritual Realms: A Bible Study on Heaven and Hell and Places Beyond This World produced by Sola Publishing. A participant guide is available for purchase HERE, though not needed to listen along.

We're currently taking a break from our regular recording schedule until mid-October. In the meantime, listen to this sermon preached by Pastor Ken Nelson at Calvary Lutheran Church on August 15th, 2021, the third and final part of a sermon series on Holy Communion.You can read Pastor Ken's sermon manuscript HERE

We're currently taking a break from our regular recording schedule until mid-October. In the meantime, listen to this sermon preached by Pastor Mark Knappe at Calvary Lutheran Church on August 8th, 2021, the second in a three-part sermon series on Holy Communion.Part 3 will follow next week.You can read Pastor Mark's sermon manuscript HERE

We're currently taking a break from our regular recording schedule until mid-October. In the meantime, listen to this sermon preached by Pastor Ken Nelson at Calvary Lutheran Church on August 1st, 2021, the first in a three-part sermon series on Holy Communion.Parts 2 and 3 will follow in the coming weeks.You can read Pastor Ken's sermon manuscript HERE

In this episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle talk about the characteristics of the apocalyptic style of literature in the book of Revelation and how understanding that literary style helps us read Revelation not as a timeline for Jesus' return, but a message of hope in the midst of sufferings of our lives now.Recommended ResourcesCome, Lord Jesus: A Study of Revelation - New Edition by Mark Braaten Revelation and the End of All Things by Craig R. KoesterHow to Read the Bible: Apocalyptic Literature - Bible ProjectOverview: Revelation 1-11 - Bible ProjectOverview: Revelation 12-22 - Bible Project***ANNOUNCEMENT***We'll be taking a break from regularly recording episodes until sometime in October. In the meantime, keep an ear out for audio sermon episodes.

In this episode, Kyle talks with poet and author, Tanner Olson, about the place poetry can have in our lives, the difference between reading poetry and listening to it, and how that relates to Scripture. Find Tanner's poetry, books, videos, and albums at http://writtentospeak.com

In this episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle tackle more listener questions. Are Christians still judged even though they are saved? What does it mean to be lukewarm as described in Revelation 3:14, and what do Lutherans say about predestination/election?

In this Q and A episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle tackle some big questions in a short period of time. They talk about what prayer is and what to do with seemingly unanswered prayer. What a creed is and the three creeds to which the church historically subscribes. Finally, the talk about the subject of the creeds, the Trinity.Recommendations in this episode:Prayer - O. HallesbyPrayer: Does It Make a Difference - Philip YancyGrace Upon Grace - John KleinigLarge Catechism (Lord's Prayer) - Martin Luther

In this episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle continue their special topic summer series by discussing what a denomination is, some differences between them, and what differences there are between different Lutheran church bodies.For a history of Christianity in America check out the 1517 Academy course referenced in this episode by clicking HERE.

What is worship? In this episode, Nicole joins Pastor Ken and Kyle again to try to answer this very large question as they discuss what does it has to do with the mission of the church, what makes a song appropriate for it, what's its overall purpose, and what does it try to teach us through its repetition. 

As we continue our special topic summer series, Pastor Ken and Kyle are joined by Calvary's Director of Music Ministry, Nicole Moritz to talk about singing Psalms in the Bible, throughout history, and today.Psalms “versified” by Isaac Wattshttps://www.ccel.org/ccel/watts/psalmshymns.toc.htmlExcellent article on the Genevan Psalterhttps://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/a-reformed-approach-to-psalmody-the-legacy-of-the-genevan-psalter-emily-brink/ Anglican Chanthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdKQh7pHlwc&list=PL40q95V2TvwAroGBuesFwEpoufcEhu8T5 Gregorian Chanthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QrB7EP3YV4Bay Psalm Bookhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4PJZhEGUsUSuzanne Haik-Vantourahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a38vuOmWcIs

In this episode, Kyle is joined by his wife Lauren to talk about what they like to call Sassy Jesus. Those moments in Jesus' ministry where he displays raw human emotion or attitude. Looking at one sassy moment from each of the Gospels, they discuss how Jesus' actions and words confront our assumptions about who he is.

In this episode, Kyle looks at answers to three questions about the Bible:How is it organized?What do I do with all the English translations of it?How do I read, study, and understand it?Here are some helpful videos to watch on this topic as well:Old Testament OverviewNew Testament OverviewWhat is the Bible?

How should we understand the Trinity, three persons, yet one God? What does Isaiah's holy coal have to do with Holy Communion? How can Peter connect the Psalms to Jesus' resurrection? And, what does Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus have to do with a Triune God? In the episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle, discuss these questions and more as they look at the lectionary readings for Holy Trinity Sunday: Isaiah 6:1-8, Acts 2:14a, 22-36, and John 3:1-17.4th Sunday in Lent, 2021Holy Trinity Sunday, 20205th Sunday in Lent, 2021

What does the Holy Spirit actually do? When will the last days come? What does God bringing dry bones back to life through words spoken by Ezekiel teach us about how God works in our lives today? In the episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle, discuss these questions and more as they look at the lectionary readings for the Day of Pentecost: Ezekiel 37:1-14, Acts 2:1-21, and John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15.

What happened to Judas after he betrayed Jesus? Can we have assurance of what we believe in the Christian faith? What does it mean to be sanctified? Is it something we do or is it a work of the Holy Spirit? In the episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle, discuss these questions and more as they look at the lectionary readings for the 7th Sunday of Easter: Acts 1:12-26, 1 John 5:9-15, John 17:11b-19Have questions about the Bible? religion? theology? or the Christian life? Send them our way and we'll do some Q&A. You can email them to us at youthdirector@calvarylc.com.Last year's Ascension of Our Lord episode: https://foretasteofthefeast.buzzsprout.com/1081436/3827588-ascension-of-our-lord-bonus-episode

What does it mean that God doesn't show favoritism? Are God's commands burdensome or not? Do we choose God or does he choose us? In the episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle, discuss these questions and more as they look at the lectionary readings for the 6th Sunday of Easter: Acts 10:34-48, 1 John 5:1-8, John 15:9-17.Have questions about the Bible? religion? theology? or the Christian life? Send them our way and we'll do some Q&A. You can email them to us at youthdirector@calvarylc.com.

What's the key to understanding the Old Testament? What does the story of Philip and the Ethiopian have to teach us about study Scripture today? How do we test the spirits of this age? How are we cleaned by Jesus' word? In the episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle, discuss these questions and more as they look at the lectionary readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter: Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:1-11; John 15:1-8.We still need your question for some Q & A episodes. Have questions about the Bible? religion? theology? or the Christian life? Email them to us at youthdirector@calvarylc.com.

What's so offensive about Jesus' resurrection? Who are the Sadducees? How do we know who God is? What does it mean that God is greater than our hearts? Why does Jesus call himself the Good Shepherd? Does that mean there are bad shepherds too? In this episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle discuss these questions and more as they look at the lectionary readings for the 4th Sunday of Easter:  Acts 4:1-12, 1 John 3:16-24, and John 10:11-18.Also, we need your question for some Q & A episodes. Have questions about the Bible? religion? theology? or the Christian life? Email them to us at youthdirector@calvarylc.com.

Do sinners know Jesus?  What does it mean to believe in Jesus' name? What message should the church preach? Did Jesus physically rise from the dead, or only in a spiritual sense? In this episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle discuss these questions and more as they look at the lectionary readings for the 3rd Sunday of Easter: Acts 3:11-21, 1 John 3:1-7, and Luke 24:36-49.

In this episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle start a series focused on the Acts readings of the Lectionary which replace the Old Testament readings during the season of Easter. They discuss what Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1-2:2, and John 20:19-31 teach about faith, fellowship, and forgiveness in the hours and days after Jesus' resurrection and the early church and explore how these lessons impact the church today.

Why does Mark's Gospel end so ambiguously and abruptly and what does it have to with us? Why does he say the women ran away in fear and told no one while the other Gospel writers say they told the others? What should we make of the "long ending" of Mark? What does Isaiah have to say about Jesus' resurrection and what are we to make of the list of witnesses Paul gives? Kyle and Pastor Ken discuss these questions and more in this Easter episode as they look at Mark 16:1-8, Isaiah 25:6-9, and 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.

Why is it called Palm Sunday? Why did Jesus ride a donkey? Who was the young man who ran away naked when Jesus was arrested? In this episode, Pastor Ken and Kyle discuss these questions and more surrounding Holy Week as they look at the Palm Sunday gospel reading, John 12:12-19, and the Passion Narrative from Mark 14 and 15.

Why did Jesus come? What gives James and John the right to ask what they as of Jesus? Who's Melchizedek and why is Jesus a priest after his order? And what does all this have to do with God remembering our sins no more? In this episode,  Kyle & special guest, Kathy Morales, discuss these questions and more as they look at the readings for the 5th Sunday in Lent for lectionary year B: Jeremiah 31:31-34;  Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark 10:32-45.

Why did God ask his people to look at the image of a serpent lifted up on a pole to be saved from snake bites and why does Jesus compare himself to that serpent? Does it have anything to do with being saved by grace through faith as Paul writes in Ephesians? And, what are the good works God has prepared beforehand for us to do? In this episode,  Kyle & Pastor Ken discuss these questions and more as they look at the readings for the 4th Sunday in Lent for lectionary year B: Numbers 21:4-9;  Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21.

Why does Jesus "celebrate" the Passover by flipping tables in the temple and what does that have to do with the Ten Commandments? Does it have anything to do with God using the weak and foolish in the world to shame the strong and the wise?  In this episode,  Kyle & Pastor Ken discuss these questions and more as they look at the readings for the 3rd Sunday in Lent for lectionary year B: Exodus 20:1-17;  1 Corinthians 1:18-31; John 2:13-25.

What did Jesus come to do? What does taking up your cross have to do with baptism? Would you die for a good person? In this episode,  Kyle & Pastor Ken discuss these questions and more as they look at the readings for the 2nd Sunday in Lent for lectionary year B: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16;  Romans 5:1-11; Mark 8:27-38.

How do we handle temptation? Does God tempt us? Why was Jesus tempted? In this episode,  Kyle & Pastor Ken discuss these questions and more as they look at the readings for the 1st Sunday in Lent for lectionary year B: Genesis 22:1-18;  James 1:12-18; Mark 1:9-15. Chad Bird's Devotional - Unveiling Mercy: 365 Daily Devotions Based on Insights from Old Testament Hebrew

In this episode,  Kyle & Pastor Ken discuss the Gospel readings for the Transfiguration of Our Lord (Mark 9:2-9) and Ash Wednesday (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21) and talk some about Lent's role in the life of a Christian.