Lord of Grace Podcast

The truth of Jesus is not outside of us, but something you experience and know through belonging to him. By Pastor Lars Hammar

The Bible calls us to provoke one another to love and good deeds, as we are not always our best selves, and sometimes need accountability to be more loving and just. Based on Hebrews 10:24-25. By Pastor Lars Hammar

The work of God is most visible when the people of God go outside the comfort zone. Sermon by Pastor Lars Hammar. November 10, 2024

It's not a lack of facts that keep us from seeing the truth; it's the filters in our mind that block it out. October 27, 2024 sermon by Pastor Lars Hammar at Lord of Grace Lutheran Church, Marana, Arizona

William Willcoxson, member of Lord of Grace Church, preaches on Servant Leadership. October 20, 2024

Our gifts, our service can accomplish so much more than we could imagine with the power of the Holy Spirit. By Pastor Lars Hammar

God does not keep the Holy Spirit only to those with degrees and credentials, only to professional religious people, but gives the power to be prophets and healers to all who are open to his gifts. By Pastor Lars Hammar, September 29, 2024

The easy way, in the short term, not only can have long-term consequences, it's also not the way of love - the way of sacrifices, listening, vulnerability - as Jesus did. Sermon September 15, 2024 by Pastor Lars Hammar

Faith forms when we practice it, when we do the ways of Jesus, not just learning about Jesus. Sermon September 8, 2024 by Pastor Lars Hammar

Discipleship is following Jesus where he goes, to be more Godly in our lives. The transformation can come through new thinking first, then change in behavior, or it can go the other way: acting first and growing into faith. Sermon September 1st, 2024. By Pastor Lars Hammar

Put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17) to protect you from dark forces of evil - the temptations to hate and violence that draw us in. Instead, go with God's power to respond with love, kindness, grace, and faith. Put on the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes that proclaim Gospel of peace, shield of faith, sword of the Spirit, and helmet of salvation. By Pastor Lars Hammar

When Elijah has burned his bridges and gotten in trouble for his life, he goes out into the desert and lays down under the broom tree, where he comes face to face with God and the consequences of his actions. By Pastor Lars Hammar

We talk endlessly about "unity" in the church, but what does it look like to actually put into practice in a way that is authentic, and not just trying to cover up divisions to avoid the discomfort of conflict? By Pastor Lars Hammar

Love is to believe in someone and try even when it does not seem like it will work. Sermon July 7, 2024 at Lord of Grace Church by Pastor Lars Hammar

All of us come at faith through the experiences of our lives, the joys and hardships that become points of struggle and growth in our relationship with God. By Pastor Lars Hammar

Life is full of things we can't control, and rather than exhaust ourselves, we can go with the Holy Spirit, like flowing down a river. By Pastor Lars Hammar.

The most important things in life are not things, but the values, dreams, visions from God. By Pastor Lars Hammar

The Sabbath is not given to us by God to ruin our fun or kill our productivity or make us bored. It's a rebellion against a culture that values only money, and a protection for the poor and working classes against endless work. By Pastor Lars Hammar

How do we conceive of a God who is three in one? Relationship. By Pastor Lars Hammar

Pastor Jim Dew shares the word for Pentecost Sunday, May 19th, 20204 from Lord of Grace.

At the Garden of Gethsemene Jesus says a prayer for the disciples, asking God the Father to take care of them and continue his legacy as one. By Pastor Lars Hammar.

Nothing great in life has ever been conquered, won, achieved without effort and following the commands of a teacher. We know this in our personal lives, but forget that Jesus gives us the commands to live a more Godly life, a fuller life.

Note: Forgive the rough voice, I was still getting over a cold.... We can get caught in a vicious cycle when fear keeps us from loving, and yet we can't love if we fear. the only way is to turn to doing love, taking the risk, and watch love push fear away. Based on 1 John 4:7-21. By Pastor Lars Hammar

We come burdened with guilt and shame over things we've done, and often avoid approaching God for fear of condemnation instead of compassion. But God's love is greater than anything we do. By Pastor Lars Hammar

This is an edited excerpt from the Stations of the Cross service done at Lord of Grace Lutheran Church in Marana, Arizona in 2024. The original service had a traditional introduction with sermon and hymns, then it shifted to the Stations of the Cross liturgy. With each station came a Bible reading, then an artist statement about the image of the station, then the meditation music. This version includes just the Bible readings and meditation music. Thanks to Stuart Oliver, Lord of Grace Praise Band Director, for doing all this original music live. Check out Stuart's music at https://www.desertmyth.com/

No matter what people in the world call you, or how much you have been shut out, you are adopted as a Child of God, loved and accepted in his eyes. By Pastor Lars Hammar

The big problem of discerning the truth in the face of overwhelming powers, and the temptation to believe in conspiracies and mystery cults, is nothing new. In fact, combatting the lure of the gnostic cults with their promises of secret knowledge to the initiated is an underlying theme in the writings of John. This first in the series on "Jesus in the Eyes of John" looks at Gnosticism and how it affects language of light and dark, truth and falsehood, and finding God's love. By Pastor Lars Hammar.

The resurrection is a total transformation, like a seed that gets buried and regrows into a tree. We can't see what God will make of us when we put ourselves in his hands, but we know that it will be greater and more spiritual than what we can imagine. Easter Sunday 2024. By Pastor Lars Hammar.

Jesus is brought into Jerusalem by the crowd who is filled with expectations, hopes, and dreams for Jesus to the next King, starter of a revolution. The problem is, that's their idea of Jesus, not what he told them he was. So often we project our expectations onto others, instead of letting them be to us who they are. By Pastor Lars Hammar. Palms Sunday, 2024

True forgiveness requires a lot more than just saying so. It's a process than can take time, and need to be repeated over and over to sink in. It's the reason why Jesus tells Peter that we forgive 77 (or seventy times seven) times. By Pastor Lars Hammar

Peter gets nervous about Jesus dying, and tries to convince him not to. But it's a part of God's plan for Jesus, and Peter too. The Cross is the path of the disciple. By Pastor Lars Hammar. Fourth Sunday in Lent

If asked, who would you say that Jesus is to you? What have you experienced of Jesus? What does he mean in your life? What difference has faith made to you? Third Sunday in Lent. By Pastor Lars Hammar

The scariest thing to step out and do is often to examine yourself is true honesty. As Peter began to fear when he stepped out of the boat to see Jesus, so we often avoid the deepest connections with Jesus because we're afraid to open up about what we have inside. Second Sunday in Lent.

How quickly we can become exhausted trying the same thing over and over, only to discover that the answer was there, but we wrote it off long ago. First in the Lenten series on Peter and the Wandering Heart. By Pastor Lars Hammar.

We can use mountaintop experiences as moments to empower us to go back into the world, or as an excuse to run away from it. Jesus was clear with his disciples that going back down was his will, not to escape. Transfiguration Sunday. By Pastor Lars Hammar

To understand the Bible you have to think like an artist, or a painter, who describes God's work in the world full of meanings, symbols, analogies, images that draw you in and point you to deeper and higher truth. To read it literally is to fall into the trap of thinking "truth" is only what can be counted and measured, and ignoring the world of experience in the Spirit. Based on Psalm 104. By Pastor Lars Hammar

The Psalm says that God puts burdens on us to test us, but it's not what it sounds like. A careful read shows that it's not about individual tragedies and illnesses, but about the whole people facing consequences for injustices. By Pastor Lars Hammar.

What does God do for us? It's many things, and we can see the evidence in what God does in the world every day. Part 1 of the sermon series "Four Psalms". By Pastor Lars Hammar.

New life requires new commitments, the shaking off of the old and taking on the new. We can be scared of making the move, jumping in, but God carries us through the transition. By Pastor Lars Hammar for the Sunday of the Baptism of Our Lord.

Why was it the shepherds' were able to hear the voice of God and not all those who one would expect? Could it be that they lived a life more in tune with God's majesty and wonder, and were less distracted? By Pastor Lars Hammar

It can be easy in a world full of cynicism to distrust everything and see a darker motive behind every surprise, even God's action in the world. But when Zechariah speaks again, the people are amazed, and embrace the joy of God. Third Sunday in Advent. By Pastor Lars Hammar

When overwhelmed we can find joy in connection with each other, community that is a gift from God. Second Sunday in Advent. By Pastor Lars Hammar

To struggle in silence, when you are hurting inside but forced to look strong in the public eye, can cause us to question faith, or God's reality in our lives. But it is in silence that God often speaks to us. First Sunday in Advent. By Pastor Lars Hammar

In times of anxiety we can get tempted to give up our freedoms and turn to a strong man, dictator, or king to protect us and, supposedly, make us proud. But this is giving to a person what belongs only to God - our ultimate loyalty and worship. God delivers and brings peace, so we don't need a king. By Pastor Lars Hammar. Christ the King Sunday

How can we get a a 100% return on the talents God gave us? By investing in the community, the poor, and the things that matter. By Pastor Lars Hammar

Being ready for when God is speaking is about more than waiting for the second coming, it's a way of life.

To be cursed is to be hated for who you are. To be blessed is to be loved after that. Jesus promises blessings to all who are cursed by the world in the Beatitudes.

The kingdom of God is like a banquet where all those who want to come may join, from wherever they are. By Pastor Lars Hammar

Peace is found in connections with others and the earth, by allowing ourselves to be open to experiencing their pain and joys. By Pastor Lars Hammar

Lord of Grace member Brian Clymer shares the word for October 8th, 2023

Lord of Grace member Sue Justis shares the sermon for September 9, 2023