Messiah Lutheran Church Podcast

In a world of conflict, strife, and division, it's hard to find peace in so much turmoil. The good news is, lasting peace is possible if you know where to look for it. Pastor Chuck Schlie teaches on how to find and keep the peace you crave in week two of Christmas Unwrapped.

Where does this hope come from, and how can you feel it when life seems bleak? Pastor Jim reflects on this much-needed gift in the first message of Christmas Unwrapped.

In this last message of our series, Pastor Jim gets into get into the last few paragraphs of this short book—paragraphs in which Jonah was so put off by God's mercy on Ninevah that he wishes death on himself three times. There's a lot of wisdom in these brief paragraphs, and we've included a special presentation of the song "Mercy."

Offended by Mercy: Week 2 Like Jonah, we make poor judges. We cannot truly judge the actions of others on the limited information we have about them. Fortunately, God is the ultimate judge and He gives grace when we withhold it. In this message, we'll learn how to open our hearts to be better stewards of the mercy shown to us that we too often keep from others.

Offended by Mercy: Week 1 | Jonah 1-2 Offended by mercy? That comes from our tendency to want to receive mercy but be reluctant to give it. Through the story of a man on the run from God, we will deepen our understanding that God's mercy is for everyone and begin to practice grace in our own lives.

Over 500 years ago, Martin Luther launched a movement that would forever change the church. Today, we have the opportunity to continue his legacy and bring hope to our community through promises found in God's Word. Let's hear these ancient words with modern ears and be awed by their timelessness.

In the Bible, the Tribe of Issachar had a special discernment to read the signs of the times to help Israel make decisions. The Church today needs this discernment so we can fulfill the mission Jesus sets before us. What does the re-FORmation look like in 2022? What does God want the church to be about?

We're celebrating Messiah's 35 years with a look back at all God's done through us and dreaming about the future He has in store for us.

What if the end was just the beginning? It's a backward notion, but our God defies expectations. The event that changed the world can change us too. On Sunday Pastor Jim concludes our current series with a teaching on how we can fully be alive in Jesus and follow Him as an “all-in” disciple.

If there's one thing we can all agree on, it's that there's a lot we disagree with. We're a very polarized society right now and as a result incivility and contempt for others who don't share our views are on the rise. As Christians, we're called to a higher standard. Will we respond as we should?

"How can I receive eternal life?" A religious leader asked Jesus this question and the answer He gives offers hope to everyone. In this message, we'll learn His answer and how to demonstrate it.

Jesus's ministry impacted so many on a personal level, and Luke undertook to verify and share their stories. These witnesses saw all that He did and said and went on to impact the world because of what they observed. They found out that following Jesus will cost you something, but refusing to follow will cost you more.

How can you be sure that Luke's account is historical and not fiction? There are many contextual clues that point to its historicity. In this message Pastor Chuck Schlie continues Investigating Jesus and considering what it means to truly follow Him.

What makes Luke a reliable narrator of Jesus's life and ministry? This is the question that Pastor Jim considers in the first message of our probing worship series, Investigating Jesus. Luke's account was determined to be a reliable account of the events depicted in the New Testament. In this message, learn why we can trust him and others who recorded the death and resurrection of Jesus.

We've reached the end of our life stage journey. Messiah wraps up this series by looking at the final life stage of retirement. For many, this brings the joy of grandkids, travel, and more leisure. But like any stage, it has its challenges. Hear from Pastor Jim how to thrive in this stage — just like the foursome that inspires the title of this last message.

Married with Children...to Empty Nester. This is one of those transitions that make you stop and think, "Now what?" Last week we learned to be intentional in keeping our relationship with our spouse strong. In this message, Pastor Chuck explores this phase of life (to him, it's personal) and gives us some advice from Scripture about what really matters when it comes to raising your kids to be awesome adults.

Married with Children: If you're in this stage, you're likely in the chaos of a new school year starting. This is a busy time of year, and really, it's just a busy time of life. In this message, Pastor Jim offers some assurance from a surprising source that you're doing just fine by your kids. Moreover, he'll help you navigate this stressful time and remain connected to your spouse—all based on biblical truths.

This week we progress from adolescence to young adulthood. Pastor Jim guides us through the ups and downs of this time with an emphasis on the struggles of Joseph from the Old Testament. All ages can find strength and hope in his story as we look at one fundamental question.

“Middle School was the best time of my life!” Said no one ever. Transitions are hard, and some are harder than others. Messiah's new worship series is here to help you make the best of whatever age and stage you are in. With help from God's Word, our pastors are journeying with us through our lives to help you thrive instead of just survive. This first message looks at the transition from childhood to adolescence.

Actually, no. Death does not result from a shortage of cherubic beings in God's celestial kingdom. Our loved ones don't die because God needs to fill an opening. Death is the end of life on earth, but God has answers for death that can be found in His Word. Pastor Jim explores this topic in the last message of the series Lies Christians Believe.

Is God concerned with His creation's happiness? You'd think He would be, but what does His Word say? Pastor Chuck takes on this topic.

Who hasn't heard this one?! It's usually said in defensiveness and — like all cliches — contains a kernel of truth. But does the Bible really reserve judgment for God only? Hear what Pastor Jim has to say about this lie Christians believe in this fourth message of our current series.

"Follow Your Heart" sure sounds innocuous, but dig deeper and you'll find that it sets the stage for so many pitfalls in our journey to follow Jesus. Hear from Pastor Chuck Schlie why this statement — so freely given during graduation season — needs to be reconsidered before being doled out.

"Everything happens for a reason." Have you ever said this to yourself or someone else? There's a lot to unpack in this saying. We mean well, but saying it can have the opposite effect of what we were going for. Instead of helping, it leads to questioning God's goodness...and that's not what we want to do! Pastor Jim tackles this lie in week two of "Lies Christians Believe."

"God won't give me more than I can handle." Oh, really? Many would disagree. In this first message of our new series, Pastor Chuck Schlie examines this lie that Christians believe...and spread. Find out why this simply isn't true, and what does have a basis in God's Word to get you through tough times.

How much do your words and actions matter? More than you think! You can impact someone's life with the smallest gesture. Those daily ripples you leave can have a lasting legacy, so how do you make waves that will be positive? Pastor Chuck explores how in this message.

Have you ever wondered how a ragtag group of early Jesus followers could grow into a worldwide movement of billions? The exponential growth was kicked off by one ripple from one person, proving that small actions have BIG impacts. In this message, Pastor Jim teaches on how the faith of two matriarchs, Lois and Eunice, was influential on the next generation and how our own faith can have the same legacy.

What can you do today that will have a lasting impact on tomorrow? That's the question at the heart of the Making Waves worship series. From its inception, the church was FOR outsiders — and that has impacted us 2,000 years later. This first message examines the question, What can we do to similarly affect the church of the future?

The Gospel According to Johnny Cash | Man Comes Around One more person. How incredible would it be to bring just one more person to saving faith in Jesus? Johnny Cash wrestled with this goal and its implications in a song he wrote near the end of his life, "The Man Comes Around."

It's a fact—you can't go through life without experiencing hurt. Sometimes there will be a lot of it. So how does God use our hurts to transform our lives for the better? That's the question that Pastor Jim teaches on using Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt."

Got regrets? Sure, we all do. Sometimes we mess up so big that we pay a very public penalty. Most times, we're able to keep our sins hidden from the world. Johnny Cash had a lot of sympathy for those whose sins were exposed and scrutinized. He knew those outlaws and outcasts are just like us—sinners who need Jesus. The Gospel According to Johnny Cash continues with a teaching on "Folsom Prison Blues."

Even when we mess up, we are individuals God loves and made in His image. In His kindness, He offers us grace and forgiveness—and asks us to offer the same to others. It's kindness to others that demonstrates the love that Jesus has for the world. Johnny Cash's song "Give My Love to Rose" wasn't a big hit for him, but its grittiness reveals the Gospel as a message that is meant for everyone.

Johnny Cash sang "I walk the line" as a promise to his wife that he would be faithful to her when he was on the road. It was a promise he would have a hard time keeping. We, too, have a hard time keeping our promises — whether to each other or to God. We sin repeatedly in big and small ways. When we mess up, is it possible to out-sin God's grace? What does God think of us when we break our promises? These questions are considered in the second installment of The Gospel According to Johnny Cash.

Johnny Cash never shied away from sharing his faults or his faith. Because of his raw honesty, we have a figure we can look up to when we feel far from God's grace. Be assured that you are never too far gone! Pastor Jim teaches from the song "Man in Black."

Our journey through Exodus ends at the Tabernacle. God has given His people very specific instructions on how they are to construct this tent, where they are to place certain items, and even what clothes the priests are to wear in it! So, what does this blueprint have to do with us? More importantly, where is Jesus in this "tent of meeting"? Pastor Chuck Schlie wraps it all up.

On Mount Sinai, the former captives in Egypt experience true freedom when God gives them a list of ten rules. That probably sounds backward to us. True freedom is being unyoked from rules, right? Not in God's Kingdom! We may not want to admit it, but we need perimeters. The Ten Commandments given to Moses are the keys to a good life.

Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? That's a question that people of faith have wrestled with for thousands of years. Pastor Jim explores this timeless topic in the context of the Exodus account of Moses leading God's people across the Red Sea. Experience the freedom from past hurts that God wants for you!

Who's the boss of you? Most of us like to think we're in charge of ourselves, but that's just not the reality for those who follow Jesus. We have a boss, and we have rules to follow and forgiveness to seek when we break those rules. God's the boss of us — and that's a good thing!

Chances are, God hasn't appeared to you in a burning bush with instructions on freeing His people from captivity. If God came to you so dramatically with instructions so explicit, you'd surely take note and do as He commands, right? As it turns out, God does come to you and He has given you instructions. You have a calling, but barriers are keeping you from action. Hear from Pastor Chuck how you can free yourself to answer God's calling on your life!

When Pharaoh's daughter drew Moses from the Nile River, she provided hope in a hopeless situation. God can work the good in everything, even if we think we know best. He draws us towards Him to work with Him and follow Him from captivity to sin to find freedom in Jesus.

Exodus: Ash Wednesday 2022

God has been so good to us! On Jubilee Sunday, we have an opportunity to come together as a church family to thank Him.

Faith and generosity go hand-in-hand. Jesus said that you can't serve two masters, but often money plays that role in our lives. On Sunday, learn how you can give as God wants you to give. It's a tough exercise in faith, but the rewards are greater than you can imagine!

No, Messiah's not telling you to throw in the towel or resign yourself to failure. Hardly! Giving up for Jesus involves surrendering your life to His will ... and your earthly blessings to Him in thanksgiving. Yep, it's a money talk.

What's the faith of the next generation worth? If you've been around Messiah for awhile, you know the answer is "everything." Let's RAISE UP! our young Jesus-followers.

You don't need to serve others to get to heaven. Salvation is assured through faith in Jesus. But are you truly walking the talk if you don't use your gifts to serve God's church and other people? Pastor Chuck teaches on why service matters in God's Kingdom and how YOU can make a difference right here in your community.

Knowledge and religiosity are not the same as spiritual growth. You can acquire a lot of head knowledge, but it may not always help you “walk the talk.” In this message, Pastor Chuck Schlie gets into what it looks like to not just have faith in Jesus, but to have the faith of Jesus.

After the past two years of upheaval and loss, connection and community is more important than ever. We're learning how to effectively "walk the talk" in worship, and one way to do that is to find a group where you can connect relationally and grow spiritually. Find out more at MessiahStCharles.org/Groups

Do you worship regularly? As in, every Sunday of the month, all 12 months of the year? If your answer is "no," you're not alone. Is that good for our faith walk? If we only worship 1-2 Sundays a month, are we truly putting our faith into action? In this first message of our new series, Pastor Jim will get into why it's so important to "Show Up" on Sundays regularly.

A recent tradition has made its way into our holiday season – Elf on the Shelf. As Santa's spy, the elf is there to report on bad behavior. He sees what you're up to and judges you for it. Many people see God as similarly inclined to watch us and keep a list of our good and bad deeds. But is that really what God is all about?

It's Christmas FOR St. Charles