Our Father Lutheran Church

Do you believe God? Not simply, do you believe that God exists? But do you believe Him? Do you trust His word, His promises, and His love? Every one of us struggles to trust God. We wonder whether His ways really lead to joy. We wrestle with His Word when it confronts our deepest desires and feelings. We question whether grace really is enough for our salvation. And when suffering or disappointment comes, we wonder whether God truly loves us. In Matthew 4, Jesus faces Satan's temptation in the wilderness. Beneath every temptation lies the same accusation against God: Can you really trust Him? In this message, Pastor Scott Abel explores what biblical faithfulness really means, why trusting God is one of the greatest struggles of the Christian life, and how the cross of Jesus Christ gives us the confidence to believe God's love even when our feelings, our circumstances, or the world around us tell a different story.

What does it really mean to be a good person? We all recognize the brokenness in our world—and if we're honest, we see it in ourselves too. This message explores why goodness can't be achieved through trying harder, but must be received as a gift from God. Discover how Christ's goodness frees us from constantly trying to prove ourselves and empowers us, through the Holy Spirit, to reflect God's goodness in our everyday lives.

Biblical kindness is more than niceness or politeness. It is active grace and compassionate movement toward another person for their good. As we receive the kindness of Christ, the Holy Spirit slowly forms that same outward-facing mercy within us.

Patience is more than simply waiting—it's trusting God while He transforms us. Jesus responded to the impatience and ambition of His disciples with grace, reminding us that true patience grows through humility, surrender, and confidence in God's timing rather than our own. What would it look like for you to trust Christ's timing and allow Him to shape your heart today?

What if peace isn't something that happens to you, but something you can pursue on purpose? In this message, we explore Jesus' surprising antidote to anxiety in Matthew 6 and Paul's “secret” to contentment in Philippians 4. Discover how prayer, renewed priorities, and trust in God's provision can lead to a deeper peace that holds steady no matter what life throws your way.

Everyone wants to become a more loving person—but what if love isn't something you can achieve by trying harder? In this message from Mark 10, we uncover two common myths about love and discover two life-changing truths that anchor us in the love of Christ. See Jesus, the One who sees you, and learn how being loved by Him transforms the way you love others. Everyone wants to become a more loving person—but what if love isn't something you can achieve by trying harder? In this message from Mark 10, we uncover two common myths about love and discover two life-changing truths that anchor us in the love of Christ. See Jesus, the One who sees you, and learn how being loved by Him transforms the way you love others. Turn on screen reader support Banner hiddenTo enable screen reader support, press ⌘+Option+Z To learn about keyboard shortcuts, press ⌘slash

The Fruit of the Spirit is not manufactured through pressure or self-salvation projects. It is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit through Word, Sacrament, repentance, faith, and life in Christ.

In this episode, Vanessa opens up about growing up in the South, wrestling with doubt in adulthood, and the defining “aha” moments that reshaped her faith. Together with Pastor Nate, she unpacks the depth and tension of James 4:8—what it really means to draw near to God, and how He meets us there. She also shares the simple, intentional habits that have anchored her daily walk with Jesus and made her faith real in everyday life.