Redemption Lutheran Church Sermons

Forgiving is hard work. In order to forgive, we often believe that we need to be owed something in order to forgive the person. If we don't receive something we know it will cost us. Yet Jesus tells us that we should forgive endlessly. He knew best of all what forgiveness costs. Forgiveness always starts with the forgiver. It starts with our forgiveness given to us by Christ.Support the show (https://nnyredemption.breezechms.com/give/online)

Jesus plants his disciples firmly in the world. Yet the world will bring difficulty for those who follow Jesus in a life of faith. Jesus gives some serious and sober warnings about what life would be like for those who follow him. Yet, in the midst of these warnings, he also gives some powerful encouragements, so that we need not fear following Jesus in this world. He will give us three encouragements which reorders our fear, but he begins by showing us that these encouragements are centered in his love for us. Support the show (https://nnyredemption.breezechms.com/give/online)

So what do we do when the world seems like it is coming to an end? Do you try to hold on to the familiar to the things that you have built for yourself and for your family? Do you entrench yourself and start pointing fingers looking for someone to blame? Do you turn to despair? Maybe so, because it does not seem like our God is rescuing us from this. It makes sense as to why, because in moments of uncertainty we tend to run to the things of this world. But since when do we believe that men have the power to build things that are eternal—that will see us through? And for this lack of faith we must repent, but we must also listen to the Lord’s lavish love which brings encouragement.Support the show (https://nnyredemption.breezechms.com/give/online)

When it comes to an artist's work we usually first encounter their work then we learn about the artist. Maybe you have been listening to the radio or your favorite streaming service and you hear a new song... you don't know who it is by, so you look it up. And you buy their album and you become a fan. First we experience the artwork and then we learn of the artists. And that is exactly how it is in the creation of the world. First we experience nature and we see it's grandeur and beauty and it might cause us to wonder who made it and why we are here and then we come to Genesis 1 and it tells us so much more. It gives us the who and the what. It gives us the creator and the plan for creation. It gives us the artist and the purpose of the artwork.Support the show (https://nnyredemption.breezechms.com/give/online)

How do you feel about going into this world and making disciples of all nations? How do you feel about going into this world which is at war with itself? How do you feel about going into this world to make disciples of all nations—to make disciples of bigots and looters, of racists and arsonists, of liberals and conservatives—and doing it without Jesus? It’s enough to grieve us. This is why Pentecost is so important, because Pentecost provides the promise of the Spirit. And Jesus shows us what the Spirit does among us. He is the one who brings peace, he is the one who can provide healing. Because the Spirit is our Advocate.Support the show (https://nnyredemption.breezechms.com/give/online)

Goodbyes run a wide and varying gamut. Some goodbyes are pretty commonplace. You leave for work in the morning, you drop the kids off for school. Not a big deal, because you know you will see the person again. Other times you look forward to a goodbye. Maybe someone overstayed their welcome, or you are just looking forward to getting back home. Then of course there are really difficult goodbyes. Maybe seeing someone on their deathbed. Or leaving family or friends behind. As normally as the day began, the disciples have a rather interesting response to Jesus' departure: they are filled with joy and they praise God. It's quite the change for men who, a little over a month earlier, were locked up in a room out of fear of the Jews and mourning the death of the Teacher. What accounts for the fear then and the joy now? Why are they so happy at this goodbye? Because ascension empowers proclamation. Support the show (https://nnyredemption.breezechms.com/give/online)

Paul was in the city of Athens. A religious city full of deep thinkers, cultural elite, and a menu of beliefs and ideas. Would what he had to say matter? Was the gospel of Jesus strong enough to overcome popular thought? We live in a community where some are atheists while others believe God is in everything and there are beliefs anywhere in-between. Does what we have to say matter? Is the message of Jesus strong enough to engage prevailing cultural ideas? Paul helps us answer that question this morning.Support the show (https://nnyredemption.breezechms.com/give/online)

It was the poet Robert Frost who said, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” That’s great and all when you have made the decision but you know the feeling of having a fork in the road in front of you. Sometimes you have to say to your self, “Ok you just need to make up your mind.” The people of Israel were in a position where they just needed to finally make up their mind. Yet in the middle of a showdown between Elijah and the Prophets of Baal God would turn their hearts back to himself.Support the show (https://nnyredemption.breezechms.com/give/online)

There are many voices out there which tell us where we can find meaning. But what is the once voice that can lead us to fullness of life?Support the show (https://nnyredemption.breezechms.com/give/online)

FDR said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." He said that in the middle of the Great Depression. And his point was that if people were consumed by fear there would be no recovery from the depression. What we desire for our lives is joy in the present and hope in the future. And when we can find neither of those things, fear comes creeping in. Yet the Apostle Peter gives us an interesting encouragement this morning when he says that we should live our lives in fear and at the very same time as living our lives in fear we have hope and joy. And the question then seems to need to be answered is, "How can this be?" These two things seem so opposite of each other, so mutually exclusive of each other. So how do we live lives in fear but also having joy and hope? That is what the Apostle Peter will answer for us as he shows us the reason why we live in fear but also have joy and hope.Support the show (https://nnyredemption.breezechms.com/give/online)

Where to find the peace that our hearts crave? We often seek it in what we can see. In our bank accounts. Within our families. Even, in our freedoms. However, we continue to find ourselves restless. Today, we hear of peace that surpasses what we can see. It is given to you by the resurrected Jesus.Support the show (https://nnyredemption.breezechms.com/give/online)

Paul dedicates the entirety of 1 Corinthians 15 to speaking about the centrality of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead. Some of those Corinthian believers thought they were a little too modern for the idea of a resurrection. So he demonstrates just how thoroughly Jesus overcame death. Here is the Easter truth, here is how we know that death was defeated: In his death Jesus took away death's sting. In his rising we will rise. Death has been swallowed up in victory. Victory is ours in Christ. Support the show (https://nnyredemption.breezechms.com/give/online)

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem for the final time the people of the city were stirred and asked, "Who is this?" Sometimes this is called Jesus' triumphant entry, but if it is supposed to be a triumphant entry it doesn't really seem to be that triumphant if people had to ask "Who is this?" They're asking the right question, but what conclusion are we to make about who this one is? That's the question that the Gospel writer Matthew wants us to consider.Support the show (https://nnyredemption.breezechms.com/give/online)

In 250 AD what became known as the Plague of Cyprian broke out. It lasted for 13 years. Many scholars now identify it as something like Ebola. Cyprian, the Bishop of Carthage, preached a series sermons throughout this time. In these sermons he encouraged his listeners to care for the sick who were still living. A colleague described how Christians, “Heedless of danger … took charge of the sick, attending to their every need.” What would compel these Christians to put themselves in the path of danger? They knew the truth which Martha learned in this account from John 11. In this account Jesus teaches us that he has us on the road to resurrection and we have life now.Support the show (https://nnyredemption.breezechms.com/give/online)

Jesus is the Valiant one who steps into the fray of battle and is supposed to fight sin, death, and the devil for us. But do you ever feel like he is fighting you? We might think to ourselves, “Whose side are you on?” Maybe those thoughts passed through your mind this week. As positive test numbers continue to rise, people continue to die, people are put out of work, and the economy is plummeting. So what should our response be in times like these? The prophet Hosea will help us answer that question.Support the show (https://nnyredemption.breezechms.com/give/online)

Have you ever been in a situation where you kind of knew something about yourself, but suddenly that thing was brought into clarity? Maybe you realized something through a particular experience where you realized a particular blind spot that you have. Maybe someone said something so you couldn't help but see that blind spot. In this section from the Bible Jesus gives sight to a blind man. In this man the work of God is put on display as his need for saving is revealed to him, but also that his salvation is found in Jesus. In the midst of tragedy the work of God is put on display even if we are not healed, and Jesus causes us to see it.Support the show (https://nnyredemption.breezechms.com/give/online)