River of Life [Goodyear, AZ]

The LORD God Calls & Finds Lost Sinners [Genesis 3] Genesis 3:8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” 14 So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”_____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society. https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1312271-marked-by-blessing

God Gives His People Rescue & Real Rest [Deuteronomy 5]12 “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do. 15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. _____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1308296-real-rest

God's Adopted Children Are Loved & Led [Romans 8]12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1305716-adoption

Sovereign Lord, You Alone [Ezekiel 37]37 The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.' ” 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.' ” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. 11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.' 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.' ”_____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1302240-brings-us-to-life

The Gracious Gift of Spiritual Maturation [Ephesians 4]4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”  9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1298074-who-leaves-parting-gifts

Inspired By Love Incarnate [1 John 4]7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us…16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1294559-who-is-love

Remain In Jesus And Bear Much Fruit [John 15]John 15:1–8 (NIV)The Vine and the Branches15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1291182-who-makes-you-fruitful

 The Good Shepherd [John 10]11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”_____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

 God Is Light & His Son Is Our Advocate [1 John 1]5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. 2 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1284049-who-is-your-advocate 

Witnesses To The Word of Life and Joy [1 John 1]1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1281593-who-brings-peace

I Know That My Redeemer Lives For Me [Job 19]Job 19:23 “Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll, 24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever! 25 I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!_____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

Communing With The Body & Blood of Christ  [1 Corinthians 10]1 Corinthians 10:16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

The Christ Who Is In Full Control [Mark 11]Mark 11:1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?' say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' ” 4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1261982-by-god's-wisdom-not-ours

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1261982-by-god's-wisdom-not-ours

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1258226-through-not-from-suffering

During Your Tests, The Lord Will See To All Things [Genesis 22]Genesis 22:1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” 3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. 9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” 13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” 15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”_____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1248620-the-joy-of-renewed-strength

The Glorious Son of God & Man [Mark 9]Mark 9:2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) 7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” 8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”_____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1248620-the-joy-of-renewed-strength

The Everlasting Lord Renews Your Strength [Isaiah 40]Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

Made Alive In Christ [Romans 6]What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

Drawn By The Brilliant Grace of God [Matthew 2]After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1230639-good-news-means-peace

Overwhelmed By Your Salvation [Luke 2]On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1230639-good-news-means-peace

The Word Invaded The Real World [John 1]John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1194790-over-all-people

Good News That Causes Great Joy [Luke 2]Luke 2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1194790-over-all-people

Joyful & Sustainable Christian Living [1 Thessalonians 5]1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil. 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1194790-over-all-people

The Sovereign Lord is Coming To Bring Comfort [Isaiah 40]Isaiah 40:1–11 (NIV)Comfort for God's People40 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” 6 A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” 9 You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem,  lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” 10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1194790-over-all-people

God Has Reason Enough [Isaiah 63-64]Isaiah 63:15–64:9 (NIV)15 Look down from heaven and see, from your lofty throne, holy and glorious. Where are your zeal and your might? Your tenderness and compassion are withheld from us. 16 But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; you, Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. 17 Why, Lord, do you make us wander from your ways and harden our hearts so we do not revere you? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes that are your inheritance. 18 For a little while your people possessed your holy place, but now our enemies have trampled down your sanctuary. 19 We are yours from of old; but you have not ruled over them, they have not been called by your name. 64  Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! 2 As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you! 3 For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you. 4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. 5 You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry. How then can we be saved? 6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. 7 No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and have given us over to our sins. 8 Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. 9 Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look on us, we pray, for we are all your people._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1194790-over-all-people

Who's In Charge? [Daniel 7]9 “As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened…13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,  coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1194790-over-all-people

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1194790-over-all-people

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,  we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1194790-over-all-people

Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions' den?” The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. 15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.” 16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” 17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. 19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” 21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1194790-over-all-people

Romans 13:1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1194790-over-all-people

Matthew 22:1 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. 4 “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.' 5 “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. 6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.' 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?' The man was speechless. 13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”_____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. 17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1187928-has-a-different-mindset

Philippians 2:1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

God Shows Pity Even To The Pitiless   [Jonah 3-4]Jonah 3:1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” 3 Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began by going a day's journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” 5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. ...10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. Jonah 4:1 But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord, “Isn't this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. 3 Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?” 5 Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. 6 Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. 7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah's head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.” 9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “It is,” he said. “And I'm so angry I wish I were dead.” 10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”_____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

Genesis 50:15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.' Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. 18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

Tough & Tender Love Among Sinner-Saints  [Matthew 18]Matthew 18:15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”_____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

Who Is The Son of Man?  [Matthew 16]Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

Isaiah 56:1 This is what the Lord says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. 2 Blessed is the one who does this— the person who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps their hands from doing any evil.” 3 Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.” And let no eunuch complain, “I am only a dry tree.” 4 For this is what the Lord says: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant— 5 to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever. 6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant— 7 these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” 8 The Sovereign Lord declares— he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.”_____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

A Lesson in Christian Courage From Galilee  [Matthew 14]Matthew 14:22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It's a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it's you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”_____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

The Lord Provides For His People [1 Kings 17]1 Kings 17:1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” 2 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: 3 “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4 You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” 5 So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

1 Kings 3:5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 6 Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. 7 “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

We, Together, Are God's Sacred Temple [1 Corinthians 3]1 Corinthians 3:1 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings? 5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building. 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. 16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for God's temple is sacred, and you together are that temple._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

Romans 7:15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! _____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

Fight the Good Fight Of the Faith [1 Timothy 6]1 Timothy 6:11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen._____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

1 Corinthians 4:1 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. 6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?_____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

Matthew 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. 10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”_____________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society.

Matthew 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”______________________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society._____________________________Digital Worship Folder and Friendship Register: http://azriveroflife.com/worship-folderTo support our ministry work, please visit: http://azriveroflife.com/give

God Is At Work Among Us Today, Too [1 Corinthians 12]1 Corinthians 12:1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.______________________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society._____________________________Digital Worship Folder and Friendship Register: http://azriveroflife.com/worship-folderTo support our ministry work, please visit: http://azriveroflife.com/give

Praise God For Christ's Ascension Into Heaven [Luke 24]Luke 24:44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” 50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.______________________________________Portions of our service are from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement (NPH Electronic Ed.), and  Luther's Catechism (Revised) and are reprinted under One-License.net License #A-723544 and CCLI Copyright License #20992728 & Streaming License #20992735. All Scripture references taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® Copyright © 2011 by International Bible Society._____________________________Digital Worship Folder and Friendship Register: http://azriveroflife.com/worship-folderTo support our ministry work, please visit: http://azriveroflife.com/give