St. Peter Lutheran Church

The truth of Christianity depends entirely on the truth and truthfulness of Jesus Christ. Did He exist? If so, who is He? Why should we believe in Him above all others? Without affirmative answers to these questions, Christianity implodes. We will briefly examine the evidence that the historical Jesus of Nazareth is THE GOD of the Bible. We have powerful evidence in Scripture; from 1st century, non-Christian historians; from eyewitness testimony, and from Jesus' own life and lips.

The existence of a personal, almighty, sovereign God is fundamental to all that Christianity believes. We believe that Jesus is the Son of God, His resurrection is an act of God, the Bible is the Word of God, and Jesus is the only way to God. None of these can be true if there is no God. Moreover, if there is no moral God, there is no moral being against whom we have sinned...-rendering salvation unnecessary. Hence the pivotal question: “Does God exist?” We have ample evidence for God in the existence of the Universe & its fine-tuning (Rom 1:20); in the universal moral law that is written upon man's heart (Rom 1:18-19); as well as in the testimony of Holy Scripture (Rom 1:18-23).

Our culture is increasingly un-Christian. Hence, many people are likely unsure about the existence of God, objective truth, Jesus of Nazareth, and creation ex nihilo. God calls us in 1 Peter 3:15 to always be ready to make a defense to anyone who asks about the hope that we have in Christ. Five things stand out in this verse; God calls to be in (1) a posture of constant readiness (2) to defend the faith (3) without human discrimination (4) in order to provide the rationale for our hope (5) in a winsome manner. Skeptics and unbelievers have good questions; Christianity has the answer!

We know what it is like to run the “hamster wheel” of work, deadlines, homework, and projects. Demands upon us, our families, and our time say, “More, more, more.” Weekends come around, and many times, the frantic pace continues – even increases. The result? We deplete ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. What if God and Jesus had a different rhythm for our lives? What would it look like to get in-line with His rhythm of resting, then working … or “working from rest [in Him]” rather trying to rest from endless work? Let's turn to God's design for us from the very beginning!

One of the hardest attributes of God to understand can be His omnipresence. Textual questions for Gen 35: Bethel means “House of God.” What does this tell you about God's presence with Jacob? What does the end of v3 teach? How does it comfort you? God's presence means that we rid ourselves of idols (v4). What idols want to grip your heart? Where does God promise He is present with you now? Where have you seen His presence in your story? In church? In this world?

God is a gracious God. Grace means He gives us what we do not deserve. Textual questions for Eph 2:1-10: What do vv1-3 tell you? How many times does Paul use the word “grace” in these verses? How many additional grace-filled words does he employ? We are not saved by works, but for works. How important are the prepositions “by” and “for”? Where have you seen God's grace in this world? In your story? In your salvation?

Textual questions for 2 Cor 1:18-22: Paul makes some stunning claims! See 2 Cor 1:8-9 to get the context. God is not faithful in a general, vague way. What does Paul specifically teach us about God's faithfulness? Someone once counted God's promises in the Bible. They number over 7,000! Where have you seen God's faithfulness in your story? In your salvation? How does His faithfulness invite your trust today?

Have you ever wondered how air traffic controllers can manage thousands of airplanes in our airspace at the same time? How about THE GOD who oversees +8 billion people, a universe, heaven, and everything under-the-earth all at the same time? Textual questions from Ps 47: How many times does this Psalm say God is a King? What does He rule over? What is the psalm's response to God's kingship - His sovereignty? Vs8 says, “God sits on His holy throne.” We all try to sit on the throne, thinking that we are in charge. How has that worked for you lately? Where have you seen God's sovereignty in this world? In your story? In your salvation?

One of the greatest attributes of THE ONLY GOD is that He is love. Love is not primarily an emotion or fuzzy feeling; rather, love is a commitment that is willing to do anything for and pay any price for the beloved. Textual questions for Ephesians 3: why does Paul describe God's love as wide, long, high, and deep? The apostle says that God's love surpasses knowledge. What do you think he means by that? What are some other biblical texts that describe God's love? Share one of those this week with someone who feels unloved. Title: Our Loving God

Our God is sovereign; He is almighty, all-powerful, and always in complete control. Textual questions for Isaiah 40: How does God compare with the nations, the world, great people, and the stars (v12ff)? How do our thoughts about God need to change (v25)? Our thoughts about ourselves need to change (v27)? And our thoughts about God's power need to change (v28)? Where have you seen God's power at work in this world? In you? In your salvation?

God's omniscience is hard for our earthly minds to comprehend. In fact, AI and the world's supercomputers do not even come close to the all-knowing God. He knows everything about everyone and everything for all-time, which includes you and your needs now. In fact, He even knows you personally in His Son! Bask in that knowledge today.

Christian freedom rightly used in love and vocation

Madison was feeling anxious and worried. She wondered if it would make a difference if she spent time in God's Word. She chose to spend one year reading God's Word each day and memorizing a passage of scripture each month. Phil 4:4-9 was especially meaningful to her.

Jesus doesn't call disciples to “Follow their feelings,” nor to “follow culture and the crowd,” nor to “follow their own dreams and desires.” Rather, Jesus summons Matthew and us to “Follow Me.” Jesus' call can elicit fear in us, as Matthew's eyes indicate in Caravaggio's first painting The Calling of St. Matthew. Lord, You're calling me? (Implied lump in the throat) Did Matthew follow? Did he leave his fears behind? Oh yes, and he held a great banquet to celebrate Jesus' marvelous grace! Jesus is calling right here, right now? How will we respond to His gracious call? Textual questions to ponder: ​​ 1. Jesus called Levi—whom we know as Matthew—to leave his comfortable and prosperous life as a tax-collector. What is Jesus asking you to leave behind? Why does that bring fear? 2. “Levi got up, left everything and followed him.” (Luke 5:28) Why would anyone in their right mind do something like this? 3. What would your life look like if you answered Christ's call to follow him? What is holding you back?

What do these people have in common? The teenager who gives into peer pressure. The wife who continues to give in to the absurd demands of an abusive husband. The Christian who never speaks to a friend about Jesus. They fear rejection. We too can be obsessed with this question, “What will people think?” We're so afraid of people's rejection, but the Bible warns us that that is a dangerous trap, as we see from the likes of Saul and the religious Pharisees. There is a better way to live! “Whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” Faith sets us free from the fear of rejection, for the Father has forever claimed us in His Son.

Today we tackle what can be one of life's greatest fears – the fear of death. Dreams run their course. Seasons of life wind down. Relationships fizzle. Our bodies fade, and eventually we all die. It is imperative that we learn how to deal with the inevitable. That's why today we zero in on John 11:32–44 and listen to Him who is the resurrection and the life; for as we see with Lazarus, death is never the end when Jesus shows up. Textual questions to ponder: ​​ 1) How did Lazarus' sisters react to his death? How did Jesus react? 2) Why is death frequently our greatest fear? 3) What does Jesus promise you when you face the death of a dream, a job, a relationship, or someone you love?

We live in a world engulfed in financial fear and unrest – the fear of inflation, healthcare costs, college expenses, retirement sustainability, and more. How do we live in a financial world and not have financial fears? Jesus tells us how we can win over financial worry: it's faith in the goodness and providence of God that dispels financial fears. Textual questions to ponder: ​ 1. Why are financial fears some of the most powerful fears we have? 2. What does Scripture have to say about our worry over money? 3. Contrast how unbelievers approach financial fears with that of how Jesus wants believers to face them?

If we are honest, most of us would prefer to follow Jesus in our self-made, comfortable, safe shells. On the first Pentecost the Holy Spirit empowered 120 Jesus-followers to break out of their shells with the gospel of Jesus Christ — and the world was forever changed. Today we ask God to do it again—with us! Textual questions to ponder: ​​1. Compare the disciples before and after Pentecost. What changed them? 2. What would you have thought about the disciples, had you been in Jerusalem on that first Pentecost? 3. From Acts 2:1–24, make a list of what the Holy Spirit does and what he is like. What impresses you the most? What do you need the most?

In 1633 the famous Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669) painted The Storm on the Sea of Galilee. Rembrandt knew about storms from his own life. In fact, if you count the disciples in the boat with Jesus, you will notice an extra 13th person. That person would be Rembrandt, you, and me. We too know life in the storm. In the painting, however, one disciple is looking at Jesus with trust and reverence; think about it: looking to Jesus in the storm! That's transformational, and our text will tell us why! Textual questions to ponder: ​​1. Have you ever been in a storm like this? 2. Why do you think the disciples panicked? 3. Why do you think Jesus was sleeping?

“Though a righteous person falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.” (Proverbs 24:16) As we see throughout the Bible and especially in our own lives, God's blood-bought children are not people who do not fall nor fail, but by His grace and Spirit we are lifted up to keep going again-and-again. This is welcomed news for moms, for mother-figures, and for everyone today! Textual questions to ponder: 1. What is the difference between the righteous and the wicked in this verse? 2. What has the fear of failure done in your life? 3. Why get up when life (parenting, finances, work, health, relationships, etc.) knocks you down?

God often leads His people into unexpected, uncomfortable, or overlooked places because He is already at work preparing hearts there. Like Philip, we are called to listen to the Spirit, draw near to people, and open the Scriptures in ways that point directly to Jesus. When we obey God's prompting—even on the “wilderness roads” of our lives—He creates divine appointments that bring transformation, joy, and new beginnings.

Of all the animals on earth, isn't it something how both testaments in the Bible liken us to sheep. This imagery, however, also helps us understand God and His relationship to us in Jesus. Jesus is our Good Shepherd. As Good Shepherd, (1) He has a personal relationship with each lamb; (2) He lays down His life for the sheep; (3) He takes His life up again in victory; and (4) He gives His sheep eternal life. With ears of faith ever fixated on His voice, we follow where our Good Shepherd leads.

The crucified and risen Lord Jesus establishes the ministry of the Gospel in order to bestow His life-giving Holy Spirit and His peace upon the Church. To those who are called and ordained to this office, and to those they serve in His name, He grants the Holy Absolution of all sins. By the fruits of His cross, He replaces fear and doubt with peace and joy, and thus gives "repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:31). Through the preaching of His sent ones, He calls us to believe that He "is the Christ, the Son of God, " so that by such faith we "may have life in his name" (John 20:31). In His resurrection, we have the "living hope" to which we have been "born again" and by which we are guarded "for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:3, 5). Until then, "though you have not seen him, you love him," and by the mercies of God "you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory" (1 Peter 1:8).

In John 20:11-18, we will see how Easter changed Mary Magdalene, and how Easter changes us too.

These are Jesus' last recorded words from the cross – the dismissal of His Spirit into the hands of the Father (Ps. 31:5). The final act of atonement was that the sacrifice be killed; the Lamb had to die. Death occurred the moment Jesus yielded up His Spirit from His body, yet His act of committal reveals contentment, faith, confidence, and love. Following His cry of dereliction, perfect and blessed communion with the Father has now been restored for eternity. Here we also see the heart's true haven – the loving custody of the Father.

The ancient Greeks boasted of being able to say much in little – to give a sea of matter in a drop of words. Jesus says everything in just one word: tetelestai (“It is finished/completed/ended/realized.”) This word from the cross encapsulates the believer's assurance, hope, joy, peace, and divine consolation. “It is finished” is not a despairing cry, an expression of relief that earthly suffering is nearly ended, nor the final gasp of a worn-out life; rather, it is a declaration from the Redeemer that THE great purpose of God in world history stands completed. The ransom and penalty for our sin has been paid-in-full with finality! Perfect atonement has been made. The goal of the incarnation is reached.

Jesus spoke the lone word in Greek “dipso” or “I thirst” just before He bowed the head and gave up the spirit. The Maker of heaven and earth had parched lips, the Lord of Glory in need of a drink as His blood (and life) poured out from the cross. God does not thirst. Angels do not thirst, but Jesus – as God yet full man – cries out for liquid…giving expression to the intensity of the agonies with which He was suffering on our behalf. Jesus, however, calls out in order to fulfill Psalm 69:21 too: “...and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” No cup of cool, refreshing water for the Savior of the world, only a sponge soaked in warm vinegar. But because of His dying thirst, all who like Jesus thirst today can come to Him, drink living water, and never thirst again.

Nothing can be more frightening and traumatic in life than to be forsaken by one's closest love, such as abandonment by a parent or being forsaken by a spouse. One might expect such rejection from an enemy, but from one's closest love? The same Father who had earlier declared, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt 3:17), now forsakes Jesus in His greatest hour of torment and despair. Hence, Jesus cries out with a loud voice, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mt 27:46) These are words of deepest misery. In some sense Jesus was cut off from favor and fellowship with the Father, for He was bearing the full penalty of sin and God's wrath. In this moment, Jesus was experiencing God's all-out forsakenness (i.e., the separation of hell) in our place, yet such was the cost of our redemption that Jesus willingly paid!

As Jesus is in the midst of what would be a 6-hour crucifixion, the Fourth Gospel notes, “Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” These women were committed disciples of Jesus, and they stayed with Jesus to His very end. When Jesus sees His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He says to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He says to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour, John took her into his very home. Jesus is not simply honoring His mother and setting an example for children today; rather, in His final hours, Jesus continues His perfect, active obedience to God's Torah in our place. Perfectly fulfilling the 4th commandment for us, Jesus makes earthly provision for His mother – very likely widowed, in her late 40s, and with little or no personal income. Hence, young children and adult children look to the cross of Christ today not just for inspiration and example, but for forgiveness, healing, and power to reconcile.

The second of Jesus' words from the cross are spoken in response to a dying murderer and thief next to Him. The criminal says, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom”; his words are both a plea and a confession of faith. Jesus responds to the contrite, believing man: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” As Savior, Jesus once again shows His readiness and His power to save sinners. Moreover, if a dying Savior can save in this way, how much more He who has risen triumphant from the grave! Jesus remains willing and able to save all who come to Him in humble repentance and faith.

It is not ironic that the first words from Jesus' cross were words of forgiveness – forgiveness for the band of evildoers who had put Him there. A ministry that began with prayer (Lk 3:21) will close with it too. Jesus embodies on the cross how we are to treat our haters and enemies (Lk 6:35) – He prays for His murderers; He also teaches us in the same breath that no person is ever beyond the reach and efficacy of prayer. The real irony here is that “they know not WHAT they do.” They “knew not” that it was the Lord of Glory whom they were crucifying, and that His death was providing the very grace through which the crucifiers could be forgiven themselves. Moreover, the forgiveness of sins that Jesus secured on the cross continues to redeem us today: “In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (Col 1:14)

We close out the series as we turn toward Lent with the most foundational and consequential question: “Who do you say that I am?” The answer to this question reveals more than our belief about/in Jesus, as it entails so much more than simply having or knowing the right answer. Rather, how does the answer to Jesus' question change our lives each day? Alter our prayers? Redeem our struggles? Upend our priorities? Anything less than daily transformation reduces Jesus' question to an intellectual exercise or quizlet.

Jesus' question peers deep into the heart and soul of every person. Each day we sin against people, and people sin against us. Feelings get hurt. Hearts get broken. Spirits get crushed. Minds get wounded. Our sinful nature wants to keep others in their indebtedness to us. Jesus' parable, however, refocuses us back to our greater indebtedness each day before God. In His mercy, the Father fully and freely forgives us our indebtedness in His Son. Jesus' question “should you not also have had mercy on your fellow servant” expects that we too will freely and fully release others of their indebtedness to us as we have been forgiven by God.

After Jesus feeds 5,000 with bread and fish and tells them that He is the Bread of Life who came down from heaven, the Jews begin to dispute and grumble about Him. Jesus' ensuing words, “Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever” become the final straw for them. Many - possibly hundreds - of His disciples turn back and no long walk with Him. However, rather than begging His deserters to come back, Jesus turns to the 12 and asks them, “Do you want to go away as well?” Peter replies, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” There remains no other Teacher who can lead us into full fellowship with the Father and to eternal life today. In faith we follow all of His words and ways, even when His teachings can be very high-challenge.

Jesus' question today “cuts right to the chase,” and how we answer Jesus' question in real time shapes our attitudes, perspectives, and priorities. Whom or what are we really living for? This world offers a plethora of money, success, power, happiness, adventure, etc. to give our lives over to, yet according to Jesus, what good will it do if we spend our lives pursuing things that ultimately do not matter? While this path offers temporary gain, it costs one for eternity. Conversely, Jesus says that if we surrender our lives here for Jesus and the gospel, we will gain life for eternity. To this end, Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him.

The word anxious comes from the Latin word angere, which means “to choke” or “afflict.” What an insightful way for us to think about anxiety; it attempts to strangle and put a choke-hold on our faith, our thoughts, our mind, our peace, our very wellbeing. Moreover, angere is also the root word for angst, anguish, and anger. Anxiety takes its toll. Jesus, however, has a different path for His disciples: trust in the Father's provision. “Remember the lilies and sparrows.” The Father - who is pleased to give us His very kingdom - is present each day with His grace for whatever circumstances may attend us.

When Jesus finished praying in a certain place, one of His disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray also. These verses are part of Jesus teaching us how to pray. He invites us through prayer to ask, to seek, and to knock, with the promise that the Father loves to hear and answer the needs of His dear children. After all, “Which father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?” How much more will our perfect, good, and faithful Father in heaven respond to the prayers of His children!

Jesus' question addresses fear, a prevalent and sometimes paralyzing human emotion. Even into a new year, culture, politics, economics, etc. remind us how much there is to be afraid of. Jesus addresses fear in the context of a stormy sea – an ancient symbol of death and chaos to be feared. While on the Sea of Galilee, a “mega shaking on the sea” takes place and the boat begins to be covered by the waves. When the disciples wake Jesus from His sleep, His first words are not to the storm, but to the disciples: “Why are you afraid, little faith ones?” If only we had Jesus' question on video. Was His tone: Why are you afraid, little faith ones? (i.e., a hint of disappointment and rebuke) Or: Why are you afraid, little faith ones? (i.e., more empathetic, inquisitive curiosity) Either way, no matter what happens then or now, Jesus – the One whom even the wind and waves obey – is with us today and in this new year. God does not leave us stranded to be overcome by our fears; rather, He is present in Jesus to calm and call us to trust in Him.

The holidays can be a time when surprise company or guests stop by to say “Hi.” In our text, Elizabeth – now in her final trimester - receives TWO surprise guests: virgin Mary & the baby in her womb too. In fact, the baby in Elizabeth's womb leaps with joy in the presence of unborn Jesus. The Holy Spirit opens Elizabeth's mouth to pronounce a blessing upon Mary for her faith in every word that God had spoken to her through the angel Gabriel, even when many questions must have filled Mary's mind. For our own faith in Mary's Child and His Word, also a miraculous working of the Holy Spirit, we too are blessed, now and for eternity.

The angel Gabriel appeared to young Mary with a surprise announcement; (loose translation), “You're going to have a baby, it's a boy, you are to name Him Jesus, and this will happen without you knowing a man.” Can you imagine? Why the name Jesus? Because Jesus means “Savior” or “He saves.” Jesus lived up to his assigned name in the fullest way on Good Friday, and today, the Name above all other names continues His reign for all eternity. Jesus. Our dear Savior. Title: “Baby Names”

Because of the sin and brokenness in all of us, our homes can be places of hurt – especially around the holidays. Zechariah and Elizabeth had their fair share of hurt too, yet their miraculously born son would foretell of Jesus. Jesus helps us when home hurts, for He entered this world as one of us to comfort and heal the hurt that we experience.

In Matthew 1, we contemplate the unique and dysfunctional family trees that we are born into…and that Jesus Himself was born into as well. His own family tree underscores the truth that Christ came to redeem our dysfunctions and make us part of His forever tree – the family of God.