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June 20, 2025Today's Reading: John 18:15-40Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 22:22-23:12; John 18:15-40“The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered him, ‘I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret.” (John 18:19–20)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Nobody pays attention to statistics. Something in us refuses to see ourselves with the crowds. We are always the outlier. People who live together before calling themselves married are 33% more likely to get divorced. 94% of teen drivers acknowledge the dangers of texting and driving, but 35% admitted to doing it anyway, and 21% of teen drivers involved in fatal accidents were distracted by their cell phones. Fine. Maybe. But… not me. So, we tell stories. That's the way to make people identify with what's going on. The mother who didn't abort. The refugee family struggling to make ends meet. We find ourselves in these people. Compassion takes over. They become souls, not numbers. And when it comes to this story, we know it so well, and more, we can see ourselves in it. Who hasn't been wrongfully accused? Taken issue with the government? Been betrayed? Abused? Humiliated? Who hasn't suffered? Of course, we see ourselves with Jesus. Technically, we know everyone's a sinner, and I know I'm not perfect, but if you saw what we do in context, you'd know that we always have a reason. You only steal from work because they don't pay you enough. You only yell because you've said it 100 times, and nobody listened. You only gossip because pretty sure it's true. You only spend every day self-indulging because of how unfair the world is. All of us have our reasons, and they become our everything. It's there that we can finally see ourselves in the scriptures. Jesus gave no excuses. It's everyone around Him. If you want to see your reflection in the story, look to Barabbas, the insurrectionist. The freedom fighter. Independence lover. Murderer. But if you knew why, you'd understand. Convinced he rebelled for all the right reasons, he self-justified. Look at Barabbas and know the truth: sin will always mask itself under the guise of righteousness. We will always find excuses for the ones we care about, most of all for ourselves. And so the crowds let Barabbas go free and cried to Crucify our Lord. The self-justifier is always easier to deal with in the long run than the brutally honest. If you want to find yourself in the scriptures, here you are. Barabbas is all of us. The sinner that goes free because Jesus is crucified. Jesus goes in his stead to be stricken, smitten, and afflicted. By Jesus' wounds, even Barabbas is saved.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth, The guilt of sinners bearing And, laden with the sins of earth, None else the burden sharing; Goes patient on, grows weak and faint, To slaughter led without complaint, That spotless life to offer, He bears the stripes, the wounds, the lies, The mockery, and yet replies, "All this I gladly suffer." (LSB 438:1)- Rev. Harrison Goodman, Higher Things Executive Director of Mission and Theology.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus' farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ's promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

June 18, 2025 Today's Reading: John 17:1-26Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 20:5-25; Proverbs 21:1-31; John 17:1-26“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,” (John 17:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you.” The hour has finally come for the Son to be glorified. Apparently, that wasn't when 5000 folks were willing to follow Him days out into the middle of nowhere just to listen to Him talk. Or in feeding all of them with five loaves of bread and two fish. Or in the water turned into wine that made Jesus the hero of the party. Or in walking on water. Or in the calming of the storm. Or in resisting the devil in the wilderness in a 40 day trial of wills. Jesus wasn't glorified in making everything look easy. He wasn't glorified in power. The hour where the Son of God was glorified was about the third hour, as He hung from the cross to be mocked by His enemies. Not in strength, but weakness. Not in being admired, but humiliated. Not in the things the world respects and we sinners covet, but as He was despised and we esteemed Him not. When He was stricken, smitten, and afflicted for you. There, He won for you eternal life. There, He reveals something of God we'd never otherwise see. Because that's what glory really means.Glory is a loaded word in the Bible. It doesn't just mean cool stuff. When the Bible says glory, it's a word for God's presence. It means God is actually there. The glory of the Lord is the presence of the Lord. So when angel choirs sang “glory to God in the highest” to shepherds, it was because God was present on earth, lying in a manger. When the glory of the Lord dwelt on Sinai, and a cloud covered it, and Moses entered the cloud, it was to talk to God who was present there. Where God locates Himself, His glory shines. God can work everywhere and anywhere, but that His glory shines in certain places means these are where He works with purpose for you.  The Son was glorified on the cross, and the word glory takes a new shape. This is where God wants to be present, not just everywhere, but for you. Not just in power, but in mercy. This is where the fullness of His will is revealed. Look at the Son of God suffer for you. He bears your sins. He bears your weakness today. And He wins for you a victory that none of these things can rob from you.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Go to dark Gethsemane, All who feel the tempter's pow'r; Your Redeemer's conflict see, Watch with Him one bitter hour; Turn not from His griefs away; Learn from Jesus Christ to pray. (LSB 436:1)- Rev. Harrison Goodman, Higher Things Executive Director of Mission and Theology.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus' farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ's promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

June 15, 2025 Today's Reading: John 8:48-59Daily Lectionary: Numbers 35:9-30; Acts 1:1-7:60; Luke 24:28-53“Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.'” (John 8:58)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It's weird how happy folks were that Abraham was dead. They prefer their patriarch dead to win a fight. They have something they think is more valuable. Wealth, stability, power, ego. They'll march over the bones of Abraham to keep it and quote the Bible while they do. Genesis 25:8. “Abraham breathed his last and died.” Just… Without context. And so without the promise that He still lives. Hear Jesus' condemnation of them for what it is. We have the same idols. So when we see how happy the Jews are to have a dead Abraham if it means keeping their wealth and status, maybe we should be uncomfortable. It says plenty about our own priorities. More often than not, people's big issue with religion is not so much the idea of faith, but what it might mean. The Jews could convict Jesus of no sin yet called His teachings demonic. His greatest promise is also the biggest threat. They already have their king in Ceasar. In wealth. If that has to be built over the bones of the patriarchs and the prophets, that's just called progress. But Jesus dares to ask. What if there's more than just this life? Progress? Wealth? Power? He promises something that cuts to the heart of everything that sinners would build. If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death. The scriptures point to a Jesus who wants to bear the cross to save sinners, not reward those who think well of themselves with happiness. That's great in theory, but as it turns out, that might clash with some of your plans. If God is actually here to give you that salvation, it calls into question why so many things seem to come before His word. Treasure God's word above all. But the thing about Christ is, even when He isn't our treasure, we are His. Time and time again, He shows up and promises life to people who have other things going on. To Abraham, who had country, lands, and family; to the Jews, who had wealth and status; and to you. Each time, His call isn't to have less, but more. Remember who Jesus is. Before Abraham was, I AM. He is the God who saved Abraham. Who spoke to Moses and called Himself I AM. A name so holy it was not spoken. That's why they tried to stone Him. Not because He said He was old. Because He said He was God. But even this is a gift. It gives remembrance of fulfilled promises past, and certainty that future ones will be fulfilled, too. To what He must do for you. Die. Rise. Save. Abraham rejoiced to see this day because he was saved by Christ. Brought through death to life. That's yours, too. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forever. - Rev. Harrison Goodman, Higher Things Executive Director of Mission and Theology.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus' farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ's promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

June 10, 2025 Today's Reading: John 10:1-10Daily Lectionary: Numbers 22:21-23:3; Luke 22:24-46“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When folks look around the sheepfold, it's a lot easier to find the robbers than the Lord. Jesus says, “The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy.” That part, I see. That part we can't miss. The death. The destruction. The evil that doesn't just persist in a world of chance where storms and plagues come and go. There are the evils men do to each other. Sometimes even in the name of religion. Our Lord never contends the robbers being present. He warns us about them. Expect them. They're actually a sign you're in the right place. That He won't chase them out is the cause of all kinds of frustration, but He promises something even more peculiar.  Jesus doesn't stand back from what's wrong. He doesn't demand we earn His favor to fix it. He doesn't promise a perfect world. He promises the cross. He promises to come to the sheep. To rescue them. To carry the lost and bind up the wounded. He comes to make the dead live. He comes to bear the cross, not for the righteous, but for sinners. He came to die for you and for me. He came to be the lightning rod for everything wrong so we could finally stop pretending things were fine, blaming each other for what's wrong, and desperately trying to fix it without success. We cast each sin and evil upon the cross, where God bears them to the bitter end for us. And we hear the voice of the shepherd. It is finished. Your sins are forgiven you. Death is destroyed. And Jesus is risen from the grave.  Understand what the resurrection means. It is an apologetic of hope. Evil raged as hard as it could and still failed to keep Jesus dead. This is a religion carried forward on the backs of martyrs, not afraid to die because they saw someone prove it's not so permanent. They died alone and afraid. They saw what the robbers and thieves could do. And they sang hymns about the shepherd while they died at the hands of the thieves. And even here, Jesus leads them through the door. From the cross to the empty tomb. He rose. They live. And that's beautiful. And it's something that we can still hear today. The shepherd still speaks. He sends his undershepherds. They preach the gospel. There will still be others. Robbers. Don't hear them. They speak of not Jesus. But we'll sing hymns no matter what because the measure of our hope is still the voice of the risen shepherd.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, But yet in love He sought me And on His shoulder gently laid And home rejoicing brought me (LSB 709:3)- Rev. Harrison Goodman, Higher Things Executive Director of Mission and Theology.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus' farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ's promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

June 9, 2025Today's Reading: John 3:16-21Daily Lectionary: Numbers 22:1-20; Luke 22:1-23“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. If you unpack the Bible verse everyone already knows, you find a religion nobody can fathom. It's nothing but Jesus on the cross for sinners. It binds us together without distinction, without exception, and leaves us with a different vocabulary. All the world talks about what's wrong. All the world condemns. But Christ did not come into the world to condemn it, but in order that it would be saved through His cross. You don't need to make the world better or even make it seem that way. You can call darkness dark because you see the light that conquers it. Forgives you who walk in it. Brings light that darkness would not overcome it. Which means the only reason there's darkness left is because folks want it that way. The light came into the world, but the people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. It's easy to sort through now, especially with that cross. Shine light on everything. What is light reflects light. What is dark flees the light. Not just because Christians are good and the world is evil. That's the lie the devil would have us believe, so we won't know what to make of our sins and would flee from the God who'd crucify them, even if it means running back to darkness. But whoever comes to the light shows what light does. It forgives. This is the work carried out in God. Christians take their sins to the light. To the cross, so they're not afraid to call their sins darkness. They know where light conquered darkness. And they know it was for them. It was for you. The darkness that flees the light is the darkness that doesn't want to become light. That doesn't want forgiveness. Shine light on everything and watch Christians rejoice in the forgiveness of sins, and there is no greater light, for this is the work of God. This is the peace we have. To not worry so much about the darkness anymore. Don't be afraid of it. Don't worry about outrunning it or outfighting it. You are brought to the light. This is the work God carries out over and over for you. So you won't have to measure your light; you can look to His cross. You can know that it's yours every single day for every single dark thing.   In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O God, who gave Your Holy Spirit to the apostles, grant us that same Spirit that we may live in faith and abide in peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. - Rev. Harrison Goodman, Higher Things Executive Director of Mission and Theology.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus' farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ's promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

June 8, 2025 Today's Reading: John 14:23-31Daily Lectionary: Numbers 21:10-35; Luke 21:20-38“Jesus answered him, 'If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'” (John 14:23) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word.” Faith, of course, is presupposed to the reader. I guess that's good. We assume Christians believe. But also, when we take faith for granted, all that's really left to talk about is what we want to come out of it. We assume the most important part of what Jesus said, then leave all of the stress on something that wasn't ever given to carry the weight. We focus on the word “keep.” We stress the word keep when we're set against a society that doesn't keep it as if we can stave it off somehow by what we do. We stress it when our kids mess up, when we mess up, and when the world messes up because “whoever does not love me will not keep my word.” And even when nothing's messed up at all, we think we did that by keeping something and proved something by it.Don't presuppose faith. See it for what it is. The gift of the Holy Spirit, who calls, gathers, enlightens, sanctifies, and keeps you. Jesus is not describing the outcome of a presupposed faith. He's describing what faith looks like. Pentecost celebrates that. God wants to speak. He preaches through men by the Gift of the Holy Spirit. He gives good Gifts to sinners. To you. To keep isn't measured in obedience. It's chiefly to treasure. By faith, we treasure the word God gives us, even when it paints us as sinners. Because it also tells us that Jesus saves sinners. Treasure that. Love what the world loves not. Love the cross and all that it brings. Love the place God put to death all evil and saved you from yourself. Love the life He gives that only comes on the other side of the tomb, but already belongs to you in your Baptism. This is the peace the world cannot give.  We live forgiven, rooted in the Gifts of the Spirit, of the gospel which calls, gathers, enlightens, sanctifies, and keeps, rejoicing in the promise Jesus makes, that you who love the Lord do treasure His word. The word speaks, and it shapes us. Each day, it forgives. Each day, it ties us to the great promise. Rise. Let us go from here.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy consolation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. - Rev. Harrison Goodman, Higher Things Executive Director of Mission and Theology.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus' farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ's promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

Pentecost Sunday Sermon. Reading John 15:26 - 16:15

June 7, 2025 Today's Reading: John 14:8-21Daily Lectionary: Numbers 20:22-21:9; Luke 20:45-21:19“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” (John 14:16)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Holy Spirit is God, as much as the Father is God and the Son is God. We confess this truth every time we speak one of the Creeds. But if the Spirit is God, why don't we give as much attention to the Holy Spirit as we do to the Father and the Son?On the one hand, we probably should spend more time thinking about the Holy Spirit and praising Him for all that He does for us. Not only is He God, but we would be lost without the Holy Spirit. Luther reminds us in the Small Catechism that we “cannot by our own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ our Lord or come to Him.” It is the Holy Spirit who grants us saving faith in Jesus.  St. Paul also reminds us that it is only by the Holy Spirit that we can do good works, pleasing in God's sight. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control,” (Galatians 5:22-23). We literally could not be holy to God without the work of the Holy Spirit.But on the other hand, Jesus reminds us that in a way, this is what the Holy Spirit wants. Jesus calls the Spirit the “Helper.” The Holy Spirit acts as our helper by pointing us to Jesus. He directs our attention to Christ because it is Jesus alone who takes on our sinful flesh and suffers and dies for us. The Spirit teaches us all these things about Christ and brings them to our remembrance (John 14:26) by inspiring the prophets and apostles to write the Scriptures for us, and by working through the preaching of God's Word. That is how saving faith is created and sustained in us.Jesus, in turn, leads us to the Father (John 14:6) and shows us the Father's face (John 14:9). That is salvation. The faith of a Christian, the faith that is created by the work of the Holy Spirit, is always centered around Jesus Christ, our Lord.It is certainly good and right to praise God, the Holy Spirit, and acknowledge His work among us. And the best way to do that is to direct our eyes to Jesus and believe in Him. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty and ever-living God, You fulfilled Your promise by sending the gift of the Holy Spirit to unite disciples of all nations in the cross and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. By the preaching of the Gospel spread this gift to the ends of the earth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect for Pentecost Eve)- Rev. Aric Fenske, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church in Bear Creek, WI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

June 1, 2025Today's Reading: John 17:20-26Daily Lectionary: Numbers 14:1-25; Luke 18:18-34“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.” (John 17:20)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.To me, these are some of the most amazing (and humbling!) words uttered by God in the entire Bible. In what we call the High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prays these words in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before He dies. And just look at what Jesus is praying for before He goes off to be tortured and die. He prays for “all who believe will believe in Me.” That means He was praying for you!Jesus was about to be betrayed by one of His closest companions and abandoned by the rest. He would be arrested and beaten and face unimaginable physical pain. He was going to bear the weight of every sin from every sinner. He was going to face the terrors of Hell itself as His own Father would forsake Him on the cross. Jesus knew that He had to face all these terrible things in the next few hours, and still, He took the time to think about and pray for you! Wow!And what did Jesus ask the Father on your behalf? He prayed that you would be one with Him along with all the other believers so that you would always be with Him. Jesus wants to be with you always, in this life and in eternity!Have things at home or at school ever been so messed up that you've felt like God has forgotten about you? Have you ever felt so ashamed or guilty about a sin that you've doubted if God could really ever love you? Do you ever wonder how you're going to make it through another day? When these doubts and fears come, just look at this Highly Priestly prayer again! Jesus didn't forget about you, even in His own most desperate hour! And He never ever wants to be apart from you.In fact, Jesus wants to be with you so much that He didn't stop at simply praying for it. He did what was necessary to make it happen. He willingly and gladly suffered, died, and rose again to defeat sin, death, and the devil for you. Then He sent out His apostles and built His Church so that He might come to you today in His Word and with His very Body and Blood to forgive, strengthen, and preserve you in the faith so that you would remain in Him and with Him forever. All this means that you can live (and die) in the confidence that you will always be with Christ, our Lord.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.For us He prayed; for us He taught; For us His daily works He wrought, By words and signs and actions thus Still seeking not Himself but us. (LSB 544:4)- Rev. Aric Fenske, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church in Bear Creek, WI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

May 25, 2025Today's Reading: John 16:23-33 Daily Lectionary: Numbers 3:1-16, 39-48; Numbers 4:1-8:4; Luke 14:25-15:10“[Jesus said,] ‘I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.'” (John 16:33)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The next time you are in church, count how many times the word “peace” is spoken or sung. I think you'll be surprised. “Peace” is all over the Divine Service! “In peace let us pray to the Lord…”; “Glory be to God on high and on earth peace;” “Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, grant us your peace;” “The peace of the Lord be with you always;” “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace.” It's even the last word you hear as the Lord places His name upon you in the benediction and sends you back out into the world: “The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”Why? Because in the world, you will have tribulation…people will sin against you…you will be mocked for your faith…, and your sin will cause problems. But take heart—Jesus has overcome the world.In the midst of tribulation, amid the chaos of a broken, bent, corrupt life…Jesus gives you peace. Does that mean that life gets easy? Does it mean we won't have arguments with our family and friends? No. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation.”  But take heart: Jesus has overcome the world.Jesus has suffered the wrath that we deserve because of our sins. He has paid the price for your friends that hurt you. He brings forgiveness and wholeness.The peace that Jesus talks about is not a worldly peace. It's not an absence of tribulation. It's a peace that takes our broken world and broken lives and makes them whole with His forgiveness. This is why we come back to church week after week.  In the world, we will have tribulation, but in the Divine Service, Jesus comes to you to give you peace. He is the Savior who comes, takes on our flesh, and brings His peace to the earth. He is the Lamb of God who gives you peace. He comes to you in, with, and under the bread and wine of His Supper and greets you with the same greeting He gave to His Disciples in the Upper Room on Easter Evening: “Peace be with you.”In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.- Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

May 18, 2025Today's Reading: John 16:12-22Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 20:1-16, 22-27; Luke 11:37-54“When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” (John 16:21-22) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  As each of our children was coming into the world, I remember the labor process well. I remember the easiest natural birth when my wife and I were walking around the hospital waiting for the contractions to bring the birth. Especially I remember my poor, obvious, and generally unsuccessful attempts to distract her from the labor pains. I also remember the planned C-Section, which seemed oddly effortless as far as the actual birthing process went. Then I remember the long labors when my wife expressed her pain and fatigue. Most of all, I remember how every time there was joy in the new life my wife held in her arms when the work was finished. This is life in the world as Christians, isn't it? Sometimes our life in the world is relatively painless, and we get to see the joy easily. Sometimes, it's difficult, but we can still get through it relatively unscathed. Then there are those times when we have no idea how we'll finish the course.  Jesus' warning here tells us that the end is attainable, and it is attainable by the joy that is to come. In fact, what we see is that He is our joy. He is the One on whom we fix our eyes, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross and scorned its shame. What do I mean? I mean that as Christ has loved us, He has carried our sin to the cross to redeem us. He has desired that we would be with Him in the joy of His Eternal Kingdom, and so He has suffered what our sin deserves. He has experienced with that the suffering of death. But in His resurrection on the First Easter is the promise that all suffering has been overcome.  So why still the birth pangs and the suffering now? Because through this, He forms us as those clinging to Him and to His promises of eternal life alone. Through this, He promises us, promises you that as you are His baptized child, as you have been born that child out of the water and the Spirit, you will have eternal joy with Him. But it's that baptismal promise that becomes the way He also strengthens you to endure it. It's hard now, but the light of that life with Him is the light shining at the end of the tunnel of this suffering. It's shining and brightening your life even now so you would know He will never leave you nor forsake you in it.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world, our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.- Rev. Matthew Zickler, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Western Springs, IL.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

May 11, 2025Today's Reading: John 10:22-30Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 8:1-13, 30-36; Luke 9:1-17“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.” (John 10:27-29)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus speaks to His little lamb: I am your Good Shepherd. You can trust me. I speak to you in My Word, and you hear My voice— as you read the Bible, learn your Catechism, hear each sermon, sing the liturgy, and receive Absolution in Confession. I speak to you every time you remember My promise to you in Baptism and as you eat and drink Me in the Supper.Hear me in My Word; do not listen for me in other places. My words have power. They deliver the Gifts I speak to you.In My Word, I call you to repentance and forgive your sins. I give you the life I won for you through my death and resurrection— and that life lasts forever.Little Lamb, you are precious to Me. I have rescued you from sin and death and Hell, and I will not let you go. I am your Good Shepherd. My Father sent Me to save you, and He holds you safe in His Hand.Jesus' little lamb responds to Him: Good Shepherd, I need you always. I have no strength of my own. I would be lost if I had to find my own way. The enemies who hated you hate me, too, and they try to destroy me. But You defeated them and are always protecting me from them.Thank you for speaking to me as you promised and for opening my ears to hear. At times, I forget Your Word or get distracted by other voices. Forgive me for the times I wander.The way home to heaven is long and winds through this broken world. Thank You for staying with me as You promised. Teach me Your Word so that I might encourage other little lambs as we walk along together. Lord, have mercy on me always. Amen.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. I am Jesus' little lamb, Ever glad at heart I am; For my Shepherd gently guides me, Knows my need and well provides me, loves me every day the same, even calls me by my name. (LSB 740:1)- Rev. Jeffrey Horn, pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Escondido, CA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

In this powerful message, Pastor Guy breaks down:

May 4, 2025Today's Reading: John 21:1-14 (15-19)Daily Lectionary: Exodus 32:15-35; Luke 6:39-49“Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, ‘Children, do you have any fish?' They answered him, ‘No.' He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.' So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!'” (John 21:4-7)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. This resurrection appearance of Jesus always seems a little wonderfully odd to me in how it is so outwardly ordinary while the circumstances are the most extraordinary in human history. Jesus has already appeared to His disciples once, but this time, he appears a second time to have breakfast with them; it doesn't get more ordinary than gathering your friends for breakfast. Really, there's nothing here to tell you this is the Son of God standing victorious over sin and death; he could be anyone waiting for his friends to come ashore. It's so ordinary that the disciples do not recognize Jesus at first, which could simply be a combination of distance and light, or there could be a bit more to it, but they do realize it's Him when they're asked to drop their nets on the other side and catch a great haul of fish. This is a call back to Luke 5, where Jesus tells them to drop their nets on the other side after they've been fishing all night and are exhausted but catch such a great haul their nets end up breaking. This time, their nets don't break, and they are so delighted to see the Lord that Peter jumps in the water after him. Can you picture it? Peter, who denied our Lord at His death, is so overwhelmed with delight at seeing Him that he jumped out of the boat after Him. A few days ago, these disciples suffered a devasting loss as their Lord was crucified, and yet all things are made new as they feast together over the haul of fish the Lord has provided. Here, Jesus comforts them not just in their souls with His presence but also in their bodies with a feast. Jesus' care and nourishment for you continues today, not in a direct command for a catch of fish, but in pastors. He's given you to forgive your sins and neighbors who serve in their vocations to provide for your bodily needs. Thanks be to God for the endless Gifts He provides and will provide, even when it seems we are in the depths of woe. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect for the Third Sunday of Easter)- Deac. Eleanor Corrow, Higher Things Board Member and coordinator in LCMS Missionary ServicesAudio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

May 1, 2025Today's Reading: John 14:1-14Daily Lectionary: Exodus 25:1-22; Exodus 25:23-30:38; Luke 5:17-39“‘Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. There are many things that can trouble our hearts these days. It doesn't take much: a quick check of the news, which is designed to trouble you; a quick scroll through social media that evolves into “doom-scrolling”; a recent diagnosis; a falling out with a friend or family member; or even just general concern about what the future holds. Mental health statistics suggest that in 2023, somewhere around 20% of high school students experienced serious bouts of depression. That is a lot of fear, stress, anxiety, and doubt, and is reflective of the world we live in. This is not the place to address the nation's mental health struggles or to answer all the fears that may surround us; this is just a spot to sit and rest in the One who sees our troubled hearts, who knows our fears and sadness and is with us in these struggles. Looking at our troubled hearts, Jesus answers our fears and doubts, but maybe not in the way we wish He would. Instead of telling us not to worry because He's just going to fix everything up as if it never happened, or will get back at the bully for us, or will at least make it all make sense, He invites us to believe, that is, trust, in Him. What does it mean to trust in Him? It means to know that He loves and cares for us, that He desires our salvation from sin, death, and the devil, and that He will never leave nor forsake you. He goes from asking us to trust in Him to telling us that He is preparing a place for us and that He is the way, the truth, and the life; he is showing us the way, even when the road is steep and rocky. Worry can be suffocating, looming large in our brains as we try to move forward in our lives, but by looking at Jesus, we see that there is a path for us that leads us in truth and life. We need not suffocate on fear and doubt; instead, we can be guided by the light of His word, fixing our eyes on Him, in the knowledge that even if things are not okay today or tomorrow, they are under the eye of the One who makes all things new, and who is leading us through the valley of the shadow of death; we need not fear evil, regardless of what should trouble us. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Yet even though I suffer The world's unpleasantness, And though the days grow rougher And bring me great distress, That day of bliss divine, Which knows no end or measure, And Christ, who is my pleasure, Forever shall be mine. (LSB 713:6)- Deac. Eleanor Corrow, Higher Things Board Member and coordinator in LCMS Missionary ServicesAudio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Reading: John 13:21-30Speaker: Clint JenkinSeries: "One Hit Wonders"     

April 27, 2025Today's Reading: John 20:19-31Daily Lectionary: Exodus 20:1-24; Luke 4:1-15“Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.' But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.'” (John 20:24-25)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Thomas gets a lot of grief for not really believing that the Lord has risen, so he's still referred to as “Doubting Thomas” and depicted in art exploring Jesus's wounds with his fingers. It seems he will always be remembered as the one who didn't believe. Yet, is it all that strange to be a little wary of claims that your teacher, who was very publicly executed a few days before, is walking around amongst his disciples? People don't generally rise from the dead. Ancient people are frequently regarded as scientifically ignorant, but they knew for sure that people who died stayed dead. They knew what death was. Thomas is saying something very rational here—I'll believe it when I see it. But he says something more. He says he won't believe until he can see the wounds in Jesus's hands and put his finger in the wound in his side. Thomas was one of the Twelve; this means he was one of the apostles who was closest to Jesus throughout his ministry, so he surely knew what Jesus looked like and would recognize him if he walked into the room. Why does he proclaim that he will not believe without the verification of his wounds? Thomas, for all the grief he receives, is declaring something central to our faith. He wants to know that it is our crucified Lord who is also our risen Lord because this tells him that Jesus truly has overcome the wages of sin and death, paying the penalty on our behalf. Thomas doesn't just want to know if his teacher and friend is still alive; he wants to know that his redemption (and ours) is secured by Him. How does Jesus respond to Thomas's declaration? He comes to Thomas and shows him his wounds, grants his request, and declares peace to him. Jesus isn't angry at Thomas for his doubt but rather calms his fears by showing him his body. This same body is given for you at his altar. He reminds us all that though Thomas is blessed in seeing and believing, we who only hear and believe are likewise blessed. Receive the same peace spoken to Thomas, and “Taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Psalm 34:8)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord's resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.- Deac. Eleanor Corrow, Higher Things Board Member and coordinator in LCMS Missionary ServicesAudio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

April 23, 2025Today's Reading: John 21:1-14Daily Lectionary: Exodus 16:13-35; Hebrews 10:19-39“Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.” (John 21:13-14)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia! Amen. Jesus gives them bread and fish to eat. The first time that John records the use of fish and bread to feed the people, the local people wanted to make Him the Bread King. In John chapter 6, Christ reminds them that the purpose of the miracle was not so that their bellies could be filled and that they would never go hungry but that He is God incarnate right there in their midst. Standing before them was the creator of all things. Unfortunately, the people did not want to hear this message. The people were more interested in this man because He could feed them forever. We want signs and wonders to know God's will for us. In sin, we see Jesus as the handyman who has come to fix our lives. He will feed our bellies. He will explicitly show us what decisions we are to make about life choices. We look for the mysterious and the unexplained events in our lives as God speaking to us. We want God to speak clearly to us about His will for us and His desires for us. We search for His voice in places where He has not promised to speak. We cry out, “Show me a sign!” when we want to know what He wants us to do in our lives. He does speak to us. He speaks to us through the means that He has already promised to work. He reveals Himself to us through His word and sacraments. He speaks His words of Absolution upon us. He gives to us His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of sins. He takes water and His word and marks us as His children. He takes ink and paper and gives to us a living, breathing document that reveals His son as our Savior. In His word is the true testament of our Savior, who has paid the price for our sins and given to us the resurrection from the dead. No longer does death prevail. It is conquered. The war is won. Christ is victorious. He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia! Amen.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty God, by the glorious resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, You destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light. Grant that we who have been raised with Him may abide in His presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect for Easter Wednesday)-Rev. Timothy Davis, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens, GA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

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April 18, 2025Today's Reading: John 19:17-30Daily Lectionary: Exodus 12:29-32; 13:1-16; Lamentations 5:1-22, Hebrews 6:1-20, Psalm 22“he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!' Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!'” (John 19:26b-27)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Dying is very deadly. Dead is dark. The light of the world is no longer shining. Darkness has covered the world. The curtain in the temple is torn. The clothes of Christ have been divided up between the pagan Roman soldiers. The disciples have all fled but one. Peter has denied knowing the savior. Jesus hangs naked between two thieves in the local landfill with only one disciple and His mother nearby. He entrusts His mother to John and declares that His father has forsaken Him. He drinks and breathes His last. Dying is very deadly.His final words on the cross are comforting. His final words on the cross are words that draw our attention to the garden of Eden when God gave us the gift of marriage. In Genesis 2:24, God gives us the fundamental premise of marriage when He says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” From the cross, Christ separates himself from His earthly mother in John 19:26-27: “…he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!...” Christ has left His mother. In Matthew 27:46, Christ calls from the cross, “...My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Christ is separated from His Father. The son leaves His father and mother and holds fast to his wife. In the death of Christ, a marriage vow is fulfilled. The groom has loved His bride to the point that He dies for her. Scripture is fulfilled in the final sacrifice. When His side is pierced, blood and water pour from His side. In the first Adam, his wife comes from his side. Adam stands by as she eats from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Death is ushered in through their disobedience. The marks of the church in word and sacrament come from the side of the second Adam, Jesus, as water and blood pour out. He is bound to His bride, the church, in the fulfillment of Scripture. Where Adam failed to die for his bride, Christ has fulfilled the debt owed by us in His death on the cross.All our sins went to the cross on Good Friday. All our sins went to the tomb when He was buried. He who knew no sin became sin for us. Sin is buried. All your sins are covered in the blood of Christ. All your sins are atoned for in His deadly dying on the cross. All your sins went to the grave on Good Friday and were buried. The covenant is complete; the atonement for the sins of the world is finished.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty God, graciously behold this Your family for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and delivered into the hands of sinful men to suffer death upon the cross; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect for Good Friday)-Rev. Timothy Davis, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens, GA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Visit the timeless rhythms of the Christian life with award-winning author Harold L. Senkbeil. As he addresses the concerns and pressures of the world today, you'll discover that even while the world is dying, Christ's death brings about life. True life. One that He offers to you. Order Now!

April 16, 2025Today's Reading: John 13:16-38Daily Lectionary: Exodus 10:21-11:10; Lamentations 3:1-66; Hebrews 4:1-16“So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.” (John 13:30)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.The time is drawing near for the Son of Man to be lifted up. His betrayal is imminent. The betrayer has dipped his hand with Christ. He has put on a facade of friendship and loyalty, but underneath, the “cha-ching” of the 30 pieces of silver is echoing in the background. He sold the savior of the world, the Son of God, the Son of Man, for 30 pieces of silver. John writes, “And it was night.”As we approach the beginning of the Passion of Christ, John draws us back to the tension between day and night. When Judas left the disciples and Jesus, night was setting in. Darkness was coming in the form of a crucifixion. The Son of God was going to be handed over and killed. Darkness was going to prevail. Night was going to cover the world, and mankind's hatred of his creator was going to come to fruition in the death of Christ.Sin loves the night. Throughout the scriptures, and especially in John, we hear repeatedly the use of night. Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night in John 3, and in the opening chapter of John, darkness is used to show the condition of the world on account of sin. Our lives are filled with darkness, and we live in the night each day. We struggle with chaos all around us. We desire order, but uncertainty prevails. Families are in chaos. Friendships are unpredictable. Finances are tumultuous. We may feel that our church life and walk with Christ is even in want.  Christ sends Judas out to do what needs to be done at night. In the darkness of the pending crucifixion, there is light. The light of the world will be lifted up. Darkness will come, but it will not prevail. Satan's work of bringing death into this world is going to be overcome. Christ is going to the cross as the final sacrifice for the sins of the world. He is going to the cross for your darkness. He turns night into day. In the Revelation to St. John, the New Jerusalem is described as having no sun as the Glory of God and the Lamb of God are its light (Revelation 20:23). Now, we live in the light of Christ, waiting for His return.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Merciful and everlasting God, You did not spare Your only Son but delivered Him up for us all to bear our sins on the cross. Grant that our hearts may be so fixed with steadfast faith in Him that we fear not the power of sin, death, and the devil; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for Wednesday of Holy Week)-Rev. Timothy Davis, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens, GA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Visit the timeless rhythms of the Christian life with award-winning author Harold L. Senkbeil. As he addresses the concerns and pressures of the world today, you'll discover that even while the world is dying, Christ's death brings about life. True life. One that He offers to you. Order Now!

April 15, 2025Today's Reading: John 12:23-50Daily Lectionary: Exodus 9:29-10:20; Lamentations 2:1-22; Hebrews 3:1-19“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:25)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.“If you are going to love someone, you first must love yourself.” The saying is popular among relationship gurus in our world today. The focus on yourself must be first if you are to give love. It is a profound thought to think of yourself first, but in the world of humanism, that is exactly what is advocated. The first-person personal pronouns reign supreme. The “I,” the “me,” the “my,” the “myself” all take precedence over everyone else. It is how we are taught and even wired on account of sin. Love yourself first.Jesus' words to those in His midst were certainly contrary to their way of thought. We must hate our lives in order to keep it. Those words certainly did not make sense to the audience listening to Jesus. Christ's words were counter-cultural. No one is to hate their life and, in doing so, gain eternal life. The Jews in His midst have reminded Him that they are children of Abraham and that they are set apart as God's people. They are the chosen people of God. Hating our lives would be a ridiculous thought. On account of their hardness of heart, they did not hear the true meaning behind Christ's words.Our own sin deafens our ears to the Good News of Christ. We hear over and over the words of the world and how we are to place ourselves first and pursue our own desires. Christ's words address our own pride and self-centeredness by taking the focus off of the things of this world and pointing them to God's work in Christ. Every day, we are encouraged in this world to pursue the desires of the flesh. In the Scriptures, we are pointed to the works of Christ. It is Christ who gave His life so that we have life eternal in His name.  In your Baptism, you have been separated from the world. You are in the world, but you are not of the world. You are in Christ and of Christ through the washing and renewal in the waters of Holy Baptism. As you arise each day, the sign of the cross is made, reminding you of your Baptism. No longer does the world prevail in your life. It is Christ who has delivered you out of this world and into life everlasting.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty and everlasting God, grant us by Your grace so to pass through this holy time of our Lord's passion that we may obtain the forgiveness of our sins; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect for Tuesday in Holy Week)-Rev. Timothy Davis, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens, GA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Visit the timeless rhythms of the Christian life with award-winning author Harold L. Senkbeil. As he addresses the concerns and pressures of the world today, you'll discover that even while the world is dying, Christ's death brings about life. True life. One that He offers to you. Order Now!

April 14, 2025Today's Reading: John 12:1-23Daily Lectionary: Exodus 9:1-28; Lamentations 1:1-22; Hebrews 2:1-18“When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well,” (John 12:9-10)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.“He is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia! Amen!” is a common response that we proclaim regarding the resurrection of Christ. Usually, this response is reserved for Easter Sunday and the seasons following Easter, and when the Sunday of Transfiguration arrives, we bury the Alleluias until Easter Sunday.  The Monday of Easter draws our attention to another resurrection—the resurrection of Lazarus. Three times in John 12:1-23 Lazarus' resurrection is mentioned. Lazarus' resurrection was problematic. Everyone knew Lazarus had died and had been dead for four days in the tomb. He was not just dead but dead, dead, dead, dead. He was four days dead. Now, Lazarus is alive. He is alive and eating, and speaking, and living! The local church leaders had a problem with the resurrection of Lazarus. The chief priests need to kill Lazarus, too. He needed to die again.  Our world around us does not want the resurrection. In sin, the world pursues the desires of the flesh. Philosophies advocate that we have one life and only one life, so we had better get out of it all we can before we die. The world teaches us to pursue the desires of the flesh. The world teaches you to serve yourself. The world teaches you that you are your own god. The Old Adam in us relishes those temptations and wages war with the New Man in Christ daily.You, too, have already died and will die. The old Adam is drowned daily in the waters of Baptism, and you will breathe your last breath of air at some point. You, too, have already been resurrected and will be resurrected from the dead. In Your Baptism, the New Man in Christ is resurrected. When Christ returns in all of His glory, you will be resurrected from the dead just as Christ came out of the tomb. We live in that tension of being dead and resurrected each day. On the Last Day, we know that just as Lazarus was called from the tomb, we, too, will rise from the dead. We will rise from the dead like Lazarus because Christ conquered death in His resurrection.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty God, grant that in the midst of our failures and weaknesses we may be restored through the passion and intercession of Your only-begotten Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect for Monday of Holy Week)-Rev. Timothy Davis, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens, GA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Visit the timeless rhythms of the Christian life with award-winning author Harold L. Senkbeil. As he addresses the concerns and pressures of the world today, you'll discover that even while the world is dying, Christ's death brings about life. True life. One that He offers to you. Order Now!

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

In this sermon, Rebecca Packer breaks down the story in John 12.1-9, where Mary anoints Jesus' feet. What becomes possible when we sit at Jesus' feet?Reading:John 12.1-11

Sabbath School panel discussion and insight by 3ABN pastors and teachers. This podcast episode follows 2025 quarter 1, lesson 11 of the adult Bible study guide book. This quarter's book topic is “What More Could I Have Done?” and this week's Sabbath School lesson is titled “God's Love and Justice”. Join us every week for a fresh and relevant study of the word of God. Reading: John 18:37, Rom. 3:23–26, Rom. 5:8, Isa. 5:1–4, Matt. 21:33–39, Isa. 53:4, Rom. 3:1–4. Memory Text: “Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?' Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice' ” (John 18:37, NKJV). March 8 – March 14 Sunday (Daniel Perrin) - “Christ the Victor”Monday (Shelley Quinn) - “The Just and Justifier” Tuesday (John Dinzey) - “The Song of My Beloved”Wednesday (James Rafferty) - “Christ's Parable of the Vineyard”Thursday (John Lomacang) - “The Vindication of God's Name” Want the Panelists' notes? You can sign up here: https://3abnsabbathschoolpanel.com/notes/ Questions or Comments? Email us at mail@3abn.org Donate: https://3abn.org/donate-quick.html

Reading: John 16:25-33- I have overcome the worldJohn 16:33- “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.' നിങ്ങൾക്കു എന്നിൽ സമാധാനം ഉണ്ടാകേണ്ടതിന്നുഇതു നിങ്ങളോടു സംസാരിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു; ലോകത്തിൽ നിങ്ങൾക്കു കഷ്ടം ഉണ്ടു; എങ്കിലും ധൈര്യപ്പെടുവിൻ; ഞാൻലോകത്തെ ജയിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു എന്നു പറഞ്ഞു.Please note that the 1st part is in English, and the 2nd part is in Malayalam starting at 14:40 mark.Before His crucifixion takes place, Jesus encourages His disciples by telling them about the things they may have to face.  When tribulations occur in our lives, peace can be found nowhere or in no one else other than in Jesus because Jesus is the only person who has overcome the world. I have not heard from many people that their life is very easy going and smooth, especially from people who give priority to God in their life.  There are moments when a frustrated person prefers death to living any more, finds hard even to smile in front of others, wants the life to end somehow, wants to isolate from others,  and feels terrible in many ways.  Outwardly everyone seems OK and happy, but in their private life they may be facing mountains of problems.  If we feel that we cannot bear the mental pain any more, understand that God is able to give us courage and strength if we call upon Him.  I have experienced that.  During any kind of hardship, the best and only physician to reach out for strength, comfort and divine healing is Jesus Christ. How Jesus overcame the world and how we can overcome the world are discussed.My name... Cicilysunny@gmail.com

February 21, 2025Today's Reading: John 7:1-13Daily Lectionary: Job 16:1-22; John 7:1-13For not even his brothers believed in him. Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” (John 7:5–8)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Are you more comfortable with the truth or with what is popular? Tough question, isn't it? You want to say the truth, but you're often more likely to stick with what is popular; it is easier, after all.People fret over what Jesus will do for the Feast of Tabernacles. Its ceremonies of light and water clearly point to Jesus as the Light of the world and the One from whom living water truly comes. Will Jesus be baited into going to the place of sacrifice (the temple) early by his enemies? What is the Messiah to do? Be rash, or wait until his time fully comes?Satan tempted Jesus for forty days in the wilderness, but that wasn't the end of his work. He never stops. He always wants to disrupt and harm, you know this. Which is what he does here through these “brothers” of Jesus. He is trying to get Jesus to act rashly and get himself in trouble.That is why I asked about truth or popularity. No one spoke openly of Jesus during the feast because they were afraid of the religious authorities. It was almost as if they could believe in Jesus secretly, as long as it didn't impact their lives.But that is where they are wrong. Confessing Christ is always a finger in the eye to this sinful world. That is what most of the New Testament is about; proclaiming Christ crucified gets you into trouble! But does that really matter? Is that the end of it?Of course not! Jesus eventually does go to Jerusalem openly on Palm Sunday. He dies for the sin of the world, is raised to life again, and sends his disciples out to proclaim his salvation for you. This truth may not be popular, but as Jesus says a bit later in St. John's gospel, this truth sets you free.It will always be a struggle to be faithful in this sinful world. But because Jesus has washed that sin away in his death for you, you have the promise that he forgives your failures even when they hide the truth. So be bold; Jesus has your back.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.What is the world to me! My Jesus is my treasure, My life, my health, my wealth, My friend, my love, my pleasure, My joy my crown my all, My bliss eternally. Once more then I declare: What is the world to me! (LSB 730:4)-Rev. Duane Bamsch, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley, CA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

February 19, 2025Today's Reading: John 6:41-59Daily Lectionary:Job 14:1-22; John 6:41-59“I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (John 6:48–51)In the Name + of Jesus. AmenBread that brings life to the world. That's what Jesus is, the source of life and sustenance for people who hunger, for people in need. These days, with our suspicions about gluten and refined carbohydrates, it can be hard to see simple bread as something so important for life. But that is exactly who and what Jesus is: the foundation of life itself.Elijah ate bread brought by the angel and went forth in that strength for forty days. The Israelites lived on manna all throughout their wilderness wandering, bread also given by God.Even though this miraculous Old Testament bread fed and sustained them, it didn't last. The Israelites died, and Elijah eventually found food elsewhere. For us, though, that bread pointed to the importance of Jesus as the living bread from heaven. Our ears are already tuned to the sound of God's Gift of bread being given to feed us.And the fantastic thing about this bread is that it doesn't come in only one form. You don't only find it upon the altar in the Sacrament. Jesus gives us a bread that we eat with our mouths and with our ears. He doesn't restrict his life, your life, to one source only, but he gives it in many ways. Baptism, Holy Absolution, Holy Scripture, the preached Word, the Supper. Christ Jesus never wants you to go hungry, so he gives his bread, his life, his Gifts, in many ways so that you will never be hungry for a lack of it, and so that it is always available in your time of need.This bread is given to you in faith, the living faith created in you by the work of the Holy Spirit. You receive it in faith as well, knowing that the good and gracious Gifts of God, especially the Gift of his Son Jesus for you, will keep and strengthen you throughout all your days.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Praise the Father, who from heaven To His own this food has given, Who, to mend what we have done, Gave into death His only Son…Let this food your faith so nourish That its fruit of love may flourish And your neighbor learn from you How much God's wondrous love can do. (LSB 627:4, 10)-Rev. Duane Bamsch, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley, CA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

February 14, 2025 Today's Reading: John 5:1-18Daily Lectionary: Job 10:1-22; John 5:1-18When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. (John 5:6–9)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.There is a lot going on here. If you keep reading, you see that this healing took place on the Sabbath, which led to a huge discussion a bit later. What is the nature of the day of rest? What is the nature of this healing? Can something so strange really be done with God's approval on a holy day?We can easily look back and say that of course it was good and right for Jesus to do this. But, in the moment, it was a strange thing for faithful Jews to try and understand. How could someone sent by God violate God's own law about working on the Sabbath?But look closely at what Jesus both says and does. There is much more happening here than ‘just' a healing miracle. He speaks words of creation and resurrection. He asks if the man wishes to become “whole.” He tells him to “rise” and walk. And all of this happens near water.What Jesus essentially does is raise this man from the dead and restore him fully to the people of God. This is why the authorities were so angry; to them, Jesus, who they saw as only a man, had done something with evil intent to destroy God's holy law because there was no way God would allow this.On the other hand, the man healed saw the whole promise of God fulfilled in Jesus's words and work for him. Only God could work such a miraculous thing, so of course, Jesus was from God. Creation came forth from water, and our rebirth and resurrection is done through Baptism, but Jesus' words also remind you that “Let there be” came even before that. Here again is the promise that Jesus is indeed God in the flesh, that everything he does is for the love and salvation of his people.It may not always make sense, and it may sometimes be hard to understand, but everything Jesus does, even if it upsets the religious authorities, is a promise that his work is for you.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Ev'ry wound that pains or grieves me By your wounds, Lord, is made whole; When I'm faint, Your cross revives me, Granting new life to my soul. Yes, Your comfort renders sweet Ev'ry bitter cup I meet; For Your all atoning passion Has procured my soul's salvation. (LSB 421:4)-Rev. Duane Bamsch, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley, CA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

February 12, 2025 Today's Reading: John 4:27-45Daily Lectionary: Job 8:1-22; John 4:27-45“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” (John 4:35–38)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.It might seem strange that there is talk about a harvest in the middle of Jesus talking to his disciples following his chat with the Samaritan woman. But Jesus has a point.The harvest isn't wheat, but souls. The Samaritan woman had returned to Sychar and told everyone she met about Jesus and what he said to her. Now, they are on their way to the well to see for themselves.They are the harvest, the ones who have heard the Word of God. Jesus uses the idea of the harvest several times when he talks about gathering in the faithful at the end of time, so it shouldn't be a big surprise here.Jesus is laying out not only the past history of the work of the prophets but also the future work of the disciples and those who follow them, all the way down to your own pastor. The disciples will talk about Jesus to those who have heard the prophets' proclamations, and they will trust in Jesus for their salvation and “be harvested” for eternity.The disciples will also go into the world to establish the church, and it continues to this very day, sowing the seed of God's Word by proclaiming it to those gathered and those who will hear it. Ever since their time, there has been a continued harvest.The disciples may never have seen most of the seed they planted come to its fullness, but someone did. And it has been that way in every generation, all the way to the present. You, and the faithful gathered around you, are those ripe for harvest. Thanks be to God that he has given us this seed, this Word, that produces the fruit of faith, and that it preserves us to the Last Day when all the faithful will enter into his glory!In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Some take up His task in morning, To their Lord responding soon; Some are called in heat of midday, Others late in afternoon; Even as the sun is setting, some are sent into the fields, There to gather in the bounty That God's Word so richly yields. (LSB 827:2)-Rev. Duane Bamsch, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley, CA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

February 7, 2025Today's Reading: John 2:1-12Daily Lectionary: Job 4:1-21; John 2:1-12“Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. (John 2:10-11)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.This situation was awful! We're not just looking at a wedding reception that happened to run out of food a bit early. This act of running out of wine would have been a massive hit against their marriage and social standing in the Jewish community. And in a spiritual sense, lack of wine was the sign of a lack of God's favor; that perhaps you were cursed and condemned. So the dear and blessed mother, Mary, that most highly favored lady, sought to intervene by the power of her Son, Jesus. But his response to His mother was, “My hour has not yet come.” The hour in John's Gospel is a phrase that will appear again and again (John 7:30; 8:20; 12:23; 12:27; 17:1), and ultimately, the hour is shown to be the hour of His death when He was exalted on the cross to pour streams of living water out. But in grace, for this married couple, He preemptively brings forth in advance the blessings of His hour. Just like running out of wine was more than a minor social goof, the abundance of wine is more than just festivities being able to continue. Wine is the symbol of God's favor and joy, and an abundance is the sign of the age of the Messiah. Amos 9:13-15 says, “Blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills. I'll make everything right again for my people Israel: ‘They'll rebuild their ruined cities. They'll plant vineyards and drink good wine.'” And Joel 3:18 says, “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters…” This act of abundantly fine wine from water is the sign that God's grace flows freely and richly for us because the Christ has come, and His name is Jesus. That's why we celebrate Holy Communion; we drink of the finest of wine, the very blood of our Savior. And we take into ourselves the Christ and the blessings of what is to come. That first married couple received a foretaste; now, so do we.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Feast after feast thus comes and passes by, Yet, passing, points to that glad feast above, Giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy, The Lamb's great marriage feast of bliss and love. (LSB 631:7)-Rev. Matthew Synnott, associate pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Peoria, IL.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

In this episode I speak to author Ben H. Winters about his Crime Reads article “In Praise of Reading Le Carré’s Entire Oeuvre In Order”. We talk about the joys of reading an author’s work from start to finish, the connection between author and reader as well as The Looking Glass War as The Bad […]

In his 4th year at University in Halifax, NS, Canada, Bernie Flinn saw death close up in his family. He had grown up as a religious Roman Catholic, but was shaken in the face of life's ultimate reality. Later, while pursuing graduate studies in chemistry in London, Ontario, Bernie met a young lady who spoke to him about the only way to be ready for death – to be saved through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Reading: John 3.16, The post A Chemistry Student Faces the Ultimate Reality (22 min) first appeared on Gospel Hall Audio.

Rev Ewen Matheson Sermon from Cross Free Church of Scotland in Ness freely available to listen to and download. Date: 19/01/25 Day/Time: Sunday 11am Preacher: Rev Ewen Matheson Title: Is This The Christ? Reading John 7 Text John 7 v 31 Psalm 24 v 6-10 Scottish Psalter    

Rev Ewen Matheson Sermon from Cross Free Church of Scotland in Ness freely available to listen to and download. Date: 19/01/25 Day/Time: Sunday 11am Preacher: Rev Ewen Matheson Title: Is This The Christ? Reading John 7 Text John 7 v 31 Psalm 24 v 6-10 Scottish Psalter    

January 19, 2025 Today's Reading: John 2:1-11Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 44:1-16, 23-29; Romans 9:1-18The master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people had drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” (John 2:9b-10)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.This whole darn account is a weird one. What's the number one rule at a wedding? Don't upstage the wedding couple…  Well, here is this magnificent wedding without a single mention of the happy couple. The only thing that we know about them is that their wedding is about to be the talk of the town because they have run out of wine and none of the guests have run out of party. So here comes Jesus… And I know, I know, Jesus wants to keep things on the down low. He asks His mother why she is trying to get Him involved in their problems, but she doesn't listen.“Do whatever He says,” she tells the attendants, “because whatever He says is going to be good.”And so jugs and jugs of wine are made, miraculously, water transformed. And it's the good stuff, too. The top shelf stuff: a 1945 Romanee-Conti, but not just one bottle, a whole vat of the stuff! Jesus is a “save the best for last” sort of guy, coming in at the end to save the day and keep the wedding party happy.But is this all there is to it? If so, it seems a little bit shallow. One would think that His first miracle would be one with a little more substance. Maybe He is just warming up, making sure that He has all the kinks out before He goes on the road… Or maybe there is something more…Perhaps Jesus' first miracle says less about the actual wedding, and even the miracle, and more about Him and who He is. Maybe this water into wine thing is a sign of something greater, pointing to a wedding feast that has no end, that the Church gets a foretaste of every week in fleshy bread and bloody wine from here until the Last Day. Maybe, just maybe, Jesus is making it known to the entire world that He is the Bridegroom, that He has taken a Bride for Himself, you and me, the Church. And He is going to provide for Her everything that she could ever need.Yeah… that's probably it…In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.-Rev. Eli Lietzau, pastor of Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Sabbath School panel discussion and insight by 3ABN pastors and teachers. This podcast episode follows 2024 quarter 4, lesson 13 of the adult Bible study guide book. This quarter's book topic is “Themes in the Book of John” and this week's Sabbath School lesson is titled “Epilogue: Knowing Jesus and His Word”. Join us every week for a fresh and relevant study of the word of God. Reading: John 21 | John 11:9, 10 | John 8:42–44 | John 4:46–54 | 2 Tim. 3:16 | John 15:1–11. Memory Text: “‘You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me' ” (John 5:39, NKJV). December 21–December 27 Sunday (Jill Morikone) - “Meeting in Galilee”Monday (Ryan Day) - “Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus”Tuesday (Daniel Perrin) - “Light and Darkness”Wednesday (James Rafferty) - “Theology From "Above" or From "Below"”Thursday (Shelley Quinn) - “Abiding in Jesus” Want the Panelists' notes? You can sign up here: https://3abnsabbathschoolpanel.com/notes/ Questions or Comments? Email us at mail@3abn.org Donate: https://3abn.org/donate-quick.html

Sabbath School panel discussion and insight by 3ABN pastors and teachers. This podcast episode follows 2024 quarter 4, lesson 12 of the adult Bible study guide book. This quarter's book topic is “Themes in the Book of John” and this week's Sabbath School lesson is titled “The Hour of Glory: The Cross and Resurrection”. Join us every week for a fresh and relevant study of the word of God. Reading: John 18:33–19:5; John 19:17–22; John 19:25–27; Luke 2:34, 35; John 20:1–18; 1 Cor. 15:12–20. Memory Text: “Then Pilate said to him, ‘So you are a king?' Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice' ” (John 18:37, ESV). December 14–December 19 Sunday - James Rafferty - What Is Truth?Monday - John Dinzey - Behold the Man!Tuesday - Shelley Quinn - “ ‘It Is Finished' “Wednesday - Daniel Perrin - The Empty TombThursday - Jill Morikone - Jesus and Mary Want the Panelists' notes? You can sign up here: https://3abnsabbathschoolpanel.com/notes/ Questions or Comments? Email us at mail@3abn.org Donate: https://3abn.org/donate-quick.html

Sabbath School panel discussion and insight by 3ABN pastors and teachers. This podcast episode follows 2024 quarter 4, lesson 11 of the adult Bible study guide book. This quarter's book topic is “Themes in the Book of John” and this week's Sabbath School lesson is titled “The Father, the Son, and the Spirit”. Join us every week for a fresh and relevant study of the word of God. Reading: John 14:10, 24; Gen. 3:7–9; John 16:27, 28; John 16:7–11; John 17:1–26. Memory Text: “ ‘The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you' ” (John 14:26, NKJV). December 7–December 13 Sunday - Ryan Day - The Heavenly FatherMonday - Daniel Perrin - Jesus and the FatherTuesday - James Rafferty - Knowing the Son Is Knowing the FatherWednesday - Shelley Quinn - The Holy SpiritThursday - John Dinzey - The Prayer of Jesus Want the Panelists' notes? You can sign up here: https://3abnsabbathschoolpanel.com/notes/ Questions or Comments? Email us at mail@3abn.org Donate: https://3abn.org/donate-quick.html

Sabbath School panel discussion and insight by 3ABN pastors and teachers. This podcast episode follows 2024 quarter 4, lesson 10 of the adult Bible study guide book. This quarter's book topic is “Themes in the Book of John” and this week's Sabbath School lesson is titled “The Way, the Truth, and the Life”. Join us every week for a fresh and relevant study of the word of God. Reading: John 13:1–20; John 14:1–3; Dan. 7:27; John 14:5–11; John 1:14; Col. 1:16, 17; John 5:38–40. Memory Text: “No one has seen God at any time.The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:18, NKJV). November 30–December 6 Sunday - Daniel Perrin - I Have Given You an ExampleMonday - Ryan Day - I Will Certainly Come AgainTuesday - Shelley Quinn - I Am the Way, the Truth, and the LifeWednesday - Jill Morikone - I AM the TruthThursday - James Rafferty - The Scriptures and the Truth Want the Panelists' notes? You can sign up here: https://3abnsabbathschoolpanel.com/notes/ Questions or Comments? Email us at mail@3abn.org Donate: https://3abn.org/donate-quick.html

Sabbath School panel discussion and insight by 3ABN pastors and teachers. This podcast episode follows 2024 quarter 4, lesson 9 of the adult Bible study guide book. This quarter's book topic is “Themes in the Book of John” and this week's Sabbath School lesson is titled “The Source of Life”. Join us every week for a fresh and relevant study of the word of God. Reading: John 1:4; John 10:10; John 1:12, 13; John 6:61–68; Num.13:23–33; Matt. 4:1–4 Memory Text: “ ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me' ” (John 14:6, NKJV). November 23–November 29 Sunday - John Dinzey - In Him Was LifeMonday - James Rafferty - The Words of Eternal LifeTuesday - Jill Morikone - Believing and New BirthWednesday - Shelley Quinn - Rejecting the Source of LifeThursday - Daniel Perrin - CondemnationWant the Panelists' notes? You can sign up here: https://3abnsabbathschoolpanel.com/notes/ Questions or Comments? Email us at mail@3abn.org Donate: https://3abn.org/donate-quick.html

Sabbath School panel discussion and insight by 3ABN pastors and teachers. This podcast episode follows 2024 quarter 4, lesson 8 of the adult Bible study guide book. This quarter's book topic is “Themes in the Book of John” and this week's Sabbath School lesson is titled “Fulfilling Old Testament Prophecies”. Join us every week for a fresh and relevant study of the word of God. Reading: John 5:17, 20, 36–40, 46, 47; John 13:18; John 17:12; Jer. 2:13; Zech. 9:9; John 8:12–30. Memory Text: “ ‘But I have a greater witness than John's; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me' ” (John 5:36, NKJV). November 16–November 22 Sunday - James Rafferty - Signs, Works, and WondersMonday - Jill Morikone - The Authoritative Role of ScriptureTuesday - Daniel Perrin - Old Testament Prophecies About Jesus: Part 1Wednesday - John Dinzey - Old Testament Prophecies About Jesus: Part 2Thursday - Ryan Day - From Beneath Want the Panelists' notes? You can sign up here: https://3abnsabbathschoolpanel.com/notes/ Questions or Comments? Email us at mail@3abn.org Donate: https://3abn.org/donate-quick.html

Sabbath School panel discussion and insight by 3ABN pastors and teachers. This podcast episode follows 2024 quarter 4, lesson 7 of the adult Bible study guide book. This quarter's book topic is “Themes in the Book of John” and this week's Sabbath School lesson is titled “Blessed are Those Who Believe”. Join us every week for a fresh and relevant study of the word of God. Reading: John 8:54–58, Gen. 12:3, Rom. 4:1–5, John 12:1–8, John 19:4–22, John 20:19–31, Daniel 2, Daniel 7. Memory Text: “Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed' ” (John 20:29, NKJV). November 9 – November 15 Sunday - Shelley Quinn- Harking Back to AbrahamMonday - Ryan Day - The Witness of MaryTuesday - Daniel Perrin - The Unwitting Witness of PilateWednesday - John Dinzey - The Witness of ThomasThursday - James Rafferty - Our Witness of Jesus Want the Panelists' notes? You can sign up here: https://3abnsabbathschoolpanel.com/notes/ Questions or Comments? Email us at mail@3abn.org Donate: https://3abn.org/donate-quick.html

Sabbath School panel discussion and insight by 3ABN pastors and teachers. This podcast episode follows 2024 quarter 4, lesson 6 of the adult Bible study guide book. This quarter's book topic is “Themes in the Book of John” and this week's Sabbath School lesson is titled “More Testimonies About Jesus”. Join us every week for a fresh and relevant study of the word of God. Reading: John 3:25–36, John 1:32– 36, Dan. 7:18, John 6:51–71, John 5:36–38, John 7:37–53. Memory Text: “ ‘And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself' ” (John 12:32, NKJV). November 2–November 8 Sunday - Jill Morikone - Humility of Soul: John the Baptist Testifies AgainMonday - Shelley Quinn - A New Understanding of the MessiahTuesday - James Rafferty - Acceptance and RejectionWednesday - Daniel Perrin - The Witness of the FatherThursday - John Dinzey - The Witness of the Crowd Want the Panelists' notes? You can sign up here: https://3abnsabbathschoolpanel.com/notes/ Questions or Comments? Email us at mail@3abn.org Donate: https://3abn.org/donate-quick.html

❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/Matthew8:19–22;Luke9:51–62;John7:1–52[additionalreading:John7:53–8:11] ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org

Sabbath School panel discussion and insight by 3ABN pastors and teachers. This podcast episode follows 2024 quarter 4, lesson 5 of the adult Bible study guide book. This quarter's book topic is “Themes in the Book of John” and this week's Sabbath School lesson is titled “The Testimony of the Samaritans”. Join us every week for a fresh and relevant study of the word of God. Reading: John 4:1–42, John 3:26–30, Jer. 2:13, Zech. 14:8, Ezek. 36:25–27. Memory Text: “Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world' ” (John 4:42, NKJV). October 26–November 01 Sunday - Ryan Day - The Setting of the EncounterMonday - Jill Morikone - The Woman at the WellTuesday - Shelley Quinn - The Two Disciples of JohnWednesday - James Rafferty - The Revelation of JesusThursday - John Dinzey - The Testimony of the Samaritans Want the Panelists' notes? You can sign up here: https://3abnsabbathschoolpanel.com/notes/ Questions or Comments? Email us at mail@3abn.org Donate: https://3abn.org/donate-quick.html

Sabbath School panel discussion and insight by 3ABN pastors and teachers. This podcast episode follows 2024 quarter 4, lesson 4 of the adult Bible study guide book. This quarter's book topic is “Themes in the Book of John” and this week's Sabbath School lesson is titled “Witnesses of Christ as the Messiah”. Join us every week for a fresh and relevant study of the word of God. Reading: John 1:19–23, Isa. 40:1–5, John 1:29–37, Rom. 5:6, John 1:35–39, John 1:43–51, John 3:1–21. Memory Text: “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God' ” (John 3:3, NKJV). October 19–October 25 Sunday - Daniel Perrin - The Testimony of John the BaptistMonday - Shelley Quinn - The Lamb of GodTuesday - Ryan Day - The Two Disciples of JohnWednesday - John Dinzey - Philip and NathanielThursday - Jill Morikone - The Witness of Nicodemus Want the Panelists' notes? You can sign up here: https://3abnsabbathschoolpanel.com/notes/ Questions or Comments? Email us at mail@3abn.org Donate: https://3abn.org/donate-quick.html