Text: John 16:23-33 

Summary: Have you ever wondered how it is that you, a sinful human, can speak directly to God, the Father Almighty? Jesus explains how this is possible and why we should do it when He speaks to his disciples in John 16. Listen in to find out how prayer works!  

Pastor Adam Thompson, Ascension Lutheran Church

Text: John 16:12-22 

Summary: In this life we tend to focus on the negative over the positive, the sorrow over the joy. Jesus doesn’t pretend there is no sorrow in this life. He openly confronts that reality, but He doesn’t leave us in our sorrow without hope or joy. He came to change things so that we can have joy amid our sorrows. Not a joy that merely evens the odds, but a joy so great that once it is fully realized our current suffering will melt away and be forgotten! How is this possible? Well, He is risen!  

Pastor Adam Thompson Ascension Lutheran Church

Text: John 10:22-30 

Summary: In John 10 we have the “I am the Good Shepherd.” statement from Jesus. But in these particular verses Jesus is actually not talking to his sheep about the flock but the wolves who seek to harm it. A good shepherd is not only loving and gentle with the sheep, but mighty and fierce in His protection of them from the wolves. In John 10:22-30 we see our Good Shepherd confront the wolves and fiercely promising them that “no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Praise God for our Good Shepherd!  

Pastor Adam Thompson, Ascension Lutheran Church

Text: John 21:1-19 

Summary: This text from the gospel of John gives us a beautiful picture of how Jesus, even after being glorified in the resurrection, serves us with what we need. When the disciples are fishing and laboring on their own, their nets come up empty. Just like without Christ our labors are in vain. Yet Jesus is standing on the shore and point out where they should direct their labor. Now it bears fruit! Not only does he help us bear fruit by giving us gifts and directing where they should be used, but He serves us the nourishment we need in order to be people who see Him and believe. “Come and have some breakfast” Jesus says. Today He still serves us and invites us to receive the work of His hands to our salvation!  

Pastor Adam Thompson, Ascension Lutheran Church

Text: John 20:19-31 

Summary - What sign would you demand from God in order to believe in Him? Thomas didn’t see Jesus appear to his disciples and He doesn’t believe them when they tell him “We have seen the Lord!” Jesus, in mercy, gives Thomas exactly what He demands. But Jesus can’t appear to you and me, at least not in that same way. If we can’t touch the wounds in his hands and the put our hand in His side, then how can we believe? Jesus gives His disciples and through them the Church an extraordinary gift that makes your faith possible! So we can join in the chorus of witnesses saying, “I have seen the Lord.”  

Pastor Adam Thompson, Ascension Lutheran Church

Text: John 12:20-43 

Summary - After Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, there is excitement buzzing in the air. Even the gentile proselytes know something is special about Jesus. Things are getting to a boiling point between Jesus and his enemies. He is too popular with the people. Despite all that, none of the people really know, including His own disciples, how big the work of Jesus will be in Jerusalem! Something amazing is about to happen! Welcome to Holy Week!  

Pastor Adam Thompson, Ascension Lutheran Church

Text: John 20:9-20 

Summary - The Parable of the Wicked Tenants is a humbling one to hear from Jesus. He was aiming this at the religious leader of his day, but it carries application for us as well. It wasn’t just their sin, that required Jesus to die on the cross, but ours too. This text reminds of our own wickedness, but even more it demonstrated the unconditional love, patience and mercy of our God.  

Pastor Adam Thompson, Ascension Lutheran Church

Text: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 

Summary - This is one of the most, if not the most, famous parables of Jesus. Yet, did you know it is all about God’s rules for whom he welcomes to his table of fellowship. Throughout Scripture important events between God and his people are marked by meals. Listen to how the audience of Jesus would have understood the interaction between the loving father and his two sons. Perhaps it may breathe some new life into a text you have heard about before.  

Pastor Adam Thompson, Ascension Lutheran Church

Text: Luke 13:1-9 

Summary - We can be tempted to alleviate our own guilt by comparing ourselves to others and thinking that they are worse than us. This happened to them because they did the extra bad sin or, at least I am not like that person. Yet, Jesus teaches that unless we repent, we will all likewise perish.  

Pastor Adam Thompson, Ascension Lutheran Church

Text: Jeremiah 26:8-15, Luke 13:31-35  

Summary: During Lent, this gospel text reminds us that we have a God who desires to gather us to himself. Despite our sin and rejection of His word He still gathers us to Himself. Sometimes His Word is one a rebuke which is hard to hear, but Luke 13 reminds us that we have a Savior who knowingly went to Jerusalem and the cross because of His desire to gather His children back to Himself. How is God’s Word calling you back to Him? He who has ears, let him hear!  

Pastor Adam Thompson, Ascension Lutheran Church