The Last Day may come soon, but in the meantime, many people are neglecting to use their abilities and opportunities for God’s purposes. Zephaniah writes that it will be a day of wrath and mourning. But for those who have realized God’s blessings over the years, as Psalm 90 recalls, though the times are mean, each day is an opportunity to “encourage one another and build one another up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Today is an opportunity to hear God’s very gracious Word, “well done!” and be strengthened to respond by using the talents He has loaned to us.

THIS WEEKS AUDIO IS REPOSTED FROM November 14, 2021 Worship.

Jesus, the man who is God, and the God who is man speaks with authority and wisdom. He is the truest and most trustworthy of prophets. He knows what to tell us about the future and what not to tell us. Jesus, the Son of the Living God can the see the whole of the future. He can see us standing firm in the faith and hope. He can see God saving us from the hardest and most impossible things. He can see us celebrating with him the complete revealing of God’s Glory.

The Day of God. Paul Gauguin French 1894–95

It’s not a big surprise that no one has accurately predicted the end of the world—not that it hasn’t been attempted. From religious sects to cult leaders to apocalyptic predictions made when we entered a new millennium, a fascination grows around those who claim they have it all figured out. We are wise though to take the Lord at His word concerning the Last Day. From Amos in the Old Testament proclaiming the day of the Lord, to Paul writing the Thessalonians about Christ’s return, to Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins, the Lord does not give us a date or a time of the end of this world as we know it. What He continues to give us, though, are promises of His faithfulness, His continued care and providence, and His assurance that when that day comes, it will usher in a glorious blessedness in His perfect presence that will last forever.

This audio service is a rebroadcast from Jesus, The King. Worship, November 21, 2021.

When all is said and done Christ will stand in triumph over all things. He will make the wrongs and injustices right in the end. We put our faith not just in God’s love and mercy but also in His perfect judgment and His ability to fulfill and finish what He started. In the beginning God made a good and perfect world, He will restore it. By His victory Jesus is already our King. In the end we will see that Jesus Christ is truly King of Kings for all of time and eternity. Are you ready to celebrate?

Candles burn on All Saints' Day at the Central Cemetery in Szczecin, Poland (Marcin Bielecki/EPA-EFE/Rex)

Today is bittersweet. Bitter, because some of us will be remembering someone we love who died recently, and we are still grieving. Yet sweet, because that loved one was also loved by God, redeemed by Jesus, and lives in that place Jesus went ahead to prepare. We grieve, as Paul says, but not “as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). We also hear the words of Jesus in the Beatitudes, where Jesus blesses people not usually considered blessed: the poor in spirit, the mourning, the meek, peacemakers, the persecuted. The broken circumstances of your life do not define you entirely; Jesus defines you as blessed because He has taken hold of you in love and mercy and will never let you go. Blessed are you.

This week’s Audio Service is a rebroadcast from October 31, 2021. Please enjoy.

The word “Saint” is a pretty big word. We use it to talk about disciples, martyrs, and leaders of the Church throughout history. We use the word next to names from the pages of Scripture such as Peter, John, and Paul—the type of people we name churches after. On All Saints’ Day we use the word “Saint” as we remember those departed from us who are now with God in heaven. But most amazing of all is that God considers our lives holy and set apart because of Jesus’ sacrifice of His holiness for us. By His victory we are Saints by grace.

The audio podcast for the Sunday, October 1, 2023 Worship service of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Minnetonka, MN. Recorded by Pastor James Disney with music by Sue Blom. Produced and Edited by Aimee Munson  If you enjoy listening we encourage you to visit our website at www.blcmtka.org to learn more about our Church and to support this podcast.

Pastor James Disney

Music by Sue Blom

Produced and Edited by Aimee Munson

The audio podcast for the Sunday, September 24, 2023 Worship service of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Minnetonka, MN. Recorded by Pastor James Disney with music by Sue Blom. Produced and Edited by Aimee Munson  If you enjoy listening we encourage you to visit our website at www.blcmtka.org to learn more about our Church and to support this podcast.

Pastor James Disney

Music by Sue Blom

Produced and Edited by Aimee Munson

The audio podcast for the Sunday, September 17, 2023 Worship service of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Minnetonka, MN. Recorded by Pastor James Disney with music by Sue Blom. Produced and Edited by Aimee Munson  If you enjoy listening we encourage you to visit our website at www.blcmtka.org to learn more about our Church and to support this podcast.

Pastor James Disney

Music by Sue Blom

Produced and Edited by Aimee Munson

The audio podcast for the Sunday, September 3, 2023 Worship service of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Minnetonka, MN. Recorded by Pastor James Disney with music by Sue Blom. Produced and Edited by Aimee Munson  If you enjoy listening we encourage you to visit our website at www.blcmtka.org to learn more about our Church and to support this podcast.

Pastor James Disney

Music by Sue Blom

Produced and Edited by Aimee Munson

The audio podcast for the Sunday, September 4, 2022 Worship service of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Minnetonka, MN. Recorded by Pastor James Disney with music by Sue Blom. Produced and Edited by Aimee Munson  If you enjoy listening we encourage you to visit our website at www.blcmtka.org to learn more about our Church and to support this podcast.

Pastor James Disney

Music by Sue Blom

Produced and Edited by Aimee Muns

The audio podcast for the Sunday, August 28, 2022 Worship service of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Minnetonka, MN. Recorded by Pastor James Disney with music by Sue Blom. Produced and Edited by Aimee Munson  If you enjoy listening we encourage you to visit our website at www.blcmtka.org to learn more about our Church and to support this podcast.

Pastor James Disney

Music by Sue Blom

Produced and Edited by Aimee Munson