As the Church year ends, we look toward Christ’s return—glory, trumpets, resurrection, and judgment. But today’s Gospel doesn’t show any of that. Instead, we’re taken to Calvary, where our King hangs lowly, rejected, bleeding, and mocked.

Why?
Because this is the King we follow right now.
The One whose throne was a cross.
The One whose crown was thorns.
The One who suffered, was accused, and forgave.

This sermon explores how Christ’s lowliness shapes the life of His Church:
• why His suffering is our victory,
• why His mercy is our pattern,
• why the Church often looks small, weak, or afflicted,
• and why none of that is the end of the story.

The King who was lifted up on a cross will return in glory—and those who share His cross will share His crown.

Scripture: Luke 23:27–43
Series: Last Sunday of the Church Year

🏛️ From: First Lutheran Church, El Cajon, CA
🌐 https://youhaveaplace.com

When Jesus told His disciples that Jerusalem and the temple would fall, He wasn’t just predicting history. He was pointing forward—to His return, the renewal of creation, and the hope that shapes the Christian life.

This sermon explores Luke 21 and the often-avoided topic of the Second Coming.
We tackle the hard questions:

Is Jesus’ teaching about the end of the world symbolic or literal?

Why is His return central to the Christian faith?

Does this doctrine actually change how we live today?

How does Christ’s return give us strength in suffering, fuel integrity, and free us to forgive?

And how can we long for His coming without living in fear?

We also look at how Scripture ties the signs of Judgment Day back to the cross, where Christ bore the darkness and judgment that should have fallen on us.

If you’ve ever wondered what it means to “watch and pray,” or how to hold onto hope in a collapsing world, this message will ground you in the promises Jesus Himself gives:
He is coming. He will make all things new. And the Judge who returns is the Lamb who was slain for you.

Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus.

🏛️ From: First Lutheran Church, El Cajon, CA
🌐 https://youhaveaplace.com

In this sermon, Pastor James Huenink explores the encounter between Jesus and the Sadducees as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. When faced with tricky questions designed to challenge His authority, Jesus doesn’t just debate—He reveals the deeper issues at stake and points to the heart of our Christian faith.

Discover how Jesus shifts the conversation from arguments and debate to grace, mercy, and the ultimate truth that the world needs: knowing Christ and experiencing His peace. Pastor Huenink also shares practical wisdom for how Christians today can respond to challenging questions and skepticism—not by defending God, but by pointing others to the healing, grace, and love found in Jesus.

Whether you’ve faced tough questions about your faith or want to grow in sharing the hope of the Gospel, this message will encourage and equip you.

🏛️ From: First Lutheran Church, El Cajon, CA
🌐 https://youhaveaplace.com

What does it really mean to be blessed? In this All Saints’ Day sermon, Pastor explores how Jesus turns the world’s idea of blessing completely upside down in the Beatitudes. “Blessed are the poor in spirit… those who mourn… the meek…”—words that sound strange to a world chasing comfort and success.

But in Christ, true blessing is found not in power or prosperity, but in faithfulness through suffering, weakness, and even death. The saints who went before us—those who stood firm in persecution and loss—show us what it means to live under the blessing of the cross.

Join us as we reflect on the hope of the resurrection, the comfort of Christ’s presence in our pain, and the eternal promise that in Him, we are truly blessed.

📖 Text: Matthew 5:1–12 (The Beatitudes)
🕊️ Occasion: All Saints’ Day
✝️ Theme: The Upside-Down Blessing of Christ

#AllSaintsDay #Beatitudes #ChristianFaith #Lutheran #Sermon #Blessed #JesusChrist #FaithThroughSuffering #ResurrectionHope
🏛️ From: First Lutheran Church, El Cajon, CA
🌐 https://youhaveaplace.com

Discover the true meaning of grace, inclusion, and receiving God's gifts in this inspiring Reformation sermon from First Lutheran Church. Pastor Huenink explores Jesus’ command to “Let the children come to me” and connects it to Martin Luther’s rediscovery of a faith centered on receiving—rather than earning—salvation. Learn how infants, children, and tax collectors in the Gospel are powerful examples of God’s unconditional love and how the church is called to welcome the lowliest among us.

⏩ Topics Covered

The significance of children in worship

What it means to “receive” the kingdom of God

The Reformation’s impact on Christian faith

Addressing questions about children in the Divine Service

Equality and grace for all in Christ

📖 Bible Passages Referenced:

Luke 18:15-17

James 2:1

Reformation themes

Join us as we reflect deeply on the radical grace of Jesus and our calling to create a welcoming, unified congregation. Subscribe for weekly sermons and spiritual insight!
🏛️ From: First Lutheran Church, El Cajon, CA
🌐 https://youhaveaplace.com

#Jesus #Faith #Lutheran #Gospel #justice #Sermon #judgment #resurrection #eternity #persecution

Jesus told a story about a widow who refused to stop praying for justice—and He promised that God would not delay forever. In this message, Pastor James Huenink reminds us that Christ’s resurrection is the down payment of divine justice, and His return will bring perfect peace. Until that day, we pray, trust, and wait in faith.

📖 Based on: Luke 18:1–8
✝️ Main point: Jesus will bring justice—speedily, perfectly, eternally.

📖 Text: Luke 18:1–8
🏛️ From: First Lutheran Church, El Cajon, CA
🌐 https://youhaveaplace.com

#Jesus #Faith #Lutheran #Gospel #justice #Sermon #judgment #resurrection #eternity #persecution

We often hear the story of Jesus and the ten lepers as a simple Thanksgiving lesson about gratitude. But Luke’s point is much deeper.
In this sermon, Pastor James Huenink unpacks why the Samaritan’s response reveals the heart of the Gospel—and why the others missed it.
Discover how Jesus shows us the hidden power of grace in Word and Sacrament, where forgiveness and peace are freely given.

📖 Text: Luke 17:11–19
🏛️ From: First Lutheran Church, El Cajon, CA
🌐 https://youhaveaplace.com

#Jesus #Faith #Lutheran #Gospel #Thanksgiving #Sermon

When life feels too heavy to carry, we cry out, “Lord, increase my faith.”
In this sermon, Pastor Roland Rossmiller explores Jesus’ response to that desperate prayer — showing that true faith is not about its size, but about its Savior.

Drawing on Mark 9 and Romans 8, Pastor Rossmiller reminds us that even a mustard seed of faith, rooted in Christ, is enough. Through Word and Sacrament, God strengthens weak hearts, forgives sin, and anchors us in His unshakable grace.

You’ll discover:
✅ Why faith’s power comes from Christ, not from you
✅ How God grows faith through Baptism, Absolution, and the Lord’s Supper
✅ What it means to trust Jesus when your faith feels small

Faith isn’t about your strength — it’s about His.

📖 Scriptures: Mark 9:14–29, Romans 8:26–27, Zephaniah 3:17
🎙️ Preacher: Pastor Roland Rossmiller
📍 First Lutheran Church of El Cajon
✝️ Learn more at: https://youhaveaplace.com

What does the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus really teach us about wealth, blessing, and eternal life? In this sermon, Pastor James Huenink explores Jesus’ powerful story from Luke 16, showing how God’s Word turns upside down our assumptions about money, success, and compassion.

Far from being a simple warning about riches, this parable challenges us to see our neighbors as people deeply loved by God—and calls us to use the gifts He’s given us for service, not selfishness. Pastor Huenink also connects this teaching to today’s struggles with prosperity thinking and how the Gospel of Jesus Christ frees us to live generously.

📖 Scripture: Luke 16:19–31 (The Rich Man and Lazarus)
✝️ Key Themes: Money, compassion, generosity, prosperity gospel, Jesus’ resurrection

👉 If this message encourages you, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with a friend.

#RichManAndLazarus #MoneyAndFaith #Generosity #Sermon #Luke16 #ChristianSermon #Jesu
🙏 Sermon preached at First Lutheran Church, El Cajon
✝️ Learn more at: https://youhaveaplace.com

What is money really for? Jesus reminds us that money is never our master but God’s tool, given to us to serve others. In this sermon, Pastor James Huenink explores what Scripture teaches about wealth, stewardship, and trust:

Why everything we have belongs to God

How money fails when treated as an idol

How Christians use money in daily life and vocation

The freedom and forgiveness we have when we fail in stewardship

God doesn’t need your money—but your neighbor does. Learn how to see money the way Jesus teaches and use it for God’s purposes.

📖 Scripture: Luke 16:1–13
🙏 Sermon preached at First Lutheran Church, El Cajon
✝️ Learn more at: https://youhaveaplace.com