Grace Alone Online

In authority and power Jesus heals many people, including the mother-in-law of Simon Peter. Which might make one think, “With Jesus’ power and authority, why are there so few miraculous healings today?” Why have I, or anyone I know, not experienced a miraculous encounter when we most needed it? Has Jesus lost his authority and power?

Authority and Power; something we all want AND something we hate that others have.  We resist authority, people telling us what to do.  What is authority and power.  Can someone have authority without the power, or, power without authority.  There is a difference.  Does Satan have power and authority equal to that of God/Jesus?  Why does Mark spend so much time on this issue when writing his Gospel to the Romans?  Christ's authority is definitely something you should understand.  Listen in.  (This sermon involves graphics and can be seen @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOr2trKSBck)

While some people may idolize great prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Jonah seems doomed to be demoted as a inflated and conflated whale story. Yet, we have more in common with our poor chum Jonah than we do with any other Old Testament prophet.  (This sermon uses graphics and may best be selected from the playlist for January 24, 2021 here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpA9chnf4KBfUchdsjWTWCw/videos)

Pastor Aaron Putnam gives this message based on Isaiah 60.  Aaron is director of LINC Bay Area.  LINC is Lutheran Inner City Mission Coalition, which helps people who have a vision and desire to be pastors or evangelists realize their calling through mentoring.  Rev. Putnam's message is about being a light in the darkness.  At times our presence in this world can be like exploring a cave where darkness surrounds us.  But God's word is light for us and the world.

Today we celebrate Jesus' Baptism. On this Epiphany Sunday, Jesus begins His public ministry by which he reveals himself as the Light of the World. Many ask, “Why was Jesus baptized if he had no sins?” While attempted answers to this question range from “He had to” to “fulfill Scripture.” I think Jesus’ baptism deals more FOR US rather FOR HIM.

This podcast originally contains many visuals and can be better appreciated at our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpA9chnf4KBfUchdsjWTWCw/featured 

A question lurks in the background of our Galatians text when Paul says “the time was right.” And, this is my question today. How did God know or determine when the time was right? How was everything put in place and ready for His Son to come? The prophets couldn’t say when – just like we cannot say when the world will end.  So, I wonder, did things get so bad that God needed to intervene then and there? Can this be? I mean, things were equally bad before, no?  When is God's time the right time?

Join our service of prayers and song, meditation and peaceful reflection on the past year and strength for the year to come.

When the angel said to the shepherds, “And this shall be a SIGN unto you: a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes,” they were not talking about a sign of proof. The nature of God’s signs is different from our understanding. They are not proofs of His existence; they are tokens of His mercy and love.  There is a big difference between what we claim or hope are signs from God and what God actually has given us as signs of His presence.  Listen in and find out how much God loves you and gives this gift to you.

Unto Us a Savior is Born.  The story of Christmas from Luke 2 is so well known that it permeates even the "folklore" of secularized Christmas.  Songs, readings, and imagery on TV and in songs retell a story that is ages old.  We can rejoice for the true reason...not a Christmas "feeling" or a "time of peace and unity" in the way the world portrays it.  We can rejoice in the true story, the Savior Son of our Heavenly Father who himself is the "gift that keeps on giving."  We can laugh, cry, remember, be nostalgic, and never overcome the reason He came to this world....to rescue us from the land of misfit toys.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, "whereas human beings cannot become God, God can and does become a human.  Thereby, he changes humans into a form acceptable by God.  Through him, all is created anew."  Join us in celebrated and rejoicing in the advent of our King.  DON'T FORGET TO WORSHIP WITH US THURSDAY, December 24, Christmas Eve!