Matthew 17:1–9 records the Transfiguration of Jesus — a moment when His glory is revealed on the mountain before Peter, James, and John. But the scene does not end in dazzling light. It ends with a touch and the words, “Do not be afraid.”

In this message, we reflect on who Jesus truly is: Lord in glory and near in mercy. More powerful than we think — and kinder too.

Jesus
Transfiguration
Matthew 17
Matthew 17:1-9
Who is Jesus
Christian sermon
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Revealing the Real Jesus
Glory of Jesus
Jesus’ kindness
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Moses and Elijah
Listen to Him
Do not be afraid
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Sermon on the Transfiguration

In this sermon from Mark 5:21–43, we watch Jesus in action rather than listening to his teaching. As Jesus responds to Jairus, stops for a suffering woman in the crowd, and speaks life in the presence of death, we begin to notice something unsettling and beautiful about him.Jesus never rushes.He is not interested in spectacle.And yet his authority over sickness, fear, and death is unmistakable.This message explores how Jesus uses power not to dominate, but to serve. His calm authority, gentle presence, and effortless command over life itself leave us asking the same question the disciples once asked: Who is this man?This sermon is part of the series Revealing the Real Jesus, and serves as a bridge toward the Transfiguration, where the question raised here will finally be answered.Scripture: Mark 5:21–43Theme: Power in ServiceKeywords / TagsUse these as YouTube tags and Spotify episode keywords:Jesus miraclesMark 5 sermonJairus daughterWoman with issue of bloodJesus power and authorityWho is this man JesusJesus calm authorityJesus healsJesus raises the deadPower in service sermonChristian sermonLutheran sermonJesus compassionJesus authority over deathRevealing the Real Jesus

In a world that rewards the strong, the wealthy, and the winners, Jesus opens His most famous sermon with a shock: the Kingdom of God belongs to the beggars.In this message from the series "Revealing the Real Jesus," we sit at the feet of the Rabbi to study the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–12). Rather than viewing these verses as a crushing moral checklist, we discover them as an autobiography of Jesus Himself. He is the one who became poor in spirit, the Man of Sorrows who mourned, and the Meek King who yielded His power to save us.Key Topics Covered:The "Script Flip": Why God blesses the empty rather than the full.The Meaning of Meekness: Understanding "power under control" (the broken stallion).The Undivided Heart: How Jesus lived with singular focus on the Father's will.The Invitation: Why the entrance to the Kingdom isn't about trying harder, but about admitting your spiritual bankruptcy ("Start Begging").Scripture: Matthew 5:1–12 Series: Revealing the Real Jesus Church: Redeemer Lutheran Church | Salem, OregonTags / KeywordsThe Beatitudes, Matthew 5, Sermon on the Mount, The Counter-Intuitive Kingdom, Revealing the Real Jesus, Poor in Spirit, Blessed are the Meek, Meaning of the Beatitudes, Lutheran Sermon, Redeemer Lutheran Church Salem, Jesus Teachings, Spiritual Growth, Bible Study Matthew 5, Christian Faith, The Real JesusHashtags: #Beatitudes #Matthew5 #RealJesus #SermonOnTheMount #RedeemerSalem #Lutheran #BibleStudy #KingdomOfGod

Why did Jesus bypass the palaces of Tiberias and the religious schools of Jerusalem to set up his headquarters in a gritty, industrial border town? In this message, we observe Jesus as he makes his strategic move to Capernaum—the "Shadow of Death"—and completely flips the script on how a Rabbi finds his followers.We dive into the history of the 1st-Century Jewish education system (Bet Sefer, Bet Talmud, and Bet Midrash) to discover why Jesus choosing fishermen was such a scandalous reversal of the "system." We also look at how Jesus co-opted the political language of the Roman Empire ("Gospel") to announce a new kind of Government that brings light into the darkest corners of our world—and our own hearts.In this sermon:The Geography: Why Jesus chose the wharf over the palace.The Reversal: Why the Rabbi went looking for students who had "washed out" of religious school.The Receipts: How the miracles serve as the legal proof of the Kingdom (Isaiah 35).Join us at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Salem, OR, as we continue our series "Revealing the Real Jesus"—adopting a posture of observation to learn who God truly is.Keywords / TagsMatthew 4, Call of the Disciples, Capernaum, Jesus and Fishermen, Bet Midrash, Jewish Education System, Gospel of the Kingdom, Isaiah 35, Miracles of Jesus, Discipleship, Calling of Peter and Andrew, James and John, Sons of Zebedee, Sermon, Bible Study, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Salem Oregon, John Rallison, Revealing the Real Jesus, Theology, Christian Living.

In this Epiphany sermon from the series Revealing the Real Jesus, we slow down and watch how Jesus meets people in John 1:29–51. Jesus does not pressure, argue, or coerce belief. Instead, he invites people to come and see. Some follow quietly. Some are brought by friends. Some are skeptical. Some are explicitly sought out by Jesus himself.

As we observe these first encounters, we learn something important about who Jesus is and how he works. Jesus is not a method, a formula, or a set of ideas to master. He is a living person who invites us into relationship with himself.

The sermon ends with a simple question meant for reflection. What did you notice about Jesus this week?

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Jesus come and see
Revealing the Real Jesus
John 1 sermon
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Jesus invites us
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Jesus and disciples
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Gospel of John
Christian faith exploration

In this Epiphany sermon, we slow down and watch the baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3:13–17. Rather than rushing to explanation or application, we carefully observe what happens as Jesus steps into the water, stands with sinners, and is publicly named by the Father as his beloved Son.This sermon explores why Jesus chooses baptism, what it means to “fulfill all righteousness,” why the Spirit descends like a dove, and why God speaks before Jesus performs any miracles or teaching. Along the way, we’re invited to notice how Jesus reveals who he is—not through power or spectacle, but through humility, obedience, and belonging.As we watch Jesus be baptized, we’re reminded that before anything is demanded of us, God speaks a word of grace and delight over his Son—and, in Christ, over us as well.Keywords / TagsUse these as tags or keywords. You don’t need all of them, but this cluster will help discoverability.Jesus baptismBaptism of JesusMatthew 3:13–17Epiphany sermonWho is JesusLife of JesusGospel of MatthewJesus identityBeloved SonHoly Spirit doveVoice from heavenChristian sermonLutheran sermonLCMS sermonGrace-centered preachingObserving JesusBible sermonNew Testament teaching

In the season of Epiphany, we slow down to watch how Jesus is revealed to us. In Matthew 2:1–12, foreign wise men seek and worship the Christ child, while King Herod responds with fear and resistance. This contrast reveals the kind of King Jesus is and the wideness of God’s mercy.

This sermon invites listeners to notice how Jesus reveals who God is and who we are called to be. Sometimes that revelation comforts us. Sometimes it unsettles us. Always it comes in love.

This message begins a sermon series called Revealing the Real Jesus, where we pay attention to what becomes clearer as we watch Jesus together.

Epiphany sermon
Matthew 2 sermon
Wise men and Herod
Revealing the real Jesus
Jesus revealed
Christian sermon
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Wideness of God’s mercy
Outsiders and the gospel
Jesus and the Magi
Biblical preaching
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A Christmas Eve sermon about a surprising truth: God did not come to be impressive. He came to be reachable. Reflecting on Genesis, Bethlehem, and the incarnation, this message explores God’s pursuit of humanity, shared human longing, and the love that draws us near—not by force, but by grace.

Christmas Eve sermon
Christmas sermon 2025
God came close
Incarnation sermon
Luke 2 Christmas sermon
God is reachable
Christian Christmas message
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Jesus born in Bethlehem
Grace and truth sermon
God’s pursuit of humanity
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Redeemer Lutheran Church
Pastor John Rallison

What do we do when God feels silent?

On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we reflect on the 400 years of silence between Malachi and the birth of Christ—and what that long quiet season teaches us about faith today. Scripture reminds us that silence is not absence. God is at work even when we cannot see it.This sermon explores Israel’s return from exile, the long wait before the Messiah, and the quiet faithfulness of ordinary life. Through Scripture, story, and the promise fulfilled in Bethlehem, we are invited to trust God’s hidden work, learn contentment rooted in trust, and live with steady hope in ordinary times.Keywords / TagsAdvent sermonSilence is not absenceFourth Sunday of AdventChristian sermon on waitingTrust and contentment sermonGod at work in silenceOrdinary time faithAdvent 2025 sermonLuke 1 Zechariah sermonGalatians 4:4 fullness of timeChristian hope sermonWaiting on GodFaith in ordinary lifeChristmas preparation sermon

What happens when the consequences we face are the result of our own choices? Does God still stay with us when we’ve made a mess of our lives?In this third sermon of The Long Road to Bethlehem Advent series, we journey to the Babylonian exile—a moment in Israel’s history marked by warning ignored, consequences endured, and hope tested. Unlike suffering that comes from circumstances beyond our control, exile confronts us with a harder question: Will God remain present when the mess is our own fault?Through Eden, Egypt, and Babylon, we discover a powerful truth revealed not just by what God says, but by what God does. God does not abandon His people. He walks with them through consequences, stays close in self-made messes, and reveals a love that goes deeper than mere forgiveness.Ultimately, Scripture shows us something even more tender and surprising: God does not only love us like a Father who guides and disciplines—He pursues us like a Lover who wants our hearts. This divine crescendo of commitment leads us to Bethlehem, the cross, and the assurance that God’s love has not diminished one bit.This sermon offers hope for anyone carrying regret, shame, or the weight of poor decisions—and invites us to trust a God who stays.Keywords / TagsGod stays with usGod does not abandon usBabylonian exile sermonAdvent sermon seriesThe Long Road to BethlehemGod with us even when we mess upChristian sermon on consequencesGrace and consequencesGod’s presence in sufferingFather and bridegroom imageryGod’s pursuing loveJesus with us alwaysFaith and regretSermon on exile and restorationChristian hope after failureAdvent Week 3 sermon