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.

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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.

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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

Have you ever wondered whether God really sees what you’re going through? In this message, we look at the Exodus story and discover a God whose heart is moved by the cries of His people — a God who sees, hears, knows, and comes down to deliver. This sermon is part of our Advent series, “The Long Road to Bethlehem,” where we trace the major turning points of God’s saving story — from Creation and the Fall to the Exodus, the Exile, the long silence before Christ, and finally the manger where God comes down once more. Each week uncovers another step on the road that leads to Jesus, our true Deliverer and Passover Lamb.This particular message explores Israel’s bondage in Egypt and the night of Passover, revealing a God who moves toward His people long before they know how to pray. We unpack what it means for God to see, hear, and know their suffering — and ours — not from a distance but with deep compassion. And we look at how the blood of the Passover lamb foreshadows the coming of Christ, whose own blood covers, protects, and frees His people today.Whether you’re familiar with these stories or encountering them for the first time, this message offers hope for anyone who has ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unseen. God is already moving long before we notice — and in Jesus, He has come down for us.Scripture references: Exodus 1–3, Exodus 12, John 1:29, 1 Corinthians 5:7Series: The Long Road to Bethlehem — Advent 2025Speaker: Pastor JohnLocation: Redeemer Lutheran Church, Salem, Oregonkeywords:Exodus sermonPassover sermonAdvent sermon 2025God sees meGod hears meGod knows my sufferingGod comes downDeliverance in the BiblePassover Lamb JesusChrist our PassoverMoses and the burning bushExodus and AdventHope in suffering ChristianBondage and deliveranceChristian encouragement in suffering

Advent doesn’t begin at the manger.

It begins in a garden.In this first message of our Advent series, The Long Road to Bethlehem, Pastor John takes us back to Genesis to remember where our story truly starts: a world created in love, a relationship broken by mistrust, and a God who responds not with abandonment but with mercy, promise, and protection.

We explore the goodness of creation — the beauty, the joy, the “very good” spoken over humanity — and then the heartbreak of the fall. In one moment of misplaced trust, Adam and Eve step away from the God who made them for peace and joy.

Shame enters the world. Hiding begins. And the harmony of creation is shattered.

Yet God doesn’t walk away.

He comes looking for His children.

He speaks the first prophecy of Christ — the descendant who will crush the serpent’s head.He covers their shame with lasting garments.

And He protects them from living forever in their brokenness.

This is where Advent begins: not with shepherds or angels, but with a God who seeks us, covers us, and promises to restore us.If you wrestle with shame, if you feel far from God, or if you simply need to be reminded that hope has deeper roots than Christmas lights and carols, this message will meet you with grace. The road to Bethlehem is long — through creation, fall, exile, silence — but at every step, God is moving toward His people with love.

Join us as we begin the journey: Creation. Fall. Promise. Hope.The long road to Bethlehem leads to a Savior who comes looking for you.

What comes to mind when you hear the word judgment? Fear? Uncertainty? The sense that you’ll never measure up? On Christ the King Sunday, we turn to Luke 23:27–43 and watch Jesus reign from the cross—a King who judges with mercy, not terror.

In this message, Pastor John reflects on three simple words from the title “The King Will Judge” and shows how each one leads to surprising freedom.
The King — because judgment belongs to Jesus, not to us.
Will — because nothing escapes His notice, and all things will be set right.
Judge — because our sin has already been judged at the cross, and what Jesus declares over us is love.

Through the stunning exchange between Jesus and the thief on the cross in Luke 23:27–43, and Paul’s confession “I do not even judge myself,” this sermon brings to light the heart of the gospel: the King has already rendered His verdict. He punished our sin. He purchased our life. And His judgment over us is mercy.

If you’ve ever wrestled with fear of judgment, a harsh inner critic, or the weight of evaluating others, this message will help you breathe again.
The King will judge.
The King has judged.
And His judgment sets us free.

Scripture: Luke 23:27–43
Recorded at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Salem, Oregon.

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When the world feels uncertain and fear rises, Jesus speaks words we desperately need: “Lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.” In this message from Luke 21:25–36, discover how Christ reframes fear into hope, teaches us to watch over our hearts, and invites us to live with release, anticipation, and identity as children of God. Whether you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or weighed down, this message offers clarity, comfort, and courage rooted in the gospel.Sermon 1 of 2 in the "Return of the King" seriesKeywords:Jesus return, Luke 21 sermon, end times hope, Christian hope in fear, lift your head sermon, overcoming anxiety Bible, redemption is near, apocalyptic teaching Jesus, hope in uncertain times, Christian encouragement, dealing with fear biblically

In this message from Matthew 25:1–13, Pastor John Rallison reflects on Jesus’ Parable of the Ten Virgins and what it means to live wisely—prepared for what we know is certain, even when we don’t know when it will happen.Using the vivid image of bridesmaids waiting with their torches for the bridegroom, Pastor John invites us to rest in Christ’s redemption, keep our faith personal and alive, and continue growing in grace.This sermon closes the Walking in Wisdom series with a call to quiet confidence: wise people prepare for what they know is coming—the return of Christ and the joy of His kingdom.Scripture: Matthew 25:1–13Series: Walking in Wisdom – Week 4Preacher: Pastor John RallisonChurch: Redeemer Lutheran Church (LCMS), Salem OregonKeywords / TagsMatthew 25 sermon, Parable of the Ten Virgins, Jesus return, Christian watchfulness, wise living, end times parable, readiness for Christ, Lutheran sermon, John Rallison preaching, Redeemer Lutheran Church, walking in wisdom series, living in hope, faith and grace, watchful living, spiritual preparation

What does it really mean to be blessed?In this third message from our Walking in Wisdom series, Pastor John Rallison explores Jesus’ shocking words from Matthew 5: “Blessed are the poor in spirit… blessed are those who mourn… blessed are the meek.” These don’t sound like blessings at all — until we see them through the lens of the resurrection.Discover how the Beatitudes turn the world’s wisdom upside down and reveal what true blessing looks like in the kingdom of God.🕊️ Series: Walking in Wisdom📖 Text: Matthew 5:1–12🎙️ Message: Blessed Are Who??💒 Speaker: Pastor John Rallison, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Salem, Oregon“Blessed are those who live as if the resurrection is true — because it is.”Keywords / SEO tags:Beatitudes sermon, Matthew 5 sermon, Sermon on the Mount, Blessed Are the Meek, Walking in Wisdom series, Redeemer Lutheran Church Salem Oregon, Pastor John Rallison, resurrection sermon, Christian wisdom, what does blessed mean, ashré makarios meaning, meaning of blessed in Bible, Jesus teaching on blessing, true blessing sermon, upside-down kingdom, Lutheran sermon podcast, grace-centered preaching, resurrection hope, blessed life sermon