What if real freedom isn’t doing whatever you want — but being free from guilt, fear, and striving?
In this Reformation Sunday message, Pastor John Rallison explores the same discovery that changed Martin Luther’s life: righteousness is received, not earned.

Through John 8, Romans 1 & 8, and 2 Corinthians 7, we see how Jesus frees us from guilt, self-justification, and fear of death — and for relationship, purpose, and peace.
This sermon is part of the Walking in Wisdom series from Redeemer Lutheran Church & Preschool in Salem, Oregon.

Listen in and rediscover the wisdom that sees what’s true — that grace sets us free — and lives like it matters.

📖 Key Texts: John 8:31-36 | Romans 1:17 | Romans 8:1 | 2 Corinthians 7:10 | Ephesians 2:8-9 | Hebrews 2:14-15
🕊️ Theme: Freedom in Christ • Grace Over Striving • Reformation Sunday
💒 Learn more: www.redeemer-lcms.org

reformation sunday sermon, reformation day 2025, john 8 31-36, martin luther, lutheran sermon, pastor john rallison, walking in wisdom series, freedom in christ, grace not works, righteousness by faith, justified by grace, gospel of grace, no condemnation romans 8 1, christian freedom, spiritual freedom, forgiveness sermon, overcoming guilt, fear of death, reformation theology, redeemed by grace, redeemer lutheran salem oregon, sermons on grace, faith not works, believed and received not achieved

Keywords / Tags

In this message from Pastor John Rallison at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Salem, Oregon, we begin the Walking in Wisdom series by exploring Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees and Herodians in Matthew 22:15–22. When Jesus says, “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s,” He reveals more than a clever answer—He shows us how to live wisely in a confusing world.

Discover what it means to see through life’s false choices, discern the heart behind people’s words, and live by faith as one who bears the image of God. True wisdom isn’t about being clever—it’s about belonging to God, trusting in Jesus Christ, and living as His redeemed child.

Keywords:
Christian wisdom, Walking in Wisdom series, Matthew 22:15–22 sermon, What belongs to God, Render unto Caesar, Lutheran sermon, Pastor John Rallison, Redeemer Lutheran Church Salem Oregon, Gospel message, image of God, Christian life application, faith and wisdom, biblical discernment, Jesus teaching on taxes, trusting Jesus, spiritual wisdom, sermon podcast, Sunday message.

This final message in the Stories That Confront series explores one of Jesus’ most piercing parables — the Wedding Feast from Matthew 22:1–14.

Jesus tells a story about a king who prepares a joyful banquet for his son, only to have the invited guests refuse to come. It’s a parable about grace offered and grace refused. Some miss the feast because they live as though the King isn’t really King. Others come but can’t bear to receive the gift the King freely provides.

In this sermon, Pastor John explores how pride, distraction, and self-sufficiency keep us from joy — and how the only “cost” of joy is humility. The invitation still stands. The table is ready. Come, and be clothed in Christ.

Scripture: Matthew 22:1–14
Series: Stories That Confront (Week 4)
Redeemer Lutheran Church, Salem, Oregon

Keywords:
Matthew 22, parable of the wedding feast, parables that confront, Stories That Confront, the cost of joy, sermon on grace, Lutheran sermon, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Pastor John, Jesus parables, kingdom of God, righteousness of Christ, humility, grace and joy, wedding garment, grace refused, grace received, gospel invitation, Christian podcast, Christian preaching, church sermon series, joy in Christ.

In this sermon from Parables That Confront #3, Pastor John explores Jesus’ parable of the vineyard tenants (Matthew 21:33–46). What does it mean to live as a steward, not an owner? Why do so many of us drift into thinking we “own” our time, resources, or faith? And how does the work, wisdom, and mercy of Christ reclaim us from that delusion?We begin with a vivid story: six boys taking on a tank with sticks. That image points to the absurdity of defying God. Then we unpack:• Why religious leaders were so quick to trap Jesus (Matthew 21:23–27)• How the vineyard owner’s patience reveals God’s heart• How pride distorts stewardship into defiance• The warning for long-time believers: this church, your faith, your life — never yours to own• The gospel meaning of Jesus as the rejected Son and Cornerstone• Practical habits for living joyfully as a steward (time, money, body, vocation)Takeaway: Everything has been entrusted, not surrendered. Our call is to steward with trust and love — not seize with force.Keywordsstewardship, parable of the tenants, Matthew 21:33–46 sermon, stewards not owners, Christian stewardship, vineyard tenants parable, Biblical stewardship, sermon on Matthew 21, Jesus parables explained, living as steward, Scripture sermon, Gospel and stewardship

In this sermon, Pastor John explores Jesus’ parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1–16) and what it teaches us about grace, pride, and joy. The master pays each worker the same wage, no matter how long they labored. Why does this upset those who worked all day? Because comparison is the thief of joy.Discover how God’s strange economy of grace ends the math, unites His people, and frees us from the burden of keeping score. Whether you’ve been in the church your whole life or are just beginning to explore faith, this message reminds us that the true treasure is belonging to the vineyard—the kingdom of God.Keywords / Tags:parable of the workers in the vineyardMatthew 20 sermonInvited by Gracecomparison is the thief of joyChristian sermon on gracekingdom of God parableparable of the vineyard explainedgrace not fairnesspride divides grace unitesPastor John Rallison sermons

In this sermon, Pastor John Rallison concludes the *Essential Church* series with a message on *Forgiveness Without Limits* from Matthew 18:21–35. Peter’s question, “How many times should I forgive?” sets the stage for Jesus’ unforgettable parable of the unforgiving servant.We explore the impossible debt forgiven by the king, the shocking refusal of mercy by the servant, and what this reveals about our own hearts. Along the way, Pastor John shares the “Rocks in the Backpack” story, a vivid reminder that unforgiveness only weighs down the one who carries it.This message also unpacks the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation, offers practical helps for living a forgiving life, and challenges us with three diagnostic questions: Do I secretly want harm to come to them? Do I rehearse the offense? Can I pray for their blessing and good?At the heart of it all is the gospel truth: *“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”* (Romans 5:8). Because God canceled our unpayable debt, we are called and empowered to release the debts of others.**Keywords:**forgiveness, forgiveness without limits, unforgiving servant, Matthew 18:21–35, parable of the unforgiving servant, Peter’s question on forgiveness, Corrie ten Boom forgiveness quote, Lewis Smedes forgiveness quote, forgiveness vs reconciliation, Christian forgiveness, rocks in the backpack story, Essential Church sermon series, Redeemer Lutheran Church Salem, Pastor John Rallison sermon, Ephesians 4:32, Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:19

How can the church stay united when pride, sin, and conflict threaten to divide us? In this third message of the Essential Church series, Pastor John Rallison explores Matthew 18:1–20 and shows how Jesus calls us to humility, vigilance against sin, care for those who wander, and reconciliation when relationships break down.Unity does not mean uniformity. It means all our God-given differences are woven together in love, bound by Christ Himself. Psalm 133 says, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” Oneness is not easy—but it is worth the effort, because Jesus is here.Listen in and discover how the church can be dedicated to oneness in Christ.Suggested tags/keywords for upload:Matthew 18, Essential Church series, church unity, Christian unity, reconciliation, forgiveness, humility, body of Christ, Psalm 133, Colossians 3, Ephesians 4, Pastor John Rallison

Jesus asks his disciples who the crowd thinks Jesus is. They spout off a variety of answers. Then Jesus asks the disciples, "Who do YOU say that I am?" Peter, ever the spokesman for the disciples, replies, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus then tells his disciples that the confession that he is the Christ is the rock on which he will build his church.In this sermon, pastor John Rallison sets up the Essential Church series. Then he walks through answers to four basic questions that every church must get right:1. Who is Jesus?2. What is the church built on?3. What is the church’s posture toward the world?4. How do we participate?Walk with Pastor John through this foundational series and learn just what makes an essential church.

What does it mean to hold on to faith when God feels silent? In this message, Pastor John talks about the story of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21–28 — the woman who begged Jesus for mercy and said, “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

Drawing from Martin Luther’s insight into this passage, we see three great battles of faith:

1. Pushing past the feeling of not belonging.

2. Trusting Jesus when our prayers seem unanswered.

3. Living in humble dependence on Christ’s mercy.

This sermon is part of the series Just Enough Light, exploring how Jesus gives us glimpses of His kingdom that sustain us in times of struggle.

Whether you’ve felt like an outsider, wrestled with silence in prayer, or wondered if you have anything to offer God, this message will encourage you that His mercy is more than enough. Even a crumb from Jesus is abundance for our lives.

Keywords:
Canaanite woman, Matthew 15:21-28 sermon, Even the dogs eat the crumbs, Martin Luther faith battles, Christian encouragement when God is silent, sermon on faith and persistence, gospel for outsiders, humble dependence on God, Just Enough Light series, Pastor John Redeemer Lutheran

In this hope-filled message, Pastor John Rallison reflects on the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13–21) and what it means for our lives today. More than a story of loaves and fish, this sermon offers a glimpse into heaven’s abundance and reminds us that even a little light from Jesus is enough to keep us going.Explore how Christ meets us in our grief, multiplies what we offer, and invites us to be “just enough light” for others in a hurting world. You'll hear real-life stories of small acts of compassion that made a big difference, and discover how Holy Communion connects us to the promise of eternal life where no one will hunger again.Whether you're seeking encouragement, insight into Jesus’ miracles, or inspiration to live your faith with compassion, this message is for you.

This is message #1 in a three-part series: "Just Enough Light."

Keywords: feeding of the 5000, Jesus miracle, Matthew 14:13–21, hope in hard times, compassion, Holy Communion, Christian encouragement, small group sermon, Lutheran preaching, sermon on Jesus feeding the crowd, faith that multiplies