GSLCVA Podcast

Are you a sinner? Can sinning or waning faith cause you to become unsaved? Join us today as Pastor James discusses the unique Lutheran theology of grace, faith, and Scripture. By listening to Jesus and following Him, we are linked by faith. We are not saved by a plan of salvation but by the man of salvation. We are saved by His grace and His gift of eternal life, a gift that is in His grasp proving that once we are saved, we are always saved.

Saul was zealous about his faith and was the least likely person to become a Christian. Through Ananias, a believer, Jesus saved Saul, the least likely of disciples. Join us today as Pastor John discusses how Jesus came to save us and give us eternal life. By supporting and encouraging others' commitment to Jesus, we are able to see him act in incredible ways as we take up the cross and follow him daily wherever he takes us.

Hiding is an inevitable part of being human. We hide to avoid reality, our vulnerability, and our mortality. Most of us choose to hide in a beautiful place in hopes of never being discovered or disturbed. Join us today as Pastor James discusses how Jesus’ will calls us to stop hiding and realize that we do not have to hide anymore. Jesus says, “Peace be with you” not to promise us safety but to give us His peace.

We have followed Jesus to the cross, the tomb, and now we follow Jesus out of the tomb as He rises from the dead and appears to another witness to Christ: Mary Magdalene. Mary is chosen to be this eyewitness, and she exclaims to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” Mary is the first to see Jesus’ resurrected glory and proclaim the good news that we speak again and again today, “Alleluia! Christ is risen!”

Our journey to follow Christ, through witnesses to Christ, arrives at the cross. Tonight, we view Christ on the cross through the eyes of the Apostle John. By John’s witness, we view Jesus beaten and bloodied. We hear His words of forgiveness and fulfillment. We see Jesus shed His blood for the life of the world. Join us as Pastor Johann discusses Christ’s love for us and His gifts of forgiveness and salvation.

Betrayed by Judas, one of the 12 disciples. Betrayed by Judas for 30 pieces of silver. Betrayed by Judas with a kiss – imagine that, a kiss! Jesus was betrayed for us. Join us as Pastor Johann discusses how the betrayal of Jesus reminds us of the forgiveness, life, and salvation that Jesus provides for us in the Lord’s Supper. May we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we journey ever closer to the cross.

Palm Sunday is the account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. It marks the day that the followers of Jesus grew up and assumed their roles as active witnesses to God’s truth and way. Join us today as Pastor Johann discusses how Palm Sunday is our chance to show what God looks like, what His mercy looks like, and for us to find our voice and allegiance to the Prince of Peace.

Pontius Pilate was a witness to Christ who consented to order Jesus’ execution. Pilate may wash his hands and proclaim his own innocence in the death of Jesus, but Pilate is guilty. Instead of doing what is right, Pilate is complicit in the death of Christ. Pilate’s failures make us examine our own complicity in the evil of others. How have we deceived ourselves in proclaiming innocence? Thanks be to God that our journey to the cross shows us Jesus’ forgiveness.

He who dies with the most toys still dies. Yet society still desires the pleasures of having more possessions. This attitude fails to recognize that having more does not bring significance to life. Join us today as Pastor James discusses how knowing Christ is more than being religious. It is as easy as saying “yes” to the gift of faith and letting Christ take up residence in your life and filling you with his love. 

Barabbas was a heartless, brutal criminal, with anger in his heart and blood on his hands. Custom dictated that Pontius Pilate should release one prisoner at the feast of Passover. Pilate knows Jesus is innocent, but the crowd demands that the guilty Barabbas receive a pardon. We are Barabbas. We are guilty and sinful and deserving of death. But we are also Barabbas in that Jesus takes our place, takes our punishment, and sets us free.