GSLCVA Podcast

We often focus on short term gains - the flashy and newest items to satisfy our consumer needs and desires. Instead we should focus on our deeper needs - to consume the lasting and unchanging Word of God, the bread of life. His love is infinite in nature and in Him, with whom we commune, there is richness and food that endures and does not get used up.

We may tell ourselves that God is in control, but do we acknowledge that with the way we meet the challenges of the storms in our lives. Join Pastor James as he discusses the Gospel text of “Feeding the 5,000” and “Jesus Walking on Water,” showing how God is always watching over us and ready to care for us. Just as Jesus took control and cared for His people, when we acknowledge that God is in control, He becomes the one source for strength and guidance.

In today’s message Pastor Johann discusses how Jesus tells us to “rest.” This simple command proves to be difficult at best as we are often consumed by work, so much so that we forget to slow down to reenergize and give thanks to God. By slowing down, taking time to rest, we are able to detect God’s presence and blessing.

And at the end of the sermon, please enjoy the hymn of the day as you reflect on the message

Can you confess, “I am in need?” I hope that you can. But can you also confess, “I am needy, and that is a good thing, because then will I know the strength of God.” It is through the tough times and difficult seasons that God reveals to us that His grace is enough. His strength is enough, more than enough, as we are weak and needy alone and strong and powerful in Christ. God’s grace, his favor, his kindness is all we truly need.

Jesus died for our eternal liberty and promised to provide forgiveness of sins to those who repent. Yet, we are often loath to repent and acknowledge our wrongdoings. When we sin we have two options: To repent and turn to God; OR to try and deny our sins. When people take the way of denial guilt nags them, and they live bound in fear. Through repentance Christ provides freedom from sins and provides forgiveness for true eternal liberty.

On a day like July 4th, when we celebrate freedom, we are again aware that we don’t like to be hindered with a thorn in our flesh. In today’s message we see how St. Paul came to see the thorn is his flesh – his difficulties in life – became the best time to learn from them. As God said to Paul that “His grace was sufficient for you,” so is God’s grace sufficient for each of us as we encounter our thorns on our life’s journey.

And at the end of the sermon, please enjoy the hymn of the day as you reflect on the message

Jesus cares for us during trying times and teaches us that we should not fear but believe in Him. God is love and care and it is God that is responsible for the strength and the support we need during trying times in our lives. With faith as the linchpin of our relationship with God, we are able to see that prayer is not just a solitary issue. It requires people who believe in you and intercede for each other.

Pastor Johann discusses what it is to be a father in this podcast release of his Father’s Day sermon. Join us as we learn how a father should be the kind of man who gives hope, happiness, and confidence to his children. A father can only execute his responsibility for the moral life of the family once he has found hope, happiness, and confidence in God.

Storms are one of the most powerful and disruptive forces in creation. Pastor James states life is not defined by how many storms we encounter. Instead, it is whether we have faith to weather those storms. All of us will encounter storms and it is at such times that our faith will be critical. Just as Jesus calmed the water through words of peace for the disciples, He gives us those same calming words for our lives today.

And at the end of the sermon, please enjoy the hymn of the day as you reflect on the message

Like the tiny mustard seed growing into the greatest of all shrubs we cannot keep the Kingdom of God from growing. Pastor Johann discusses how God’s love is given to us freely and wildly. It is not something we have to wait for. You cannot halt it from coming. It is like the tiniest of mustard seeds that grows and engulfs the whole world like giant weeds. We are all a part of it, and we cannot keep the Kingdom of God from growing.