Journey of Life Lutheran Church Podcast

The visit of the magi to the baby Jesus is quite a mysterious event. Nobody really knows where the came from or why they gave the gifts they did. To be certain, the gifts were all valuable. In this message, Pastor John looks at gold, frankincense, and myrrh as representing human life itself. Listen to this uplifting and informative message.

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If Jesus is God’s gift to the world…

And if Jesus lives in and through you…

The conclusion is inescapable: You are God’s gift to the world. How exciting! The ultimate Christmas gift of Jesus is the ultimate gift of purpose and meaning for your own life!

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As we watch the Israelites go through the Exodus, we find them wishing they were back in slavery three different times! They serve as an example of how not to go through tough times. Listen as Pastor John was you through the story of the Exodus and draws out four truths you need during tough times.

Sermon Handout

Four Truths You Need during Tough Times PDF

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In this lesson, we pay some special attention to Balaam and Balak, since they are brought up by Christ as part of what he has against the church at Pergamum. We also talk “hidden manna” and white stones with secret names. Join Pastor John for this episode of the Revelation Bible study.

Teaching Notes

Revelation Lesson 7 – To the Church at Pergamum (2_12-17) Teaching Notes

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Consider the words in your life. How do people speak to you? How do you speak to others? How do you speak to yourself?

On this first Sunday of Advent, we read the account of the creation of the world and fall into sin. What we see is the power of words. Words create. Words destroy. Words bring truth. And words bring promise and hope.

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It’s true. I painted a banana during this sermon.

On this last Sunday of the church year, we read the parable of the sheep and the goats. The sheep are the people who have visited the sick, fed the hungry, etc. They go to the “good place.” The goats are those that didn’t act like the sheep. They go to the “bad place.”

If this parable makes you take stock of your life, that’s a good thing. If this parable leads you to start checking off behavioral boxes on a “how to get what you want from God” list, that is not a good thing.

Here’s an important point from the parable: neither the sheep nor the goats seem to know what they’ve done. The reason is that Jesus wasn’t offering a behavioral list to earn God’s favor. He was describing the way people live who have been touched by God’s mercy and love.

Living like the sheep in the parable is an outgrowth of a changed heart. Jesus had harsh words for those who did the right thing according to the law but neglected justice, mercy, and compassion. He called them painted tombs. They look good on the outside but on the inside, they are full of bones and rot.

Getting your behavior right according to the rules without letting God’s mercy and love do its work in your heart is like painting a rotten banana yellow and pronouncing it edible. It misses the whole point.

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In this parable, a master gives three servants significant sums of money to invest during his absence. When he returns, two have ventured into the marketplace while one hid the money in fear. At first glance, this parable seems like it’s about production. But it’s not. It’s about the servants’ relationship with their master. The master trusted all three servants. But one didn’t believe what the master believed about him. The master trusted him with the money. He just didn’t trust himself. Are you willing to trust what God says about you?

Sermon Notes

Sermon Notes 2017NOV19 PDF

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In the last lesson, we ran across the phrase “synagogue of Satan.” Since “the Adversary” plays a part in the unfolding drama of Revelation, it seemed good to take one lesson to do a thorough introduction to the Devil.

Teaching Notes

Revelation Lesson 6: Satan — Teaching Notes PDF

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Jesus told a fascinating parable about 10 bridesmaids waiting for the groom. Five were unprepared for the long wait and ran out of lamp oil. In the end, they didn’t get to go to the wedding feast. There is joy in this parable (the Kingdom of God is always compared to parties and treasures!) but there is also a sober warning: windows of opportunity pass. What are you putting off that needs to be dealt with?

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In this lesson, we read through and study the words of Jesus to the first church addressed, the church at Ephesus. These words are recorded in Revelation 2:1-7. Be sure to do the previous lessons first. Unlike some other books of the Bible, you really can't skip around Revelation (at least, the first time you go through it). Each lesson builds on what was learned in previous lessons.

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Teaching Notes

Revelation 2, 1-7 Teaching Notes PDF