The unbelieving world has always insisted on putting God on trial. As our society becomes more secular, we Christians are increasingly aware of the many ways in which God—and his people—are judged. Temptations are many in this environment, so how do we live as people of God in this hostile world? We find our model—and our motivation—in Jesus. This midweek series takes us back to the moments when God was literally on trial before humankind in the person of Christ. In these inspired episodes, we find forgiveness for us and all people, love for our enemies, strength for our faith, and courage to testify to the truth.

The Bible reading for this message is Luke 23:1-12.

Video for this message can be found here.

This is the third in our midweek Lenten worship series: God on Trial.

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Remember your Savior Jesus loves you! May he bless you with his grace!

Person A never attends worship. He can’t see the point. Person B attends every week out of a slavish sense of obligation. Her mind wanders during the services, for she views the activities of worship merely as tasks for her to complete. Who is worse off? Rather than debating the point, let us just admit neither understand the true worth of worship. And that is exactly what Satan wants.

Many think worship is about what we do for God. It is the other way around. As we gather around Word and sacrament, the Spirit moves us to love and trust in God above all things. Moved by the cross of Christ, we bow down before our God. We commune with him. And that’s exactly what God wants.

The Bible reading for this message is John 2:13-22.

Video for this message can be found here.

This is the third in our Lenten worship series: Rethinking Religion.

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Messages from the King is produced by King of Kings Lutheran Church in Maitland, FL.

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Remember your Savior Jesus loves you! May he bless you with his grace!

Contrast Jesus inside and Peter outside. Jesus was respectful, yet he boldly confessed the truth about who he is. Peter fell all over himself to avoid having to make such a confession. We weep at our failures, yet rejoice in Jesus’ perfect witness in our place.

The Bible reading for this message is Matthew 26:57-75.

Video for this message can be found here.

This is the second in our midweek Lenten worship series: God on Trial.

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Messages from the King is produced by King of Kings Lutheran Church in Maitland, FL.

To find out more about King of Kings...

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Remember your Savior Jesus loves you! May he bless you with his grace!

Reconciliation is a process of bringing together two people or groups in conflict with each other and restoring their relationship. Yet how do most people view reconciliation? Is it two opposing individuals or groups coming together in the middle or is it the expectation that one side will come all the way over, while the other does not budge? Most people in conflict with others take the latter view. “I will only be friends with that person or that family or that group if they reconcile with me.”

Where does such a self-centered view of reconciliation come from? It comes from our own sinful natures that want “my way or the highway.” We all naturally have that attitude when it comes to God and his will. Yet in grace—undeserved love for sinners like us, God did the unthinkable. He did all the work and yet reconciled us to himself. He sent his Son, forgave our sins, and restored us to loving him once again. So then, what will we do with that reconciliation? We are called to take that message of reconciliation with God out to the world!

The Bible reading for this message is 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.

Video for this message can be found here.

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Messages from the King is produced by King of Kings Lutheran Church in Maitland, FL.

To find out more about King of Kings...

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Remember your Savior Jesus loves you! May he bless you with his grace!

We live in an emotionally charged, partisan world. It is important to remember that those against us, like Malchus, are fellow sinners with names and souls, themselves being led astray. There’s no need to attack. If Jesus is in control, as he clearly demonstrates, we can show restraint, even love, just as he did, without sacrificing what matters most.

The Bible reading for this message is Luke 22:47-53.

Video for this message can be found here.

This is the first in our midweek Lenten worship series: God on Trial.

Support the show

Messages from the King is produced by King of Kings Lutheran Church in Maitland, FL.

To find out more about King of Kings...

• Please visit VisitKoK.com
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Remember your Savior Jesus loves you! May he bless you with his grace!

“If God loves us, why doesn’t he remove all the trials and tests and temptations that we face?” That question demonstrates the religious assumption that those things are bad. They aren’t. In the hands of a loving God, they are tools by which he refines our faith. He uses tests as a way to compel us to be less self-reliant, and instead trust in his strength. He uses trials to teach us that this broken world is not our true home. God even takes Satan’s temptations and uses them for our good.

Trials, tests, and temptations are not exceptions to God’s love. That’s a false assumption! These are examples of God’s love. Proof is that God allowed his beloved Son Jesus to face trials and temptations, so that he might be our perfect savior and substitute.

The Bible reading for this message is Genesis 22:1-18.

This is the second in our Lenten worship series: Rethinking Religion.

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Messages from the King is produced by King of Kings Lutheran Church in Maitland, FL.

To find out more about King of Kings...

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Remember your Savior Jesus loves you! May he bless you with his grace!

That potential promotion at work. The third date, which will signal if there is real potential in this relationship. The test this Friday, which will determine if you make honor roll or not. The game on Sunday with the playoffs on the line. So many things that compete for our attention! It’s easy to think of religion as just another of many activities to cram into our schedules. Sometimes, perhaps, the schedule is just too crowded.

So, Jesus lovingly whispers into our ear, “Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust.” Those are the words spoken as a dead body is planted in the ground. The reality is that our time in this world is so short. After comes eternity, spent in one of two very different places. Jesus wants us to grasp that somber truth so we rethink where he should fall among all our priorities. Death can come at any time. So now is the time to cling to Christ in true repentance. Not later. Now. There is no higher priority.

The Bible reading for this message is Joel 2:12-19.

Video for this message can be found here.

This is the first in our Lenten worship series: Rethinking Religion.

Support the show

Messages from the King is produced by King of Kings Lutheran Church in Maitland, FL.

To find out more about King of Kings...

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• Email us @ [email protected]

Remember your Savior Jesus loves you! May he bless you with his grace!

At his baptism, Jesus heard his Father’s glorious voice: “You are my Son, whom I love” (Mark 1:11). From that day, in word and deed, Jesus began to reveal more about himself. He demonstrated the extent of his authority and power and love. Along the way, we had an epiphany. Jesus has to be the very Son of God! Yet, Jesus looked so normal, like an ordinary carpenter or your average rabbi or just another prophet. Until today. We have traveled from the river to the mountain. Today, on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus gives us a glimpse of his true glory. As we see him in his dazzling brilliance, the Father speaks again, this time to us: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

The Bible reading for this message is 2 Corinthians 4:3-6.

Video for this message can be found here.

This is the final installment in our Epiphany worship series: Know Jesus, Know Joy.

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Messages from the King is produced by King of Kings Lutheran Church in Maitland, FL.

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Remember your Savior Jesus loves you! May he bless you with his grace!

During this season of Epiphany, we have seen Christ’s divinity, his authority, and his power. Yet as Jesus has revealed himself, one aspect of his character shines through again and again—his care as our Savior. Time and again, we have seen Jesus’s care for sinful individuals, who are struggling with illness or fear or the power of a demon. Today we will see Jesus reveal himself as the Savior who cares for ordinary, hurting, broken, sinful people just like us. In doing so, we see his care was not just for the hurting in one location, but for all of us everywhere. Praise God that we have a Savior who cares for us!

The Bible reading for this message is Mark 1:29-39.

Video for this message can be found here.

This is the fourth message in our Epiphany worship series: Know Jesus, Know Joy.

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Messages from the King is produced by King of Kings Lutheran Church in Maitland, FL.

To find out more about King of Kings...

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Remember your Savior Jesus loves you! May he bless you with his grace!

Authority is the power to determine what happens, the ability to give direction or even commands. Authority is limited. Authority is limited in duration. Parents have authority over their children until they grow up and move out. Authority is limited in scope. A governor has authority over the people of his state only, not the neighboring state. Authority is limited by levels. A manager has authority over employees unless the company owner—a higher authority—demotes him. Authority is limited in duration and scope. It is limited by higher levels of authority. 

This week we see that there is one man—only one!—who has absolute authority. There is no one, not even the demons, who is outside his authority. As the Son of God there is no higher authority than Jesus. And his authority is everlasting. But here is the best part of this epiphany: Jesus graciously uses his absolute authority for our benefit and blessing. 

The Bible reading for this message is Mark 1:21-28.

Video for this message can be found here.

This is the third in our Epiphany worship series: Know Jesus, Know Joy.

Support the show

Messages from the King is produced by King of Kings Lutheran Church in Maitland, FL.

To find out more about King of Kings...

• Please visit VisitKoK.com
• Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/visitkok)
• Email us @ [email protected]

Remember your Savior Jesus loves you! May he bless you with his grace!