When we feel that the world is against us, it is easy to feel self-pity. We make ourselves the victims and wallow in our trouble. Jesus refused to do that, though. Rather, he felt compassion for those he knew would suffer after him and even forgave those crucifying him. Likewise, rather than pitying ourselves, we feel pity for those who have no idea of the destruction that awaits them and want them to know the Father’s forgiveness.

The Bible reading for this message is Luke 23:26-34.

Video for this message can be found here.

This is the fifth 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!

Religious sociologists sometimes divide Christians into two groups: committed Christians and cultural Christians. The former are usually defined as those who are active in a congregation, who pray regularly, who read Scripture, etc. The latter are those individuals who call themselves Christian and perhaps have some Christian beliefs. Yet, they do not strive to live a Christian life. They are not interested in church involvement.

Those definitions are interesting when trying to understand shifts in American Christianity. However, they demonstrate a false assumption about the Christian religion. There is indeed a devoted commitment at the center of Christianity, but it is not man’s commitment to God. Even believers will at times demonstrate lukewarm commitment at best. Instead, at the heart of Christianity we find God’s devotion and commitment to us. It is a devoted commitment so strong that it put God on the cross.

The Bible reading for this message is John 12:20-33.

The video for this worship service can be found here.

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

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

Whether Pilate’s tone was sincere or sneering or something else, he expressed what may be the most important question in our day: What is truth? Pilate clearly was not on the side of truth, at least not Jesus’ truth. We can be tempted to question God’s truth, especially with the seeming uncertainty of everything going on around us. However, God has given us truth in a person: his only Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus stood before Pilate as a real flesh and blood person. He gave his real life as a payment for sin, and his empty tomb is proof of God’s truth that life overcomes death!

The Bible reading for this message is John 18:33-40.

Video for this message can be found here.

This is the fourth 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!

While not every religion uses the word “sin,” they all embrace the concept. Every religion acknowledges that mankind’s flawed attitudes or misguided actions are a source of pain, both now and potentially in eternity. So, every religion offers a solution: a set of laws, a moral code, a path to more enlightened behavior. What do they have in common? We are to solve sin through human effort. Be better! Try harder! This is the heart of every false religion. Those who correctly understand they will never overcome their sin are crushed by guilt. Those who ludicrously believe they have defeated their sin are killed by pride.

True religion offers a better way—one that frees us from guilt and has no room for pride. Jesus teaches that the solution to our sin is not to work harder. It is to trust in the work he has done for us. Salvation comes through Spirit-wrought faith in Christ.

The Bible reading for this message is Numbers 21:4-9.

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

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

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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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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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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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.

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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!

“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!