Most Certainly True Podcast

By nature we ask questions that have supernatural or religious significance.  We yearn to know: Why am I here? Where have I come from? Where has everything around me come from and why does it exist? Where am I going?  What is the point and purpose of life, of joy, of suffering, of death?  What happens after death? Is there a God out there? Am I acocuntable to him?...Religions exist to deal with and provide answers to these questions (page 4).

Why Doctrine?  Why study doctrine?  Why should we read a 560 page book on doctrine and then spend time talking about what we read?  In his Word to us we can know his love for us!

God unveils his existence to us through what we might call "the natural knowledge of God."   In the beauty, complexity and wonder of nature we can know that there is a God.  In the fact that we have a conscience (and that every other has a conscience and it speaks to the same set of moral laws) we can know that there is something higher than us.  And in the coming chapters we see God reveal himself to us in his Word.           

Jesus is the Light amid the darkness.

The sensations of light and darkness are not as acute in our world as they were in a world which knew only torches and candles. We must imagine night without light. But the darkness of confusion, doubt, and sadness are real enough for us, and we rejoice with the ancients who saw Jesus as the Light of the world.

Sermon on Matthew 4:12-23 preached at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church by Pastor Aaron Strong.

Prayer:

Almighty God, you sent your Son to proclaim your kingdom and to teach with authority. Anoint us with the power of your Spirit that we, too, may bring good news to the afflicted, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captive; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.  

Join us in a reading challenge as we behold the Splendor of Christian Doctrine.  We as a church are beginning a journey through a doctrine book called Grace Abounds and we encourage you to join us on the journey.  We'll see what God's Word says to us and how we can apply those truths to our lives.   Find the reading schedule at:

http://www.gracedowntown.org/media/1881/grace-abounds-reading-plan-january-may.pdf

Or in the 'Learn and Grow' section of this website at the link for "Grace Abounds: Reading Challenge" 

We plan to discuss the weekly topic of the readings and chat about how that topic finds meaning and purpose in our lives today!  It's sure to be a fun journey filled with opportunity for spiritual growth.  We hope and pray that you join us and find benefit.   There's also a Facebook page for discussion and an e-mail list to receive reminders and encouragements about the reading challenge.  You can also e-mail questions that will be answered personally and may make their way anonymously into the podcast recording.   We are all very excited to watch God's Grace Abound in the lives and hearts of our participants.       

Jesus Is the Lamb of God

In today’s world, spiritual advice comes from a variety of sources. But because the Son of God came as a Lamb of sacrifice for our sins, we look to him alone as the source of every spiritual blessing.

Sermon on Colossians 2:6-15 preached at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church by Pastor Jim Huebner.

Prayer:

Almighty God, you gave your one and only Son to be the light of the world. Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and believed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Jesus is the Anointed One

At his baptism Jesus bowed to the will of his heavenly Father and took up the task of freeing the world from the horror of sin.

Sermon on Acts 10:34-38 preached at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church by Pastor Brian Hackmann.

Prayer:

Father in heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Keep us who are baptized into Christ faithful in our calling as your children and make us heirs with him of everlasting life; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

The Son of God Shows Us the Father

Do you want to know what God is like? Of course! Why else would you gather with fellow Christians for worship? It is our life’s goal to know and understand our God better so that we can appreciate his love for us all the more. To know God, who he is and what he has done for us, look no farther than his Son. The Son reveals the Father to us.

Sermon on Ephesians 1:3-18 preached at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church by Pastor Brian Hackmann.

Prayer:  Almighty God, you have filled us with the new light of the Word who became flesh and lived among us. Let the light of our faith shine in all that we do; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.  

God’s grace in Christ, the Word made flesh to save the world. They also recall his encouragement to plan their lives carefully and wisely for his glory. 

Sermon on Psalm 90 preached at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church by Pastor Phil Huebner.

Prayer:

Eternal Father, before whom all generations rise and fall, teach us to think earnestly on the brevity of our lives and on the immensity of your goodness. Help us to enter the new year trusting in the name of your Son and walking in the way of his peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Lord Preserved His Son to Redeem His People

The promise had been fulfilled! The Savior is born! But Satan was going to do everything possible to derail God's plan and rob us of the gift of God's love. Oh, the depths of the love of the heavenly Father that he countered the devil's wiles and will by preserving his Son to redeem us.

Sermon on Matthew 2:13-23 preached at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church by Pastor Aaron Strong.

Christ the Savior is Born!

Sermon on Titus 2:11-14 preached at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church by Pastor Aaron Strong.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, eternal Word of the Father, when you became flesh and made your home among us, the heavens were glad and the earth rejoiced. In hope and love we await your return. Help us to proclaim your glory to those who do not know you, until the whole earth sings a new song to you and the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

The King Is Coming: Recognize Who He Is

He asked his followers, “Who do people say I am?” Peter had it right, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” There is no better way to prepare for Christmas in this Advent season that to sharpen our focus on the reason for the season—who the Messiah is and what he came to do.

Sermon on Matthew 1:18-25 preached at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church by Pastor Phil Huebner.

Prayer:

Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Take away the burden of our sins and make us ready for the celebration of your birth, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.