Most Certainly True Podcast

The King Is Coming: Repent

John the Baptist urges believers to repent: to turn from sin with tears and to trust God’s promises with joy.

Sermon on Isaiah 11:1-10 preached at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church by Pastor Brian Hackmann.

Prayer:

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way for your only Son. By his coming give us strength in our conflicts and shed light on our path through the darkness of this world; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

The King Is Coming: Rejoice

The First Sunday in Advent marks the beginning of a new church year. As the crowds on Palm Sunday welcomed Jesus as their King and glorified God for sending peace to earth, we welcome the King who came to us at his Incarnation, comes to us in Word and Sacraments, and will come again at his return at the end of time.

Sermon on Matthew 21:1-11 preached at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church by Pastor Jim Huebner.

Prayer: Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Protect us by your strength and save us from the threatening dangers of our sins; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Trust That the Lord Is Bringing Final Deliverance
This universe will one day end. What is our attitude toward the coming of The End? Knowing that we will be face to face with God and our eternal destiny, what attitude fills our hearts—fear? dread? anxiety? How about faith! Our worship today focuses on trust that he builds in our hearts as we look to his final deliverance.
Sermon on Revelation 22:6-13 preached at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church by Pastor Daniel Bondow.
Prayer:
Almighty God and Savior, you have set the final day and hour when we shall be delivered from this world of sin and death. Keep us ever watchful for the coming of your Son that we may sit with him and all your holy ones at the marriage feast in heaven; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Brace Yourself for the Dreadful Days of the End of Time 

Jesus warns us that the days that precede the end of time will not be easy for believers. Our faith in Christ readies us for these difficult days and gives us confident joy as we look forward to our Savior’s return.

Sermon on Luke 21:5-19 preached at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church by Pastor Aaron Strong.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit that we may always look forward to the end of this present evil age and to the day of your righteous judgment. Keep us steadfast in true and living faith and present us at last holy and blameless before you; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.

Look Forward to the Best Which is Yet to Come

Faith cares little about the details of life in heaven with God but simply looks forward to the day when all believers will be with the Lord forever.

Sermon on Isaiah 65:17-25 preached at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church by Pastor Brian Hackmann.

Prayer:

Living God, your almighty power is made known chiefly in showing mercy and pity. Grant
us the fullness of your grace to lay hold of your promises and live forever in your presence; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Rely on Forgiveness in the Name of Jesus.
At the heart of our relationship with God is his pardon and forgiveness to us through Jesus. We have every reason to celebrate that astounding news as the focus for worship today.

Sermon on Romans 5:6-11 preached at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church by Pastor Jim Huebner.

Prayer: Lord God, forgive the wrongdoing of your people and be gentle with us in our weakness. Deliver us from the bondage of our sin and direct us to the path of righteousness; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Rejoice in the Freedom of the Gospel

This is the truth: God forgives our sins for Jesus’ sake. This truth frees us from the impossible burden of trying to gain life with God on our own. In Christ we have freedom to live in joy and love one another.

Sermon on John 8:31-36 preached at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church by Pastor Daniel Bondow.

Prayer: Gracious Lord, our refuge and strength, pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep
them steadfast in your Word, protect and comfort them in all temptations, defend them against all their enemies, and bestow on the Church your saving peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Persist in Seeking God’s Help

How often can I go to God when I need his help? Does he ever tire of hearing me? Jesus teaches us that faith can always approach God and that he never tires of hearing our requests.

Sermon on Luke 18:1-8 preached at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church by Pastor Jim Huebner.

Prayer: God, our refuge and strength, have mercy on your Church as we come in prayer before you.
Answer us not in judgment on our sins, but in peace and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, your
Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Pastors Bondow and Hackmann discuss the first round of chapters as we grow in responding to people who ask: "Where is God when I'm hurting?" and "Why doesn't he answer my prayers?"

We'll be reading Prepared to Answer using this downloadable PDF schedule.

Guitar music by Troy Hergert, "Acoustic G, Getting There"

Live in Thanks for God’s Grace

What moves us to thankfulness: obligation, propriety, common sense? Thankful living is born in the blessings God bestows on us. We love him because he first loved us.

Sermon on Genesis 8:15-22 preached at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church by Pastor Daniel Bondow.

Prayer: Grant, O merciful Lord, to your faithful people pardon and peace that they may be cleansed from all their sins and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.