Sermon Podcasts

Ministry. We think about ministry in different ways, but simply put, it’s God’s care for his people—a care that none of us deserves, but that God brings to us in his grace. In an example from the Apostle Paul, we see the purpose God has in giving us that care. All so that, by all means possible, we might know God’s love for us in Jesus—to make us his own forever, and to have us live as his people right now.

Pastor Pat Brown preached this sermon at Bethany’s Lynndale Campus worship on October 17, 2020.

Learn more at bethanyappleton.org

Judgment. What would a fair judgment be for us in God’s eyes? The prophet Ezekiel made it clear: “The one who sins is the one who will die.” The apostle Paul backed him up: “The wages of sin is death.” Based on our sinful record, the only fair judgment from God would be nothing but death. Yet by God’s grace, through the work that Jesus did on our behalf, we as God’s children can expect to have a judgment that is better than fair.

Pastor Pat Brown preached this sermon at Bethany’s Parkway Campus worship on October 11, 2020.

Learn more at bethanyappleton.org

Mercy. It’s forgiveness, love and compassion—whether the receiver deserves it or not. For us, mercy can be easier or more difficult, depending on our own perception of whether someone really “deserves” mercy. Through God’s prophet Jonah, we learn an important lesson about God’s mercy, not only toward us but toward all people. That it doesn’t depend on us—who we are, what we’ve done or how we feel. God’s mercy depends entirely on what’s in the heart of our God—a heart filled with undeserved love for all sinners.

Pastor Pat Brown preached this sermon at Bethany’s Lynndale Campus worship on October 3, 2020.

Learn more at bethanyappleton.org

Better Than Fair Week 1: Forgiveness

If you’re keeping track, it’s not forgiveness. And if you’re thinking you’ve already forgiven them enough, then it’s not forgiveness. Forgiveness comes from grace which means that it’s always undeserved. The first time, the seventh time, the thousandth time. Each time, forgiveness is as undeserved as the time before. And if we ever thought it wasn’t, then it really wasn’t forgiveness. Sound tough? It’s impossible. Yet God’s done it to us, and when through faith we receive his love, we’re able to forgive with his love.

Pastor Pat Brown preached this sermon at Bethany’s Lynndale Campus worship on September 26, 2020.

Bethany Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI

bethanyappleton.org

As Bethany celebrates 20 years of God’s grace and blessing at Our Shepherd Childcare, we consider the gospel account of parents bringing little children to Jesus. Despite the protest of his disciples, Jesus shows us his love for even the littlest of his lambs. Jesus holds these little ones dear, and he holds them up as examples of the kind of simple, saving faith he gives to all his children through the Holy Spirit—the childlike faith to simply believe, trust and turn to Jesus in all circumstances.

Pastor Pat Brown preached this sermon at Bethany’s Lynndale Campus worship on September 19, 2020.

Bethany Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI

bethanyappleton.org

This weekend is Confirmation here at Bethany. As 10 young people make their confirmation vows before God and our congregation, our message focuses on the commitment we all make as God’s people. What exactly is the commitment we make to God as Christians? What does it look like in our lives? Why would we want to do it? And how are we able to make that commitment?

That’s what Paul guides us toward in Romans chapter 12, with the encouragement to offer ourselves as “living sacrifices.” Because that’s the commitment God calls on us to make every day.

Learn more at bethanyappleton.org

Every moment, we face things in life that cause us to fear for our safety and for the safety of those we care about. Safety is always on our hearts because there are so many things in the world around us that give us reason to be afraid. Some of those things are legitimate reasons for fear, some are things that are exaggerated by others as causes for fear. But God’s message for us is very simple: you’re safe.

In Revelation 7, God shows us that even in a world full of scary things, even if the threats don’t go away, we can wake up every day knowing that we are safe in his salvation, and in that safety we can have peace.

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God provided for Israel, and he wanted them to trust that he would continue to provide, day after day. He wanted them to live not storing up in case God’s provision would run out, but expecting that he’d provide. When we are able to expect and trust God’s provision we are free to live without fear, but in trust. And in that trust, we’re able to use our gifts in a regular ongoing way to serve God in his kingdom.

Pastor Pat Brown preached this sermon on August 29, 2020 at the Family Worship Gathering of Bethany Lutheran Church’s Lynndale campus in Appleton, WI.

Learn more at bethanyappleton.org

It didn’t take Israel long to forget the victory that God had given them at the Red Sea. In the chapter following their victory song, there’s a very different attitude on their lips. Doubt and frustration with God come from their hearts. Yet God still provides for their needs.

What sinful attitudes do we bear towards God and his blessings? Entitlement? Discontentment? Doubt? When we can get past what we think we should have and recognize the bounty which we already do, God’s abundant grace causes us to turn to him in repentance and gratitude.

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Just as miraculous as the Feeding of the 5000 was God’s ascendency of Joseph to the position of ruler in Egypt. God moved national politics and global economies (not to mention the life of Joseph himself) to provide for the day to day physical needs of his people, Israel.

We who trust in Jesus are Israel today, and in the same way, God provides for us through natural means and his movement in the world and nature. May we praise him for what we so often take for granted, and learn to live with a heart of trust even if the shelves at the grocery store become a little bare.

Pastor Pat Brown preached this sermon on August 15, 2020 at the Family Worship Gathering of Bethany Lutheran Church’s Lynndale campus in Appleton, WI.

Learn more at www.bethanyappleton.org