Sermons from St. Paul Lutheran Church, Westerville, Ohio

According to the world’s standards of power and might, the message of the cross seems stupid and offensive. Yet this word reveals the paradoxical way God has chosen to work power and salvation through weakness, rejection, and suffering. Hence the message of the cross becomes true wisdom and power for believers.

When Jesus gives a command, that command is followed with a promise. Today's Gospel lesson has Jesus giving a command to his would-be disciples along a beach, saying, "Come, follow me..." followed with the promise, "...and I will make you fishers of [people]."When we are baptized we are made God's children and sent to do ministry in God's name. Martin Luther called this the priesthood of all beleivers. God's people fulfill their priesthood in a variety of ways. According to Luther, they are to pray for each other. They are to listen to their sisters' and brothers'. They are to speak God's cheering word of forgiveness and consolation. They are to be agents of God's overflowing goodness by ministering to the poor and oppressed.How is God calling you to ministry today?

Often times when we give gifts, we imagine how the gift will be received. Will they like it? Will they appreciate it? This begs the question: do we give only to those whom we feel are worthy recipients? The grace of God is a gift that God gives us through Jesus Christ. God gives for us not only to have, but also to share. Do we hold back from sharing because of our fear of how God's good news will be recieved?

Sometimes things are ripped, torn, or cut. The funny thing about things that are torn...they never quite go back to the way they once were. Sure, you can use tape, needle & thread, staples, and so on. But even with all those things, something that is torn will never be quite the same.In the Gospel of Mark, the writer uses the word "torn" when describing the heavens opening during Jesus' baptism. What does this mean for us? Click play and explore that and more with Pastor Aaron.