Trinity Lutheran Brillion

Time in God's Word with Pastor Moldenhauer!

Speak Truth to Power (Reverend Ross Henzi)

Have you ever noticed; it is nearly impossible nowadays to get people to agree on something?  It doesn’t matter the topic.  You can say, “I think Strawberry is the best flavor of ice cream.”  Someone else will counter, “No way.  Chocolate, Blue Moon, even Vanilla is better than Strawberry.”  The same thing happens with politics, religion, science, or even pop culture.  For example, who is the best singer of all time, male or female?  Depending on your age bracket, you are going to get votes for Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, or Taylor Swift - just to name a few.  Everyone has an opinion, and everyone’s opinion is just as important as someone else’s.

So, is there anything that is so compelling, so factual, that everyone would agree to?  In other words, is there absolute truth?  Is there something that is true all the time, in all places and for all people?  Actually yes.  2 + 2 = 4 anywhere in the world.  The sun always rises in the East.  Everyone dies.  These are examples of absolute truth.  No one can refute them.  They are true for everyone, everywhere.

Here is another absolute truth:  Jesus Christ came to this world once and one day he is going to come again.  We believe that.  Many do not.  However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t true.  The day is coming when everyone will bow and acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

We are currently living in that in-between time, the time between Christ’s first and second appearance on earth.  Each new day brings us closer to the end.

Today we begin a new sermon series entitled, The Beginning of the End.  In these days before Christ’s triumphant return, the Apostle Paul instructs us to speak the truth - absolute truth.  

 ·      There is a truth that does not change because culture changes.  

·       There is a truth that does not change because people reject it.  

·       There is a truth that does not change because the world mocks it.  

And that truth is this:  Jesus Christ is Lord.  The cross is still the answer.  Sin is still real.  Grace is still necessary.  The resurrection is still our hope.  And heaven is still our home.  That is the truth we need to hold onto.

Time in God's Word with Pastor Moldenhauer!

What The Father Wants (Pastor Nathan Moldenhauer)

A man had two sons. He went to the first son and said, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.” “I don’t want to.” The son said. “I’m not doing it.” Later he felt remorse, he changed his mind and went to the vineyard. The father went to his other son as well. He said the same thing. “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.” “Yes, sir.” “I will.” The other son said. “I’m happy to.” “I will go to the vineyard.” But, he didn’t. He never went. 

Every parent can relate to Jesus’ parable. You give your son or daughter a household chore. You ask them to empty the dishwasher or take out the garbage. Your child tells you no. “I don’t want to.” You’re shocked at the defiance and disobedience. What? They say no, and then just walk away. There are not many things more disrespectful a child could do to a parent than straight out say no when they’re told to do something. You’re frustrated. You’re angry. Again, shocked. You’re hurt. A half hour later, you walk through the kitchen and your daughter is emptying the dishwasher. She’s doing what you asked. Your frustration and anger melts away. You maybe don’t even say anything. You just keep walking by and smile. You smile, because you know she thought about. She felt regret and remorse for telling you no. She knew it was wrong. She changed her mind. She leaves her room. She does what you asked, completely empties the dishwasher, carefully putting everything where it belongs. She even takes the dirty dishes that had begun to stack up in and around the sink, and puts them in the empty dishwasher. She did what you wanted.

Parents want more than an empty dishwasher, more than the garbage to be taken out when they ask. Parents want more than their child’s respectful words. They desire more than just obedient actions. Parents desire their child’s heart. As a parent, that’s what you’re after, isn’t it? Your Heavenly Father wants your heart. That’s what he’s after. Complete trust in God and his Son – the third Son, our perfectly humble and obedient Savior. Complete trust in our Father’s forgiveness and love will always include a turning away from sin and self. Repent. Believe. Trust. Live. This is what your Father wants. Amen. 

Time in God's Word with Pastor Moldenhauer!

Reverend Ross Henzi

Today we conclude our sermon series based on our congregation’s vision with the word:  Go.  Because eventually, we have to leave the building.  Jesus never intended for the Church simply to gather together, enjoy being together, grow together - and then stay together behind four walls.  Jesus calls us to go.  Listen again, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Time in God's Word with Pastor Moldenhauer!

(Gather,) Grow, (Go) Pastor Nathan Moldenhauer

This is the second of a three-week sermon series on our mission and vision here at Trinity. Our mission is clear. We receive it straight from Jesus: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” “Make disciples!” Now, how do we carry that out in this place and at this time? What does this look like, practically speaking, for Trinity Lutheran Church, in Brillion, Wisconsin, in the year 2026? That’s what is meant by “vision.” We use three words: Gather, Grow, and Go. By God’s grace, this is what we intend to do: 1) We want to gather together for worship. 2) We want to grow in our relationship with our Savior and with each other. And finally, 3) we want to go. We want to take the good news of Jesus beyond these walls, into our community, and throughout the world. 

Time in God's Word with Pastor Moldenhauer!

GATHER - GROW - GO (Reverend Ross Henzi)

Our congregation has a vision:  Gather. Grow. Go.  Three simple words.  But they describe something much bigger.

 ·      We gather so that we can encourage one another.

·       We gather so that we can strengthen one another.

·       We gather so that we can remind one another about Jesus.

Don't underestimate what happens when we gather here in worship.  This isn't just another hour in your week.  This isn't simply a habit.  This isn't simply a tradition.  This is God's family gathering around Jesus.

So, come.  Come when your faith is strong.  Come when your faith is weak.  Come when life is good.  Come when life is hard.  Come when you have answers.  Come when you have questions.  Come when you are joyful.  Come when you are hurting.  Come and gather with God's people around Jesus.  Because we are not meant to walk this road alone.

And because there is something beautiful about God's people gathering together and saying - Jesus is our Savior.  Jesus is our hope.  Jesus is our life.  And together, as we his people, will:  Gather.  Grow.  Go.