Trinity Lutheran Brillion

Time in God's Word with Pastor Moldenhauer!

The Cross is a Must (Pastor Nathan Moldenhauer)

Jesus isn't asking us to walk a road he hasn't already walked. He went first. He took the cross we could never bear—the cross of God's judgment against sin. And because his cross ended at an empty tomb, we know our crosses are temporary. And life with him is eternal. 

As much as you love Jesus’ cross. As happy as you are to wear it around your neck or on your arm. The comfort it brings when you walk into church. Approach your own cross, whatever that struggle may be, with the same joy. Find joy in saying no to self and sin because of the victory over sin and eternal life that are yours through Jesus, his cross, and his empty grave. Amen.

Time in God's Word with Pastor Moldenhauer!

Sermon: “Who do you say I am?”  (Matthew 16:13-20)   

Pastor Nathan Moldenhauer

Time in God's Word with Pastor Moldenhauer!

THE CHURCH IS FOR ALL PEOPLE

(Reverend Ross Henzi)

Families are interesting, aren’t they.  Families don’t all look alike.  Families don’t all think alike.  Families don’t all have the same personalities.  Families don’t all have the same gifts.  But they belong to one another.  That’s what Jesus creates - people who are different from one another - but united in him.

 So, what does this mean for our congregation?  It means we have to take seriously this banner that stands at the entrance to our church:  welcome!  Because welcoming people isn’t merely about putting a sign near the door, it’s about what happens after they walk through the door.

Here is the question I want you to take home today.  Not simply, “Are all people welcome here?” …but “Who is missing?”  Who isn’t here yet?  Who do I know who is hurting?  Who do I know that needs to be connected to Christ?  Who do I know that needs to hear the gospel but doesn’t know where to begin?    

 And then, ask an even more personal question.  “Am I helping people feel welcome?”  Maybe God has put someone in your path.  Maybe it’s a neighbor.  Maybe a coworker.  Maybe it’s a family member.  I’m sure everyone here has someone in their immediate or extended family who needs to be welcomed once again.  Maybe someone you’ve considered inviting.  You know what Jesus would say, “Invite them.”  Because the church is not ours.  It’s Christ’s.

Time in God's Word with Pastor Moldenhauer!

Christians Answer Doubt with Faith

(Reverend Ross Henzi)

From the outside, Christians may look just like everyone else.  We cry.  We get sad.  We struggle.  We still ask questions.  But inside, something is different.  The Holy Spirit keeps pointing us back to Jesus.

The world answers uncertainty with fear, suffering with despair, and doubt with hopelessness.  But Christians answer doubt with faith.  Not perfect faith.  Not doubt-free faith.  But faith anchored in a perfect Savior.

There is nothing, absolutely nothing - not even your deepest doubts - can separate you from the love of God that is yours in Christ Jesus.  Therefore, when doubt comes knocking, answer it - not with your own strength - but with faith in a Savior who has already conquered every enemy and who has promised to never let you go.  

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Time in God's Word with Pastor Moldenhauer!

"Bring Them Here to Me", Pastor Nathan Moldenhauer

Jesus feeding the 5,000 is recorded in all four gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They all have it. Besides the resurrection, this is the only miracle found in all four. Isn’t that interesting? Certainly, every miracle of Jesus we find in scripture is important and is there for a reason. Every last one proves Jesus is who he says he is. He is the Son of God. Yet, what is it about the miracle of Jesus’ feeding the 5,000 with just five loaves of bread and two fish that God saw fit to tell us about it not once or twice, not three times, but four? Could it be that though we know God’s promise to provide for us here (pointing to the head), we often have trouble believing it here (pointing to the heart)? So what are we to do when we look around and wonder how is this ever going to work? What are we to do when we find ourselves doubting God’s provision?