Concordia Sermons

Pastors Tucker and McIntosh answer your faith-related questions! 1. As a Christian (Lutheran), what is the best way to respond to someone that says they are spiritual, but not religious? 2. Atheists and others say the Bible has many contradictions and mistranslations… how can we know what’s true and what’s not true? 3. Why do we pray for things to happen when God already has a plan? 4. Since Jesus said there is no marriage in heaven, what will our relationship be with our spouse in heaven? 5. What part do angels play in our lives? 6. Will God forgive an abortion if it was medically necessary? I had an emergency at 5th months and was told I needed a procedure ASAP. I’ve carried this guilt around for 7 years that I killed my daughter. 7. How can you ensure that your faith in God stays in tact when the prayers for something you want so desperately are not being answered? 8. What is the “Priesthood of Believers?” 9. Why did God harden Pharaoh’s heart? Does He still harden hearts today? 10. What is the “

Pastors Tucker and McIntosh answer your faith-related questions! 1. What is the Communion of Saints & why it included in the third article of the Creed? 2. What advice do you have for college students trying to pursue their faith? 3. Is salvation a one-time event? How do justification and sanctification come into play? 4. What is the difference between free will and choice? Is it really free will if God already knows what is going to happen? 5. 1 Peter 3:21 seems to link baptism and salvation. Is baptism necessary for salvation? 6. Is it my imagination, or does God seem angry in the Old Testament? I always think of a merciful God not an angry God. 7. Where in Scripture does it say Jesus descended into hell? 8. Did Jesus have brothers & sisters? 9. What does it look like practically to “love thy neighbor”? 10. Do children pay for their parents’ sin?

Believing that God exists is one thing. Believing that you, as an individual, can have access to Him is quite another. In this message, we see how anyone, no matter their background, can have a relationship with God – through His Son, Jesus Christ. John 3:1-2 Leviticus 27:30 Matthew 23:23 Luke 18:11-12 Leviticus 11:45 John 3:3 John 3:5 John 2:6 Ezekiel 36:25, 27 John 3:13 John 14:6

Even if someone believes there is a God, they often wonder if He cares about them or for them. Suffering can make us question God’s goodness. The Bible, though it does not answer every question about suffering, is honest about the human struggle with suffering. This is what we see in history’s most famous sufferer – Job. Job 1:13-19 Matthew 27:46 Job 1:20-21 Genesis 37:34 2 Kings 2:11-12 Matthew 26:39 Psalm 30:5 Job 2:9,10 Job 19:6-7, 25-27 Romans 8:28 Job 42:12 Matthew 27:46

The percentage of people who either believe there is no God, or do not know whether they believe there is a God is increasing. The Bible assumes God’s existence. But is it plausible for us to believe what the Bible assumes? In this message, we look at some clues that point to God’s existence, beginning with what is all around us. 1 Corinthians 14:20 Psalm 19:1-6 Genesis 1:1-2 Psalm 19:7-8 John 1:1-3, 1

Christ is Risen!

Outwardly, growth looks like numbers. On Palm Sunday, Jesus had lots of numbers in the form of huge crowds! Inwardly, however, God can grow the soul even when others forsake us, as what happened to Jesus demonstrates.

When life gets difficult, the best thing we can do is offer thanks to God! This reminds our souls that, ultimately, God’s blessings far outweigh this world’s trials and troubles. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Psalm 103:1 Psalm 103:2-5 Psalm 103:8-10 Psalm 34:1 1 Timothy 4:3-4 Colossians 3:15 Philippians 2:14-16a

There are two ways that people try to fill their souls: by their works or by God’s grace. The way of works never works! It only leaves people empty. The way of grace, however, provides the path our eternal souls are yearning for. Matthew 16:26 Ezekiel 18:4 Romans 7 Romans 3:19-20 Leviticus 13:47, 50-52 Romans 3:21-23 Isaiah 64:6 2 Corinthians 5:17 Genesis 3:15 Galatians 3:24 Romans 3:23-24 Ephesians 1:4, 5

In order to be healthy, the soul must reach beyond itself to the eternal truths of God’s Word. The Word of God refreshes weary souls and forgives sinful souls.

Every person eventually has what St. John the Cross once described as a “dark night of the soul.” When we are in a dark time in our lives, instead of being led by the emotions of our souls, we need to talk to our souls, and remind ourselves that our ultimate hope rests in God.

Most people think of the soul as a nebulous part of them that is mysteriously internal to them. The Bible, however, often uses to the word “soul” to describe the whole of who we are. The soul is what holds us together. When God creates the first man, who becomes a “living being” (verse 7), the Hebrew word behind this phrase is the word for “soul.” When any part of us is off – be it our emotions, our bodies, or our minds – our souls are off.

Ultimately, what we hear and learn from Jesus is supposed to change us. It is supposed to turn us into different people. But the change Jesus wants to make in us is one that leads us into childlikeness and not complexity, humility and not arrogance. During this weekend, we hear some stories of life-change from this series!

As Christians, we have the greatest message and hope in the world. Jesus wants us to go and share the hope that lives in us with the world. When one man declares what Jesus has done for him, it changes the whole region in which he lives. How can we change our regions with the message of the gospel?

Jesus loves to give! This is why He gives His life for the life of the world. Jesus wants us to reflect Him in how we are generous with others. And we don’t need a lot to be generous. With just a little – five loaves and two fish – Jesus can do a lot.

Jesus’ ministry on earth revolved around serving others. This is why He healed people and taught people and, ultimately, died for people. The night before Jesus dies, He gives His disciples a lesson on service. He calls upon us to serve the vulnerable in ways that can make us vulnerable.

Central to Jesus’ mission was forgiveness. Jesus calls us to share the forgiveness we have received from Him with others who have hurt us. And just like Jesus’ forgiveness is limitless, our should be as well.

Every parent has had the frustrating experience of telling their child one thing and then watching them do the opposite. God has the same experience with us. The reason He has given us His Word is because He wants us to live according to His Word. At the end of His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explains that the purpose of his message is not just so that folks can hear some good preaching, but so that they will live according to the preaching.

Every parent has had the frustrating experience of telling their child one thing and then watching them do the opposite. God has the same experience with us. The reason He has given us His Word is because He wants us to live according to His Word. At the end of His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explains that the purpose of his message is not just so that folks can hear some good preaching, but so that they will live according to the preaching.

Concordia is called to shine the love of Jesus in our community! Sometimes, this can be difficult, but we are promised that God will give us strength and will carry out His mission through us according to His desire.