Upside-Down Savior - Pastor Nathan Nass

Jesus ascended into heaven where he rules over all things. Do you know what that means for you and me? Who is King? Jesus. Who is our Lord? Jesus. Everything is just a footstool for his feet. Do you hear of wars and rumors of wars? They are under Jesus’ feet. Jesus is my Lord! Is your heart filled with frustrations and fears? They are under Jesus’ feet. Jesus is my Lord! Are you plagued by sin and guilt? Even those sins are under Jesus’ feet. Jesus is my Lord! Life on earth often doesn't make sense. The bad guys often seem to win. But you know the real story: Jesus won! Jesus came to earth to save us, and then he returned to heaven to rule for us. I hope you can listen to this Ascension Day sermon: “My Lord.” Jesus loves you!

If you want to make a list of “Important People Whom God Should Raise from the Dead,” the Bible says, “A single lady with no family.” We say, “Really?” Jesus says, “Absolutely. There is no one more important than her.” If you want to make a list of “Super Important Good Works that Give Glory to God,” the Bible says, “Sewing clothes for widows.” We say, “Really?” Jesus says, “Absolutely. There is nothing better that can be done in my name.” If you want to make a list of “Ways God Carries Out His Will in Our Lives,” the Bible says, “Letting us die.” We say, “Really?” Jesus says, “Absolutely, so that you can rise.” I hope you can listen to this sermon about how God raised Tabitha from the dead: “Pins and Needles.” Just like Tabitha, you matter to God. Your life matters to God. Jesus loves you!

There are a lot of things that Christian churches do. Have you noticed that? What should our church be focusing on? Doesn’t it seem complicated? It doesn’t have to be. Here’s what the first Christian church focused on: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). That doesn’t sound complicated, does it? It’s simple. Church is meant to be simple. That first Christian church devoted themselves to God’s Word and to caring for each other as a family in Christ. Isn’t that what we want for our churches? I hope you can listen to this sermon: “Simple Church.” Jesus loves you!

Every sheep needs a shepherd. At least, that’s what the Bible says. According to the Bible, every person is a sheep. Every person is following someone. It’s just a matter of whom you’re following. So, whom are you following? I hope it’s Jesus. He’s the Good Shepherd! In fact, he laid down his own life to save us. The Bible encourages pastors like me with these words, “Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Every sheep needs a shepherd. I hope Jesus is your Good Shepherd, and I also hope you have a pastor who points you to Jesus. Here’s a Good Shepherd Sunday sermon: “Every Sheep Needs a Shepherd.” Jesus loves you!

We’re constantly surprised by how life goes, aren’t we? From the catastrophes in our world to the sin in our hearts to the unexpected miracles that God performs all around us, we’re constantly surprised by life. But we don’t have to be. When you trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection, you know that anything is possible, right? When you know and believe that God raises the dead, there aren’t surprises anymore. In fact, the reason we’re so often surprised is that we haven’t been paying attention to God’s Word. I hope you can listen to this message of hope based on Jesus’ resurrection and the promises of God’s Word: “Why Does This Surprise You?” Jesus loves you!

Because Jesus rose, you don’t have to be afraid. Because Jesus rose, your home is in heaven. Because Jesus rose, you are forgiven. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Not just for a day. Forever! God wants the Easter message of Jesus’ resurrection to change your life. Because of hope, everything is different. I hope you can listen to this sermon about the hope that Jesus resurrection gives us: “Because of Hope.” Jesus loves you!

“If it’s not a happy ending, it’s not the end.” Have you heard that before? For a Christian, it’s true! One day, because of Jesus, our dead bodies will rise. One day, because of Jesus, our heavy hearts are going to be filled with inexpressible joy. Until then, we have the sure promise of God’s Word. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Jesus died for you. Jesus rose for you. Because of Jesus, your sins are forgiven. Because of Jesus, you have a home in heaven. You can trust him! In every trial, in every heartache, even in the face of death, your risen Savior smiles at you and says, “If it’s not a happy ending, it’s not the end!” I hope you can listen to this Easter sermon. Jesus loves you!

The answer to sin isn’t people sacrificing something to God. The answer to sin is that God sacrificed himself for us. “He has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Hebrews 9:26-28). Jesus sacrificed himself for us once for all to do away with sin. By faith, your sins are forgiven. By faith, your salvation is complete. By faith, eternal life is yours. Want to know if you’re loved? Look at the cross! Want to know if you’re cared for? Look at the cross! Want to know you’re forgiven? Look at the cross! I hope you can read or watch this Good Friday sermon: “Once for All.” Jesus loves you!

There is great joy in seeing the face of someone who loves you. If she could talk, our baby daughter would tell you that. When she sees the face of someone who loves her, a big smile lights up her whole face. There is great joy in seeing the face of someone who loves you. That’s what Holy Week is all about: Seeing the face of the One who loves us. Jesus! This Holy Week, fix your eyes on Jesus. You won’t regret it! See his great love for you. Here’s the Bible’s encouragement: “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2). I hope you can listen to this Palm Sunday sermon: “Fix Your Eyes on Jesus.” Jesus loves you!

Food is a blessing from God, but you and I need more than food. Your soul is hungry too, so feed your soul. Self-control is so hard. I know it! Especially when it comes to food. But realize something: Often your cravings aren’t actually for food or drink. That’s why they don’t go away when you eat or drink something. You are craving something deeper. Something more. Your soul yearns to know that you are loved and special. Your heart longs to be filled with forgiveness and purpose. Your soul is craving the Bread of Life. If you feed your soul regularly, I bet you’ll find it easier not to over-indulge your body. I hope you can listen to this Lenten sermon: “The Seven Deadly Sins: Gluttony.” Jesus loves you!

God’s people often go through difficult times. Contrary to what we expect, being a believer in Jesus does not mean that life is easy. Instead, we get weighed down by the burdens of life, the guilt of sin, and the pressures that every new day brings. Are you going through one of those difficult times right now? Listen to God’s promise: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you” (Isaiah 43:1). No matter what you face, you are not alone. God is with you! You have a Savior—Jesus! He smiles and says: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” I hope you can listen to this sermon: “When You Pass Through the Waters…” Jesus loves you!

Just one little spark can start a wildfire that destroys a million acres. Once a fire gets started, it’s hard to put out. Like lust and adultery. One little spark can start a fire that devastates families and destroys marriage. That’s why the Bible warns: “Do not lust in your heart” (Proverbs 6:25). Do you? Sexual temptations are all around us. From pornography to sexually explicit TV shows and movies, our hearts are constantly exposed to temptation. Watch out! One little spark can set the world on fire and fill your life with shame. Yet, remember who would gather around Jesus to hear him? The tax collectors and the prostitutes. Why? Jesus promised forgiveness and cleansing for those who struggled with sexual sin. He offers those same blessings to you and me. I hope you can listen to this Lenten sermon: “The Seven Deadly Sins: Lust.” Jesus loves you!

A Super Bowl commercial has been getting a lot of attention among Christians. Do you know which one? “He Gets Us.” Did you see it? While it’s certainly true that God “gets” all of us, we need something more. We need God to save us from our sins! He has. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17). Jesus doesn’t just get us. Jesus saves us! I hope you can listen to this sermon about the heart of the God’s message: “He Saves Us.” Jesus loves you!

Isn’t it a blessing to be used by God? God didn’t make you a sloth. He made you with a purpose. He gave you gifts and abilities that other people need. He created you to live in service to God and others. Instead of thinking, “I wish I didn’t have to do anything today,” pray, “God, use me today. Give me opportunities today to serve others. May whatever I do give you glory.” Every day of your life has purpose and meaning, because Jesus gave it to you! So, “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:22-25). I hope you can listen to this Lenten sermon: “The Seven Deadly Sins: Laziness.” Jesus loves you!

“Christianity is foolish.” Do you hear people say that? How about: “Believing in God is so old-fashioned. We’ve progressed beyond needing all those old religious beliefs.” Don’t be surprised. Here’s how the Bible talks about the “foolishness” of Jesus’ cross: “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). God purposefully saved the world in a way that was contrary to human wisdom. In a way that seems foolish. Because it’s not through wisdom that we’re saved. It’s through faith. It’s through believing in the message of the cross. If a being a fool means clinging to the cross of Christ, I’m a fool. I hope you are too! I hope you can listen to this sermon: “The Foolishness of the Cross.” Jesus loves you!

Anger is an awful thing, isn’t it? It consumes our thoughts. It clouds our minds. It leads to foolish actions. Anger is an awful thing. But Jesus offers us another way. Hopefully, you’re familiar with the idea of laying your sins at the foot of Jesus’ cross. Every day, we repent. We humbly lay our sins at the foot of Jesus’ cross and trust in Jesus’ forgiveness. Here’s what we need to learn: To lay other people’s sins at the foot of Jesus’ cross too. Whose sins did Jesus die for? Everybody’s. Instead of angrily carrying the burden of other people’s sins on your heart, lay them at the foot of Jesus’ cross. There you’ll find peace. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:25-32). I hope you can listen to this Lenten sermon about the deadly sin of anger and the forgiveness found in Jesus. God bless you!

There’s one word that we say to God more than any other word: “Why?” I bet you ask God that question. What are your “whys” today? “Why does it hurt? Why did the cancer come back? Why doesn’t she love me? Why do I feel this way? Why can’t I get a job? Why did he die?...” There’s a whole book in the Bible about that. The story of Job addresses this question: Why do believers in God suffer so much? Here’s what we learn: We don’t need to know the “why” to trust in God. When we understand God’s love to us in Jesus, we realize that God is good, all the time, even when his goodness is hidden in sorrow. God gives us the good and the bad. God gives us the glad and the sad. And God asks us to trust in him at all times, even through tears. I hope you can listen to this sermon: “Why?” God bless you!

The life God has given you is the best life for you. Do you believe that? The life God has given you is the best life for you. It’s hard to be content, isn’t it? There’s always something more we want… We need! Whose life would you like to have? Watch out! Envy fills our hearts and robs our lives of joy. When you see Jesus die for you on the cross, God wants to convince you of something: The life God has given you is the very best life for you. The secret to joy in life isn’t having more. The secret to joy in life is gratitude for what God has given you in Jesus. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). I hope you can listen to this Lenten sermon about the danger of envy and the gratitude that comes from Jesus. God bless you!

Do you ever feel like nothing? That’s an awful feeling, isn’t it? Jesus is so good and so powerful and so gracious that he’s able to take even nothing and turn it into something awesome. The end of Romans 8 is the best part of the Bible for anyone who feels like nothing. Since God is for us, who can be against us? Nothing! Since God gave his own Son for us, what will God fail to give us? Nothing! Since Jesus has forgiven you, what can people accuse you of? Nothing! What can separate you from God’s love for you in Jesus? Nothing! I hope you listen to this sermon: “Nothing.” When it feels like you have nothing, when it feels like you are nothing, nothing can separate you from Jesus’ love. God bless you!

Last century, the Christian writer C.S. Lewis wrote a famous book called “Mere Christianity.” In it, he has a chapter on pride. Know what the title of that chapter is? “The Great Sin.” On Ash Wednesday, we heard about the great danger of pride. Pride trusts in its own self-righteousness. Pride looks down on everyone else. Pride wars against God. Pride lives in every one of us. It’s only the grace of God in Jesus that can disarm the pride in our hearts. Life isn’t a competition. You don’t have to make yourself look good. You are lovely, because you are loved by Jesus. In repentance, we turn to God and trust in his mercy: “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13). I hope you can listen to this Ash Wednesday sermon about the dangers of pride and the comfort of Jesus’ forgiveness. God bless you!

This is how we live with hope: You know the rest of the story. When you believe in Jesus, when you trust in his death and resurrection for you, when you listen to his promises of eternal life in heaven, you know the rest of the story. You don’t know how long the pain will last, but you know when it will end: In heaven! You don’t know what twists and turns your life will take, but you know where it will end: In heaven! You don’t know what God has planned for the rest of your life on earth, but you know that one day every sin and tear and fear will be wiped away from your eyes: In heaven! I hope you can listen to this Transfiguration Day sermon: “The Rest of the Story.” God bless you!

The devil goes to church. Did you know that? Actually, the devil does some of his worst work at church. In our sermon this week, we heard how a demon-possessed man confronted Jesus at the synagogue in Capernaum. The devil goes to church to tempt God’s people to turn away from Jesus. But Jesus goes to church too. Jesus showed his power by driving the demon out of that man in Capernaum. In fact, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8). Life is filled with spiritual warfare. There are battles between good and evil going on in your heart and mind each day. But remember this: Jesus has won. Jesus has defeated the devil for us. I hope you can listen to this sermon: “When the Devil Goes to Church…” God bless you!

Jesus had a strange way of trying to attract followers. He told people to repent! As Jesus began preaching, his message was simple: “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). Jesus fished for people’s souls by calling people to repent and believe in him for forgiveness and salvation. But he didn’t stop there. As he called people to follow him, he said, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people” (Mark 1:17). Just like Jesus cares about people’s souls, he sends Christians out to fish for people too, by calling them to repent and find forgiveness in Jesus. I hope you can listen to this sermon about Jesus the Fisherman and how he sends us out to fish for people. God bless you!

One of the simplest characteristics of a Christian is also one of the hardest: Listening. Are you a good listener? Listening is harder than it sounds. Isn’t it more satisfying to have others listen to us than to have to listen to them? But listening is vital for a Christian, because our faith is based on God’s Word, not on our words. In fact, faith itself comes from “hearing the message” (Romans 10:17). If we want to keep growing in our faith in Jesus, it’s important to set our opinions aside, close our mouths, and listen to Jesus speak to us in his Word. Like Samuel in the Bible, God wants us to learn to say, “Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9). I hope you can listen to this sermon encouraging us to listen to God’s Word. God bless you!

Baptisms are surprisingly short. A person has water poured on them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. That’s it. If you were to time a baptism, it would take less than ten seconds. What good does that do? The Bible tells us, “Baptism now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God” (1 Peter 3:21). Do you know what God is able to do in the ten seconds of your baptism? Give you a clear conscience. That’s his pledge to you! When you were baptized, God washed away all your sins—past, present, and future. God put his Holy Spirit into your heart. God made you his child. I hope you can listen to this sermon about the blessings of baptism: “Baptism Now Saves You.” God bless you!

Who is wise? That’s a harder question than it sounds. There are lots of different ways to measure wisdom: IQ, college degrees, work experience, business success… Who is wise? Here’s what the Bible says: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). Want to be wise? It’s not about your education level or your work skills or your IQ. True wisdom is trusting in Jesus. Like the wise men long ago, learn to drop everything and seek Jesus where he is to be found. In his Word. In the Sacraments. Then you will be wise. Because “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” I hope you can read or watch this Epiphany sermon. God bless you!

I bet the first Christmas didn’t go according to Mary’s plan. She suddenly had to give birth to her first child far away from home and place him in a manger. Surprise! That’s not the type of birth any mother would wish for. Yet, Jesus’ birth wasn’t a surprise to God. In fact, the Bible says, “When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son” (Galatians 4:4). What seems like a surprise to us is not a surprise to God. Instead, it’s all part of God’s perfect plan for his children. If God over thousands of years perfectly planned out every detail of your salvation, do you think he has a plan for your life? Of course he does! When you see that Jesus was born for you and then lived for you and died for you, you realize that you can trust God’s plan. In everything. No matter what. I hope you can listen to this Christmas Day sermon: “(Not a) Surprise!” Merry Christmas!

“Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14). The Christmas bells are ringing. Can you hear them? “Peace, peace, peace…” There are still wars, but the bells are ringing… “Peace on earth.” Because you have peace with God. You are forgiven! There are still people who reject you, but the bells are ringing… “Peace on earth.” God loves you! He always will. There might be sickness changing all your plans, but the bells are ringing… “Peace on earth.” Nothing changes what Jesus has done for you. There might be worries about the future, about money or children or our country, but the bells are ringing… “Peace on earth.” You can trust the One who died for you. Are you looking for lasting peace this Christmas? I hope you can listen to this Christmas Eve sermon: “The Bells Are Ringing…” Merry Christmas!

On Christmas night, the angel proclaimed to the shepherds, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10). The Bible often uses a special word that means “good news.” Know what it is? The “gospel”! The Bible is filled with the “gospel”—the good news of Jesus our Savior. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, this week’s sermon used the whole book of Romans in the New Testament to share what the good news of the Bible is for sinners like you and me. In a world filled with so much bad news, I hope you can read or watch this sermon about God’s good news: “My Gospel.” “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).

Jesus is our King. Know what that means? It might look everything is falling apart, but it’s actually all going according to Jesus’ plan. It might look like life is spinning out of control, but it’s actually all in Jesus’ hands. It might look like everyone is rising up against Jesus, but Jesus laughs. Jesus is not worried. He’s in perfect control. So you don’t need to worry either. Ever. I hope you can listen to this Advent devotion: “Jesus Our King: Blessed Are All Who Take Refuge in Him.” God bless you!

Are you poor? Brokenhearted? Captive? A prisoner? Mourning? Grieving? Ashes? Despair? Then here is what Jesus has done for you: He proclaims good news. He binds up the brokenhearted. He proclaims freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. He comforts all who mourn and provides for those who grieve. He turns funerals into weddings. I hope you can listen to this sermon about the true meaning of Jesus’ coming at Christmas: “Because He Came…” No matter what you’re facing, Jesus brings good news for the poor and hope for the brokenhearted. God bless you!

Jesus is our perfect Priest. We don’t talk about priests very much these days, but the fact that Jesus is our Priest is at the heart of the Bible’s message. Here’s what Jesus did: “He sacrificed for your sins once and for all when he offered himself” (Hebrews 9:27). Those words “once and for all” were written down for you. Every sin was paid for at the cross. Once and for all! Your sin was paid for at the cross. Once and for all! Jesus is our Priest who offered himself once and for all to take away the sins of the world. Can you feel the relief? Can you feel the peace of Jesus’ forgiveness? God wants you too. I hope you can read or watch this Advent devotion: “Jesus Our Priest: Once and For All.” God bless you!

As different as we all are, there is something that we all need: Comfort. What has weighed down your heart lately? Maybe a divorce. Or sickness. Or guilt for a sin. Or the death of a loved one. Or depression or anxiety. Life is hard, isn’t it? So here’s what God commanded his prophet Isaiah: “Comfort, comfort my people” (Isaiah 40:1). No matter what you’re facing, God wants to comfort you today. No matter what breaks your heart, God wants to give you hope today. Every suffering has an end date. Every sin has already been paid for at the cross of Christ. God has plans for you life that you can’t possibly imagine. I hope you can listen to this Advent sermon: “Comfort My People.” God bless you!

We’re all following somebody. We’re all listening to somebody. With YouTube and podcasts and blogs and constant news, we’re all turning to someone for the truth. Have you found it? Moses long ago told God’s people where to find the truth: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him” (Deuteronomy 18:15). Who is the true Prophet who tells us the truth from God? Jesus! So, listen to him. With all the voices swirling around you, listen to Jesus who tells you the truth about God’s grace and forgiveness for sinners like you and me. I hope you can listen to this Advent devotion: “Jesus Is Our Prophet: Listen to Him!” God bless you!

The word “Advent” means coming. In Advent, we prepare our hearts for two different “comings” of Jesus. We prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmas, and we prepare for Jesus to come again on Judgment Day. So here’s the big question: “When? When is Jesus coming back? When will the world end?” Here’s what Jesus says: “No one knows.” The date of Jesus’ return is hidden from us, so that every day matters to us. When is the day to repent and believe in Jesus? Today! When is the day to be prepared for Jesus to come back and judge the living and the dead? Today! I hope you can listen to this sermon about Jesus’ 2nd coming on Judgment Day: “No One Knows.” God bless you!

We human beings have very selective memories. It’s so much easier to remember the bad than the good. It’s so much easier to forget the good than the bad. That’s why the Bible encourages us, “Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). That last phrase is so important: “Forget not all his benefits.” The solution to the discontentment that so often fills our hearts is gratitude for all of God’s blessings, from the food we eat to the salvation Jesus won for us on the cross. Every day is a day for us to thank God for all his blessings. I hope you can listen to this Thanksgiving sermon: “Forget Not All His Benefits.” God bless you!

Jesus wants us to be ready for the “Day of the LORD”—for Judgment Day. Every big day in life—whether good or bad—is meant to remind us that Jesus is coming back. When there is a catastrophe, when there is a great victory, remember that the day of the LORD is coming. It will be more terrifying than September 11th. But it will also be happier than your wedding day. We should be afraid of Judgment Day, but we don’t have to be, because Jesus died for us, and “everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” (Joel 2:32). I hope you can listen to this sermon about Judgment Day: “The Day of the LORD.” There is nothing more important in life than to be ready for the day of the LORD. God bless you!

The Bible says, “blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on” (Revelation 14:13). Death is scary. There are so many awful ways to die! But here’s what’s not scary: What happens when you die. A Christian who dies is blessed, because we go to paradise with Jesus. We know what we deserve for our sins—the worst. But we trust in what Jesus has done for us: Everything. Like the rebel on the cross next to Jesus, we pray, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” I hope you can listen to this sermon: “Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise.” God bless you!

Grace alone. Faith alone. Scripture alone. That is the message of Bible. That is the heritage of the Lutheran Reformation. A Lutheran believes that was are saved by grace alone. By faith alone. By Scripture alone. So what does that look like? What does it look like to live life by faith? Today on Reformation Sunday, we heard one example: Daniel. Daniel lived by faith. Even when he was thrown into a den of lions, he trusted in God’s promises, and God rescued him, “because he had trusted in his God” (Daniel 6:23). I hope you can listen to this Reformation sermon: “By Faith.” God bless you!

Just like in America today, politics in ancient Israel were complicated and divisive. In fact, Jesus’ enemies tried to use politics to get Jesus to sin. Of course, it didn’t work. Even in the realm of politics, Jesus knew exactly what to say. When asked whether believers in God should pay taxes, he said, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:21). When Jesus said those words, he was teaching that we live in two different kingdoms at the same time. We live in the kingdom of God by faith in Jesus our Savior. We also live in an earthly kingdom with an earthly government put in place by God himself. As politics swirl around us, I hope you’ll listen to this sermon based on Jesus’ words: “Give to Caesar What Is Caesar’s and to God What Is God’s.” God bless you!

Weddings are a one-in-a-lifetime event, especially when they involve someone you love. If your son or daughter or grandchild is getting married, you’ll take off work, fly across the country, and do whatever is necessary to be part of their special day. You don’t want to miss the wedding of someone you love. So don’t miss God’s wedding invitation to you. The whole Bible is a love story whose grand conclusion is a wedding banquet with all expenses paid by God himself. God wants you to be at his wedding feast in heaven. The Bible says, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” (Revelation 19:9). I hope you can listen to this sermon about Jesus’ Parable of the Wedding Banquet: “The Wedding Planner.” God bless you!

God is patient. Incredibly patient. In fact, you could say that God is almost recklessly patient. He is patient with us beyond the limits of human patience. But even God’s reckless patience doesn’t last forever. He wants us to repent of our sins, trust in Jesus, and produce good fruits of faith in our lives. I hope you can listen to this sermon about one of Jesus’ parables: “Reckless Patience.” What will you do with God’s patience today? God bless you!

It’s easy to say we’re going to do something. Do you know what’s hard? Actually doing it. Would you agree? It’s easy to say we’re Christians. It’s easy to say we follow Jesus. Do you know what’s hard? Actually doing what Jesus says. So the Bible gives this encouragement: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). Jesus told a parable about that. He told a story to illustrate the importance of not just saying the right things, but actually doing them. Thankfully, in that same parable, Jesus reminds us what God wants most: For us to repent of our sins, believe in Jesus, and be saved. I hope you can listen to this sermon: “The Church Is Full of _______.” God bless you!

One of the hardest things for us to truly understand is God’s grace. Grace is God’s undeserved love for sinners. Why is that so hard to understand? Because we always think we do something to deserve it. “I’m better than she is because…” “God should love me because…” “If anybody’s going to make it into heaven, it’s me because…” So Jesus tells us a story—a parable. When you hear it, it’s probably going to drive you crazy, because it sounds like God isn’t fair. What Jesus teaches us is that if God doesn’t seem to be fair, it’s because he’s so gracious. “By grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). I hope you can listen to this sermon: “God’s Not Fair.” God bless you!

It’s hard to forgive. Would you agree? It’s easy to be bitter. It’s easy to harbor grudges in our hearts. It’s easy to be angry. It’s hard to forgive. At least it was for Peter. Peter once asked Jesus how many times he needed to forgive his neighbor. There’s got to be a limit, right? Instead, Jesus taught Peter that a Christian forgives every time. How? Well, because that’s how often Jesus has forgiven us. It’s Jesus’ forgiveness for us that empowers us to forgive others. Here’s how the Bible puts it: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). I hope you can listen to this sermon: “Do You Know What’s Been Done for You?” God bless you!

God loves you so much that he tells you when you’re wrong. God cares about you so much that he’s willing to tell you, “No!” Contrary to the popular idea today that love accepts everything, that love praises everything, the Bible teaches us that true love means confronting sin, so that we and others can repent, turn to Jesus for forgiveness, and be saved. God says, “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11). I hope you can listen to this sermon: “Tough Love.” God bless you!

The cross proves that Jesus knows you, and he still loves you. Do you believe that? Jesus knows what you’ve done to him. Jesus knows what you’ve said about him. Jesus knows what you’re really like, and he still loves you! Jesus knows what you’ve done to others. Jesus knows what you’ve said about others. Jesus knows what your heart has wished against others. And he still loves you! God has seen you at your worst, and do you know what he did? He died for you. This is the heart of grace. Jesus knows you, and he still loves you. I hope you can listen to this sermon: “Look on the One You Have Pierced.” God bless you!

Jesus does it all. Some days your heart is filled with guilt. Regret. Sin. Where can you turn? Jesus. He died for you. He’s your Priest! Other days your heart is filled with worry. Fear. Doubt. Where can you turn? Jesus. He reigns for you. He’s your King! The One who reigns over everything loves you enough to die for you. The One who loves you enough to die for you reigns over everything. The One who gave up everything for you has all power. The One who has all power gave up everything for you. Can you see how this works? The One who saves rules. The One who rules saves. I hope you can listen to this sermon: “Christ the King-Priest.” God bless you!

It’s easy to feel discouraged and depressed. It’s easy to doubt God’s love and care for us. It’s easy to wonder if we’re all alone. If things will ever get better. Do you ever feel like that? God’s people often did in the Bible, especially in the days of the prophet Zechariah. So do you know what God did? He gave them one beautiful promise after another. You are not alone. You are loved. You are special. To God, you are “the apple of his eye” (Zechariah 2:8). I hope you can listen to this sermon from Zechariah 2: “The Apple of God’s Eye.” Jesus loves you!

Who is your shepherd? According to the Bible, all of us are sheep. Every one of us is following someone. Who is your shepherd? How much is your shepherd worth to you? According to the Bible, there are lots of false teachers in our world, who preach their own ideas for their own personal gain. They encourage us to build our lives on sand. But then there’s Jesus. He didn’t come to be served, but to serve us and save us by giving his life for us. He encourages us to build our lives on him—the Rock! I hope you can listen to this sermon from Zechariah 11: “The Price of Our Shepherd.” God bless you!