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Grace Alone Online

Grace Alone Online

By Greg Klotz

Weekly sermons from Grace Lutheran Church, 195 Alvarado Avenue, Pittsburg, California, 94565
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"Go and Make Disciples?" Matthew 28:16-20 - (September 29, 2019 - 16 Sunday in Pentecost)

Grace Alone OnlineSep 29, 2019

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19:36
"A Nation of Sheep" - Mark 14-15 - (March 24, 2024 PALM SUNDAY)

"A Nation of Sheep" - Mark 14-15 - (March 24, 2024 PALM SUNDAY)

Palm Sunday and Jesus rides into Jerusalem. “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (John 12:13). Wow, the crowds were ecstatic! But today is also called the “Sunday of the Passion,” because by the end of the week the crowds are shouting, “Crucify him!” (Mark 15:14). Have you ever wondered why the crowd changed its tune?   The Bible doesn’t explicitly tell us why, butwe can make several intelligent guesses.

Mar 24, 202417:40
"If You Knew Susie..." - Mark 10:32-45 - (March 17, 2024 - LENT 5)

"If You Knew Susie..." - Mark 10:32-45 - (March 17, 2024 - LENT 5)

Back in 1925, Eddie Cantor took the nation by storm with his roaring-twenties hit:  “If you knew Susie, like I know Susie, oh, oh, oh what a gal!”  Everyone wanted to know Susie, and who wouldn’t. She was lively, fun, a party girl.  She was the center of attention when she walked into the room.  This was the 1920s – a decade of extravagance, free and wild living, and she was wild.  Whatever it was that Susie had, it was working for her.  She smiled when she was supposed to, posed for the camera at every opportunity.  She did all the right things at the right time to get noticed in all the right ways.  Every girl wanted to be like Susie: popular, fun, energetic.  Who wouldn’t?

But…after the last kiss at the door and her suitor drove away. Susie probably entered an empty apartment, turned on her bedroom light, peeled off her flapper fringe party dress, her eyelashes.  She then sat at her vanity, took her cold cream from the top drawer, and began removing the makeup from her face. 

Mar 17, 202417:54
"Leaving Grief Behind" - Numbers 21:4-9/John 3:14-21 - (March 10, 2024 - LENT 4)

"Leaving Grief Behind" - Numbers 21:4-9/John 3:14-21 - (March 10, 2024 - LENT 4)

Lent is a somber time, although we do know this season ends in joy, don’t we?.  Yes, Christ is risen; your Savior is alive but in LENT you take the time to focus on repentance and your need for what you know is coming on Easter.  Lent is part of your journey toward eternity with Christ.  Paul says, “God’s patient kindness [towards all those living] is meant to lead you to repentance.” (Romans 2:4). So, during this time of year, you reflect on you and your life with a repentant heart. And, obviously, your repentance should be sincere – not just going through the motions, for God searches your heart. In a nutshell, Lenten repentance is done, knowing with confidence that God forgives those who look up to Him.

John’s Gospel passage today presents you with two reminders to carry you through your Lenten journey: (1) you remember your sins, and (2) you look upon on the cross of Christ for the forgiveness of those sins.  

Mar 10, 202417:04
"Leaving Folly Behind" - 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - (March 3, 2024 - LENT 3)

"Leaving Folly Behind" - 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - (March 3, 2024 - LENT 3)

In preparing for today’s sermon, I came across a Bible passage that describes me very well. At least it describes me most of the time. Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” Yup, sometimes that thought has crossed my mind. It’s not that I’m a thoroughgoing atheist. Church people get upset by atheism and there’s been a new surge of atheism in recent years. But I have plenty of atheist-like moments meaning, I don’t trust the power of the cross of Jesus Christ, as if it were never there – never happened. Paul says, “The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Mar 05, 202412:44
"He Gets Us?" - James 1:12-18; Mark 1:9-15 - (February 18, 2024 - LENT 1)

"He Gets Us?" - James 1:12-18; Mark 1:9-15 - (February 18, 2024 - LENT 1)

When you travel, there are some things you need to leave at home. You need to travel lighter. You may leave your rock collection, for example. But, you might want to take your blood pressure medicine. Those are physical things. What about leaving behind attitudes or emotions. For instance, you’re going to a family reunion for 2 weeks and uncle Ned who talks non-stop, or cousin Genie who can’t stop smoking in close quarters. When you get in the car or plane, you prepare yourself emotionally, and adjust your attitude, “It’s only going to be two weeks. I can handle it.” And when you get there, you check your attitude at the door. But on our journey through this world, as Christians, let’s talk about our possible attitude: complacency. Let’s leave complacency behind.
Feb 18, 202418:28
"Ch Ch Ch Changes" - Mark 9:2-9 - (February 11, Transfiguration Sunday)

"Ch Ch Ch Changes" - Mark 9:2-9 - (February 11, Transfiguration Sunday)

I remember walking through the woods near our house several times in the Fall, trying to find a cocoon.   We studied about it in science.   I wanted to find one, put it in a jar, and watch it turn from caterpillar to butterfly.   I never found one, and I never saw it happen. In the early Christian church, the symbol for the resurrection was, you guessed it, a butterfly.   Before becoming a butterfly, a caterpillar falls into a death-like swoon and encloses itself in a tomb-like casing only to emerges later a beautiful butterfly. The early Christian symbol was an expression of faith, that believers too will awaken from their sleep with new lives in transformed glorified bodies, as was Christ when He walked out of the tomb. The transformation process from caterpillar to butterfly is called metamorphosis.

Feb 11, 202417:52
"Interruption" - Mark 1:21-39 - (February 4, 2024 - Epiphany 5)

"Interruption" - Mark 1:21-39 - (February 4, 2024 - Epiphany 5)

I hate interruptions.  Don’t you?  Interruptions distract from your final goal and purpose.  Sometimes I get so absorbed in what I’m doing, I just can’t be distracted until I’m finished.  For instance, the interruption of having to go to the garage to find the tool you need, and then when you’re there forget why you’re there.  Man, that’s the worst interruption.  Now you must take time, think and retrace your steps, go back to where you started to jog your memory of what you needed.  You remember and start out once again for the garage.  I hate interruptions.

There is an interruption in our reading today.  It’s the Sabbath, and Jesus takes his first disciples – Simon, Andrew, James and John – to church with Him. It was an interesting experience, to say the least. For all the times that these four men had gone to church, they had never seen anything like what they were about to see on this Sabbath Day.

Feb 04, 202418:44
"King of the Hill" - Mark 1:21-28; 5:1-20 - (January 28, 2024 - Epiphany 4)

"King of the Hill" - Mark 1:21-28; 5:1-20 - (January 28, 2024 - Epiphany 4)

When you were a child, did you ever play King of the Hill?  Do you remember the game?  We used to play it on the monkey bars at recess or climbing to the top of a mound of freshly plowed snow in the bank parking lot – that’s how we played most of the time.  The rules were, first one who pushed and shoved their way up to top was King of the Hill.  But the game didn’t end there.  It continued because the king had to show his or her dominance by pushing off all pretenders to the crown.  It was a show of strength and power. 

Well, most childhood games reflect on and prepare us for life in the real world. I’m saying that individually, and so also in society, we can’t help but play King of the Hill.  It’s in our flawed DNA.  It reveals our true nature: “someone has to be on top and it’s going to be me.” Today we talk about POWER and AUTHORITY as it appears in our Gospel texts.   

Jan 28, 202421:42
"What's Your Net Worth?" - Mark 1:14-20 - (January 21, 2024 - Epiphany 4)

"What's Your Net Worth?" - Mark 1:14-20 - (January 21, 2024 - Epiphany 4)

Jesus spoke to a crowd of people on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. For everyone to see and hear Him preaching he asked Peter to let him board his boat and push out a bit from the shore.  With people standing on the shore, and fishermen in the boat, Jesus preaches and teaches about the kingdom of God – to repent and believe for the Kingdom of God was at hand.

Then, in a seemingly random way, Jesus tells Peter, “Push out to deeper waters and let down your nets.” Peter does, and the nets nearly broke from so many fish that they had to call James and John to help them pull in the catch.

We might think, “OK, Jesus did this to show that He was the Messiah so that they would follow Him.”  People look for signs, wonders, miracles to prove things.  But there is something much deeper the way Luke tells the story, deeper than the sea of Galilee.  Jesus links the nets of the fishermen with the preaching of His Word. Let’s revisit the story.

Jan 21, 202420:20
"Can Anything Good Come From Nazareth?" - John 1:43-51 - (January 14, 2024 - Epiphany 2)

"Can Anything Good Come From Nazareth?" - John 1:43-51 - (January 14, 2024 - Epiphany 2)

Can anything good come out of Pittsburg? Can anything good come out of Antioch? Or let’s be more specific: Can anything good come out of Grace Lutheran this year? Those may be the kinds of questions in the minds of the people with whom we meet and talk. And the attitude behind the questions would be a rather dubious one. Believe it or not, some people may think of an old Lutheran congregation with an old church building, without a large contemporary music and worship services the way they think of seemingly backward and rural towns…..worthless and out of date. Grace Lutheran?  Where’s that?  And this, in turn, can create doubts and even embarrassment in your own minds. You might become reluctant or even ashamed to speak up for and invite people to our church.

Jan 14, 202424:03
"We Don't Need Another Hero" - Luke 3:15-22 - (January 7, 2024 - Epiphany Sunday

"We Don't Need Another Hero" - Luke 3:15-22 - (January 7, 2024 - Epiphany Sunday

Who is your favorite superhero, or hero? Do you have one? Can Jesus be considered a superhero? What might the difference be? As we remember His Baptism on this day, we understand the reason why God decided to gift us our Baptisms. Our Baptism is meaningless unless Christ goes into the water with us. Find out why.

Jan 07, 202423:02
"Timing is Everything" - Galatians 4:1-7 - (December 31, 2023 - Christmas 2)

"Timing is Everything" - Galatians 4:1-7 - (December 31, 2023 - Christmas 2)

Timing is everything.  To be funny, the punch line of any joke needs to be said at the right time.  If not, the whole joke is ruined, the point doesn’t get across.  When delicate discussions need to take place, you choose the right moment to begin the conversation. Just like you carefully consider when and how to deliver a punch line to a joke, or when and how to approach someone to talk about a potentially explosive subject, Paul considered which Greek word to use which, in English, simply translates as “time”.  In English we have only this one word, but for Paul the Greek language offered two choices.

Dec 31, 202319:57
"A Light To Lighten Your Darkness" - Luke 2 - (December 24, 2023 - Christmas Eve)

"A Light To Lighten Your Darkness" - Luke 2 - (December 24, 2023 - Christmas Eve)

It's Christmas Eve! Tonight's sermon features Caravaggio's Nativity painting you can find here: https://mwerickson.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/caravaggio-nativity1600.jpg

Dec 26, 202315:38
"Be Born in Us Today Bringing ... POWER" - Exodus 15:1-6 - (December 24, 2023 - Advent 4)

"Be Born in Us Today Bringing ... POWER" - Exodus 15:1-6 - (December 24, 2023 - Advent 4)

Arching over the life of every Christian is the great sacred story of the mighty acts of God. This sacred story is highlighted by the displays of power and strength which mark God’s victories over God’s enemies. And in scripture, with God’s victories, God’s people sang in response. The victory songs of the Bible are not rich with personal bravado or chest-pounding strength. They are not even celebrations of nations like a national anthem. Rather, these victory songs all celebrate God—who God is and what God does.

Dec 24, 202316:44
"Tiny Mouth, Tiny Hands" - MIDWEEK ADVENT devotional - (December 20, 2023)

"Tiny Mouth, Tiny Hands" - MIDWEEK ADVENT devotional - (December 20, 2023)

For the next three Wednesdays there will be an ADVENT DEVOTIONAL of storytelling.  Please take time and reflect as we await Christ's birth. Music used in this devotional:


“Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming,” Vocal Majority, from the album The Spirit of Christmas

“Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song),” Amy Grant, from the album Home for Christmas

“Sleep Precious Babe,” George Beverly Shea, from the album A George Beverly Shea Christmas

“Mary did You Know,” Vocal Majority, from the album The Spirit of Christmas

“What Child is This,” Gaélica, from the album Luz Navidad Celta Venezolana

Dec 20, 202323:32
"Be Born in Us Today Bringing....GUIDANCE" - Psalm 31:1-5 - (December 17, 2023 - Advent 3)

"Be Born in Us Today Bringing....GUIDANCE" - Psalm 31:1-5 - (December 17, 2023 - Advent 3)

Much like being lost in a dead-end trail deep in a forest, David prays for deliverance and rescue from his oppressors by asking God to be is rock and fortress to guide and lead him. He confesses that this is exactly what God is for him, a rock and fortress. He has complete trust that God will lead and guide him out of this situation.  David’s specific plea is that God lead and guide him “for His name’s sake.”  What does David mean; what is it to pray "according to His name sake?"

Dec 17, 202319:06
"The Night in the Stable" - MIDWEEK ADVENT devotional - (December 13, 2023)

"The Night in the Stable" - MIDWEEK ADVENT devotional - (December 13, 2023)

For the next two Wednesdays there will be an ADVENT DEVOTIONAL of storytelling.  Please take time and reflect as we await Christ's birth.  Music used in this devotional:


“Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine [feat. Ted Williams],” The William’s Duo, from the album A Pennsylvania German Christmas

“Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine,” the Festival Consort, from the album Renaissance Glory – Christmas with the festival Consort

“Silent Night,” Frank Sinatra, from the album Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra

“Away in a Manger,” Alan Jackson, from the album Let it Be Christmas

“All is Well,” Vocal Majority, from the album The Spirit of Christmas

Dec 13, 202322:32
"Be Born in Us Today Bringing...RENEWAL" - Isaiah 40:21-31 - (December 10, 2023 - Advent 2)

"Be Born in Us Today Bringing...RENEWAL" - Isaiah 40:21-31 - (December 10, 2023 - Advent 2)

This second Sunday in Advent we focus on being renewed through Christ in us. Images abound throughout Scripture as metaphors for descriptions of the human condition. Strength is easily depicted as a lion, or an eagle soaring through the air. But how might you picture weariness or hopelessness? What object, animal, part of nature, might describe weariness or hopelessness? Isaiah has a message for you, as we explore some of these images.

Dec 10, 202321:42
"I Love Christmas" - ADVENT 1 MIDWEEK Devotional - (December 6, 2023)

"I Love Christmas" - ADVENT 1 MIDWEEK Devotional - (December 6, 2023)

For the next three Wednesdays there will be an ADVENT DEVOTIONAL of storytelling. Please take time and reflect as we await Christ's birth. Music used in this devotional:

“It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas,” Bing Crosby, from the album Christmas

“Here Comes Santa Claus,” Gene Autry, from the album The Christmas Album

“O Little Town of Bethlehem,” Gene Autry, from the album The Christmas Album

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” Vocal Majority, from the album The Spirit of Christmas

“Put Christ Back Into Christmas,” George Beverly Shea, from the album A George Beverly Shea Christmas

“Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne,” George Beverly Shea, from the album A George Beverly Shea Christmas

Dec 06, 202320:53
"Be Born in Us Today Bringing...Blessing" - Genesis 12:2 - (December 3, 2023 - Advent 1)

"Be Born in Us Today Bringing...Blessing" - Genesis 12:2 - (December 3, 2023 - Advent 1)

Our series opener this Advent season fosucing each week on Be Born in Us Today. what does Christ bring us? today we focus on His blessings. From among the many, he calls Abraham to carry the seed of his promise to save the world. He calls you, out of the darkness, to enter His marvelous light.

Dec 04, 202316:28
"From Here to Eternity" - Matthew 25:31-46 - (November 26, 2023 - Christ the King Sunday)

"From Here to Eternity" - Matthew 25:31-46 - (November 26, 2023 - Christ the King Sunday)

The concept of eternity is difficult to grasp.  We could describe eternity as “timeless” but we use “timeless” differently than “eternity”.  For example, a diamond ring is timeless beauty.  The ruins of Egypt are timeless.  But Pastor Greg’s sermons are an eternity; they are not timeless.

Jesus had 33 years of time to teach about the impending day of judgment.  We have, at best, 80 years to come to terms with faith and judgment.  Today, we end the church year; next Sunday we begin a new year with Advent.  Today, we focus on the Judgment Day and the coronation of Christ our King of eternity; next Sunday we focus on the birth of that king and begin another cycle of the church year.

Nov 27, 202322:29
"More Than Gravy" - Luke 17:11-19 - (November 22, 2023 - Thanksgiving Eve)

"More Than Gravy" - Luke 17:11-19 - (November 22, 2023 - Thanksgiving Eve)

I love a phrase from Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol.  Scrooge says to Marley’s ghost, “There’s more gravy than of the grave about you.”  Scrooge doesn’t believe what he sees standing before him, namely Marley’s ghost.  He thinks the apparition is caused by some bad foo he ate.  This thanksgiving, I’m sure more than one of us will be like Scrooge, not believing what we’re seeing because we are more stuffed than the turkey we ate.

The traditional Gospel text for Thanksgiving is from Luke 17 about the healing of the Lepers.  As we read it, our attention is specifically drawn to the Samaritan leper as the one who returned to give thanks to Jesus. Luke makes sure we know that this leper is a Samaritan. 

Nov 23, 202316:52
"You Reap What You Sow?" - Matthew 25:14-30 - (November 19, 2023 - Pentecost 25)

"You Reap What You Sow?" - Matthew 25:14-30 - (November 19, 2023 - Pentecost 25)

Pause for a moment and think about a most beloved gift you’ve received.  For me, it was a camera.  I always played around with my dad’s camera, my mom’s camera, my dad’s Bell and Howell 8mm movie camera – not video.  Finally, when I was thirteen, my parents gave me a Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic 500 Single-Lens Reflex with a screw-thread lens mount developed by Zeiss and Praktika corporations during World War II. 

Sharing joy is one part of the message in our parable of the Talents this morning.  The way Jesus tells this parable, it flows out of the prior parable; the parable of the Ten Virgins.  It lets us know we should consider this parable as an extension to the parable of the Ten Virgins.

Nov 19, 202322:55
"Eyes on the Prize" - Matthew 25:1-13 - (November 5, 2023 - All Saint's Day - Pentecost 23)

"Eyes on the Prize" - Matthew 25:1-13 - (November 5, 2023 - All Saint's Day - Pentecost 23)

Even for the most devout Christian, today’s parable and the next three makes us feel insecure, fear, or perhaps doubt.  They make us take account of our faith and our actions, our sincerity, our devotedness to follow Jesus.  Both Jesus’ and Matthew’s intent, however, is to prepare themselves for Judgment Day with vibrant faith which fuels their daily lives and relationships with others.  You, and only you, are held accountable to be faithful both in your confession of Christ as your Savior, and in leading a life of love and mercy, fueled by that faith.

These next three parables are a call to be prepared and to not let your guard down in a world that would swallow you, and your faith, whole.  It is Christ who overcomes fear and doubt and you must keep your eyes and live your lives on Him.  He is the prize.

Nov 05, 202320:22
"The Wedding Crasher" - Matthew 22:1-14 - (October 29, 2023 - Pentecost 22 (Reformation)

"The Wedding Crasher" - Matthew 22:1-14 - (October 29, 2023 - Pentecost 22 (Reformation)

Our parable is the last of a series about mercy and judgment.  Jesus tells this parable sometime between Palm Sunday and Good Friday.  This parable not only summarizes Jesus’ earthly ministry but also anticipates His upcoming resurrection from the dead.  It focuses on the wedding feast of His second coming and a king who sends out invitations to the that festal day.

Oct 29, 202320:54
"Don't Shoot the Messenger!" - Matthew 21:33-46 - (October 22, 2023 - Pentecost 21)

"Don't Shoot the Messenger!" - Matthew 21:33-46 - (October 22, 2023 - Pentecost 21)

Don’t shoot the messenger.  What a great saying.  Say it and you evade all responsibility related to the message.  “Don’t blame me, I’m just the messenger.”  However, killing the messenger would be the most effective way of killing the message.  This is what lies behind Jesus’ parable today: the Parable of the Tenant farmers, as it is commonly known.

Oct 22, 202320:54
"Goofus and Gallant" - Matthew 21:23-32 - (October 15, 2023 - Pentecost 20)

"Goofus and Gallant" - Matthew 21:23-32 - (October 15, 2023 - Pentecost 20)

As a child, I was asked to do chores around the house.  I was asked, and then didn’t do them.  But, as a child I enjoyed watching my dad plant the garden, pick fruit from the tree, and mow the lawn with the cylinder blade push lawn mower we had.  I studied how he mowed and collected the grass on the hottest of summer days.  Although I neglected to do chores most of the time, one summer day, when I was around 10 or 11, I decided to work in the yard and be like my father.  My dad was at work, and my mom was not home.  I decided to help mow the lawn.  I got the lawn mower out of the garage and started cutting back and forth across the front lawn, just like my dad.  In part, this illustration may serve to help understand our parable for today.

Oct 15, 202318:55
"That's Not Fair!" - Matthew 20:1-16 - (Ocrober 8, 2023 - Pentecost 19)

"That's Not Fair!" - Matthew 20:1-16 - (Ocrober 8, 2023 - Pentecost 19)

Do you remember an AT&T commercial, where a female AT&T vendor is handing out lollypops to a boy and a girl?  She wants to show that AT&T is giving away the best deals to ALL customers; those who have been faithful customers as well as the new ones who sign up.  She illustrates how other companies mistreat their customers by giving the girl a small lollypop, but to the little boy she gives a BIG lollypop.  The little girl is astonished and immediately cries out, “It’s not fair.”  Really, that’s pretty much all of us, isn’t it?  You’re all about fairness when it comes to getting what you want.

Oct 08, 202321:05
"Owner of a Broken Heart" - Matthew 18:23-35 - (October 2, 2023 - Pentecost 18)

"Owner of a Broken Heart" - Matthew 18:23-35 - (October 2, 2023 - Pentecost 18)

It’d be nice if things still came with ‘strings attached’ so that we might know if it’s as perfect as it sounds or if there aren’t some hidden flaws. It’d be nice to know if that ‘great deal’ that sounds too good to be true, really is, or if it has ‘strings attached.’ Like if at the bottom of contracts or clauses, a proof-reading lawyer might attach saying.  “Spoiler alert!  There are strings attached!”  Sometimes you might wonder if the grace of God FOR YOU and His forgiveness for all my sins might not also have ‘strings attached.’  You mean to say that after having received all this grace upon grace that now I’m expected to BE GRACIOUS to others and FORGIVE others who sin against me?

Oct 01, 202315:42
"You Ain't Nothin' But a Hound Dog" - Matthew 18:1-20 - (September 24, 2023 - Pentecost 17)

"You Ain't Nothin' But a Hound Dog" - Matthew 18:1-20 - (September 24, 2023 - Pentecost 17)

When parables judge and condemn, it appears they don’t square with what WE WANT the kingdom of God to be like.  Take Peter, for instance. One time, Peter thought He knew what the Kingdom of Heaven was.  But when Jesus said, “the Son of Man must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised,” Peter took Him aside and said, “This shall never happen to you.” (Mat. 16:21-22) That’s NOT what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. How embarrassing for Peter.

Sep 24, 202319:36
"Where's Waldo?" - Matthew 13:44-46 - (September 17, 2023 - Pentecost 16)

"Where's Waldo?" - Matthew 13:44-46 - (September 17, 2023 - Pentecost 16)

With today’s parable, we reach the end of Matthew 13.  In the Sower and the Seed we saw how the kingdom is sown through God’s word.  In the parable of the wheat and the weeds we saw how we live in the kingdom of God, producing fruit for harvest.  And we saw how this kingdom starts so small like a mustard seed and harbor in its branches all those who hunger and thirst.  Today’s parable describes the joy of living in God’s Kingdom. 

Two key concepts that we see repeatedly in Jesus’ parables is hungering and thirsting and the word righteousness.  Way back in Matthew 5 Jesus said,  “blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they will be satisfied.”  We know what it is to hunger and thirst, but how would you define righteousness.  Rather than define these, they define themselves these examples of how we live.

Sep 18, 202319:54
"Hold the Mustard" - Matthew 13:31-33 - (September 10, 2023 - Pentecost 15)

"Hold the Mustard" - Matthew 13:31-33 - (September 10, 2023 - Pentecost 15)

In today’s parable, Jesus chooses a seed other than wheat.  He describes God’s kingdom using a mustard seed. When we hear mustard seed, we all most likely go to the Matthew 17 passage where Jesus says, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain over there…”. Remember that teaching?  At some point in your life you probably fixated on something and tried to move it to see if you had even that little bit of faith….and proved to yourself that you don’t.  Disappointed….you don’t even have faith the size of a mustard seed.  But Jesus tells this parable between the parable of the wheat and weeds, and its explanation as promise and hope – to call people to Him; not as something the people had to do. 

Sep 11, 202315:21
"Weed Whacker" - Matthew 13:24-30, 37-43 - (Septembe 3, 2023 - Pentecost 14)

"Weed Whacker" - Matthew 13:24-30, 37-43 - (Septembe 3, 2023 - Pentecost 14)

Autumn is just around the corner and although wheat has been harvested long ago in June, the idea of harvest still comes to mind.  October fest is coming, or, as they say in German, “Oktoberfest is coming.”  The time to celebrate the good plants and destroy the weeds that grew with it!  Jesus follows his parable from last week, the Sower and the Seed, with end-times harvest talk.  Today’s parable is the Weeds and the Wheat.

Sep 03, 202318:58
"Sow What!" - Matthew 13:3-23 - (August 27, 2023 - Pentecost 13)

"Sow What!" - Matthew 13:3-23 - (August 27, 2023 - Pentecost 13)

How many of you are farmers?  I Didn’t think so.  How many of you have planted a garden?  I thought so?  Even if you are not a farmer or a gardener, you probably have a general knowledge of plants and how they grow. Israel was an agricultural society.  It was natural for Jesus to use gricultural imagery like seed, soil, growth, harvest, fruit, even weeds in his parables and teachings.  The whole of chapter 13 has agricultural parables, and these are the most in-depth revelation of what the kingdom of God is like, and how one lives in the kingdom.  Our parable today is the well-known Parable of the Sower; a parable that many misunderstand. 

Aug 27, 202322:29
"Play by the Rules!" - Matthew 11:16-19 - (August 20, 2023 - Pentecost 12)

"Play by the Rules!" - Matthew 11:16-19 - (August 20, 2023 - Pentecost 12)

Your kids are playing.  Suddenly you hear, “Hey you cheated.”  A theater director in rehearsal suddenly shouts to an actor, “Wait, that’s not what you are supposed to say.  Stick to the script.”  In the army, everyone is marching on their right foot; you are on your left.  Drill Sergeant Conlin shouts out, “Soldier, get back in line!”  A quick corrective and everyone is on their way: playing nice, acting with Oscar-quality, and the soldier no longer trips everyone up.  Rule-makers are in authority, and they always want you to play by the rules.

Like in a play, our scene in Matthew is about to play out and things look out of line. The script seems to be changing.  Someone is cheating and not playing by the rules. The question is, “Who has the authority to make those changes?

Aug 20, 202319:44
"She's a Brick House!" - Matthew 7:15-27

"She's a Brick House!" - Matthew 7:15-27

Way back in 1977, the Commodores had a hit single, “She’s a Brick House.”  Go ahead, get it out of your head.  Sing it.  Then stop.  Owning a home has been part of the American probably since the 1950s, when the economy was booming and it was possible.  At that time, of course, houses were brick. 

And that’s only one way today’s parable about homes in the Middle East is different from your sturdy, safe and secure house in the East Bay.  For the Israelites in the time of Jesus, there were no ICBMs or cluster bombs to threaten secure homes, but there was Rome.  Rome destroyed all the secure homes about 40 years after Jesus.  This threat to homeland security lends itself to Jesus’ parable.

Aug 13, 202318:32
"Old Dog; New Tricks" - Matthew 9:14-17 - (August 6, 2023 - 10th Sunday in Pentecost)

"Old Dog; New Tricks" - Matthew 9:14-17 - (August 6, 2023 - 10th Sunday in Pentecost)

We begin our study of parables in Matthew today. Exciting new revelations about god's kingdom will begin at the beginning of Jesus' ministry and carry us through Matthew's Gospel. how many times do you misinterpret the parables. Most people do. Find out why and how they really apply to your life and walk with Jesus.

Aug 06, 202317:28
"Inseparable" - Romans 8:28-39 - (July 30, 2023 - PENTECOST 9)

"Inseparable" - Romans 8:28-39 - (July 30, 2023 - PENTECOST 9)

Do you ever worry that God has given up on you? That he’s finally had enough and is ready to kick you to the curb? It’s like God is thinking: “Oh, my goodness! There he goes again! Haven’t I told him often enough not to do those things? What am I going to do with this one?” Yeah, how could God put up with a supposed Christian as lousy as I am? So I wonder if I’m going to make it with God all the way to the end.

Or maybe you think God has forgotten about you. I mean, look at all the troubles you’re having. You don’t have enough money. Your income is going down. Your expenses are going up. Your health–well, it’s one thing after another. Your life is a mess. Some of the people closest to you have deserted you. And you think: “Maybe God has deserted me, too. He doesn’t seem to care. Nothing is changing for the better. I mean, come on!”

Jul 30, 202312:42
"It's Cosmic, Dude" - Romans 8:18-27 - (July 23, 2023 - 8th Sunday in Pentecost)

"It's Cosmic, Dude" - Romans 8:18-27 - (July 23, 2023 - 8th Sunday in Pentecost)

Is religion private?  Something that exists only between you and God?  Many people have this idea, although it has nothing to do with what Scripture teaches.  It is very “American” to think so, since our society is based on individualism.  But the concept is still contrary to the teachings of the Bible.  Nowhere in Scriptures will you find that more clearly than in Romans 8

Jul 23, 202316:12
"Zombies All Around" - Romans 8:12-17 - (July 16, 2023 - the 7th Sunday in Pentecost

"Zombies All Around" - Romans 8:12-17 - (July 16, 2023 - the 7th Sunday in Pentecost

The Walking Dead is a great commentary, a spiritual commentary, on our world today. Are we to fear the Zombies? Are Zombies all around us? Fear abounds in our world today, with unanswered questions about what to do when pandemics, or zombies, lurk about. What do you do?

Jul 18, 202313:40
"Come Unto Me..." - Matthew 11:25-30 - (July 9, 2023 - PENTECOST 6)

"Come Unto Me..." - Matthew 11:25-30 - (July 9, 2023 - PENTECOST 6)

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Here in this verse from today’s Gospel, Matthew 11:28, Jesus issues a gracious invitation and makes a wonderful promise. “Come to me” is the invitation, and “I will give you rest” is the promise. And to whom does he address this invitation and promise? To “all who labor and are heavy laden.” What is it, then, to labor and be heavy laden, to be weary and burdened? What does Jesus mean by that?

Jul 09, 202320:30
"A Sword, A Cross, and a Life" - Matthew 10:34-42 - (July 2, 2023 - Pentecost 5)

"A Sword, A Cross, and a Life" - Matthew 10:34-42 - (July 2, 2023 - Pentecost 5)

Today Jesus tells us that he came to bring us three things: “A Sword, a Cross, and a Life.” Are you sure you want these things? Let’s find out. Our text is the Gospel for today, from Matthew chapter 10. Jesus has been instructing his disciples in this chapter, preparing them for what they’re getting themselves in for. And it’s not going to be a bed of roses. Because some of these roses are going to have thorns. Are you ready for this?

Jul 02, 202315:41
"Fear to Follow" - Luke 5:27 - (June 25, 2023 - Pentecost 4)

"Fear to Follow" - Luke 5:27 - (June 25, 2023 - Pentecost 4)

Have you ever been afraid to follow someone or something?  Afraid to follow into battle?  Afraid to follow hikers hiking along the side of a cliff?  Afraid to dive with other children into the pool for the first time? Doubting? Not wanting to commit? Today we wrap up our sermon series called Stop Being Afraid. I’m calling this sermon, “The Fear of Following.”  In Luke 5:27 Christ says to Matthew, “Follow me.” Christ doesn’t say, “Follow your feelings.” Or, “follow your dreams and your desires.” Christ doesn’t say, “Follow the crowd, the clique and the culture.” No. Christ says, “Follow me.” 

Jun 25, 202314:37
"Walk Away From the Shell..." - Acts 2 (June 18, 2023 - Pentecost 3)

"Walk Away From the Shell..." - Acts 2 (June 18, 2023 - Pentecost 3)

Last month I finally broke down and bought a shell. It’s a brand new, state-of-the-art shell. Tailor-made. Top-of-the-line. My shell is better than body armor and thicker than an army tank. Why did I buy a shell? To protect me from all the world’s pain. Now when I meet people who don’t know Jesus and who don’t care to know Jesus, my shell keeps me safe. And when I see hunger, poverty and racism, it all bounces off my shell. My shell is great! I don’t feel a thing! Are you living in a shell? We continue our sermon series Stop Being Afraid! with a common fear: the fear of commitment!

Jun 18, 202315:30
"Silence of the Lamb" - Ezekiel 2:1-3:3 - (June 11, 2023 - Second Sunday in Pentecost)

"Silence of the Lamb" - Ezekiel 2:1-3:3 - (June 11, 2023 - Second Sunday in Pentecost)

Guys, do you remember how you felt the first time you made plans to ask a girl for a date?  Just how you would ask, where you would meet her to ask, etc.  Maybe you even called a few times but hung up fearing if she were to reject you? And, if so, what could you do to make her accept you? Ladies, might you remember a time you wanted to tell your crush just how you felt? But didn’t… for fear of rejection.  What about the first time you went shopping on your own as a teenager.  You bought new clothes, shoes, make-up only to have your mother or father say: “No.  You can’t wear that.”  Rejected. In our sermon series Stop Being Afraid we look at the fear of being rejected.  You can be rejected for anything in our world today.

Jun 11, 202321:12
"In the Name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit" - Acts 2 - (June 4, 2023 - Trinity Sunday)

"In the Name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit" - Acts 2 - (June 4, 2023 - Trinity Sunday)

Today is Holy Trinity Sunday, the Sunday in the church year when we praise God through readings, songs, and the use of our longest creed: the Athanasian Creed, by which we confess most completely our faith in the Triune God revealed through Scripture: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Today we begin Trinity Season of the church year.  This year started with Advent and Christmas, the birth and passion of Christ.  It continued with Lent and Easter in Christ’s death and resurrection.  God’s promises were fulfilled in the Ascension of Christ to reign with the Father and pouring out of the Holy Spirit for all to come to faith, as John says, “But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God’s children— children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband’s decision, but by God.” And so, now, the second part of Peter’s Pentecost sermon makes total sense on this Trinity Sunday.  We celebrate our salvation completed and given freely by the true God, whom we know and confess as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Jun 04, 202319:34
"Peter Preaches Perched on a Porch" - ACTS 2 - (May 28, 2023 - PENTECOST SUNDAY)

"Peter Preaches Perched on a Porch" - ACTS 2 - (May 28, 2023 - PENTECOST SUNDAY)

This is a sermon in two-parts. The first part is today, the second part is next week. There are some interesting things that happen at Pentecost. Why the tongues of fire? Why preaching on the porch? Why so many languages? What does this have to do with you and me? We're taking a different approach to the traditional Acts 2 material to look at Pentecost in a new way.

May 30, 202318:06
"Enough isn't Enough" - Matthew 6 - (May 21, 2023 - 7th Sunday in Easter)

"Enough isn't Enough" - Matthew 6 - (May 21, 2023 - 7th Sunday in Easter)

"Enough is enough!" A phrase we often use to express that we are fed up with someone or some thing. But, most of the time, for mot people, "enough is not enough," ever! People seem to never have enough time, enough money. They never pray enough, work enough, study enough, etc. Continuing the sermon series, "Stop Being Afraid," we explore the fear of anxiousness, about not being sufficient. These fears start with one word: enough! Really, fears of a future unknown as it relates to your insufficiency, having enough, doing enough, stockpiling enough, praying enough. Enough is that nagging notion that gnaws away at your peace and accuses you of failure by neglect. Reading enough is pouring yourself into a bottom-less cup, hoping that one day you will have enough to quench your thirst.

May 21, 202314:53
"Fallen Shorts" - Romans 3:23 - (May 14, 2023 - 6th Sunday in Easter)

"Fallen Shorts" - Romans 3:23 - (May 14, 2023 - 6th Sunday in Easter)

Our series on "Stop Running Scared" continues in these Sundays following Easter. Today we explore something that affects everyone: the Fear of Failure.

May 14, 202319:04
"The Storm Before the Calm" - Matthew 8 - (May 7, 2023 - 5th Sunday in Easter)

"The Storm Before the Calm" - Matthew 8 - (May 7, 2023 - 5th Sunday in Easter)

PLEASE GOOGLE THE PAINTING "REMBRANDT THE STORM ON THE SEA OF GALILEE" for this podcast.

Today we are going to do something a bit different, known as Visio Divina.  This Latin phrase meaning “divine seeing”.  It’s like Lectio Divina but instead of listening to God through his Word we will reflect on God’s message through art. Visio Divina also invites us to personalize Christian truth by taking it deeply into our hearts.  Today we’re going to meditate using Visio Divina. Assisting us is a painting by Rembrandt van Rijn called “Fear in the Storm”.

May 07, 202321:21