In Sermons:

The Spirit's Symphony

Contributed by Joel Pankow on May 6, 2026

The Holy Spirit uses different people's different gifts to sing "Jesus is Lord," bringing us together with His gifts.

05.24.26 1 Corinthians 12:3–11 (EHV) 3 Therefore I am informing you that no one speaking by God’s Spirit says, “A curse be upon Jesus,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:3-11

Denomination: Lutheran

The God Who Doesn't Fit

Contributed by Joel Pankow on May 5, 2026

Paul preached a God who directs the world and raises from the dead to a world of philosophers and false theologians. God doesn't fit into human conceptions of who He should be or who He is. But that's why we need to proclaim Jesus all the more.

5.10.26 Acts 17:22–31 (EHV) 22 Then Paul stood up in front of the council of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way. 23 For as I was walking around and carefully observing your objects of worship, I even found an altar on which had been ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Living Different Because He Died Different

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Apr 21, 2026

Peter points us to Jesus as an example of how to respond in suffering.

4.26.26 1 Peter 2:19–25 (EHV) 19 For this is favorable: if a person endures sorrows while suffering unjustly because he is conscious of God. 20 For what credit is it to you if you receive a beating for sinning and patiently endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and endure it, this is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:19-25

Denomination: Lutheran

The Quiet Counter-Attack

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jan 20, 2026

In a world that loves to go on the attack, how does Jesus respond when John is attacked? He fights back in a different way. A quiet but strong way, of repentance.

1.25.26 Matthew 4:12–23 (EHV) 12 When Jesus heard that John was put in prison, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 He did this to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 15 Land ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23

Denomination: Lutheran

Silent Night, Violent Night

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 24, 2025

The murder of the Innocents shows us how the Lord works his plan in his own way. Christmas brings evil on its heels that the LORD deals with.

12.28.25 Matthew 2:13–18 13 After the Wise Men were gone, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to Joseph in a dream. He said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, because Herod will search for the child in order to kill him.” 14 Joseph got ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus Is Lord And King. Let’s Sing. Let’s Shout. Let’s Kneel.

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Nov 15, 2025

What does it mean to have a King? How do we respond to the King?

11.23.25 Psalm 95:1–7a 1 Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD. Let us give a loud shout to the Rock who saves us. 2 Let us approach his presence with thanksgiving. With music we will shout to him. 3 For the LORD is the great God and the great King above all gods. 4 He holds the unexplored ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

With The Many Blessings Of Being A Saint, You Will Laugh

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Oct 31, 2025

What are the blessings of being a saint? Find out.

11.2.25 Luke 6:20–23 All Saints Day Looking at his disciples, he said: Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:20-23

Denomination: Lutheran

Christ Has The Listening Sheep In His Hands

Contributed by Joel Pankow on May 8, 2025

Jesus is the Good Shepherd to speaks lovingly to his sheep, holding them in His hands.

5.11.25 John 10:22–30 22 Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple area in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 So the Jews gathered around Jesus, asking, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” ...read more

Scripture: John 10:22-30

Denomination: Lutheran

Cherish The Blessing Of The Curse On The Cross

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Apr 16, 2025

What is a curse? How are we blessed through a curse? Find out in this Good Friday Sermon

4.18.25 Galatians 3:10–13 (EHV) 10 In fact, those who rely on the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the book of the law.” 11 Clearly no one is declared righteous before God by the law, because “The ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:10-13

Denomination: Lutheran

The Opposite Of Karma - Repent

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Mar 22, 2025

How do things work in this world? Good for good? Bad for bad? Nope. Repent.

3.23.25 Luke 13:1–5 (EHV) 1 At that time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 He answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered these things? 3 I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-5

Denomination: Lutheran

The Great Reveal

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Feb 28, 2025

Paul speaks of veils and unveiling in a comparison of law and gospel on a Transfiguration Sunday. A deep text to work through.

3.2.25 2 Corinthians 3:7–18 (EHV) 7 If the ministry that brought death (which was engraved in letters on stone) came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look directly at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face (though it was fading), 8 how will the ministry of the spirit ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Approach The Throne With Confidence

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Feb 19, 2025

Afraid of God? Sure that God can't help you or won't? Think again. This text encourages to approach the throne of grace with confidence.

3.9.25 Hebrews 4:14–16 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest, who has gone through the heavens, namely, Jesus the Son of God, let us continue to hold on to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16

Denomination: Lutheran

Thank God For The Thorns

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Feb 12, 2025

How do we respond to the thorns that just won't go away? Paul gives a great example and encouragement in what to do.

2.16.25 2 Corinthians 12:7b–10 (EHV) 7 I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me, so that I would not become arrogant. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that he would take it away from me. 9 And he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, because ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Lutheran

What Happens When Grace Isn't Enough?

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jan 24, 2025

Jesus' hometown rejected him, even though they were impressed with His words of grace. Why? How did Jesus react? Is grace enough for you?

1.26.25 Luke 4:16–30 (EHV) 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. As was his custom, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 18 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:16-30

Denomination: Lutheran

Getting To Know Him

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jan 14, 2025

Paul's prayer is for us to know Jesus' and His deep love for us. A neat and bold prayer.

1.19.25 Ephesians 3:14–21 (EHV) 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the entire family in heaven and on earth receives its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he would strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Lutheran