In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 72

A Personal And Purposeful Peace

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 12, 2020

Jesus gives personal and purposeful peace. See how Jesus did that for his disciples on Easter evening and continues to do so to this day.

Last week we met two of Jesus’ followers on their way from the city of Jerusalem to a village named Emmaus which was about a 7 mile roundtrip. If you missed that message, you can go back and listen to it. It was Easter afternoon when those two disciples decided to leave Jerusalem. There were ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-23

Denomination: Lutheran

Take A Walk With Jesus

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 12, 2020

When we find ourselves confused, and struggling, doubting God’s power, questioning his goodness, wondering about his faithfulness or whatever else it might be, don’t walk away from Jesus. Walk with Jesus, just like Jesus did with those followers on the road to Emmaus on Easter afternoon.

“What do you want?” “I don’t know. What do you want?” “I’m not sure, what do you think?” “I don’t know. What do you think?” Sound familiar? Ever had a conversation like that when it comes to choosing a movie or a TV show or what to order for takeout – pizza, fish, Chinese, Mexican, Thai? “I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Christ Is Still Risen!

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 12, 2020

How does Jesus take the sting out of death? Life is still hard and losing a loved one is sad. How does Easter help? No matter what you're going through Easter doesn't change. Christ is still and always will be risen from the dead!

This Easter is unlike any that I’ve ever experienced and I’m guessing that I’m not alone in feeling that way. This is a rather strange Easter morning. The church is empty. Your normal family gatherings have likely been cancelled or postponed. You likely watching this worship service by ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Denomination: Lutheran

Palm Sunday Praise And Plans

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 12, 2020

Palm Sunday turns us from the for-awhile to the forever.

It must have been quite the sight, the people lining the lingering road that lead from the Mount of Olives down and then up into the city of Jerusalem. People were scrambling to get a glimpse of the man who they heard about, but maybe never got a chance to actually see themselves. This wasn’t the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

What To Expect Leading Up To Jesus' Return?

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 12, 2020

Who is winning? Churches stand empty or partially filled as compared to last year. How does Jesus expect us to make it through? "Look around and listen!" told his disciples and tells us.

As Jesus and his disciples were walking through the busy city of Jerusalem, the disciples began to comment how impressive this place was. No matter how many times they had been there before, they couldn’t help but be amazed by the great structures that surrounded them: Herod’s palace, the mighty ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Plans

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 12, 2020

Which plan are you now on? Plan B, C, D, L, Q, Z? The pandemic caused us to scrap plans and revise them. So what's the Lord's plan on in all of this? Does he have one? What's it look like?

Which plan are you now on? Plan B, C, D, L, Q, Z? It feels like whenever I’ve made a plan during the last week, it needs to be changed every couple of hours. Last weekend we gathered in this place for worship with some precautionary modifications, and at the end of the service I said, “We’ll ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Lutheran

What Is The Lord's Plan?

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Mar 26, 2020

Plans are upended, dreams are derailed, life is scary and uncertain. How good it is to hear the Lord's still got a plan - a good plan to prosper us, provide hope and point us to the future he has prepared for us.

Which plan are you now on? Plan B, C, D, L, Q, Z? It feels like whenever I’ve made a plan during the last week, it needs to be changed every couple of hours. Last weekend we gathered in this place for worship with some precautionary modifications, and at the end of the service I said, “We’ll ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Lutheran

Don't Worry! Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Feb 24, 2020

This Old Testament lesson shows us a man who learned how not to worry while not denying the realities of life and using common sense. Isn't this what Jesus was teaching in his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:24-34?

“Here's a little song I wrote You might want to sing it note for note Don't worry, be happy. In every life we have some trouble But when you worry you make it double Don't worry, be happy” You might recognize those lyrics from the song released in 1988, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:6-12, Matthew 6:24-34

Denomination: Lutheran

Live A Holy Life! Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Feb 24, 2020

This Old Testament account of King David leads us to consider the temptations that we face and the holy life Jesus calls us to live in his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:21-37.

“How did this happen?” Have you ever read or heard a news story that just left you with that thought? “How did this happen?” I think that there were quite a few people that felt that way last Sunday afternoon as the heard the news of the 41 yar-old basketball superstar, Kobe Bryant’s death. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-17, Matthew 5:21-37, 2 Samuel 11:26-27

Denomination: Lutheran

Let Your Light Shine! Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Feb 24, 2020

This Old Testament account of Joshua and the Israelites reflects what Jesus teachings in his Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5:13-20

You had such good intentions, BUT… fill in the blank. Good intentions to exercise more regularly, to stick to that diet, to save more money, to be more patient, to study more for that upcoming test, to go to Bible study. You had such good intentions, BUT… fill in the blank with whatever it was ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-24, Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Trust In God's Strength Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Feb 24, 2020

An Old Testament lesson of what Jesus teaches in his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:1-12.

They stared into the flames. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego watched as the soldiers who had brought them to this place fell over dead due to the overwhelming heat. Can you imagine what must have gone through these three men’s minds as they heard the crackling of the fire, felt the intense heat, ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:13-30, Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

New Year's Reflection & Preparation

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Dec 30, 2019

As you consider the last 12 months, was it what you expected? Life is turbulent, but our God prepares us for it all. See how the words of Psalm 46 calm troubled hearts, give Godly perspective, and prepare us for the future.

I want you to think back to one year ago, December 29, 2018. At that point in time, what were you expecting or hoping 2019 would bring? Maybe you were hoping that it was going to be the year to lose a few of those unwanted pounds, to start exercising more, to eat healthier. Maybe you hoped that ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Love - What? Why? How?

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Dec 30, 2019

What makes God's love so amazing is the who he loves, the why he loves and the how he loves. His is a love that is truly unparalleled throughout the world.

What does love look like? You might think of a couple on their wedding day committing themselves to one another for the remainder of their lives. Or the couple celebrating a milestone anniversary, reflecting upon the many experiences that they’ve shared with each other. That’s love. You might ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Lutheran

As Good As God Promised Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Dec 30, 2019

As John the Baptist sat in prison, staring at the end of his life, he started to wonder if Jesus was everything that he expected Jesus to be. See how Jesus answers that question and continues to answer our questions when we might doubt if God is really all that we hoped him to be.

Was it everything that you had expected? You ripped open the rapping paper on Christmas morning to unveil the toy that you had seen advertised so many times on TV. You had been sure to put it at the top of your Christmas list in great detail taking away any of the possible guess work as to which ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Controversial Character Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Dec 30, 2019

John the Baptist's message of repentance is just as controversial today as it was in in his day. It was a message that caused people to think and evaluate what they were doing and why. It does the same today? Ready for some controversy?

Throughout history there have been many controversial characters: kings and queens, presidents and politicians, artists, actors and song writers, scientists and CEOs. What is it that made them so controversial? By what they did or said, they made people uncomfortable, forcing people to have to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran