Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Sermon | ”Preconceptions” | March 5

Whether it's political debates or television or public school board meetings, people are convinced the way they understand and live in the world is the correct way. We all have preconceived notions about the way the world is and should be. This is true for people of faith as well, not only about our perceptions of the "world out there" but our perceptions of Jesus. It's hard to admit that we might not have all the right answers. In a curious conversation with a Pharisee, Jesus invites Nicodemus to reconsider his preconceived notions about who Jesus is and how we find unity with God. If we want to live well, we must die to our preconceived notions.

Sermon | ”Dying Well” | February 26

When people are near death, they often reflect on the life they've lived: have they lived "on purpose" or have they "done all they were supposed to do". Many struggle with regret and sadness at missed opportunities and/or relationships. Most people look back, reflect, and ask whether or not the years of their past have been full. Following Jesus is about LIFE - abundant life - both here on earth and eternally. Yet, the only way into ABUNDANT LIFE is through dying. In a vivid exchange with Peter, Jesus makes it abundantly clear that following will require a cross and a dying to self. If we want to live well, we must die to ourselves well.

Sermon | ”Reimagine: Contribution” | February 19

If the mission of Christ is to be accomplished it will require everyone's contribution! For so many years, the mission of the church was accomplished by the academics, the church leaders, the one's trained by seminaries and denominational leaders. But, the mission of Jesus is lived out by every follower of Christ as they walk with everyday people every day. Paul demands we reimagine who "does" ministry and how we can bring our unique selves into the service of the church and Christ's Kingdom.

Sermon | ”Reimagine: Growth” | February 12

Defining success can be a tricky thing. For some it's material wealth, for others it's about moving up the corporate ladder. As Jesus tells the farm story, He demands we reimagine success - not as things accomplished but rather about the person we are becoming. Growth is an attribute of living things - to be alive is to grow. Jesus demands we reimagine our growth not as a place we arrive at, but as a process through which we journey.

Sermon | ”Reimagine: Relationships” | February 5

Humans are designed to be relational - they are, as we leaned last week, fashioned in God's image. As followers of Jesus, we work hard to not only learn what Jesus taught but also do what Jesus did - to live HIS way. And Jesus is intentional about His relationships. This intentionality causes us to reimagine our own relationships in light of "as we go" disciple making. What if God had purposefully placed you in relationships - both with those who believe as you do and those who don't - so that you might be salt and light to/for them, to have both influence and impact? Reimagine your every day relationships in light of God's mission.

Sermon | ”Reimagine: Identity” | January 29

The world is flooded with questions of identity. Not just sexual or gender identity, but questions of "who am I...really?" Questions of identity are at the core of what it means to be human - for each and every person in the whole wide world was created in God's image - to be human is to be an image bearer. When people know their identity they feel a sense of rootedness. Today's text asks us to reimagine our identity solely in what our Heavenly Father says about us, rooting us in Him.

Sermon | ”Reimagine: Disciple Making” | January 22

There are times when we've heard something so often, it loses a sense of meaning. The Great Commission - to make disciples - is one of those things. "Yeah, yeah...we know the church's job is to make disciples." When Jesus commissions the disciples to be disciple-makers, He's reimagining how disciples are made. Rather than a lecturer to students, Jesus commissions His followers to make disciples "as they go" - in the very places where they live, work and play. As the disciples live out the way of Jesus, as they relish and rest in His abundant life, the disciples are commissioned to walk with everyday people every day.

Sermon | ”Reimagine: Harvest Field | January 15

Growing up, the mission filed conjured up images of exotic places, people and experiences; the mission field was located somewhere "over there." As Jesus sends His disciples into the mission field, into the harvest, He sends them into the most ordinary of places - to the disciples' very own lives. Jesus is asking us to reimagine the harvest as the very ordinary, everyday places where you live, work and play.

Sermon | ”Reimagine: Mission” | January 8

Prophets are often asked to reawaken the imagination of God's people. In this prophetic picture - a life giving stream of water ushers forth from the place of God's presence. In fact, over time, this stream gains depth, breadth and intensity until it finally dumps full-force into the dead sea. The picture reawakens our imagination to the work and purpose of God in the world - as His life giving water goes out from the place of His presence, from the place of worship, as His life giving water goes out through His people to the place where they live, work, and play.

Sermon | ”Scars Are Important” | January 1

The Law of God demanded that male children be circumcised on the 8th day. In obedience, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to be circumcised - to receive the mark of the covenant...a scar that would stay in His skin as a constant reminder of God's promise to His people. But, this is not the only scar to matter. In fact, Jesus' father would once again mark Him - in His body - as a constant reminder of our Heavenly Father's promise to us. Scars tell a story.