Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Sermon | ”How to Pray” | July 24

Abiding in Jesus, means striving to be in relationship with God the Father the way that Jesus was. That's no small task. Thankfully Jesus offers guidance on how to live in and lean into that relationship as He teaches His disciples how to pray. Yet, when Jesus teaches this, He not only gives them words to say and topics to cover, but also offers them illustrations of what the relationship looks like. Big picture--the key to this relationship and living in it well is holding all of that together.

Sermon | ”Fully Present” | July 17

The story of Martha and Mary is well-worn. The character of both women have been directed throughout the generations, begging each of us to discover whether we're a Mary or a Martha. Sadly, the two have often been pitted against one another suggesting one kind of character is bad while the other is good. But, what if, as we'll discover this week, the two aren't in competition. But rather, Jesus is giving His disciples a clear strategy for mission and ministry.

Sermon | ”Law That Gives Life?” | July 10

Love God and love your neighbor... "Do this and you will live" Jesus says. Sounds simple until you try it. A lawyer once tried it and found that, for him, it didn't lead to more certainty of eternal life. It doesn't take living very long as a follower of Jesus before we find ourselves in the same place--less confident of our salvation the more we strive to live in obedience. How can these laws give life as Jesus says? Jesus answers with the story of the Good Samaritan, and the key to his answer is not just finding yourself, but also Jesus, in his story. Do that, and you will live.

Sermon | ”From Following to Going” | July 3

As we learned last week, Jesus is laser focused for the mission before Him. He has set His face toward Jerusalem and will now live out the WAY of salvation for all of humanity - through His death and resurrection. This week, Jesus makes clear to those who follow Him, that they too are called to the mission - called to bring good news to people's bad news! In fact, He declares the world is full of bad news. And so, with the same degree of focus, Jesus calls His followers to be goers. AND, He gives a stunningly simple strategy on how to go.

Sermon | ”A Price Too High?” | June 19

A seeming detour with Jesus to a demon-possessed man brings us face-to-face with forces beyond our control...both in the man possessed by the demons and in Jesus who grants freedom, healing and wholeness. While it's much easier to chalk up all of this as "bible stuff" that was "then", but isn't "now", we have no reason to believe that's true. So if such captivity for Jesus' care or are we hurdles to His healing because the price we'd pay is too high?

Sermon | ”To See or Not to See” | June 12

There's an old idiom: it's hard to see the forest through the trees. In other words it's hard to see...even though you are looking. The conclusion of Peter's message in Acts 2 proclaims, without doubt, "God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah." There is not question in Peter's mind who Jesus is. Peter sees clearly. But, in our gospel reading, the Jews Jesus interacts with are so caught up in the details that even though they are looking at Jesus, they can't see him. This challenge to really see is the challenge we all face. Do we see Jesus in fullness or only in details?

Sermon | ”Help in the Harvest” | June 5

Today is Pentecost! For the Israelites and the Jews at the time of Jesus, Pentecost was the "Feast of the Harvest" or "The Day of First-fruits". It commemorated the completion of the grain harvest. It was a day to celebrate all of God's provision. For us, Pentecost is the celebration of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the first disciples and the miraculous harvest of 3000 people who were added to the number of disciples that day. Today is the day to celebrate and to be fueled for the work of His kingdom.

Sermon | ”God’s Billboard” | May 29

Today marks the final Sunday of the Easter Season. The beginning of the Easter season is marked by an empty tomb and the shouts of "Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia." The cross and the empty tomb are a two-sided coin, providing proof of God's LOVE for humanity. And on this last Sunday of the Easter season, the church is called to reflect on the player and promises of Jesus - as He prays for His disciples...as He prays for you and me...praying that our lives (together) might be a proclamation to the unbelieving world around us that there is a God of love.

Sermon | ”Where Christ Meets Us” | May 22

Why do you come to worship? Is it something you've always done? Is it the right thing to do? Do you feel like it's necessary for saving faith? Many of us never think about why we come to worship...we just do. Certainly, we come to sing praise, to pray prayers, and to listen to a preacher teach. But more than that, we come because it's the place where Jesus meets us and brings us healing.

Acts Bible Study | May 15