Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Bible Study | October 31

Sermon | ”Truth and Lies” | October 31

James Garfield once wrote, "Truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable." Because the truth is often hard to swallow, it's easily avoidable. In fact, most of us would prefer to live in the world of illusion. Or, in order to maintain a certain social contract we don't speak the truth to others for fear of relational fracture or retribution. Jesus invites disciples into a full and abundant life in which they will experience freedom - freedom as a result of knowing the Truth. Today, we'll come face to face with the truth we need to hear about the lie we actually believe.

Sermon | ”To See or Not to See” | October 24

Miracles abound in the gospels...and this week is no different. Jesus encounters one who is blind and who desperately wants to "see." As Jesus brings healing to this man, who once was blind but now can see, He confronts those in His day (and us) about our own blindness. What's obstructing our vision of Jesus, His kingdom, and the mission to see all people come to faith? What blinds us to following Jesus with our whole heart and lives? What keeps us from seeing the freedom and abundance of His kingdom of earth? What keeps us blind to the glaring truth that He is Lord of all? AND, do we really want to see...because once you see it...you can't unsee it.

Bible Study | October 24

Bible Study | October 17

Sermon | ”Rich Life” | October 17

Jesus is sometimes quite generic in His encouragements, but here He is pointed. Wealth presents challenges to being a disciple that abides in Him. To make sure it's heard He even repeats Himself and paints a picture - just as large animals simply do not fit through tiny openings, so the wealthy do not fit in the kingdom of God. It's a call to awareness and even to be concerned about those things that would keep us from following Jesus. Have you considered lately how much of the peace comes from not feeling "in need" and how much comes because Jesus has met your deepest need?

Sermon | ”Course Correction” | October 10

It's possible to be on the right road...but heading in the wrong direction. The rich young man approached Jesus to make sure that he was on the right road toward God's salvation...he had, after all, followed the law since his youth. Yet, Jesus declares, that he's still lacking one thing. When we abide with Jesus, we have to be willing to embrace our loving Savior's correction. We must allow the vine dresser to prune away what's dead AND the fruit-bearing-branch so that it can bear MORE fruit. As we abide with Jesus, He'll make sure we're on the right road AND heading in the right direction.

Bible Study | October 10

Sermon | ”Marriage Matters” | October 3

When asked about whether it's "lawful for a man to divorce his wife," Jesus' unequivocally says no. He asserts that "no one [should] separate" those who are married because "God has joined [the man and woman] together." This is hard to receive given all the ways marriages can and have gone sideways. Why does Jesus make such a definitive statement? Does He really mean what it sounds like? How is this loving and caring for the vulnerable? What does abiding with Him on this topic look like...especially today? We'll explore these questions and more because we trust that abiding with Him does bear more fruit for us, for the people around us, and for His Kingdom.

Bible Study | October 3

Acts 2:14-41