Holy Cross Lutheran Church

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.

Christmas Eve Sermon | Illuminate: What Was, Is, and Will Be True | December 24

To illuminate is to make something visible by shining a light on it! The Prophet Isaiah declared that a people walking in darkness have seen a great LIGHT! And, upon those who are living in darkness - a light has dawned! The light Isaiah spoke about is the very one who would proclaim, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Jesus has come to make visible that which has always been true - God's love for the world and living an abundant life with His love.

Sermon | ”Love” | December 18

Love in relationships is spelled T-I-M-E. You can proclaim it many other ways. There's even love languages that offer different ways to communicate it. However, in every case it requires your time, your commitment, your investment to show that love. God has done this for us as He came to be WITH us. That's love! Will you let God illuminate His love for you again?

Sermon | ”Joy” | December 11

Jesus, THE light of the world, illuminates the darkness and emptiness of faux joy that is so quickly fleeting. He's given us new life by His resurrection so that we can experience real joy...all. the. time. Real Joy is more than emotions. Real Joy is founded in trust in Jesus not circumstances or one's present perspective.

Sermon | ”Peace” | December 4

God has made a way for you to be at peace with Him. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We long for peace in lots of ways and from lots of sources...but these really are just reminders that peace is something we need. No peace will satisfy except the peace that is found in Jesus. Our hearts will not rest until they rest in Him.