Rev. Peter Kelm

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

 

A child going through his or her Easter basket finds all kinds of good things - gifts from parents who love her.  Our lives are also filled with all kinds of good things - gifts from the God who loves us.  So why is it that we become fixated on the fluff, rather than the good gifts?  Like a child who spends Easter morning ignoring the gifts and candy and playing with the Easter grass, too often we let the unimportant consume our time and energy.

Rev. Carl Lehenbauer

Mark 16:1-8

 

We have heard the reports of Jesus' resurrection.  We have been given the command to go into all the world with the news.  But like the women who fled from the tomb, how often have we said nothing to anyone, because we are afraid?

Rev. Peter Kelm

 

Seven times Jesus spoke from the cross.  Seven times we listen to His words.  Seven times we reflect on what He has spoken.  Seven times we see His love for us.

Rev. Peter Kelm

Matthew 26:17-30

 

The Lord's Supper is powerful.  It reaches into our lives from that moment two thousand years ago when Jesus broke bread and brings us life and forgiveness.  And it points us to God's power in the past, in the present, and in the future as it gives us a foretaste of the feast to come when Jesus returns in power and glory.

Rev. Carl Lehenbauer

Revelation 2:1-7

 

Do you remember falling in love?  What an experience it is to spend each day returning the love and affection of another human being!  And how powerful it is to discover for the first time the love that God has for you.  But what happens when our love begins to fade?  Can this love be forgotten?  Not by your God.

Rev. Carl Lehenbauer

Mark 10:32-45

 

What kind of greatness are you looking for?  Almost all of us have aspirations of greatness, if not for ourselves then for our children or an organization that we believe in.  But Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be greatest among you must be your servant."  Greatness in God's kingdom doesn't start with your status in comparison with others.  Greatness in God's kingdom begins with your connection to the servant of all - Jesus Christ.

Rev. Peter Kelm

 

When was the last time you took a few minutes just to ponder?  Have you given yourself a chance to meditate on Christ's passion and what it means for you?  When we put the busyness on hold and focus on what Christ has accomplished for us on the cross we find new direction for our life and the blessed peace of forgiveness.

Rev. Peter Kelm

Matthew 16:21-27

 

You can't have Christ without the cross.  And you can't be Christ's disciple without the cross either.  We're comfortable seeing Jesus carrying the cross.  But when Jesus tells us to pick up our crosses and follow Him, he calls us away from our comfort and summons us to deny ourselves.

Rev. Carl Lehenbauer

John 19:23-30

 

"It is finished!"  Jesus cry from the cross was more than a declaration that His suffering for sins was over.  It was an announcement that your suffering for sins was finished.  His cross is the emblem of victory for all who put their faith in Him!

Rev. Carl Lehenbauer

Matthew 9:9-13

No one likes to visit the doctor, but everyone eventually finds themselves in need of the help that only a doctor can provide.  We may try to ignore the symptoms for awhile and hope that the sickness goes away on its own, but for some diseases, a doctor's prescription is the only cure.  Spiritually, the problem is even more severe; we need the Great Physician's cure, but too often we settle for covering up the symptoms.