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The Shepherd’s Voice – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Tomah, WI

The Shepherd’s Voice – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Tomah, WI

Written by: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church - Tomah WI
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Welcome to The Shepherd’s Voice, the podcast ministry of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Tomah, Wisconsin. Each episode shares Christ-centered preaching, Bible teaching, and encouragement for your walk of faith. Rooted in the historic Lutheran confession, we proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins.

Whether you’re a lifelong Lutheran, exploring the Christian faith, or seeking hope in daily life, The Shepherd’s Voice offers clear Law and Gospel preaching, devotionals, and reflections grounded in God’s Word.

Join us as we lift high the cross of Christ and connect listeners to the Shepherd who knows His sheep by name.

Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. Christianity Ministry & Evangelism Spirituality
Episodes
  • The Seventh Sunday of Easter | John 15:26-16:4 | I Do, By the Grace of God

    The Seventh Sunday of Easter | John 15:26-16:4 | I Do, By the Grace of God
    May 17 2026
    The Seventh Sunday of Easter May 17, 2026 John 15:26-16:4 It seems to me that we hear these words of the Gospel each year, in addition to this Sunday, but in a different way. Let’s ponder them for a moment, and forgive me, but I’m going to paraphrase the Gospel here. Jesus says He’s sending the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to the disciples to show them what He has done for them by dying on the cross and rising again on the third day. But they, likewise, will then need to bear witness to the world for what Jesus has done, or as we commonly say today in the church, “Confess” Jesus, His cross and resurrection to the world. Then Jesus goes on to say that He’s telling the disciples these things because He doesn’t want them to fall away from Him – to fall away from faith in Him. Jesus is telling the disciples these things because after His death and resurrection, they will be rejected by their people, thrown out of their synagogues, and killed in the name of religion. In fact, Jesus says these people will think they are offering a sacrifice to God by killing them. Jesus says they will do these things to His disciples because they don’t actually know His Father. They don’t understand the Scriptures, nor why Jesus came in the first place, to save His people from their sins. But Jesus tells His disciples these things because when—not if—the time comes to suffer for His name, they will remember His words and know that He is with them, that they carry His divine truth, and even if believing in Jesus costs them their earthly lives, eternal life remains for those who have faith in Him. And this is exactly what happened to many of Jesus’ disciples. St. Peter, Andrew, and Philip were crucified for their witness and faith in Jesus. St. James, son of Zebedee, beheaded. St. Bartholomew, flayed alive. St. Simon the Zealot, sawn in half. St. Matthew, killed with a sword. St. Jude, also known as Thaddeus, killed with arrows or an axe. St. James the Lessor, stoned to death, as was St. Matthias. Alright, so where else do you hear this little sermon about suffering for the witness and faith in Jesus Christ? In the Rite of Confirmation, where the often young disciple of Christ is asked twice if they are willing to die rather than fall away from their witness and faith in Jesus. Just listen to the questions from the rite now. The Confirmand is asked, P Do you intend to live according to the Word of God, and in faith, word, and deed to remain true to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, even to death? R I do, by the grace of God. P Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it? R I do, by the grace of God. If you happened to grow up in the time of The Lutheran Hymnal, otherwise known as TLH, these same questions were there, just with slightly older language. Twice, the Confirmation student confesses their desire to die rather than fall away from the Christian faith. Twice, they confess to remaining steadfast, even if the world or, worse, those who are supposed to be in the church with them, try to cause them to stumble in their faith. Isn’t that interesting, the danger of being led away from Christ within the Church? You see, the Greek word for “Falling away” or “Being led away” is σκανδαλίζω, meaning to scandalize. Consider this: in some cases, a person’s death may actually stem from turning away from faith out of fear of death itself, while others, even within the church, work to silence your faith. But an amazing thing, as you reflect on the deaths of the Apostles we listed earlier, is that they never fell away. After the resurrection, they didn’t turn away from Jesus, they did not turn; they stood their ground and confessed their faith, even to the point of death. How could they stand so firm in the face of death? Because the Holy Spirit remained with them, Jesus and His Father kept their promise and sent the Holy Spirit to give them faith and courage, forgive their sins, and assure them of eternal life. This is, after all, what the Confirmand confesses after they’re asked if they’ll suffer death rather than fall away from the faith, “I do, by the grace of God.” What is grace? Grace is God’s undeserved, free gift of mercy and forgiveness to sinners, by which He declares them righteous solely on account of the works and merit of Christ. Grace is the gift of God’s favor and His working within you. But how do you receive this grace and favor of God? This is the work of the Holy Spirit. Remember what you learned in Confirmation: what is the Third Article of the Creed? I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. What does ...
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    14 mins
  • The Sixth Sunday of Easter | John 16:23-33 | The Church as a Mother

    The Sixth Sunday of Easter | John 16:23-33 | The Church as a Mother
    May 10 2026
    The Sixth Sunday of Easter May 10, 2026 John 16:23-33 Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! As another Mother’s Day approaches, I find myself remembering my mom, who Jesus brought into His eternal presence over two years ago. It’s always interesting to me that some of the thoughts that come to mind are the things she said. She’d say, “Oh, that’s different.” Code word for, she didn’t like that. Or “It’s a catch-22, if you know what I mean.” Regrettably, she saw many situations as paradoxically no-win situations. However, you might only understand what my mother meant by these sayings if you spent enough time around her and asked clarifying questions, like, “What do you mean, Mom, by it’s a catch-22?” In a way, my mom used figurative sayings and proverbs that only she understood. I have wondered if this is a facet of being a mother: to speak in figures of speech, proverbs, to make a child think, to instill in them a need to ask questions. But then again, how often does a child roll their eyes, stare silently, fail to ask questions, and go on like they know all the answers? Of course, there are many figures of speech a mother might use when speaking to a child. “Don’t be such a scrooge,” implying the child is being miserable or ungenerous. “He’s as cunning as a fox.” Maybe a warning to a child to be careful of the company they keep. “You bite off more than you can chew.” The idea that the child has no idea how big, difficult, or complex the project they have decided to take on is. Or “Put your nose to the grindstone.” Do the hard work, stay dedicated, and give 100 percent commitment. Then of course, there are the figures of speech about mothers, too… “Like mother, like child.” “A face only a mother could love.” “Mother knows best.” These may not need explanation… But throughout history, humans have used figures of speech and proverbs to express deeper truths. The entire book of Proverbs encourages the reader to think deeply, and if you review sections like Proverbs 31, you’ll notice there are specific proverbs written by a mother or about motherhood. However, it seems that nobody enjoys thinking deeply anymore. Everyone just wants to “Google” it, “Hey Siri,” or ask “Alexa” for the answers to life. And in a way, the Gospel this morning is about asking questions, asking for help, seeking clarity, and learning how to pray. Jesus says, “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” The instruction to “Ask” is in the imperative, meaning Jesus is giving the disciples an order. Like a mother telling a child to clean their room, and this same order from Jesus is for you—ask, pray, speak to Jesus, so “your joy may be full.” Yet at the same time, one theologian suggests that Jesus is also scolding the disciples for their laziness in praying to Him, listening to His instruction, and these words are also for you: stop being lazy in your prayers. Again, Jesus says, “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” You are told to pray in Jesus’ name first because He instructs you that this is how you are to have access to His Father. But also, as St. Peter said in the book of Acts, “There is no other name given to men in which we shall be saved.” (Acts 4:12) When a child fears the storm in the night, when a daughter experiences a breakup with a boyfriend, when a son goes off to war, who do they speak to in times of distress, who do they call out to? Most often, their mother. Even more so, a child of God must learn to pray and seek the care of their heavenly Father through His Son, Jesus Christ. And this is learned from Scripture as one hears from the Gospel of St. Luke, “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9) Or as St. James wrote, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:6-7) Or finally, as God instructs in the Psalms, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Psalm 50:15) But the struggle to ask, seek, and pray remains. Maybe you forget, in all the commotion and excitement of life, to pray; maybe you don’t believe Jesus wants to hear from you, or maybe you fall back on what many have said before: “I don’t need to pray, God knows what I need.” This is a bit of a copout. However, Jesus provides the disciples with a warning today regarding their faith in Him as He said, “Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I ...
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    11 mins
  • Get to Know Josh and Nicole

    Get to Know Josh and Nicole
    May 4 2026

    On this episode of the Shepherd's Voice, we get to know soon to be married, Josh and Nicole!
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    9 mins
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