It's Time to be Certain - Pastor Nathan Moldenhauer

Who do you know that needs to hear their sins are forgiven? Who needs to hear that? “Your sins are forgiven.” And believe and trust it with absolute certainty.

You know what you did. You know what you said. You know who you hurt. And you know what a deep offense it is to God. Sin– all sin – is offensive to our holy God. Your sin and my sin. You know that and you feel that. Yes, you know and believe in Jesus as your Savior. You went to Sunday School. You attended Starting Point or confirmation class. You come to church every Sunday. You confess your sins with your fellow worshipers, and you listen as the pastor announces and proclaims the absolution. And yet you’re not so sure. You doubt it’s for you. Or at the very least, you lack certainty. Because you know what you did. You remember. Perhaps you even continue to struggle with that same sin. Is God’s forgiveness really for you? Is it true?

Dear friend of God, to whom will you be Luke? To whom will you say: I have carefully investigated. I believe and trust. Jesus Christ suffered and rose from the dead on the third day. Your sins are forgiven. It’s true and it’s for you. It’s time to be certain. Amen.

Time in God's Word with Pastor Moldenhauer!

It Is Time to Invite the Unworthy (Reverend Ross Henzi)

Every single one of us, on our own, are a mess. We are all sinful human beings. Every one of us is unworthy. Once you know that, once you understand that, once you know that by God’s grace the gospel is what brought you to Jesus, you begin to want that for everybody else.

Look at Jesus. Look at who he welcomed. He met with, talked to, and ate with sinners. Tax collectors. The poor and the sick. The outcasts. He went to the woman at the well (she was certainly unworthy), but once she heard the gospel, she immediately went and invited others to come and hear. Jesus went to Peter who denied him, Thomas who doubted him, and Paul who at that time was desperately trying to stop the gospel from being shared.

Jesus didn’t wait for any of them to become worthy. Jesus went to them, called them, forgave them, and restored them. Just as he has with you and me. And now he’s sending us. He’s sending us out to extend the gospel invitation to others who are unworthy.

This place here, this church here, wasn’t built to be a home for the few, the proud, the chosen. This place was built by and for unworthy sinners who have been rescued by grace.

Time in God's Word with Pastor Moldenhauer!

Speak Truth to Power (Reverend Ross Henzi)

Have you ever noticed; it is nearly impossible nowadays to get people to agree on something? It doesn’t matter the topic. You can say, “I think Strawberry is the best flavor of ice cream.” Someone else will counter, “No way. Chocolate, Blue Moon, even Vanilla is better than Strawberry.” The same thing happens with politics, religion, science, or even pop culture. For example, who is the best singer of all time, male or female? Depending on your age bracket, you are going to get votes for Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, or Taylor Swift - just to name a few. Everyone has an opinion, and everyone’s opinion is just as important as someone else’s.

So, is there anything that is so compelling, so factual, that everyone would agree to? In other words, is there absolute truth? Is there something that is true all the time, in all places and for all people? Actually yes. 2 + 2 = 4 anywhere in the world. The sun always rises in the East. Everyone dies. These are examples of absolute truth. No one can refute them. They are true for everyone, everywhere.

Here is another absolute truth: Jesus Christ came to this world once and one day he is going to come again. We believe that. Many do not. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. The day is coming when everyone will bow and acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

We are currently living in that in-between time, the time between Christ’s first and second appearance on earth. Each new day brings us closer to the end.

Today we begin a new sermon series entitled, The Beginning of the End. In these days before Christ’s triumphant return, the Apostle Paul instructs us to speak the truth - absolute truth.

· There is a truth that does not change because culture changes.

· There is a truth that does not change because people reject it.

· There is a truth that does not change because the world mocks it.

And that truth is this: Jesus Christ is Lord. The cross is still the answer. Sin is still real. Grace is still necessary. The resurrection is still our hope. And heaven is still our home. That is the truth we need to hold onto.

Time in God's Word with Pastor Moldenhauer!

What The Father Wants (Pastor Nathan Moldenhauer)

A man had two sons. He went to the first son and said, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.” “I don’t want to.” The son said. “I’m not doing it.” Later he felt remorse, he changed his mind and went to the vineyard. The father went to his other son as well. He said the same thing. “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.” “Yes, sir.” “I will.” The other son said. “I’m happy to.” “I will go to the vineyard.” But, he didn’t. He never went.

Every parent can relate to Jesus’ parable. You give your son or daughter a household chore. You ask them to empty the dishwasher or take out the garbage. Your child tells you no. “I don’t want to.” You’re shocked at the defiance and disobedience. What? They say no, and then just walk away. There are not many things more disrespectful a child could do to a parent than straight out say no when they’re told to do something. You’re frustrated. You’re angry. Again, shocked. You’re hurt. A half hour later, you walk through the kitchen and your daughter is emptying the dishwasher. She’s doing what you asked. Your frustration and anger melts away. You maybe don’t even say anything. You just keep walking by and smile. You smile, because you know she thought about. She felt regret and remorse for telling you no. She knew it was wrong. She changed her mind. She leaves her room. She does what you asked, completely empties the dishwasher, carefully putting everything where it belongs. She even takes the dirty dishes that had begun to stack up in and around the sink, and puts them in the empty dishwasher. She did what you wanted.

Parents want more than an empty dishwasher, more than the garbage to be taken out when they ask. Parents want more than their child’s respectful words. They desire more than just obedient actions. Parents desire their child’s heart. As a parent, that’s what you’re after, isn’t it? Your Heavenly Father wants your heart. That’s what he’s after. Complete trust in God and his Son – the third Son, our perfectly humble and obedient Savior. Complete trust in our Father’s forgiveness and love will always include a turning away from sin and self. Repent. Believe. Trust. Live. This is what your Father wants. Amen.

Time in God's Word with Pastor Moldenhauer!