Jesus – The De-Motivational Speaker
At the cross, God shatters our preconceptions by meeting us in our deepest need—at the cross—where both sin and the sinner are put to death and resurrected to new life.
Americans love the vicarious sense of pride they get from the odds-defying underdog myth. But often, all the attaboy-ing translates to spiritual performance and a definition of sin that is closer to good intentions gone awry than war against the maker of the universe. Old habits die hard, and roughly 500 years ago Martin Luther saw a similar self-congratulating theology and dissected it with uniform precision.
MARTIN LUTHER: NAILED IT!
Historically, Martin Luther is best known for igniting the Reformation by nailing the 95 theses to the Wittenberg cathedral’s door. But what really got the conceptual ball rolling was a meeting of an Augustinian monastic order at Heidelberg in 1518. There, Luther defended his theological position in 28 cryptic theses against scholastic theology in an effort to re-focus theologians on Jesus’ work on the cross.
GOD: NOT MR. DREAMS-COME-TRUE
In Luther’s day, medieval theology defined God as fully embodying the glory of human achievement. Accordingly, glory was best represented by the monarchy. Royalty was conceptually understandable, so obviously God is a really, really, really glorious King. In effect, the scholastics reinvented God in their own image. Sound familiar? In John 14, Phillip thought that Jesus was holding out by playing a sort of spiritual pat-a-cake with the disciples. Phillip wanted to cut to the chase and see the Father. Jesus’ reply was: “he who has seen me has seen the Father.”
God doesn’t get things done through spiritual pick-me-ups, but through death and resurrection.
Likewise, Jesus was rebuked by Peter (!) for bumming the disciples out with all that dark, going-to-the-cross-to-die-talk. Jesus’ reply? "Get behind me, Satan!" The disciples had selfish plans for Jesus. He had something else in mind.
You're Not the King - Exodus A Christmas Story
It seems like there are kings all around us. The Pharaohs and Herods of the World seem like they are in complete control. But Behold, A Star in the East, an Parted Sea. We see that God was King and in control the whole time.
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How Churches Became Morality Clubs of Religion
Without the preaching of the Gospel, the church becomes just another self-justifying, self-perpetuating institution that has excommunicated its Founder.
If there’s one thing that we in the church do extremely well, it’s ignoring the greatest threats that face us. We roll massive Trojan horses inside our sanctuary walls while feverishly battling the mosquitoes that buzz around us. And once we wake up and grasp the true danger—if we ever do—the damage done is often incalculable.
We wring our cultural hands over the de-Christianizing of America. We conduct massive studies to ascertain why we’re not attracting Generation X, Y, or Z. We school church leaders in the art of politics so they can run for office against godless rivals. We curtail the heresy of boredom by injecting some razzle-dazzle into our worship. We fight and fret over the election of less-conservative denominational leaders.
We strive, in short, to master the art of swatting mosquitoes. And all the while, we remain blind to the fact that in pulpit after pulpit, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is as rare as Merry Christmas inside a synagogue.
We are a sinning church with a preaching problem.
It’s cross-denominational.
It’s rampant.
It’s damnable.
The blame for it is shared by preachers and hearers alike.
And there’s only one way to change it.
This begins in an elementary fashion: by recognizing and acknowledging not only the problem, but its catastrophic nature.
Email At Grace 11/29
Latest News at Grace
Listen to the Scriptures:
Thursdays 11AM
Genesis 23-28
Join us as we listen to the Jacob story.
Quarterly Meeting
The next Quarterly Grace Voters Meeting is December 10th, immediately following the service. Election of board of directors for 2018 will be held.
Real Life Children's Ranch
In Okeechobee is a place where children can go which provides a Christian residential group home that cares for boys and girls who are sexually or physically or emotionally abused; homeless, neglected, or mildly disturbed. There are 6 homes with a father and mother which may have children of their own, plus house and nurture up to 6 of these children. Tours and further information is available by calling (863)763-4242. Want to give a child that “WOW” gift for Christmas? Vivian and Bob Barto are heading up this project and need your help. Here are their contact numbers (810-423-7877, vivian-barto@yahoo.com). Saturday, December 14th at 10:00 am is designated to wrap gifts
MOPS Sitters
Did you know that Grace hosts a mothers of preschoolers group?
This is a time where moms can come together to talk and support one another.
We need people who can watch their little ones at Grace while they meet.
It's just two Wednesdays a month, and your hours can go to the Luther 500 Challenge.
Talk to Pastor Cris
Angel Tree
There are still some angels on our tree in the narthex. Please let Susan Becker know which angel you have chosen. Please keep the amount you spend on the gift at $20. All of the gifts should be returned to the church no later than December 17. If you’re willing to deliver the gifts to the families, we will do so on the 17th.
New Sermon Series
Sermon From Sunday
Exodus A Christmas Story
God's Got Your Back
Moses sees a burning bush, which tells him to go and free his people. Joseph see his future wife pregnant, which will bring shame to him and her. However, God promises them the same promise to us: As we go through struggles in our lives, He will always be with us.
Watch it Today!
https://www.gracelutheranpsl.com/news/exodus-christmas-1
See you Sunday!
The Consolation of Weak Saints - Martin Luther
For these examples of weakness are more necessary for us and bring more consolation than the examples of that heroic and very great fortitude and other virtues.
BY MARTIN LUTHER
I have often stated above and elsewhere that it pleases me greatly and is salutary for us to hear of the weaknesses of the saints, for these examples of weakness are more necessary for us and bring more consolation than the examples of that heroic and very great fortitude and other virtues. Thus the fact that David killed Goliath, a bear, a lion, etc., does not edify me much. For I cannot imitate such things, since they surpass my strength and all my thinking. Although they commend the saints in their strength and heroic fortitude, they do not concern us; for they are too sublime for us to be able to match or imitate them.
But when examples of weakness, sins, trepidation, and trials are set forth in the saints—as when I read David’s complaints, sobs, fears, and feelings of despair—they buoy me up in a wonderful manner and give great consolation. For I see how they, fearful and terrified though they were, did not perish but buoyed themselves up with the promises they had received; and from this I conclude that there is no need for me to despair either. For in this struggle with hell, in fears and struggles of conscience, they feel and speak as if they had no promises at all. Nevertheless, they are finally preserved and sustained by the Word.
Exodus A Christmas Story - God's Got Your Back
Moses sees a burning bush, which tells him to go and free his people. Joseph see his future wife pregnant, which will bring shame to him and her. However, God promises them the same promise to us: As we go through struggles in our lives, He will always be with us.
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ReForm Generosity - Lion and the Mouse
There once was a mouse that wanted to be bigger because it feared everything around it. Fear and anxiety can cause us to want to be bigger than we are currently. This fear can deal a blow to our generosity because we are always afraid we will not have enough. But God will always watch over us.
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What Had happened at Grace this week.
ReForm Generosity - Back on Track
God sends us signs to get us back on track. What are these signs for you that have helped get your life back on track? John the Baptist was the biggest sign to show us Jesus, who gets us back on the right track.
What Had happened at Grace this week.
OUT OF THE DEPTHS: WHEN CHURCHES BECOME CRIME SCENES
Where is God in tragedy? Where is he when houses of worship become crime scenes?
Out of the depths have we cried unto Thee, O Lord.
Out of the morgue, the hospital, the cemetery soil baptized with a thousand tears.
Out of the rubble of our shattered lives, our dead children, our bitter grief and lacerated hearts.
Out of the grave into which we have plummeted, alive yet dead, the dirt of a thousand decimated hopes spilling down into that black, hopeless pit.
Out of these depths have we cried unto Thee, O Lord.
Lord, hear our voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of our supplications.
But even though every prayer thrown toward heaven lands within our Lord’s open ears, that is not enough.
It is not enough to have a God way-up-there who hangs on our every word.
It is not enough that he hears or even that he pities our predicament.
We need something more.
Email 11-9-17
The latest from Grace
Praying for Peace in the midst of Crime Scenes
We continue to pray for the people of Texas in the aftermath of the shooting. It is natural to sense fear in the midst of things so tragic. Remember we believe in a God who handles the fears and is with us in the midst of them. In John 16:33, Jesus talks about the tribulation we will have. But then he says "Take heart! I have overcome the world!" As we trust in Him, He gives us His peace that passes understanding, especially in the midst of tribulation and suffering. Jesus has been leading His church through very similar things for about 2000 years. He will continue to guide us as we work through what is best at Grace Lutheran PSL. Here is an article pastor found quite good and helpful. http://www.chadbird.com/blog/2017/11/6/out-of-the-depths-when-churches-become-crime-scenes
Game Night
See you Friday at 6pm
Listen to the Scriptures:
Thursdays 11AM
Genesis 12-22
Join us as we listen to the Abraham Story.
Revelation Study
Tuesdays 11AM
MOPS Helpers
Did you know that Grace hosts a mothers of preschoolers group?
This is a time where moms can come together to talk and support one another.
We need people who can watch their little ones at Grace while they meet.
It's just two Wednesdays a month, and your hours can go to the Luther 500 Challenge.
Talk to Pastor Cris
See you Sunday!
ReForm Food For the Poor
We are looking at food for the poor today.
What Had happened at Grace this week.
Re:Form - ReForm our Church
In Luther's day it seemed like the church motivated with Guilt. Is our Evangelism motivated by Guilt or Good News
What Had happened at Grace this week.
Re:Form - ReForm our Generosity
In Luther's day it seemed like the church motivated with Guilt. Is our Evangelism motivated by Guilt or Good News
What Had happened at Grace this week.
A dispute over food sacrificed to idols ultimately reveals that Christian freedom is not for boasting, but for humbly building up others through love.