Sermon Archives

January

Speakers: Bishop Greg Mohr , Bishop Larry Kochendorfer , Bishop Susan Johnson , John the Baptist , Pastor Philip K. Penrod , Pastor Scott Brown , Pastor Tim Posyluzny
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  • "Baa"
    Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod | Scripture: John 1:29-42 2020-01-19

    Not everyone is gifted or called by God to take a leadership role. As followers of Jesus we are meant to look like sheep from the front, but like shepherds from behind. We are not all called to be leaders, but we each have a role in leading others to know of God's love for us all.

    John Testifies About Jesus

    29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

    32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

    John 1:29-42

    John’s Disciples Follow Jesus

    35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

    37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

    They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

    39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

    So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

    40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

    Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

  • Plugged In and Projecting
    Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod 2020-01-12

    Jesus doesn't come to do it all on his own. He begins his ministry by bending the knee and asking for help, so that the Holy Spirit might come more fully into view. It's not all up to you. But you have a role to play in the salvation of the world. God is asking and inviting us all to participate.

    Matthew 3:13-17

    The Baptism of Jesus

    13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

    15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

    16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

  • The GOD Neighbour
    Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod | Scripture: John 1:1-18 2020-01-05

    We have a calling from God to be a good neighbour. But what does this really mean? Perhaps we can gain insight when we think of the example that is given to us in the first chapter of John's gospel. Incredibly God, the creator of the universe, comes to live among us. To serve us!

    John 1 New International Version (NIV)

    The Word Became Flesh

    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

    6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

    9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

    14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

    15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

  • Calling Out What Is Not Right
    Speaker: Bishop Susan Johnson | Scripture: Mark 1:21-28 2021-01-31

    Today's Message:
    "Calling Out What is not Right."
    ELCIC National Bishop
    Rev. Susan Johnson

  • The Summons
    Speaker: Bishop Greg Mohr | Scripture: Mark 1:14-20 2021-01-24

    Another sermon in a series of recorded messages prepared by our synod the Evangelical Lutheran Church In Canada. Reverend Greg Mohr, ELCIC Bishop of the Synod of British Columbia, reflects on the ominous words from Mark's gospel "Now after John was arrested..."

    The gospel speaks to us of the call that we each have to ministry. A call that we are given in spite of - or perhaps because of - the challenges and darkness that we see around us. What does it mean to live out this calling in the 21st century?

    Mark 1:14-20

    New Revised Standard Version

    The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry

    14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

    Jesus Calls the First Disciples

    16 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

  • It Was a Thursday
    Speaker: Bishop Larry Kochendorfer | Scripture: John 1:43-51 2021-01-17

    This sermon is one of a series of recorded messages prepared by our synod the Evangelical Lutheran Church In Canada. Today we have Reverend Larry Kochendorfer, ELCIC Bishop of Alberta and the Territories, with a message for Epiphany. The sermon is based on the Gospel of John, and relates a moment of epiphany in Bishop Larry's own life. There are moments when we glimpse God at work. Sometimes those moments transform us.

  • Baptism - What It Means For Us Today
    Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod | Scripture: Mark 1:4-11 2021-01-10

    This sermon is a reminder of God's gift to us - the gift of our identity as beloved Children of God. The message was written by Jason Zinko, ELCIC Bishop of the Manitoba N.W. Ontario Synod. Hearing it read by Pastor Phil we ponder together what it means for us. How is John's story an example for us today? What does it mean to be called by the Living God "a beloved child". How does this identity empower us and guide us? 

    Mark 1:4-11   (New International Version)

    4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

    The Baptism and Testing of Jesus

    9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

    Image "Baptism of Christ" by David Zelenka Published under a Creative Commons license on Wikimedia.

  • Never Alone
    Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod | Scripture: John 1:1-18 2021-01-03

    In our gospel reading from the first chapter of John certain words and phrases are repeated. In this sermon we are invited to reflect on the word "WITH" and the ways this word is used in John's description of the character and nature of God. This is a timely reminder - we are never alone. Emmanuel. God With Us.

  • Awe and Amazement
    Speaker: Pastor Scott Brown | Scripture: Mark 1:21-28 2024-01-28

    Mark 1:21-28

    Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit

    21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

    25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

    27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

  • Coming Home (Part Two)
    Speaker: Pastor Scott Brown | Scripture: Luke 4:21-30 2022-01-30

    Luke 4:21-30

    21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” 23 He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’” 24 And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. 25 But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; 26 yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27 There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. 30 But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

  • Opportunity
    Speaker: Pastor Scott Brown | Scripture: Mark 1:14-20 2024-01-21
    Mark 1:14-20

    Jesus Announces the Good News

    14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

    Jesus Calls His First Disciples

    16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

    19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

  • Coming Home (Part One)
    Speaker: Pastor Scott Brown | Scripture: Luke 4:14-21 2022-01-23

    Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

    14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

    16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

    18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
        because he has anointed me
        to proclaim good news to the poor.
    He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
        and recovery of sight for the blind,
    to set the oppressed free,
    19     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

    20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

  • Beautiful Blessings
    Speaker: Pastor Scott Brown | Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12 2023-01-29

    Matthew 5:1-12

    New International Version

    Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

    5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.

    The Beatitudes

    He said:

    3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
        for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    4 Blessed are those who mourn,
        for they will be comforted.
    5 Blessed are the meek,
        for they will inherit the earth.
    6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
        for they will be filled.
    7 Blessed are the merciful,
        for they will be shown mercy.
    8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
        for they will see God.
    9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
        for they will be called children of God.
    10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
        for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

    11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

  • God Has a Surprise For You
    Speaker: Pastor Scott Brown | Scripture: John 2:1-11 2022-01-16

    John 2 (New International Version)

    Jesus Changes Water Into Wine

    2 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

    4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

    5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

    6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

    7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

    8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

    They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

    11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

  • Will you follow?
    Speaker: Pastor Scott Brown | Scripture: Matthew 4:12-25 2023-01-22

    Matthew 4

    Jesus Begins to Preach

    12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

    15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
        the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,
        Galilee of the Gentiles—
    16 the people living in darkness
        have seen a great light;
    on those living in the land of the shadow of death
        a light has dawned.”

    17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

    Jesus Calls His First Disciples

    18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

    21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

    Jesus Heals the Sick

    23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

  • Family
    Speaker: Pastor Scott Brown | Scripture: Luke 3:15-17,21-22 2022-01-09

    15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

    21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

  • Growth Opportunities
    Speaker: Pastor Scott Brown | Scripture: John 1:29-50 2023-01-15
    John 1:29-50

    John Testifies About Jesus

    29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

    32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

    John’s Disciples Follow Jesus

    35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

    37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

    They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

    39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

    So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

    40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

    Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

    Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

    43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

    44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

    46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

    “Come and see,” said Philip.

    47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

    48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

    Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

    49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

    50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.”

  • A Creation Poem
    Speaker: Pastor Scott Brown | Scripture: John 1:1-18 2022-01-02

    The Word Became Flesh

    1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

    6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

    9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

    14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

    15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

  • The Baptism of Our Lord
    Speaker: John the Baptist | Scripture: Matthew 3 2023-01-08

    We experienced "technical difficulties" during our Sunday service for January 8th. (We have some new wireless microphones that we are trying out. Let's just say that we learned a few things in our first try!)

    Since we didn't get a good recording of Pastor Scott's sermon we decided to post this video. It was part of our worship that day, celebrating the Baptism of Our Lord. We hope you will be blessed by this somewhat unique and spiritually uplifting presentation of the message and ministry of John the Baptist!

    Brought to you by the Skit Guys and licensed for use in our streaming worship and for posting on our website.

  • Epiphany is the Light of God Revealed for the Common Good
    Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod | Scripture: John 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 2019-01-20

    John's account of the wedding feast at Cana shows God's abundant and generous provision. Examining the spiritual gifts evident in members of Our Savior Lutheran Church (gifts that Paul had described in his letter to the church at Corinth) we get a glimpse of God's abundant provision for us.

    John 2:1-11

    Jesus Changes Water Into Wine

    2 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

    4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

    5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

    6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

    7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

    8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

    They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

    11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signsthrough which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

    1 Corinthians 12:1-11

    Concerning Spiritual Gifts

    12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

    4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

    7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

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"Keep your face always toward the sunshine,
and shadows will fall behind you."

Walt Whitman