When Religion Becomes Obsolete, Christ Does Not
By Russ Lackey | Mark Mattes
01/20/26
19mins

When Religion Becomes Obsolete, Christ Does Not

American religion did not become optional because the gospel failed. It became optional because religion slowly redefined itself around usefulness.
Behold the Lamb
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
01/19/26

Behold the Lamb

The Passover wasn’t just Israel’s story; it’s ours.
Psalm 12, Part 2: The Saint Fails, The Word Purifies
Steven Paulson
Steven Paulson
01/16/26

Psalm 12, Part 2: The Saint Fails, The Word Purifies

God makes us pure saints by planting us back in the earth we imagined we needed to escape.

All Articles

Travis Scholl
Travis Scholl
06/26/22

Epistle: Galatians 6:1-10, 14-18 (Pentecost 4: Series C)

How do we preach a text of exhortation while keeping the sermon Gospel-centered?
Dan Weber
Dan Weber
06/26/22

Gospel: Luke 10:1-20 (Pentecost 4: Series C)

Despite the very real obstacles and difficulties, this entire scene is marked by God’s gracious work.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
06/22/22

Hope for These Bodies of Death: Understanding Romans 7

There’s no possibility of understanding the grace of Romans 6 and the glory of Romans 8 unless you identify with the excruciating struggle of Romans 7.
Sarah Crowder
Sarah Crowder
06/20/22

Word and Water: A Baptism Conversation with FLAME

FLAME uses Scripture and church history to argue that baptism is a gospel gift, not our work.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
06/19/22

Gospel: Luke 9:51-56 (Pentecost 3: Series C)

Nuance and subtlety have been replaced with scorched-earth contempt. It is us versus them. Compromise is not an option. Jesus, however, would have none of it.
Justin Rossow
Justin Rossow
06/19/22

Epistle: Galatians 5:1, 13-25 (Pentecost 3: Series C)

The question is, how are you going to live out your life as someone who has taken up the Robe of Freedom?
Ron Hodel
Ron Hodel
06/17/22

It's Good To Be Lost

This week, we are grateful to publish a series of sermons from our beloved late Chaplain, Ron Hodel. This is the fifth installment of that series.
Ron Hodel
Ron Hodel
06/15/22

Adopted

God has a plan for this world that he put into place from eternity, a plan that is carried out in Jesus Christ and promises unimaginably great blessings for believers.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
06/12/22

Gospel: Luke 8:26-39 (Pentecost 2: Series C)

Jesus comes to people and changes everything. “Before” is long gone. “After” is a whole new world.
Justin Rossow
Justin Rossow
06/12/22

Epistle: Galatians 3:23-4:7 (Pentecost 2: Series C)

Paul wants us to know the radical identity shift that takes place when you put on Christ. You are free.
1517 Staff
1517 Staff
06/08/22

Bach as Missionary to Japan

For Japan’s highly secularized elite, alienated by collapsing opportunity and the materialistic void left behind, Bach’s music was a balm.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
06/05/22

Gospel: John 8:48-59 (Holy Trinity: Series C)

As astounding as co-eternity and co-equality with the Father in majesty and glory is, this is not the most significant answer Jesus gave in this Gospel reading, not for us at least.
1517 is a Christian non-profit (501(c)3) multi-media organization. Our mission is to declare and defend the Good News that we are forgiven and free on account of the death and resurrection of Jesus alone.
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