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.

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

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.

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Haroldo Camacho

02/11/21

Revisiting Our Father

Our prayer confesses that God’s abode is beyond us, yet ever so near for the prayer presupposes that we are being heard, even in our sighs and whispers.

Peter Nafzger

02/07/21

Gospel: Mark 9:2-9 (Transfiguration: Series B)

It is hard to see clearly these days. While we have never been able to see as much as we would like, today we are more aware of our inability to perceive things as they really are.

John T. Pless

02/03/21

Special Lent Series: Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice!

John T. Pless has prepared a midweek Lenten sermon series that will fix our eyes on the saving work of the triune God. Based on Martin Luther’s hymn “Dear Christians One and All Rejoice,” this series will provide preachers an opportunity to proclaim the saving work of God to their hearers throughout the season of Lent.

Katie Koplin

02/03/21

What Do I Have to Give?

Regardless of my experience, my talents, or even my mood, it’s these gifts of Christ that I have to give away. They are all I have, and they are everything.

Robert Kolb

01/31/21

The Gift of Seeing Ourselves as Others See Us

Trusting in Christ’s promise of new life and deliverance pours the ability to abandon fixing our eyes only inwardly and lets us see ourselves as others see us.

Peter Nafzger

01/31/21

Gospel: Mark 1:29-39 (Epiphany 5: Series B)

What is Jesus' conception of, “How is God’s kingship made effective?” It would happen through preaching.

Tyler Cronkright

01/28/21

Why Have You Forsaken Me?

And because Jesus on the cross was sin in its entirety, God cannot look at him. He turns his face away, causing Jesus to cry out in utmost agony, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

Pete Lange

01/27/21

Why Does Our God Have Many Names?

From the womb to the tomb, from the cradle to the grave, Jesus’ name defines and describes who he is and what he is all about.

David Schmitt

01/24/21

Gospel: Mark 1:21-28 (Epiphany 4: Series B)

God’s people have gathered in worship while there is a war going on, and this war has two opponents: The Kingdom of Satan and the Kingdom of God. There is no middle ground.

Sarah Crowder

01/18/21

Receiving a New Name: Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.

Freedom and reconciliation were significant themes for both of the Martin Luthers.

David Schmitt

01/17/21

Gospel: Mark 1:14-20 (Epiphany 3: Series B)

But Jesus comes to us today and reminds us that He has the power to make disciples in the midst of conflict and suffering.

Martin Luther

01/15/21

Of Works And Grace

The kingdom of Christ consists in finding all our praise and boast in grace. Other works should be free, not to be urged, nor should we wish by them to become Christians, but condescend with them to our neighbor.

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