Elemental - The Word

Elemental—a word that Merriam Webster defines as being the basic or essential constituent of something, the fundamental or key components that make up SOMETHING. For example, without hydrogen molecules, H20 isn’t water.

What are the key components, the elemental pieces that make up the believers life? What are those things that affect how we as children of God view life and live as followers of Christ? Our worship series the next several weeks is going to look at those key components of the Christian’s walk with Jesus: things like the Word, prayer, service, and love—those elemental items that change how we approach life, that adjust how we see our priorities, and how we as believers live life.

Today, we take note of the many things in this world that can distract us from the simple privilege and duty of believers to hear the Word of God and listen with a trusting heart! We see how living according to God’s will means giving the Word of God central place in our lives as the one thing needful, an ELEMENTAL component to our life as a child of God!

Following Christ is All or Nothing

Following Christ calls for total commitment. Elisha’s response to the Lord’s call stands in contrast to the initially willing, but ultimately uncommitted “followers” of Jesus. The life of faith walks in lock step with the will of God and does not following the meandering ways of this world.

Celebrating the Past, Certain of the Future - 50th Anniversary Service at Our Savior Lutheran Church

Since creation, our God’s love and faithfulness have been on display as he interacts with his people. For the last fifty years, it is that same love and faithfulness that our God has shown to our congregation here in Birmingham. For that steadfast love and faithfulness, we take a moment today to rejoice and give thanks to God. We rejoice and give thanks for all his many blessings over the past fifty years. We trust that our gracious and faithful God will continue to guide our efforts and bless our work for many years to come!

Testify to the Power of God

Each believer has a story to tell. Our story is about Jesus and his love for sinners. We testify to the truth of his promises and proclaim the message of the cross.

Holy Trinity Sunday

The mystery of the Holy Trinity is beyond our comprehension. Yet it is proclaimed in Scripture and believed by Spirit-wrought hearts of faith. We believe in the one true God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The height, depth, and breadth of our God gives us peace as we travel towards eternity.

The Coming of the Holy Spirit - The Day of Pentecost

The fifty days have passed and the promised Holy Spirit is poured out upon the Bride of Christ. The once-hidden gospel is no longer the possession of a chosen few. For the Spirit enables the message of salvation to enflame hearts for bearing witness to the ends of the earth.

Easter Changes What You Pray For (Easter 7)

There are certain events that stick in one’s mind. Events that when they occur, change everything. You remember not only everything that happened, but how that event changed the rest of your life.

Now as then, our risen and ascended Lord Jesus prays for Spirit-inspired unity between the Father and his church. We too pray that we may have unity, that we may be one, as brothers and sisters who live in harmony, as servants gathered to worship Him, as disciples who follow Him always. Then, with much anticipation, we look for the coming of the Holy Spirit, confidently living a new life of faith in our ascended Lord.

Love for Christ Shows Itself (Easter 6)

Love for Christ shows itself in obedience to his teaching and trust in his peace.

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Love One Another (Easter 5)

The risen Lord prepares his followers for his visible departure by giving a new command: Love one another.

Easter Changes Everything - It Changes How You View Death

There are certain events that stick in one’s mind. Events that when they occur, change everything. You remember not only everything that happened, but how that event changed the rest of your life.  One of those big, life-changing events is the death of a friend or loved one. Suddenly, many things in life change.

Easter too is one of those events. As we have heard since Easter, it is an event that changed everything. The very nature of Easter changes even how we view and face death. Today, on Good Shepherd Sunday God’s Word shows us our Shepherd, Jesus, who leads his flock to safe pastures and his eternal fold. We see how our Savior’s victory over death changes how we face death.

Easter Changes Everything - It Changes How You Live Life (Easter 3)

There are certain events that stick in one’s mind. Events that when they occur, change everything. You remember not only everything that happened, but how that event changed the rest of your life.  One of those big, life-changing events is the birth of a child. Suddenly, diapers aren’t the only things being changed—priorities change, schedules changes, family life changes.

Easter too is one of those events. As we have heard on Easter, it is an event that changed everything. Today, we watch as the risen Lord appears in power to Saul on the road to Damascus. The risen Lord changes Saul’s heart in such a profound way that Saul turns from persecutor of the church to its greatest missionary. In the same way the light of our Risen Savior has shined in the darkness of our sin-filled hearts. Though we still feebly struggle with sin and are not "worthy" to even approach God’s presence, Christ gathers us to constantly receive the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus’ Easter victory changes us, our hearts, our lives—so much so that it changes our priorities in life, it changes what we see as important, it changes how we live life. 

Easter Changes Everything - It Changes How We Speak (Easter 2)

Final preparation to be the risen Christ’s witnesses begins with sight. The apostles were blessed with visibly seeing the risen Lord. Overcoming their doubts by the power of the Spirit, they would boldly proclaim the new life to be found in the Living One. Blessed to see through eyes of faith, the vision of the First and the Last fills our hearts with this confidence: “Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.”