Prince Of Peace

So often we think of Jesus in the wilderness as the ultimate “how to” about withstanding temptation. Just quote the Bible and you’ll be ok. But what if the inclusion of this story in the Gospels isn’t about how it happens but where it happens? Let’s dig a little deeper... Scripture: Psalm 25:1-10; Mark 1:9-15 Song: "Future Past" written by J.M. McMillan; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band

After Jesus has experienced so much opposition and rejection, we come to a glorious vision of his power and majesty high on a mountain. What a great and dramatic ending this would be to the gospel story. Jesus lifted high with Moses on one side, Elijah on the other. The end. But it turns out that Mark has a far different ending in mind... Scripture: Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9 Song: "Never Once" written by J. Ingram, et al.; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band

How often do we do all things and be all things in order to help people? In order to fit in, or be good, or feel ok? Paul’s letter to the Corinthians describes this kind of work of the Christian in the world and it feels overwhelming and kind of exhausting. But then Jesus reminds us, right in the middle of his overload of work and surrounded by people in need, that rest is important. How do you take time? How do you Sabbath? What does this practice of rest have to do with our own walk of faith? Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39 Song: "Come As You Are" written by B. Glover, et al.: performed by the Prince of Peace worship band

What a set of texts we have in front of us today! In Deuteronomy we have a promise that God will continue to raise up prophetic voices to lead the people when things seem dire. Then Mark gives us the first miracle/sign of his Gospel and it’s not what you’d expect. What do these two things have in common? And why are they important today when neither of these things seem like the life we’re living right now? Scripture: Deut 18:15-20; Mark 1:21-28 Song: "Our God" written by C. Tomlin, J. Reeves, et al.; preformed by the Prince of Peace worship band

Simon and Andrew always upgraded when the new smartphones came out. They liked things to happen fast! We also tend to like things to happen immediately. Let’s drop what we’re doing and tag along. Scripture: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20 Song: "I Found It All" written by Shane Barnard; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band

One week after we heard about the baptism of Jesus and saw our young people affirm their baptisms, we are reminded that we too have been called. Each and every one of us. What then is our response to this call? Do we say “here I am Lord” as Samuel does? Do we invite others to “come and see” as Nathaniel was himself invited? Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10; John 1:43-51 Song: "Children of Light" written by J. Ingram, J. Reeves, et al.; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band

Confirmation is not a graduation from church or faith. It is an invitation to a deeper and more meaingful involvement in the life of the church, the life of faith. Hear these powerful stories of faith from those students being confirmed... Scripture: Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11 Song: "Thunder" as recorded by Imagine Dragons; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band

What if being sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever gets you into trouble? Today an old man holds the child Jesus in his arms and gives a blessing that causes great concern for Mary and Joseph. Are you sure you want to be blessed by God? Scripture: Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40 Song: "Love Came Down" written by Brian Johnson, et al.; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band

People say it is supposed to be a time of joy and happiness... of love and good cheer... and we hope that's exactly the kind of Christmas you're having. But it's hard sometimes, we know. You may even feel surrounded by darkness. If your Christmas includes some uncertainty, or some grief or even some fear, you are not alone. You share this holy night with shepherds and angels and Mary and Joseph and people all over the world who find themselves in some kind of darkness. And we are here, all of us, together. "Do not be afraid, for see I bring you news of great joy. For unto you is born in the City of David a savior." So a light shines even in your darkness. And nothing shall overcome this Light. Song: "God with Us" written by J. Ingram & L. Jordan; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band

Should the world consider the coming of the Lord as a promise or a threat? This past year has been filled with unspeakable violence and suffering throughout the world, including in the United States. As we enter the season of Advent, the themes of darkness and light will lead us all the way to the Christ child in Bethlehem. And a promise. Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9; Mark 13:24-37 Song: "Even So Come" written by C. Tomlin, et al.; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band

On this Christ the King Sunday, we celebrate the kingship of Jesus. What does it mean that Jesus is King? Jesus tells the final parable of Matthew’s 25th chapter, a well known parable about dividing sheep and goats into categories of in and out, good and bad. What does this mean for us today? And are we sheep or goats? Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46 Song: "Great Are You Lord" written by D. Leonard, et al.; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band

A few times a year, we depart from our usual preaching schedule and hand over the mic to… you… so you can ask any and all questions pertaining to faith, community, theology… And we see what happens. We adjust the usual format of our worship service in order to leave as much time as possible for our pastors to respond to our questions—and we are always left wanting more! Song: "O Come To The Altar" written by C. Brown, M. Brock, et al.; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band

A few times a year, we depart from our usual preaching schedule and hand over the mic to… you… so you can ask any and all questions pertaining to faith, community, theology… And we see what happens. We adjust the usual format of our worship service in order to leave as much time as possible for our pastors to respond to our questions—and we are always left wanting more! Song: "O Come To The Altar" written by C. Brown, M. Brock, et al.; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band

We heard a sermon in August about the time between expectation and hope. We find ourselves in this same place again in our readings today. As we await the arrival of Christ, what does our preparation look like? What does it mean to wait for something yet coming, but still being present in the here and now? Scripture: Amos 5:18-24; Matthew 25:1-13 Song: "Heaven Now!" written by Nate Bergengren; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band

The odds are fairly good that one of the many road construction projects around the metro area slowed down your drive to church today. Will there come a time when all of this construction is completed? The truth is, each of us is an unfinished project, under construction. How is your personal construction project going? What will it look like when finished? Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17; Matthew 5:1-12 Song: "Your Grace Finds Me" written by J. Myrin & M. Redman; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band

There are 613 laws/rules to follow in the Old Testament. 613. Phew. How are we ever to expect to follow them all? Jesus gives us a little help today and narrows it down to 2. On this 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, let’s look at our two “rules” and what it means that grace comes first. Scripture: Romans 3:19-28; Matthew 22:34-40 Song: "We Are Called (let us not forget)" written by Nate Bergengren; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band Watch the video we showed at the end of the message

The prosperity gospel is a booming business. The idea that I can get a huge return on my investment by giving money to a ministry is an appealing theology to millions. The Lutheran theology of the cross is something altogether different. Jesus turns our attention away from what we have or desire toward who we are and what we value. Scripture: Exodus 33:12-23; Matthew 22:15-22 Song: "At The Cross (love ran red)" written by C. Tomlin, I. Watts, et al.; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band

Ooof. This is not a text we hear in Sunday school. Who would turn down an invitation to dine with the King? And who would wear sweatpants to a wedding feast? In fact, both of the texts today feel like a call to worthiness. And that’s hard to hear. But what if we’re missing something? Is it really so dire? Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9; Matthew 22:1-14 Song: "Psalm 126 (come home with jubilation)" by Nate Bergengren; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band

Father Richard Rohr wrote that “religion either produces the very best people or the very worst.” In this passage, Paul continues arguing against the outward trappings of the religious system that he had devoted his life to, in favor of “the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” This deserves a closer look! Scripture: Philippians 3:4b-14 Song: "Lead Me To The Cross" written by Brooke Ligertwood; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band

Today’s Gospel begins a series of challenges to the authority of Jesus by those holding positions of power. What is it about this Jesus guy that is so threatening? What does it mean that Jesus is occupying the temple in these stories and what does it have to do with us and the places we occupy? Scripture: Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32 Song: "From The Inside Out" written by Joel Houston; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band