Messages From First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Concord, Ca

King David advises us not to put our trust in political leaders, but in the Lord. Political leaders will die, but the Lord reigns forever.

The religious leaders of Ezekiel's day were not taking care of their people. The people needed a new shepherd, a good shepherd. The people needed Jesus.

When Jesus says we can't follow Him unless we hate our families, what does He mean?

Jesus tells a parable about humbling ourselves. As we humble ourselves, we invite our heavenly Father to determine our value, to determine our honor by exalting us. He does. And He will when Jesus returns.

Discipline is painful in the moment, but it yields fruit eventually. As Jesus' disciplines we need discipline, and Jesus shows us ultimate discipline on the cross.

The author of Hebrews recounts heroes of faith, but nobody's faith is perfect then or now. We all need our faith to be perfected by Jesus.

God promises Abraham his very own son with be his heir. Despite waiting years and years, Abraham believes God's promise. God keeps His promise to Abraham and God keeps His promise to us: I will be with you always.

Being hidden is good when something bad is searching for you. Being hidden is bad when something good is searching for you. In the cosmic game of hide and seek between Christ and Satan, we are sought by Christ, delivered from the domain of darkness, and hidden with Christ in the Kingdom of God.

The Apostle Paul writes that because of Jesus, we are reconciled to God and presented holy and blameless before Him.

Jesus tells His disciples not to rejoice in their own abilities, but in what God has done for them: written their names in heaven.

Elijah visits God on Mount Sinai, and God is not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in the sound of a low whisper. God often reveals Himself in such whispers.

After Jesus heals a man with a legion of demons, the man sits at the feet of Jesus and is sent to share all that God has done for him.

Our Triune God is mysteriously three persons, but one God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit always work together. As the church, we are one...even though sometimes it doesn't really look like it.

Jesus' last words to His disciples before ascending into heaven promise that they will be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Where are these places in our own lives?

God wants His way to be known, so He sends prophets, He sends His Son, and He sends you.

John sees the holy city, new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven. This is the continual movement of God's deliverance: Him coming down to us.

Shepherds lead their sheep, dwell with their sheep, and make sure nothing bad is following their sheep. The Lord is your Good Shepherd and does these things for you, His sheep.

The Apostle John sees a vision where God the Father holds a scroll, but nobody is worthy to open the scroll and its seals. No one except Jesus.

Jesus asks Thomas this question, "Have you believed because you have seen me?" We often think the answer is yes...but what if the answer is no?