Jeffery Smith
Six Easy Ways to Get What You Want | Genesis ...

When we have to ask someone else for something we want, we often think we have to form a strategy for how to get what we want. We approach this with the underlying assumption that the person whom we ask does NOT want to give us something. So we come up with somewhat sneaky ways to get it anyway. We might use flattery, persuasion, bargaining, persistence, or other such approaches. Should we try the same thing when we ask God for what we want? Looking at both the Genesis 18 and Luke 11 texts, we learn that we do not have to trick God into giving us good things. Through careful study of these texts, we will learn the exceedingly simple way we are to approach God in prayer for the things we want and need.

Six Easy Ways to Get What You Want | Genesis 18:17-33 & Luke 11:1-13
Josh Gremminger
The “Why” | Colossians 1

Everyone has reasons for why they do what they do- especially when it costs you in some form to do it. Join Pastor Josh as he digs into Colossians 1 and discusses why it is that we (should) do what we do as Christians, even when it’s difficult or costs us.

The “Why” | Colossians 1

Six Easy Ways to Get What You Want | Genesis 18:17-33 & Luke 11:1-13

Six Easy Ways to Get What You Want | Genesis 18:17-33 & Luke 11:1-13

When we have to ask someone else for something we want, we often think we have to form a strategy for how to get what we want. We approach this with the underlying assumption that the person whom we ask does NOT want to give us something. So we come up with somewhat sneaky ways to get it anyway. We might use flattery, persuasion, bargaining, persistence, or other such approaches. Should we try the same thing when we ask God for what we want? Looking at both the Genesis 18 and Luke 11 texts, we learn that we do not have to trick God into giving us good things. Through careful study of these texts, we will learn the exceedingly simple way we are to approach God in prayer for the things we want and need.

Measuring Stick | 1 Kings 19:9b-21, Gal. 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-6

Measuring Stick | 1 Kings 19:9b-21, Gal. 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62

  1. What areas (Fruit of the Spirit) do you see God most working in you? What areas do you feel weakest?

  2. Which of the 3 potential pitfalls (becoming prideful; becoming burdened; comparing with others) do you resonate with the most?

  3. What do you think the point of good works are?

  4. (How) can you have an honest conversation with a Christian who doesn’t seem to be very “in step with the Spirit”?

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Get The Devil Out Of Here | Isaiah 65:1-9, Luke 8:26-39

The Public, Old, Delightful Wisdom of God | Proverbs 8:1-4; 22-31

  1. It was important for Jesus to assure His followers (Jews and Gentile) that He has power over not only sin and death….but also the DEVIL. Driving demons out of possessed people was an important illustration of this power. Discuss how the power of our BAPTISM gives us that same assurance?

  2. Share some modern day examples of how the Devil gets at us with these 3 steps: He creates doubts; lies about God’s will; and throws in worthless promises of his own.

  3. Luther said in the Battle Hymn of the Reformation: This world’s prince may still scowl fierce as he will…he can harm us...none… he’s judged...the deed is done...ONE LITTLE WORD CAN FELL HIM. What is that one little word? (PS. There may be more than one.)

  4. The Devil LIES...Jesus is the TRUTH.

  5. The Devil works in DARKNESS...Jesus is the LIGHT.

  6. The Devil promotes HATE...Jesus promotes LOVE.

  7. The Devil urges SELFISHNESS...Jesus urges SERVANTHOOD.

  8. So, discuss how we “get the devil out of here” when we live in TRUTH, LIGHT, LOVE, AND SERVANTHOOD.

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The Public, Old, Delightful Wisdom of God | Proverbs 8:1-4; 22-31

The Public, Old, Delightful Wisdom of God | Proverbs 8:1-4; 22-31

It is Holy Trinity Sunday, the time when the church reflects upon the unique relationship and nature of God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This passage from Proverbs talks about the wisdom of God, and how it has existed since before the beginning. The church throughout its history has identified the Wisdom of God as being the same as the Son of God. So, in a way, we get the “prequel story” of the Son of God, and we get a window into the relationship between the Father and the Son, especially during creation. We learn three important things about God’s Wisdom in this passage: Wisdom is public knowledge; Wisdom has insight to know how God’s creation was meant to be; and Wisdom delights in the Father’s creation. 

Stairway to Heaven

Stairway to Heaven

  1. Have you ever had some kind of food or project that was missing one key ingredient that made the whole thing not work?

  2. Share a time when you tried to communicate with someone who spoke a different language. What was that experience like?

  3. Is it difficult or easy for you to come to grips with the fact that you are brought into faith, and it’s not due to anything you’ve done?

  4. How do we uphold proper teachings while also working together with other believers who believe differently about certain teachings than we do?

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The Longest Prayer Ever | John 17:20-26

The Longest Prayer Ever | John 17:20-26

This is a special Sunday in the church year that falls between Ascension Day and Pentecost, and our Gospel reading actually takes us back to the upper room on Maundy Thursday, when Jesus is praying. The content of His prayer is very striking–Jesus not only is praying for His disciples who are with Him in the room, but He also is praying for us! He says in verse 20: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.” This sermon explores how Jesus is still praying this prayer today, as He intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. So we will focus on three aspects of what we can learn from this prayer: how important words are, to whom these words lead, and how Jesus has already been praying for us and for the people who will believe through our words.

Memorial Day Weekend | This Nation Remembers to Live Under God

Memorial Day Weekend | This Nation Remembers to Live Under God

  1. In Pastor Buegler’s opening story the punchline was: “Whoever gets the son….gets everything”. He then capitalized the word SON so that it also refers to Jesus Christ. Discuss the similarities and the differences in the sacrifices of the men and women who lost their lives in our nation’s conflicts with the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus against sin, death and the devil.

  2. Consider the little 2 words in our Pledge of Allegiance that were added in 1954: UNDER GOD. How does Romans 13:1 give powerful meaning to those words?

  3. Before the Lord gave us the 10 commandments in Exodus 20, He told us to REMEMBER who He was and REMEMBER what He has done for us…..therefore, “have no other gods before me”. Discuss how it would be good for us EVERY day to REMEMBER those 2 things: Who our God is…..and what He has done for us.

  4. The sermon warned us to never FORGET the sacrifices of those who paid the ultimate price. That “freedom is NOT free”. Discuss what distractions enter our lives that cause us to forget the price that has been paid. Discuss the best way for Christians to observe Memorial Day.

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Uncertain Steps Following a Certain Shepherd | Psalm 23, Rev. 7:9-17, John 10:22-30

Uncertain Steps Following a Certain Shepherd | Psalm 23, Rev. 7:9-17, John 10:22-30

In this sermon, Pastor Smith dives into the three Scriptures appointed for Good Shepherd Sunday, and shows us how comforting it is to know that Jesus is leading us through life, no matter what happens. In all three of these passages, we see wonderful destinations where our Good Shepherd is leading us. However, there are also some scary parts of the journey that we read about, much of which is uncertain and can bring us anxiety and fear. The important thing to remember is that no matter what happens, we know who is leading us, and we know where we are going. This perspective helps us make it through life’s dark valleys and strengthens our trust in the Shepherd.

Breakfast Fit For A King….and His Church | Rev. 5:1-14, John 21:1-14

Breakfast Fit For A King….and His Church | Rev. 5:1-14, John 21:1-14

  1. Isn’t it interesting when we fish for fish we bring them from their beautiful underwater world to their death and when we fish for humanity we bring them from death to the beautiful world of God’s grace?

  2. Discuss. Jesus used Peter’s old rickety boat as a platform to preach to the crowds. How can you use your own work-place to share the good news of a Risen Christ?

  3. Frank Sinatra sang “I’ll do it my way.” Can you cite some examples in your life of times when you just launched into a situation you encountered without any thought to prayer or the leading of God’s Word? Frank needs a song that is titled: “I Did It God’s Way.” Discuss.

  4. The business world uses the Peanut’s cartoon that ends with “Why can’t you guys get organized like that” as a training module for corporate leaders emphasizing the importance of organization. Under Moses’ leadership the 12 tribes in the Old Testament were organized. After Pentecost, the early church got organized. How can we today learn the importance of organization within the Body of Christ, the Church?

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Your Labor is Not in Vain | 1 Corinthians 15:58

Your Labor is Not in Vain | 1 Corinthians 15:58

  1. Think of a time when your “labor was in vain.” What was that experience like?

  2. Think of another time when your labor was meaningful and it mattered. What was that experience like?

  3. How does the resurrection of Jesus give more meaning to the work you do in His name?

  4. What was the biggest takeaway you got from hearing from fellow St. Paul members share their experiences of serving here?

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Easter Sermons | Contemporary & Traditional | 2025

Easter Sermons | Contemporary & Traditional | 2025

In his Easter Sunday sermon, Pastor Smith explores the power of memory. We see the angels tell the women to remember Jesus’ words, foretelling that He would die and rise again. They do remember and then they understand that He is really risen. Memory has the power to do two different things. First, it can take you away from the present to a time that has passed. But this is not the only role memory plays. It can also bring you more fully into your present life. In this sermon we explore how remembering the resurrection does not simply take us away from today into a past event. Remembering Jesus’ resurrection actually brings us more fully into the present because it gives us sure and certain hope for the future.

Out of the Mouths of Babes | Matthew 19:13-15, 21:1-17

Out of the Mouths of Babes | Matthew 19:13-15, 21:1-17

In this sermon, Pastor Smith focuses on how the little children “get it” when it comes to Jesus. They give him worship and praise, as they should! Whereas the adults, especially the leaders, WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER, don’t get it at all. Jesus quotes Psalm 8 which gives rise to the common expression “out of the mouths of babes.” It is interesting to speculate that perhaps the same children whom Jesus blessed in Matthew 19 have now followed him to Jerusalem and are now praising Him. So often on Palm Sunday we focus only on the voices who shift from “Hosanna” to “Crucify Him” just four or five days later, and it is right to grieve how wrong they become, but today we will celebrate how the children get it right on Palm Sunday and what we can learn from them.

The Psalms: A Playlist for Life’s Journey, Forged Through Fire | Psalm 116

The Psalms: A Playlist for Life’s Journey, Forged Through Fire | Psalm 116

  1. What is one of your biggest pet peeves?

  2. Do you find it difficult or easy to thank God for answered prayer? _____________ Why? _____________________________

  3. Discuss Luther’s (dying) words, “We are beggars, this is true.”

  4. What types of prayers do you find yourself praying the most?

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The Psalms: A Playlist for Life’s Journey, Why We Should Sing Praise In Lent | Psalm 98

The Psalms: A Playlist for Life’s Journey, Why We Should Sing Praise In Lent | Psalm 98

  1. There’s a joke about “being Lutheran in the Midwest is to live as though everyday is Lent”. Discuss why LENT is understood as being a somber, emotionless season?

  2. If Psalm 98 points us to the coming of the Messiah (for the Jews a “new born King” and for us the second coming end of the world King), then what’s the meaning of SAVIOR, KING AND JUDGE for us as we await the end of time?

  3. It’s one thing for King Jesus to rule over heaven and earth, but another thing for Him to rule over our daily life. What is the practical application of allowing Jesus to sit on the throne of our life?

  4. Get out your hymnal and read the words to “Joy To The World”. Discuss why it is a wonderful Christmas carol. And then discuss why it is a hymn celebrating what Christ as done for us as we await His second coming.

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The Psalms: A Playlist for Life’s Journey, Am I Allowed to Pray Like That? | Psalm 35:1-10; 22-28

The Psalms: A Playlist for Life’s Journey, Am I Allowed to Pray Like That? | Psalm 35:1-10; 22-28

This week we look at the group of psalms known as the “imprecatory psalms.” These psalms are characterized by the curses and calls for destruction the psalmist cries out for God to bring upon his enemies. It is likely that when you’ve read a psalm like this before, it has made you uncomfortable. How can we love our enemies, while at the same time asking God to wipe them out? We will take a careful look at these psalms and figure out if we also are allowed to pray like that? How can we reconcile these prayers with what the rest of Scripture says about enemies, revenge, justice, and evil? Can we add a prayer like this to our playlist as we journey through life? Ultimately we will see how God does respond to evil in this world, and how we can pray for God to vindicate His people from their enemies.

The Psalms: A Playlist for Life’s Journey, A Safe Place | Psalm 13

The Psalms: A Playlist for Life’s Journey, A Safe Place | Psalm 13

What makes someone a “safe” person to open up to with your raw emotions? Do you find yourself able to openly lament to God, or is that uncomfortable for you? Have you ever felt like David in Psalm 13, “How long O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” What benefits come from opening your heart to someone like this?

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