Guest User
I’m in Heaven | Genesis 28:10-22

This week we focus on the story of Jacob, and in particular the memorable dream God gives him where he sees a ladder, or stairway, to heaven. This is a powerful vision for Jacob as he sees that God comes down from heaven to earth to be present with him and to deliver him great promises. Many years later, Jesus will refer back to this vision of the stairway to heaven in reference to Himself! This sermon focuses on how God created all things initially for heaven and earth to be united–God living with His people. Sin messed this all up, but the story of the Bible is how God is working to reunite heaven and earth, so that one day He and His people will dwell together again. We will discuss these implications in the story of Jacob, the life of Jesus, and our own lives today.

I’m in Heaven | Genesis 28:10-22
Guest User
The Laughter of the Lord’s People | Genesis ...

When you read through the Bible, you might assume all the people in God’s story are holy and perfect and qualified. You’d be wrong. In fact, it is downright laughable the types of sinful people God chooses to include in His story of salvation. Laughter is a big theme in the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac. Laughter can mean multiple different things depending on the situation. We might laugh because of disbelief, bitterness, sarcasm, or it may be because of humor, relief, or joy. We see several examples of this kind of laughter in the section of Genesis we are reading this week. Join Pastor Smith as we discover how laughable it is that God chooses people like Abraham (and people like us!) in His story. 

The Laughter of the Lord’s People | Genesis 12:1-9
Josh Gremminger
Ex Nihilo | Genesis 1:1-10,26-31

Who gets to decide what’s right and wrong? If you and I disagree, then how do we actually decide? Pastor Josh takes us through Genesis 1 to see how: when God created, he gave definition to things- including what’s right and wrong. He walks us through how understanding that fundamental truth is key to understanding morality today.

Ex Nihilo | Genesis 1:1-10,26-31
Josh Gremminger
The Marathon of the Multitude | Hebrews 12:1-3

Imagine that you are running a marathon for which you did not willingly register. And it’s really hard. There are numerous obstacles and difficulties, not to mention pain and suffering, standing between you and the finish line. You feel like giving up. But then you notice people cheering you on. These are people who have already finished the race, and they are encouraging you toward the finish line. This is what the author to the Hebrews describes to us in this passage. The life of faith is like a marathon. A multitude of the faithful have gone before us, and by the grace of God have also finished the race. We look to them, and especially to Jesus, for an example, for encouragement, for strength. This helps us endure to the end to receive the victory Jesus has won for us. 

The Marathon of the Multitude | Hebrews 12:1-3
Josh Gremminger
Halls of Greatness | Genesis 15:1-6; Hebrews ...

Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the “Heroes of Faith,” or the “faith hall of fame.” As Christians, we have a very strong connection to them, “by faith.” Join Pastor Josh as he draws upon what this connection is, what it means for us, and what it means for those around us.

Halls of Greatness | Genesis 15:1-6; Hebrews 11:1-16; Luke 12:22-34

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” | Advent

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” | Advent

In the fourth and final week of our “Songs of Salvation” series, Pastor Smith reflects upon one of the greatest Christmas songs (and his own personal favorite), “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Pastor leads us to reflect upon this question– “What would make even the angels sing the praises of God?” We learn that the angels are also amazed and overjoyed to see God fulfilling His plan for the salvation of the world, as in the incarnation God becomes man to set us free from our sins…and this makes the angels sing “Glory to God in the highest!”

Songs of Salvation | Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Songs of Salvation | Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

In week 2 of our “Songs of Salvation” series, Pastor Smith reflects upon the powerful Advent song “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.” We take a journey through the history of God’s people as they have waited for God to redeem and restore His broken world. We learn about God’s promises kept in the first coming of Jesus…and we continue to wait in hopeful expectation of Jesus’s second coming.

Songs of Salvation | O Come, O Come Emmanuel" | Isaiah 11:1-11; Matthew 1:18-25 | Advent

Songs of Salvation | O Come, O Come Emmanuel" | Isaiah 11:1-11; Matthew 1:18-25 | Advent

Our beloved Christmas songs have deep scriptural connections and are filled with rich theology. As we reflect on “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” we see the hope for God’s people who waited for their Messiah, as well as our hope as we wait for the second coming of Jesus. This advent sermon is based upon Isaiah 11:1-11 and Matthew 1:18-25.

More | Giving Part 2: Treasure | 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 and Matthew 6:24-34

More | Giving Part 2: Treasure | 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 and Matthew 6:24-34

In this second part of a short sermon series on the stewardship of our blessings from God, Pastor Smith leads us through a reflection on 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 and Matthew 6:24-34. One of the biggest obstacles standing in the way of Christian generosity is a faith issue–do we trust in God to provide more of what we need in this life? Pastor Smith addresses this faith issue and leads us to see how God provides abundantly not only for our earthly needs but also our spiritual and eternal needs. Knowing this, may we as God’s people be generous and expect Him to continually take care of us!

All Saints’ Sunday | Acts 6:1-6 | John 10:27-30

All Saints’ Sunday | Acts 6:1-6 | John 10:27-30

Faithful saints have gone before us and serve as examples of faith. While marred by sin just like us, through the Gospel, they were redeemed and accomplished great things in Christ. Better, Christ in the saints has done great things! Pastor Pastor Buegler takes us on a study of Acts 6:1-6 and John 10:27-30 as we see the faithfulness of those who have gone before us in Christ.

Whether you have been following Jesus for years, or you have just begun to find out who Jesus is (or you’re somewhere in between!), you might be looking for a church to call home. Come and see how you can follow jesus with us here at St. Paul.