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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
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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

What’s the Good Word | Isaiah 55:6-9; Matthew 20:1-16

What’s the Good Word | Isaiah 55:6-9; Matthew 20:1-16

Pastor’s sermon suggests 3 “good words” the Lord might speak to us at the beginning of every day: COME, LOVE and JESUS. There are many more. Add to the discussion some other “good words” the Lord might greet us with when we ask; “Lord, what’s the good word?” Can you think of a time when you were really thirsty? And then just relive the joy of that first cold gulp of a refreshing drink. Isaiah was speaking to a dehydrated people about seeking a free life-giving drink to give them hope. Now, consider the parched condition of our sin-filled lives. And the Lord offers us LIVING WATER. Discuss your response. The prophet speaks of God’s compassion and the miracle of his abundant pardon. Discuss those two words: COMPASSION and PARDON. Yes, God’s ways are higher than our ways. Isn’t it great that we have a God......and that His plan of salvation for us.....is beyond our understanding? And yet how does He convince us that Jesus, our Savior is NOT too good to be true? How can we be sure of this “good word”? Listen as we study Isaiah 55:6-9 and Matthew 20:1-16.

Stuck Like Glue | Jeremiah 15:15-21; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28

Stuck Like Glue | Jeremiah 15:15-21; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28

In Romans 12, Paul gives Christians a tough task: to not return evil for evil, but to cling to/hold fast to/GLUE to what is good. In this sermon we dig deeper at why it is that we’re called to live this way, while seeing how there’s good news in there for us as well. Pastor Josh Gremminger preaches on clinging to what is good based on Jeremiah 15:15-21; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28.

Faith in the Face of Adversity | Isaiah 56:1, 6-8; Romans 11:1-2a, 13-15, 28-32; Matthew 15:21-28.

Faith in the Face of Adversity | Isaiah 56:1, 6-8; Romans 11:1-2a, 13-15, 28-32; Matthew 15:21-28.

In this sermon on faith and adversity, Pastor Josh takes us through Isaiah 56:1, 6-8; Romans 11:1-2a, 13-15, 28-32; and Matthew 15:21-28. An unlikely woman comes and makes a request of Jesus in Matthew 15. There is no reason for her to expect Jesus to grant her request, but her faith persists even when it seems unlikely he will. We discuss the tension of having faith that believes God CAN (grant our request), but that still trusts in God even if he doesn’t.

“Dr. Jesus” | Hosea 5:15-6:6 and Matthew 9:9-13

“Dr. Jesus” | Hosea 5:15-6:6 and Matthew 9:9-13

Jesus came to save sinners. You are a sinner. Your neighbor is a sinner. Your pastor is a sinner. Everyone in the world is a sinner. Even the people you dislike need to hear God’s word of forgiveness. In this sermon based on Matthew 9:9-13, we will look at how Jesus humbles us, showing us we are no better than anyone else, and how we also have been given the same forgiveness as everyone else. 

The Holy Trinity: A Mystery That Matters I Genesis 1:1-2:4a, Acts 2:14a, 22-36, Matthew 28:16-20.

The Holy Trinity: A Mystery That Matters I Genesis 1:1-2:4a, Acts 2:14a, 22-36, Matthew 28:16-20.

The Triune nature of God is a doctrine unique to Christianity. There is nothing like it in any other religion. It is essential to Christianity for several reasons, not the least of which is that Scripture reveals that there is one God while simultaneously referring to each of the three members of the Trinity as God. Our God is a relational God, eternally existing in relationship with Himself. Pastor Smith teaches us about the Trinity in Genesis 1:1-2:4a, Acts 2:14a, 22-36, and Matthew 28:16-20. While the doctrine of the Trinity is not fully understandable to us and is thus a mystery, it is rational and true.

Giving Goals | Acts 1:12-26, 1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11

Giving Goals | Acts 1:12-26, 1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11

As we read through the book of Acts during this Easter season, we see God putting people into positions to give of their time, talents, and treasures to support the work of His kingdom. We will reflect upon people like Matthias, the newly-elected twelfth apostle, who may feel overwhelmed at the prospect of serving in a new way. How do we feel when God puts it on our hearts to give of ourselves to do His work and serve others? What stands in our way? What would help us take the first step?

Jesus Juke | Acts 17:16-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21

Jesus Juke | Acts 17:16-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21

“Jesus Juke” is based on Acts 17:16-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21. As Paul arrives in Athens (Acts 17), he sees it is filled with idols. Rather than condemning them or abruptly shifting the conversation to Jesus, he uses it as a bridge to talk about what he’s observed and heard there in Athens. We learn from Paul to not “Jesus juke” a conversation, but rather, make real connections to Jesus. 

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.