Messages from the King Pr. Jeremiah Gumm

While not every religion uses the word “sin,” they all embrace the concept. Every religion acknowledges that mankind’s flawed attitudes or misguided actions are a source of pain, both now and potentially in eternity. So, every religion offers a solution: a set of laws, a moral code, a path to more enlightened behavior. What do they have in common? We are to solve sin through human effort. Be better! Try harder! This is the heart of every false religion. Those who correctly understand they will never overcome their sin are crushed by guilt. Those who ludicrously believe they have defeated their sin are killed by pride.

True religion offers a better way—one that frees us from guilt and has no room for pride. Jesus teaches that the solution to our sin is not to work harder. It is to trust in the work he has done for us. Salvation comes through Spirit-wrought faith in Christ.

The Bible reading for this message is Numbers 21:4-9.

This is the fourth in our Lenten worship series: Rethinking Religion.
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The unbelieving world has always insisted on putting God on trial. As our society becomes more secular, we Christians are increasingly aware of the many ways in which God—and his people—are judged. Temptations are many in this environment, so how do we live as people of God in this hostile world? We find our model—and our motivation—in Jesus. This midweek series takes us back to the moments when God was literally on trial before humankind in the person of Christ. In these inspired episodes, we find forgiveness for us and all people, love for our enemies, strength for our faith, and courage to testify to the truth.

The Bible reading for this message is Luke 23:1-12.

Video for this message can be found here.

This is the third in our midweek Lenten worship series: God on Trial.
Support the Show.
Messages from the King is produced by King of Kings Lutheran Church in Maitland, FL.

To find out more about King of Kings...
Please visit VisitKoK.com Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/visitkok) Email us @ info@visitkok.com Remember your Savior Jesus loves you! May he bless you with his grace!

Person A never attends worship. He can’t see the point. Person B attends every week out of a slavish sense of obligation. Her mind wanders during the services, for she views the activities of worship merely as tasks for her to complete. Who is worse off? Rather than debating the point, let us just admit neither understand the true worth of worship. And that is exactly what Satan wants.

Many think worship is about what we do for God. It is the other way around. As we gather around Word and sacrament, the Spirit moves us to love and trust in God above all things. Moved by the cross of Christ, we bow down before our God. We commune with him. And that’s exactly what God wants.

The Bible reading for this message is John 2:13-22.

Video for this message can be found here.

This is the third in our Lenten worship series: Rethinking Religion.
Support the Show.
Messages from the King is produced by King of Kings Lutheran Church in Maitland, FL.

To find out more about King of Kings...
Please visit VisitKoK.com Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/visitkok) Email us @ info@visitkok.com Remember your Savior Jesus loves you! May he bless you with his grace!

Contrast Jesus inside and Peter outside. Jesus was respectful, yet he boldly confessed the truth about who he is. Peter fell all over himself to avoid having to make such a confession. We weep at our failures, yet rejoice in Jesus’ perfect witness in our place.

The Bible reading for this message is Matthew 26:57-75.

Video for this message can be found here.

This is the second in our midweek Lenten worship series: God on Trial.
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Messages from the King is produced by King of Kings Lutheran Church in Maitland, FL.

To find out more about King of Kings...
Please visit VisitKoK.com Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/visitkok) Email us @ info@visitkok.com Remember your Savior Jesus loves you! May he bless you with his grace!

Reconciliation is a process of bringing together two people or groups in conflict with each other and restoring their relationship. Yet how do most people view reconciliation? Is it two opposing individuals or groups coming together in the middle or is it the expectation that one side will come all the way over, while the other does not budge? Most people in conflict with others take the latter view. “I will only be friends with that person or that family or that group if they reconcile with me.”

Where does such a self-centered view of reconciliation come from? It comes from our own sinful natures that want “my way or the highway.” We all naturally have that attitude when it comes to God and his will. Yet in grace—undeserved love for sinners like us, God did the unthinkable. He did all the work and yet reconciled us to himself. He sent his Son, forgave our sins, and restored us to loving him once again. So then, what will we do with that reconciliation? We are called to take that message of reconciliation with God out to the world!

The Bible reading for this message is 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.

Video for this message can be found here.
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Messages from the King is produced by King of Kings Lutheran Church in Maitland, FL.

To find out more about King of Kings...
Please visit VisitKoK.com Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/visitkok) Email us @ info@visitkok.com Remember your Savior Jesus loves you! May he bless you with his grace!

We live in an emotionally charged, partisan world. It is important to remember that those against us, like Malchus, are fellow sinners with names and souls, themselves being led astray. There’s no need to attack. If Jesus is in control, as he clearly demonstrates, we can show restraint, even love, just as he did, without sacrificing what matters most.

The Bible reading for this message is Luke 22:47-53.

Video for this message can be found here.

This is the first in our midweek Lenten worship series: God on Trial.
Support the Show.
Messages from the King is produced by King of Kings Lutheran Church in Maitland, FL.

To find out more about King of Kings...
Please visit VisitKoK.com Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/visitkok) Email us @ info@visitkok.com Remember your Savior Jesus loves you! May he bless you with his grace!