Sermons from Ascension Lutheran Church, RPV

Scott Hawkins
  • 5.0 (3)
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This channel will bring you the sermons from Ascension Lutheran Church in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Pastor Scott Hawkins is the pastor of the church and the regular preacher/teacher. Ascension Lutheran is an LCMC congregation who would love to see you in person on Sunday mornings at 8:30 or 10:30 am.

  1. 1d ago

    October 11 2026 - Bible in a Year - Week 55

    In this week’s message, we explore the extraordinary freedom Christ has given us through His death and resurrection. Through the Apostle Paul’s transformation and his letter to the Galatians, we discover that God’s love and salvation are not rewards we must earn, but gifts freely given. When we stop trying to prove ourselves worthy of God’s grace, we are finally free to love and serve others, allowing the Holy Spirit to produce the fruits of faith in our lives. Bible Verses Referenced The sermon focuses primarily on Galatians 5, particularly Paul’s teaching about Christian freedom and the fruit of the Spirit. - Galatians 5:1 — The central verse of the sermon: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Pastor Scott emphasizes that Christ frees us from sin, shame, and the burden of trying to earn God's love. - Galatians 5:2–5 — Paul warns that seeking justification through circumcision and obedience to the Law means rejecting the sufficiency of Christ’s gift of grace. This passage is quoted extensively. - Galatians 5:13–14 — Alluded to in the teaching that Christian freedom is not simply freedom from obligations, but freedom to love and serve our neighbors. - Galatians 5:22–23 — The fruit of the Spirit. Pastor Scott describes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control as the natural results of living in God's grace rather than striving to earn salvation. - Galatians 1:15–18 — Paul describes his calling to preach among the Gentiles and his journey to Arabia before returning to Damascus. Pastor Scott discusses how Paul needed time to reconsider everything he previously believed. - Acts 7:54–8:3 — The stoning of Stephen and Saul’s participation in the persecution of early Christians. - Acts 9:1–19 — Saul’s encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, which radically transforms his understanding of God and his own identity. - Galatians 1:6–9 — Paul warns the Galatians against accepting a different gospel, even if proclaimed by an angel from heaven. - Galatians 3:1 — “You foolish Galatians!” Pastor Scott refers to Paul's frustration with those who had begun turning away from the Gospel of grace. - Galatians 5:12 — Paul’s particularly sharp criticism of those insisting that Gentile believers must be circumcised. The Princess Diaries (2001) Pastor Scott plays a scene in which Mia Thermopolis learns from Queen Clarisse that she is actually the Princess of Genovia. He compares Mia’s astonishment at discovering her royal identity with Paul's realization that, through Christ, he is already a beloved child of God. Just as Mia cannot earn or change her identity, Christians do not earn their identity as God's children. Martin Luther — The Freedom of a Christian (1520) Pastor Scott quotes Luther’s famous paradox: “A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none, and a Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all.”

  2. Oct 6

    October 4 2026 - Bible in a Year - Week 54

    In this week’s message, guest preacher Tommy Olsen explores the often-overlooked Ascension of Jesus and what it means for Christ’s continuing reign in the world. Through the opening of Acts, we discover that Jesus’ departure was not an absence, but the beginning of a new chapter in which the Holy Spirit empowers ordinary people to carry the Gospel beyond Jerusalem and bear witness to an alternative kingdom built not on power, wealth, or violence, but on the peace, love, and self-giving way of our risen King.  Bible Verses Referenced The main text is Acts 1:1–11, particularly the Ascension and Jesus’ commission to His disciples.  Acts 1:1–11 — The principal passage: the risen Jesus prepares His disciples, promises the Holy Spirit, commissions them as witnesses, and ascends into heaven.Acts 1:8 — “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem…Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This is especially central to the sermon. Acts 1:9–11 — Jesus is hidden by a cloud as He ascends, and two men in white tell the disciples that He will return in the same way.  Luke 24:50–53 — Luke’s first account of Jesus’ Ascension, which concludes his Gospel before he retells the event at the beginning of Acts.  Luke 1:35 — The angel tells Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you.” The sermon draws a parallel between the Spirit coming upon Mary to bring forth the Messiah and the Spirit coming upon the apostles as the Church begins its mission.  Psalm 47 — Jesus is described as enthroned above all powers and earthly empires.  Matthew 6:28–30 / Luke 12:27–28 — Jesus’ teaching about the lilies of the field, used to contrast trust in God with anxiety about material needs and appearances.  Genesis 11:1–9 — Tower of Babel — Humanity gathers together to centralize its power and build a tower to heaven; God scatters them and confuses their languages.  Genesis 12:1–3 — Abram and Sarai are sent out with God’s promise, beginning a movement that the sermon traces forward to Jesus and the sending of the Church.  Acts 2:1–13 — Pentecost — Presented as a striking counterpart to Babel: rather than eliminating different languages, the Holy Spirit enables people from many nations and languages to hear the same Gospel.  Mark 1:1 — “The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ.” The sermon discusses good news/gospel (euangelion) in contrast with Roman imperial announcements of a new emperor.  Luke 4:5–8 — Satan offers Jesus authority over the kingdoms of the world if Jesus will worship him; Jesus responds that God alone is to be worshiped and served.  Acts 27–28 — Paul’s journey to Rome is discussed at length: the storm and shipwreck, Paul sharing food with those aboard, the snakebite on Malta, and eventually his ministry under house arrest in Rome.  Sermon October 4 2026Jonah 1 — The storm during Paul’s journey to Rome is briefly compared with Jonah’s experience at sea.

  3. Sep 29

    September 27 2026 - Bible in a Year - Week 53

    In this week’s message, we stand at the foot of the cross and consider how Jesus shattered the expectations of those who thought they knew what the Messiah would do. Through the images of the Passover lamb, the Temple, and Daniel’s Son of Man, we discover that the resurrection reveals a kingdom far greater than anyone expected—one in which Christ conquers sin, death, and the devil and makes us His dwelling place, sending us into the world carrying His hope, light, love, mercy, and grace.  Bible Verses Referenced This sermon draws heavily on both the Old and New Testaments to show how the crucifixion and resurrection fulfill themes running throughout Scripture. John 1:29 — John the Baptist identifies Jesus as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” This is connected directly to the Passover lamb.  Sermon September 27 2026Exodus 12:46 — The Passover lamb was not to have any of its bones broken. Pastor Scott connects this with Jesus on the cross.  Sermon September 27 2026John 19:33–36 — Jesus’ legs are not broken at the crucifixion, fulfilling Scripture and reinforcing the Passover-lamb imagery.  Sermon September 27 2026Psalm 34:19–22, especially Psalm 34:20 — “He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.”  Sermon September 27 2026John 2:19–21 — Jesus declares, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days,” with John explaining that Jesus was speaking about His body.  Sermon September 27 2026Exodus 29:45–46 — God promises to dwell among the Israelites, providing the background for the Tabernacle and Temple imagery that the sermon ultimately applies to Jesus.  Sermon September 27 2026Exodus 40:34–38 — The glory of the Lord fills the Tabernacle, with the cloud by day and fire by night demonstrating God’s presence among Israel.  Sermon September 27 2026Deuteronomy 21:22–23 — Alluded to in the statement that one who hangs on a tree is cursed, emphasizing how impossible Jesus’ crucifixion would have seemed to those expecting a victorious Messiah.  Sermon September 27 2026Daniel 7:23–25 — Daniel’s vision of the fourth kingdom that oppresses God’s people. Pastor Scott connects this with the Jewish experience of living under Roman rule.  Sermon September 27 2026Daniel 2:44 — The promise that God will establish a kingdom that will never be destroyed and will ultimately overcome the kingdoms of the world.  Sermon September 27 2026Daniel 7:13–14 — The vision of “one like a Son of Man” coming with the clouds and receiving authority, glory, sovereign power, and an everlasting kingdom.  Sermon September 27 2026Luke 24:13–35 — The Road to Emmaus. This is a major backdrop to the sermon. The disciples lament, “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel,” before the risen Jesus explains how the Scriptures point toward Him and is ultimately recognized by them.  Sermon September 27 2026  Sermon September 27 2026The Resurrection accounts — The women arrive at the tomb and discover that the stone has been moved and Jesus is no longer there: “He is not here. He has risen.”  Sermon September 27 2026John 20:1–10 — Peter and John run to the empty tomb; Pastor Scott humorously notes John’s insistence on telling us that he outran Peter.  Sermon September 27 2026John 1:14 — Alluded to near the conclusion with the idea that Jesus “dwelt among us,” continuing the sermon’s Tabernacle/Temple theme.  Sermon September 27 20261 Corinthians 3:16 / 6:19 — Paul’s teaching that believers themselves are now God’s temple, the dwelling place of His Spirit. This becomes the sermon’s final application: God does not merely dwell in a building; He dwells in His people.

  4. Sep 22

    September 20 2026 - Bible in a Year - Week 52

    In this week’s message, guest speaker Mike Cohen of Chosen People Ministries explores the biblical feasts of Israel and how they tell a story of God’s redemption—from Passover and Pentecost to the fall feasts of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles. As we look at their biblical and prophetic significance, we’re reminded of what God has already accomplished through Jesus, the hope of His promised return, and our calling to keep sharing the Gospel as we await the fullness of His kingdom.   Bible Verses Referenced The principal passage is Leviticus 23, which establishes Israel’s calendar of appointed feasts. The sermon then connects those feasts with several other passages: Leviticus 23:1–2 — God instructs Moses concerning the moedim, the Lord’s appointed feasts and sacred assemblies. Genesis 2 — Referenced as the origin of the Sabbath, later incorporated into the calendar described in Leviticus 23. Leviticus 23:23–25 — Feast of Trumpets/Yom Teruah, now associated with Rosh Hashanah. Israel is commanded to observe a day of rest and sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 — Paul describes the Lord’s return with the voice of the archangel and the blast of the trumpet, which Mike connects with the imagery of Yom Teruah. Leviticus 23:26–32 — Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement, the annual sacred observance of atonement for Israel. Leviticus 16 — Although not identified by chapter number in the sermon, its Day of Atonement ritual is described in detail: the high priest entering the Holy of Holies, the blood of the sacrifice, the two goats, and the scapegoat carrying Israel’s sins into the wilderness. Romans 11:25–27 — Paul’s teaching concerning the “fullness of the nations/Gentiles” and the promise that “all Israel will be saved.” This is used to connect the Day of Atonement with the speaker’s understanding of Israel’s future turning to the Messiah. Acts 2:38 — Peter’s call to “Repent and be baptized” is discussed in connection with Jewish mikvah purification practices. Exodus 19 — Israel is described as God’s treasured nation (am segulah), connected with the giving of the Torah and Israel’s covenant relationship with God. Leviticus 23:33–36 — Sukkot/Feast of Tabernacles, the final feast, commemorating Israel dwelling with God in the wilderness and presented in the sermon as pointing toward the future restoration of creation and dwelling with God. 1 Corinthians 13:12 — Alluded to with the phrase “through the glass darkly” while contrasting Israel’s wilderness experience with the future hope of being with Jesus “face to face.” Matthew 28:19–20 — Alluded to in the closing encouragement to “go into all the world and make disciples.” Romans 9 — Mentioned as giving reasons for Israel’s importance and role in God’s redemptive plan. The sermon also broadly connects Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Pentecost/Shavuot with Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit.  Chosen People Ministries — Guest speaker Mike Cohen identifies himself as its West Regional Director and discusses its work of praying for, evangelizing, discipling, and serving Jewish communities. https://chosenpeople.com/

  5. Sep 15

    September 13 2026 - Bible in a Year - Week 51

    In this week’s message, we explore why Jesus so often taught through parables—earthly stories with heavenly meaning that invite us not simply to hear, but to wrestle with God’s truth. Through the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son, we discover that these stories challenge our assumptions, reveal the surprising reach of God’s grace, and transform us as we struggle together to see, hear, and understand what Jesus is teaching.  Bible Verses Referenced The sermon centers primarily on Matthew 13 and Luke 15, with several other passages referenced: Matthew 13:10–17 — The disciples ask Jesus, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” Jesus explains that the secrets of the Kingdom have been given to them, while others are “ever hearing, but never understanding” and “ever seeing, but never perceiving.” This passage provides the theological foundation for the sermon. Isaiah 6:9–10 — Quoted by Jesus within Matthew 13: the prophecy about people who hear without understanding and see without perceiving because their hearts have become calloused. Luke 15:1–7 — The Parable of the Lost Sheep. Jesus describes the shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to pursue the one lost sheep. Pastor Scott emphasizes how deliberately surprising this behavior would have seemed to Jesus’ original audience. Luke 15:8–10 — The Parable of the Lost Coin. A woman searches her house for one lost coin, another picture of God’s determination to seek what has been lost. Luke 15:11–32 — The Parable of the Lost/Prodigal Son. Pastor Scott spends significant time on both sons. The father runs to welcome the younger son home, but he also goes outside to plead with the older son, who refuses to join the celebration. The unresolved ending challenges the Pharisees—and us—to decide whether we will enter the celebration of God’s grace. Luke 16:1–13 — The Parable of the Shrewd Manager. Mentioned as an example of a difficult parable that requires repeated study and wrestling to understand. Matthew 13:1–23 / Mark 4:1–20 / Luke 8:4–15 — The Parable of the Sower. Pastor Scott uses the seemingly careless scattering of seed to illustrate how Christians are called to spread the Gospel even when we cannot know what kind of “soil” will receive it. Genesis 32:22–32 — Jacob wrestles with God before meeting Esau and is renamed Israel. This becomes an important image for the sermon: transformation comes through wrestling with God rather than merely accumulating facts. Matthew 5–7 — The Sermon on the Mount is referenced as an example of Jesus teaching more directly about the coming Kingdom of God. The sermon also broadly references Jesus’ conflicts with the Pharisees and Sadducees, His identification as the Messiah, His rejection by those who heard Him, and ultimately His crucifixion during Passover.  Plain English with Derek Thompson — Pastor Scott says it is one of his favorite podcasts. He describes listening to an episode featuring David Deming, identified in the sermon as Harvard’s Dean of Students, discussing AI and education. A statement from that conversation becomes an important part of the sermon: “Learning is communal, in part because there is a little bit of suffering required in order for learning to be successful.” Pastor Scott connects this idea of struggling to learn with the way Jesus’ parables require listeners to wrestle with their meaning.

  6. Sep 8

    September 6, 2026 - Bible in a Year - Week 50

    In this week’s message, we explore why the story of Jesus comes to us through four distinct Gospels and what it means for each of us to become an evangelist—a bearer of good news. Through Jesus sending out His followers in Luke 9 and 10, we’re reminded that we are called to carry the message of His forgiveness, love, and victory wherever we go, faithfully pointing others toward Christ and trusting the Holy Spirit with what happens next.  Bible Verses Referenced The sermon focuses primarily on the four Gospels and especially Luke 9–10. Luke 9:1–6 — Jesus calls the Twelve together, gives them power and authority over demons and diseases, and sends them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God and heal. Pastor Scott contrasts this mission with the sending of the seventy in the following chapter. Luke 10:1–12 — The sermon’s principal passage. Jesus appoints seventy others and sends them ahead of Him two by two into the towns He intends to visit. Pastor Scott uses this as a model for Christians carrying the Gospel into the world together. Luke 10:2 — “Ask the Lord of the harvest…to send out laborers into his harvest.” Pastor Scott emphasizes that the work of evangelism begins with prayer. Luke 1:1–4 — Alluded to when discussing Luke’s purpose in writing an “orderly account” for Theophilus. Mark 14:51–52 — The mysterious young man who flees naked after Jesus’ arrest. Pastor Scott mentions the tradition that this may have been Mark inserting himself into his Gospel narrative. John 13:1–17 — Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. Pastor Scott discusses how John does not narrate the institution of the Lord’s Supper in the same way as the Synoptic Gospels, instead prominently presenting Jesus washing His disciples’ feet during the meal.

  7. Sep 1

    August 30, 2026 - Bible in a Year - Week 49

    In this week’s message, we explore why Jesus cannot simply be placed alongside history’s other great moral teachers. His teachings are simple yet radically challenging—calling us to love, forgive, serve, and see every person through the eyes of grace—and His resurrection confirms the authority behind those words, inviting us not merely to admire Jesus but to become His disciples and point others toward Him.   Bible Verses Referenced Matthew 7:28–29 — Alluded to when Pastor Scott says that people were amazed at Jesus’ teaching because He taught “as one who had authority.” Mark 6:1–6 — Jesus returns to His hometown of Nazareth and teaches in the synagogue. The people are amazed at His wisdom and miracles but ask, “Isn’t this the carpenter?” and ultimately take offense at Him. Luke 4:16–30 — Closely connected to the preceding discussion: the people of Nazareth become enraged with Jesus, take Him to the brow of a hill intending to throw Him down, but He passes through the crowd and leaves. John 4:1–42 — Jesus and the woman at the well, used as an example of Jesus recognizing the worth of people whom society marginalized. Matthew 11:28 — Alluded to with Jesus’ invitation to those who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest. Galatians 3:28 — “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female,” used to illustrate the radical equality of people in Christ. Matthew 5:44 — Jesus’ command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Matthew 6:14–15 / Luke 6:27–37 — Jesus’ teaching about forgiving others and our enemies, a major example of how difficult His teachings can be to put into practice. John 1:29 — Alluded to through the image of John the Baptist pointing toward Jesus, which becomes Pastor Scott’s model for Christian discipleship: our job is not to save the world but to point people toward the One who has. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are repeatedly referenced. The resurrection is especially important to the sermon because Pastor Scott argues that Christ’s victory over death confirms the truth and authority of His radical teachings.There are two significant books/authors referenced: C. S. Lewis — Mere Christianity — Pastor Scott quotes Lewis’s famous argument that Jesus cannot logically be accepted merely as a “great moral teacher.” Lewis argues that given Jesus’ claims about Himself, we must ultimately decide who He really is. This quotation provides an important framework for the entire sermon. Tom Holland — Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World — Pastor Scott quotes from the book’s preface to illustrate Holland’s argument that Christianity so thoroughly transformed Western culture that even many people who reject Christian religious claims continue to think in categories profoundly shaped by Christianity

  8. Aug 25

    August 23, 2026 - Bible in a Year - Week 48

    In this week’s message, we explore why Jesus entered the world at precisely the right moment—the “fullness of time”—and how His coming transformed our relationship with God. Through Paul’s words in Galatians and Jesus’ call to repentance, we discover that we are no longer held under the law as a guardian, but have been welcomed as sons and daughters of God, filled with the Holy Spirit and invited to see and live in the world differently because the kingdom of heaven has come near.  Bible Verses Referenced The sermon focuses primarily on two passages: Galatians 3: 19–4: 7 — This is the major Scripture passage of the sermon. Paul explains that the Law served as a guardian until Christ came. Through faith and baptism, believers are now children of God, “clothed” with Christ, and distinctions such as Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female no longer determine our standing before God. Paul then describes the “fullness of time,” when God sent His Son so that we might receive adoption as His children and the Spirit who cries, “Abba, Father.”  Matthew 4: 17 — Jesus begins His public ministry proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Pastor Scott emphasizes that repentance means more than feeling sorry for sin; it involves changing direction and learning to see the world differently because God’s kingdom has arrived. There is one outside teaching source mentioned: Stephen Mackey, whose parenting framework Pastor Scott encountered at a parenting class in Birmingham. Mackey describes the changing role of a parent as caregiver → cop → coach → consultant. Pastor Scott adapts this framework to help explain Paul’s description of the Law as Israel’s temporary guardian until Christ came.

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This channel will bring you the sermons from Ascension Lutheran Church in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Pastor Scott Hawkins is the pastor of the church and the regular preacher/teacher. Ascension Lutheran is an LCMC congregation who would love to see you in person on Sunday mornings at 8:30 or 10:30 am.

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