Journey Of Life Lutheran Church

John the Baptizer said of Jesus, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." To what was John referring when he called Jesus the "lamb" of God and what difference does it make for us. Be encouraged as we begin an Epiphany series on just who "Jesus Is..."

Jesus was the one person who did not need to be baptized. Yet he entered into that symbol of repentance to fully identify with humanity though we do not deserve such identification. When we are baptized, we are marked as Jesus' followers. As such, we we follow Jesus' example by willingly and proactively leaning into difficult or painful situations, loving others regardless of whether they deserve it.

This episode of Dig Deeper looks through men and women in the Bible who were said to be beautiful and then looks at God's idea of beauty.

This message is the third in our series on Old Testament prophesies about the Messiah. We covered his lineage and his land. In this message we ask about the Messiah's looks. But, because there is only one passage about the Messiah's looks, we spent most of our time on what the Messiah's ministry would look like. It's a ministry of binding up the brokenhearted, freeing the captives and comforting those who mourn. This is the message of the baby born in Bethlehem whose birth we celebrate at Christmas and it is Good News indeed!

This episode of Dig Deeper continues a look at prophecy and fulfillment in Jesus' life — specifically, prophecies about the land from which the Messiah would come: Bethlehem, Nazareth and Egypt. Learn how Jesus came from all three of these places and so fulfills these messianic prophecies

Paul writes the letter to the Colossians to Christians who are coming under the influence of two heresies. First, the Judaizers who want to add the entire Jewish Law to the Christian faith. Second, and more prominently in this letter, the Gnostics, who have intellectualized and twisted the Christian faith. In the text for this week, and in this message based on Colossians 1:13-23, the full and complete identity and work of Jesus Christ is set forth as the uncompromisable core of the Christian faith

In 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15, the apostle Paul writes about those who are taking part in the communal supplies of the church but are unwilling to work. How does one become unwilling to work? They forget who they are and what they've been given. We all need to maintain God's perspective on our work and hold on to our sense of gratitude. Then we will be joyful in our work.

In 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, we find the famous axiom: if a man won't work, neither should he eat. This is a springboard for this survey of the idea of "work" throughout the scriptures that begins in Genesis, moves through the Ten Commandments, the prophets and on through Jesus and the New Testament church.

In this passage, some Sadducees attempt to trap Jesus with a riddle about marriage and the resurrection of the dead (which they did not believe in). By a careful reading of scripture, Jesus overcomes their wiles, teaches about life after death and shows us how important it is to read the scriptures with care.

For All Saints Day, Pastor John talks about heaven and what happens when we die.

IN this parable, Jesus sets up two men, one who seems righteous (the Pharisee) and one who seems unrighteous (the tax collector). Both go pray, the Pharisee thanking God that he's not like other men and the tax collector seeking God's mercy. The surprise ending is that the tax collector goes home righteous -- right with God -- instead of the Pharisee. Dig Deeper into this parable with Pastor John

This message includes some brief history on the Reformation and a reflection on the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector as typifying the Gospel of salvation by grace that was renewed in the reformation

In this text, Jesus tells us a parable to encourage us to pray and not lose heart. He spins a story of a godless and crooked judge who, when confronted by a widow day after day, finally gives in and grants her justice. If a powerless widow can get justice from a man like that, how much more will God hear your prayers!

In Luke 17:20-37, Jesus tells the Pharisees that the kingdom of God doesn't come through careful observation, then he turns around and tells the disciples that you can't miss it! What gives? Explore Luke 17:20-37 with Pastor John in this episode of Dig Deeper. Be sure to download the PDF.

Wow, Jesus, kinda harsh! Better to have a millstone hung around your neck and be cast into the sea? Yes, dear listener, you should explore this text more with Pastor John.

three stories by Jesus

A rich man and a very poor man named Lazarus both died, but the rich man went to eternal torment while Lazarus went to be with father Abraham. What gives? I thought the rich man was the "blessed" one, but apparently not. Explore this parable of the Great Reversal with Pastor John

A rich man and a very poor man named Lazarus both died, but the rich man went to eternal torment while Lazarus went to be with father Abraham. What gives? I thought the rich man was the "blessed" one, but apparently not. Dig into the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man in this episode of "Dig Deeper."

This is perhaps the most difficult parable Jesus ever told. The rich landowner commends his fired general manager for altering all the accounts before he turns in the books. What's up with that? Explore the parable of the Shrewd Manager with pastor John in this episode of Dig Deeper. Small group materials and a transcript outline are available via the PDF download.

The first two parables (the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin) that Jesus told in this trio of parables are in some ways a set up to the Parable of the Prodigal Son that Jesus told to the Pharisees who were grumbling about the kinds of people he welcomed. The central figure in this whole set of parables is really the older brother in the Prodigal Son who refuses to welcome his wayward brother home. Contemplate the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son in this enlightening message.