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Our topic on February 19, 2002:
You are forgiven
Stand up and walk
This week you are invited to bring friends who have illnesses that they have been unable to shake. We'll have a time during our worship service to hear stories about Jesus healing people and to pray for anyone who wants to get better.
In one of the stories we'll hear that friends brought a lame man to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, he said something surprising: "Your sins are forgiven."
This statement offended the religious leaders, who thought only God should be allowed to forgive sins. And maybe it offends other people who think Jesus should have had more manners and kept quiet about the man's personal business.
But Jesus quickly gets to the heart of the issue whereever he goes. Although many of us looking at the man might have thought that his physical condition was his biggest need, Jesus could see that what he really wanted was to get over the guilt that was keeping him down. Jesus told him clearly, "You are forgiven." Then he told the lame man to stand up and walk. To the surprise of the crowd, the man did.
This Sunday we'll pray for the sick during our worship service. If you ask, we'll give you a free copy of Pastor Mark's book How To Pray For Healing (and what to do if nothing happens).
God, thank you that we are all forgiven. If anyone doesn't believe that they are forgiven, help them learn of your mercy and accept it. And help us all to stand up and walk and get on with our lives. Thank you. Amen.
Our topic on January 29, 2002:
God's Spirit will help you resist temptation
This week we'll look at a verse in the Bible that says that Jesus "was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil."
If you've ever faced an extended time of temptation, you know how difficult it is to prevail. Jesus was able to overcome the temptations he faced in the wilderness, and his example provides a great model for us. It's important when you are facing temptation to be led by God's Spirit. If you're not, you can get yourself into a lot of trouble!
This week's message will be helpful no matter what state your life is in -- whether it's all neat and tidy with everything going your way or a complete mess with nothing working out.
God, be with us when we face temptation. Help us to know the true cost of the things that entice us, and help us to be led by your Spirit. When we fall, help us to quickly return to patterns of behavior that are helpful. Thank you. Amen.
Our topic on January 22, 2002:
Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire
John the Baptist was attracting large crowds with his fiery message that people needed to change their lives and be forgiven.
When people asked for specific advice, he told them to be content with their wages and to share what they had with others less fortunate.
As more and more people came out to the desert to hear him, people began to ask if he was the Messiah.
John put an end to such speculation. "I baptize you with water," he said, "but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." John identified Jesus as the one who would do this.
When John's ministry was ended by Herod, Jesus took up John's message, announcing that people needed to change their lives and their thinking, because the kingdom of God was near.
After Jesus died and was resurrected, he told his disciples that they needed to wait (and not take action) until they had been filled with the Holy Spirit. He said that the Holy Spirit is a gift that God loves to give, and anyone who asks for God's Spirit will receive.
God, thank you for John the Baptist's message that we need to change our thinking (and our lives!) and receive forgiveness. Help us to do that! And thank you for Jesus' life, death and resurrection, and for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help us to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Thank you. Amen.
Our topic on January 15, 2002:
If you lose Jesus,
he's worth finding again
On January 15, we'll look at a parent's nightmare that happened to Mary and Joseph, who were the parents of Jesus. When Jesus was 12, they lost him. For three days.
They had been visiting the big city, and they left with a large group of friends and thought he was with the group. But he was not.
Three days later they found him. He was in the temple, talking to the elders. When his parents found him, they told Jesus they had been worried. Jesus was surprised. "Did you not know I would be in my Father's house?"
This Sunday, in the context of this story, we'll do four very helpful things:
a) we'll talk about what Jesus' identity means to you
b) we'll help you become as clear about your identity as Jesus was about his
c) we'll give people who feel like they've lost Jesus a chance to find him again
d) we'll give people who have lost their kids a chance to receive prayer
God, be with parents who have lost their kids. Give them comfort, peace and healing. And if anyone reading this feels like they have lost Jesus (or have never known him), help them to find Jesus again. Thank you. Amen.
The message for January 8, 2012:
God prepared Jesus
as your salvation
When Simeon saw Jesus, he recognized him as the Savior of the world, even though Jesus was only a baby.
Simeon had been promised he would see the Messiah before he died. When he saw Jesus, who was at most two months old, Simeon said:
Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.
Sometimes people can see individuals (or ideas or causes) in their infancy and recognize how important they will become. But not always. Often the person or idea are ignored and unrecognized for the significance they will later have.
Keep your eyes open for new starts! And don't despise small beginnings. They can blossom into something unexpectedly important.
God, when we see what you are doing in the world, help us to recognize it, even if it is in a very early state. Thank you. Amen.
You can also check out messages from 2011.
La Jolla Lutheran Church is a member of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ. Other LCMC churches in the San Diego area include Penasquitos Lutheran Church at 14484 Penasquitos Drive; and St. Timothy Lutheran Church at 2602 Reo Drive.
Visit La Jolla Lutheran Church Sunday at 9:30 a.m. |
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Worship with us Sunday at 9:30 a.m. La Jolla Lutheran Church |
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