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The Best “No”

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Photo by Kai Pilger

In many parts of the U.S. right now, including where I live in southern California, we’ve gotten accustomed to an almost daily dose of “no’s” being doled out in an effort to practice social distancing (everyone’s new favorite phrase to hate):

  • no gatherings of groups over 250, then 50, now 10, which has resulted in
  • no coffee meetups with friends at your favorite local spot (like here or here)
  • no workouts at the gym (ah – just the excuse you needed to continue avoiding them.)
  • no taking in a movie at the theater (thank you, Netflix and Disney+!)
  • no libraries (time to get at that stockpile of books you’ve been accumulating)
  • no church
  • no work for many
  • no leaving your home except for essential needs.

Whether or not you agree with the extreme measures being taken to avoid the spread of COVID-19 (is it some rule that we have to put a virus in all caps to make it sound more terrifying?), we are currently in a state of “no’s” as a society. If they haven’t already, those “no’s” will start to take their toll. They can make us feel constricted, discouraged, and frustrated.

So, to counter all the negative “no’s,” here’s one of the best “no’s” you’ll ever come across:

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 8:1

Did you catch that? “No” condemnation. No rejection. No abandonment. No forsaking. No judgment. None. That assurance belongs to all who have not socially distanced themselves from Christ. To be in Christ, to call him Savior, to trust in him alone for salvation, is to have complete confidence that the best no possible is yours: no condemnation. When you have that kind of confidence, you know what else you have?

No fear.

We don’t know how long restrictions will be in place. We don’t know the long-term impact they’ll have on our lives. We don’t know if more “no’s” will be coming out in the days ahead. But we have this right now in Christ: no condemnation. That is the best no ever.

In Good Hands

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Photo by Geetanjal Khanna

Nothing has changed.

In light of tanking retirement portfolios, closed schools and businesses, travel bans, and a combination of other steps like social distancing being taken to flatten the curve of covid-19, anyone who states that “nothing has changed” may sound a bit like he’s had his head stuck in the sand for too long. Or, it may just be that he’s had his head stuck somewhere else – in the Word of God:

“But I trust in you, LORD;
I say, ‘You are my God.’
My times are in your hands.”
(Ps. 31:14-15)

Nothing has changed. Our times were in God’s hands long before anyone had ever heard the word “coronavirus,” and our times will be in God’s hands long after we’ve forgotten the word altogether. What does that mean? While many in the world are crippled with fear, we live confidently in faith. Faith assures us that we belong to God. No virus can change that – not even Satan himself could change it! God’s perfect love for us in Christ Jesus drives out all fear. Rest easy. You are in good hands – God’s.

Works Won’t Work (Sermon)

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We know that heaven isn’t earned, right? We know that our works count for nothing as far as our salvation is concerned, don’t we? So we say. Nevertheless, our way of thinking and our very lives themselves often reveal otherwise. This morning we take an honest look at our works and where they really rank in our lives.

“Works Won’t Work” (Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 sermon), was preached at Shepherd of the Hills Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS) on Sunday, March 8, 2020.

Knowing –> Loving –> Living: Living and Listening (Sermon)

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What is the best way to live for the Lord? There is no better way than to start by listening. Listening to the Lord and living for him are inseparable. Do you really want to live more for him? Start by listening. This is the final sermon of a six-week series, Knowing –> Loving –> Living.

“Living and Listening” (Matthew 17:1-9 sermon), was preached at Shepherd of the Hills Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS) on Sunday, February 23, 2020.

Knowing –> Loving –> Living: Live for the Lord (Sermon)

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We crave affirmation. A child obeys his father in an effort to receive it. An employee works hard for her boss to receive it. Do we live for the Lord for the same reason, or is there more to it? This is the fifth sermon of a six-week series, Knowing –> Loving –> Living.

“Live for the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 sermon), was preached at Shepherd of the Hills Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS) on Sunday, February 16, 2020.

Knowing –> Loving –> Living: Live Good Lives (Sermon)

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Knowing the Lord is key to loving him. What do we do for those we love? We live for them. In the second half of our series, our focus shifts to living for him who loves us most. This is the fourth sermon of a six-week series, Knowing –> Loving –> Living.

“Live Good Lives” (1 Peter 2:9-12 sermon), was preached at Shepherd of the Hills Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS) on Sunday, February 9, 2020.

Knowing –> Loving –> Living: The LORD (Sermon)

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Living for God depends on knowing him better. In addition to knowing our Savior as the Lamb and the Light, we also rightly call him Lord. But… do we even know what that title means? Do we really know what we’re saying when we call him our Lord? This is the third sermon of a six-week series, Knowing –> Loving –> Living.

“The LORD” (Micah 6:1-8 sermon), was preached at Shepherd of the Hills Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS) on Sunday, February 2, 2020.

Knowing –> Loving –> Living: The Light (Sermon)

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Living for God depends on knowing him better. One of the more common names given to Jesus is the Light. If you want to live in the light, the key is greater focus on its source. This is the second sermon of a six-week series, Knowing –> Loving –> Living.

“The Light” (Matthew 4:12-23 sermon), was preached at Shepherd of the Hills Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS) on Sunday, January 26, 2020.

Knowing –> Loving –> Living: The Lamb (Sermon)

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How you live depends on who you know. To know and care only about yourself is to live a life of selfishness – one which will be empty of real joy and purpose. If you want more than that for your life, get to know the One who can make it possible – the Lamb. This is the first sermon of a six-week series, Knowing –> Loving –> Living.

Listen to the sermon audio here.

“The Lamb” (John 1:29-41 sermon), was preached at Shepherd of the Hills Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS) on Sunday, January 19, 2020.

The Righteous One is the Right One (Sermon)

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Will you ever be good enough? What if you have all the right resolutions and actually keep them this year – will that be enough to find favor with God? The bad news? The answer is no. The good news? In Jesus Christ, the answer is a resounding yes! Relying on his righteousness is better than good enough.

Listen to the sermon audio here.

“The Righteous One is the Right One” (Isaiah 42:1-7 sermon), was preached at Shepherd of the Hills Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS) on Sunday, January 12, 2020.