Good Friday Tenebrae Service

Christ Lutheran Church & School

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Good Friday Tenebrae Service

March 29, 2024 • Pastor Greg Stenzel • John 19:17–30

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RETHINKING SACRIFICE

In most religions the gods demand sacrifice. Followers are to surrender something of value to that

god.

Money.

Time.

Possessions.

Some religions have even called for human sacrifice. Even people who think

they aren’t religious sacrifice to false gods. Take the man whose idol is success. What he wants most is to rise through the ranks at work. So, to pursue that idol, he sacrifices his family, spending little time with them. Throughout human history, false gods have expected you to die for them.

In Christianity you meet a God willing to die for you. Today we see that the true God does not make our relationship with him conditional on how much we sacrifice for him. Instead, we are at peace with God because he sacrificed himself for us. It is one reason why we call it “Good Friday.”

Maundy Thursday Divine Service

March 28, 2024 • Pastor Greg Stenzel • 1 Corinthians 10:16–17

RETHINKING OUR APPETITES We use the word “appetite” to describe a powerful desire for something. So, what is it you crave the most? Where does your mind go in those quiet moments? What do you want? Power? What do you dream about? Prestige? For what do you hunger? Pleasure? Are our appetites healthy? A truly healthy appetite is one that aligns with our deepest needs: forgiveness, salvation, communion with God, loving relationships with others. The believer is ravenous for such things! And all of those blessings are on the menu of the Lord’s Supper. Some view Holy Communion as just a religious ritual. Far from it! In this meal, Christ satisfies our greatest appetites.

Palm Sunday

March 24, 2024 • Pastor Greg Stenzel • Philippians 2:5–11

RETHINKING REAL STRENGTH In the Epistle reading this morning St. Paul is urging us to “Be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (https://ref.ly/logosref/bible$2bnasb95.71.2.2). Paul is talking about an attitude of humility. We are sometimes concerned about the lack of this attitude in ourselves and in others. God through Paul indicated that He wants the Philippians and us to have AN ATTITUDE OF HUMILITY.

Fifth Sunday in Lent

March 17, 2024 • Pastor Greg Stenzel • Hebrews 5:7–9

RETHINKING DEVOTED COMMITMENT Religious sociologists sometimes divide Christians into two groups: “committed Christians” and “cultural Christians”. The former are usually defined as those who are active in a congregation, who pray regularly, who read Scripture, etc. The latter are those individuals who call themselves Christian and perhaps have some Christian beliefs. Yet, they do not strive to live a Christian life. They are not interested in church involvement. ‌ Those definitions are interesting when trying to understand shifts in American Christianity. However, they demonstrate a false assumption about the Christian religion. There is indeed a devoted commitment at the center of Christianity, but it is not about man’s commitment to God. Even believers will at times demonstrate lukewarm commitment at best. Instead, at the heart of Christianity we find God’s devotion and commitment to us. It is a devoted commitment so strong that it put God on the cross where He suffered for you, me, and the world.