Second Sunday in Lent

Christ Lutheran Church & School

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Second Sunday in Lent

February 25, 2024 • Pastor Greg Stenzel • Mark 8:31–38

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Today our theme is: “Rethinking Suffering Under the Cross,” the next installment in our “Rethinking Religion” series. We know suffering and the cross was an instrument of torture and execution, which our Lord endured this for our salvation. However, Scripture also uses the term “cross” to refer to any suffering that one endures because he is a believer: the painful denial of the desires of the flesh; ridicule and persecution from unbelievers; etc. This is one reason people reject religion. They see Christians struggling in life with these crosses, while non-Christians often seem perfectly happy. Even the prophet Jeremiah asked, “Why do all the faithless live at ease?” (12:1).

Jesus asks us to rethink suffering under the cross, because any suffering believers face under the cross is only good, the way Christ connects us tightly to himself with fire-tested faith.

Good Friday Tenebrae Service

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

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.