Greater - Gloria Dei Lutheran Church

Greater Life

August 25, 2024 • Pastor Joe Meyer • Hebrews 13:15–18, Hebrews 13:20–21, John 14:12–17, Hebrews 13:1–8

This week, we look at the greatest way to live our lives in light of all the things that Jesus has done for us. Scripture says the greater life is one that loves, shows hospitality, serves the least of these, honors marriage, and keeps one life from sexual immorality and the love of money. The greatest life is one that is content in their relationship with God, so they are content with the blessings He has given them in this life. The greater life is also one that never grows weary of praising Jesus for all He has done for us.

Greater Life

August 25, 2024 • Pastor Ben Johnson • Hebrews 13:20–21, John 14:12–17, Hebrews 13:1–8, Hebrews 13:15–18

This week, we look at the greatest way to live our lives in light of all the things that Jesus has done for us. Scripture says the greater life is one that loves, shows hospitality, serves the least of these, honors marriage, and keeps one life from sexual immorality and the love of money. The greatest life is one that is content in their relationship with God, so they are content with the blessings He has given them in this life. The greater life is also one that never grows weary of praising Jesus for all He has done for us.

Greater Kingdom

August 18, 2024 • Pastor Ben Johnson • Hebrews 12:22–24, Hebrews 12:28–29, Revelation 21:1–7, Hebrews 12:3–11

This week, we look at the reality of the Greater Kingdom that Jesus came to give us access to through Himself. Hebrews says this Kingdom is the city of the living God where angels party, perfected saints rejoice and where we will be with Jesus Himself for all eternity. The world we live in now does not even come close to measuring up to how amazing this Kingdom is and God in love will faithfully discipline us, guide us, and protect us until that day He brings us into the Greater Kingdom.

Greater Kingdom

August 18, 2024 • Pastor Tim Phillips • Hebrews 12:3–11, Hebrews 12:22–24, Hebrews 12:28–29, Revelation 21:1–7

This week, we look at the reality of the Greater Kingdom that Jesus came to give us access to through Himself. Hebrews says this Kingdom is the city of the living God where angels party, perfected saints rejoice, and where we will be with Jesus Himself for all eternity. The world we live in now does not even come close to measuring up to how amazing this Kingdom is, and God in love will faithfully discipline us, guide us, and protect us until that day He brings us into the Greater Kingdom.

Greater Hero

August 11, 2024 • Pastor Joe Meyer • Hebrews 11:1–13, Hebrews 11:39–40, Hebrews 12:1–2, Colossians 3:1–4

This week, we look at an important topic - we look up to as heroes. Hebrews shows us many people who walked in the faith and who held to their trust in God, and in life, there are many people we look up to and desire to live as they do. This week, we are reminded again, though, that our greatest hero is Jesus Himself and is the only one worth our greatest allegiance, admiration, and emulation. Jesus is our Greater Hero!

Greater Hero

August 11, 2024 • Pastor Ben Johnson • Hebrews 11:1–13, Hebrews 11:39–40, Hebrews 12:1–2

This week, we look at an important topic - we look up to as heroes. Hebrews shows us many people who walked in the faith and who held to their trust in God, and in life, there are many people we look up to and desire to live as they do. This week, we are reminded again, though, that our greatest hero is Jesus Himself and is the only one worth our greatest allegiance, admiration, and emulation. Jesus is our Greater Hero!

Greater Sacrifice

August 4, 2024 • Pastor Ben Johnson • Hebrews 10:19–25, 1 John 4:7–12, Hebrews 10:1–4

This week, we look at the reality that Jesus became the greater sacrifice. In the old sacrificial system, the sacrifices were unending. The blood of those sacrifices did not hold the power to wash away sin once and for all. John the Baptist said, “There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”. The blood & sacrifice of Jesus is the greater sacrifice because it has the power to now, and always, redeem us from the curse of sin and death.

Greater Sacrifice

August 4, 2024 • Pastor Tim Phillips • Hebrews 10:1–4, Hebrews 10:19–25, 1 John 4:7–12

This week, we look at the reality that Jesus became the greater sacrifice. In the old sacrificial system, the sacrifices were unending. The blood of those sacrifices did not hold the power to wash away sin once and for all. John the Baptist said, “There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”. The blood & sacrifice of Jesus is the greater sacrifice because it has the power to now, and always, redeem us from the curse of sin and death.

Greater Temple

July 28, 2024 • Pastor Ben Johnson • Hebrews 9:1–5, Hebrews 9:11–14, 1 Peter 2:5–9

This week, we look at the greater Temple that Jesus now has inhabited. The Temple is where God dwelt in the Old Testament and the New Testament. You had to come to Him in order to worship, offer your sacrifices, and commune with God. When Jesus said, "it is finished," the temple curtain tore, and God left the building. Jesus then sent his spirit into our hearts, making us the greater Temple.

Greater Temple

July 28, 2024 • Pastor Tim Phillips • Hebrews 9:1–5, Hebrews 9:11–14, 1 Peter 2:5–9

This week, we look at the greater Temple that Jesus now has inhabited. The Temple is where God dwelt in the Old Testament and the New Testament. You had to come to Him in order to worship, offer your sacrifices, and commune with God. When Jesus said, "it is finished," the temple curtain tore, and God left the building. Jesus then sent his spirit into our hearts, making us the greater Temple.

Greater Covenant

July 21, 2024 • Pastor Ben Johnson • Hebrews 8:1–7, Hebrews 8:13

This week, we look at how the promises of God, through Jesus, are far greater than the promises of the old. Jesus did not come to abolish the law because the law is God’s perfect teaching of who we are, but Jesus came to fulfill the law. The problem with the old covenant was because it was a bad promise but because we do not have the power to fulfill it. The covenant Jesus made is that if we trust his body and his blood, we also are perfected in forgiveness of all our sins. Now, that is a greater covenant!

Greater Covenant

July 21, 2024 • Pastor Joe Meyer • Hebrews 8:1–7, Hebrews 8:13, Luke 22:14–20

This week, we look at how the promises of God, through Jesus, are far greater than the promises of the old. Jesus did not come to abolish the law because the law is God’s perfect teaching of who we are, but Jesus came to fulfill the law. The problem with the old covenant was because it was a bad promise but because we do not have the power to fulfill it. The covenant Jesus made is that if we trust his body and his blood, we also are perfected in forgiveness of all our sins. Now, that is a greater covenant!

Greater Mediator

July 14, 2024 • Pastor Joe Meyer • Hebrews 7:15–16, Hebrews 7:22–28, 1 Timothy 2:1–6

This week, we look at a truth that honestly brings me so much comfort as I meditate on it. Hebrews 7:25 says, “Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost/at all times/completely those who draw near to God through Him since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Jesus now lives to serve as our Greater Mediator who (RIGHT NOW) is making intercession us before the Father. Scripture says Satan is an accuser, and he points the finger at us and makes us feel less than who we are. Jesus points at us and then turns to the Father and says, “I’ll take that one…forgive them”. Jesus is our Greater Mediator!!

Greater Mediator

July 14, 2024 • Pastor Tim Phillips • Hebrews 7:22–28, 1 Timothy 2:1–6, Hebrews 7:15–16

This week, we look at a truth that honestly brings me so much comfort as I meditate on it. Hebrews 7:25 says, “Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost/at all times/completely those who draw near to God through Him since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Jesus now lives to serve as our Greater Mediator who (RIGHT NOW) is making intercession us before the Father. Scripture says Satan is an accuser, and he points the finger at us and makes us feel less than who we are. Jesus points at us and then turns to the Father and says, “I’ll take that one…forgive them”. Jesus is our Greater Mediator!!

Greater Hope

July 7, 2024 • Pastor Ben Johnson • Hebrews 6:1–2, Hebrews 6:9–20, 1 Corinthians 15:50–58

This week, we look at Jesus as our Greater Hope. The word hope indicates an expectation we have of reality. We can hope, wish, dream, and desire, but this doesn’t mean that those things will become a reality just because we hope they will. Jesus is a greater hope because now our hope is not based on what we know, what we do, or how we perform, but our hope is founded on the good work of Jesus, and He has become the eternal source of our hope no matter what we face.