Rethinking Trials, Tests, and Temptations

Hope Lutheran - Spearfish

Rethinking Trials, Tests, and Temptations

February 18, 2024 • Pastor Mark Schutz • Romans 8:31–39

How do you see trials, tests and temptations in this life? Do you look at religion as a way to make all of that go away? What if these are all things that God uses to strengthen your faith? How would that change the way you see religion?

Rethinking Sacrifice

March 29, 2024 • Pastor Mark Schutz • John 19:1–16

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.”

Rethinking Our Appetites

March 28, 2024 • Pastor Mark Schutz • 1 Corinthians 10:16–17

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.

Rethinking Real Strength

March 24, 2024 • Pastor Mark Schutz • Zechariah 9:9–10

Jesus, our King shows his strength in what seems like weakness. He enters into Jerusalem to deliver himself into the hands of sinners. In all of this is the power of God to overcome sin, death, and hell, once and for all.