Hope Lutheran - Spearfish

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Rethinking Religion

Everyone has assumptions about religion. Do we really understand Christianity at all? In the season of Lent, as much as any other, Jesus teaches things that turns the world’s assumptions about religion completely upside down.

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.

Rethinking Devoted Commitment

March 17, 2024 • Pastor Mark Schutz • John 12:20–33

When some categorize Christians they might consider some to be committed and others to be merely cultural. There is commitment involved in Christianity, but most misunderstand where it comes from and who is doing it. At the heart of Christianity is not man's commitment to God, but God's commitment to us.

Rethinking the Solution to Sin

March 10, 2024 • Pastor Mark Schutz • John 3:14–21

Every religion recognizes the problem of sin, even if it is called something else. Religion typically offers the solution of simply doing better, trying harder, or simply explaining it away. Jesus, offers a totally different solution.

Rethinking the Worth of Worship

March 3, 2024 • Pastor Mark Schutz • John 2:13–22

What do you think? Is gathering together for worship something that you do for God? The answer might surprise you as we rethink religion.

Rethinking Suffering under the Cross

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

Heavenly Father, help us understand temptations, trials, and tests correctly in our life. Let us see your grace and mercy. Refine our faith through every adversity that we may praise your name and point others to you.

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 Our Priorities

February 14, 2024 • Pastor Mark Schutz

That potential promotion at work. The third date, which will signal if there is real potential in this relationship. The test this Friday, which will determine if you make honor roll or not. The game on Sunday with the playoffs on the line. So many things that compete for our attention! It’s easy to think of religion as just another of many activities to cram into our schedules. Sometimes, perhaps, the schedule is just too crowded. So, Jesus lovingly whispers into our ear, “Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust.” Those are the words spoken as a dead body is planted in the ground. The reality is that our time in this world is so short. After comes eternity, spent in one of two very different places. Jesus wants us to grasp that somber truth so we rethink where he should fall among all our priorities. Death can come at any time. So now is the time to cling to Christ in true repentance. Not later. Now. There is no higher priority.