Worship Service for June 16, 2024

St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Beatrice, NE

Media App

Worship Service for June 16, 2024

June 16, 2024 • Rev. Daryn Bahn • Ezekiel 17:22–24

Give

Ezekiel was one of the priests taken into exile in Babylon during the second wave of deportations under Nebuchadnezzar. Chapter 17 takes place before the final siege of Jerusalem, which culminated in the destruction of the temple in 587 BC. In the verses leading up to our text, Ezekiel uses highly symbolic language to declare the downfall of King Zedekiah in Jerusalem. Ezekiel's prophetic word comes as Law to those who were trusting in Zedekiah and had false hopes that Jerusalem would not fall because it housed the temple; it conveys Gospel, however, to those in exile who are reminded that God is still in control. The remnant is promised future restoration and abundant growth at Yahweh's (the LORD's) own hand.

Worship Service for July 14, 2024

July 14, 2024 • Rev. Daryn Bahn • Mark 16:14–20

We are reminded in Romans 13:1, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." The governing authorities placed over us are intended for order for us as citizens and for the establishment of laws. Yet what happens when governing authorities do evil, rather than the will of God? In today’s Gospel from Mark 6, we are reminded what evil governing can do, as Herod would behead John the Baptist. Though it was a time of sobering grief and shocking sorrow for the disciples and Christ Himself, Jesus would continue in His mission for the sins of the world. Herod's kingship would eventually come to an end. Christ's kingship would be established to rule eternally. May we obey the appropriate authorities placed over us, yet amid assured sinfulness in earthly governance, remain firm with our citizenship under the King and kingdom that has no end.

Funeral Sermon for Richard Weishahn

July 11, 2024 • Rev. Daryn Bahn • Luke 2:28–32

Worship Service for July 7, 2024

July 7, 2024 • Rev. Robert Bayer • Mark 6:1–13

Life is not always easy. Life in and of faith is often less easy. In our readings today we encounter a few people who faced difficulty and challenges amid their godly callings. Ezekiel would be sent to speak the Word of God to a rebellious people who wouldn’t happily receive the message. The apostle Paul would face his own personal struggles with his “thorn . . . in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7) as he brought the Gospel to many on his mission journeys. Jesus Himself would not be welcomed as Savior when He returned to His hometown of Nazareth. Though things were far from easy, God would bless the work that He called His people and His own Son to do. Even in our times of difficulty and challenges living as His people, we are reminded of the same truth from the Lord: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).