The rich man who comes to ask Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life is a good man, sincere in his asking. Mark’s gospel is alone in saying that Jesus looked on him and loved him. Out of love, not as judgment, Jesus offers him an open door to life: sell all you own and give it to the poor. Our culture bombards us with the message that we will find life by consuming. Our assemblies counter this message with the invitation to find life by divesting for the sake of the other.Scripture Readings: Psalm 90:12-17; Hebrews 4:12-16; Gospel:  Mark 10:17-31

ASLC Podcast

Sermon: 20th Sunday after Pentecost (10/10/21)

Bible Study: 20th Sunday after Pentecost (10/7/21)

Today’s gospel combines a saying that makes many of us uncomfortable with a story we find comforting. Jesus’ saying on divorce is another of his rejections of human legislation in favor of the original intent of God’s law. Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples who are fending off the children should challenge us as well. What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God as a child does?Scripture Readings: Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12; Psalm 8; Gospel:  Mark 10:2-16

Sermon: 19th Sunday after Pentecost (10/3/21)

Bible Study: 19th Sunday after Pentecost (9/30/21)

Someone who isn’t part of Jesus’ own circle is casting out demons in Jesus’ name, and the disciples want him stopped. They appeal to Jesus, as Joshua did to Moses about the elders who prophesied without official authorization. Like Moses, Jesus refuses to see this as a threat. Jesus welcomes good being done in his name, even when it is not under his control. The circle we form around Jesus’ word must be able to value good being done in ways we wouldn’t do it, by people we can’t keep tabs on.Scripture Readings: Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29, Psalm 19:7-14, James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50

Sermon: 18th Sunday after Pentecost (9/26/21)

Bible Study: 18th Sunday after Pentecost (9/23/21)

Today we hear James warn against selfish ambition, while the disciples quarrel over which one of them is the greatest. Jesus tells them the way to be great is to serve. Then, to make it concrete, he puts in front of them a flesh-and-blood child. We are called to welcome the children God puts in front of us, to make room for them in daily interaction, and to give them a place of honor in the assembly.Scripture Readings: James 3:13–4:3; Psalm 54; Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

Sermon: Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (9/19/21)

Bible Study: Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (9/16/21)

Three weeks ago we heard Peter’s confession of faith as told in John’s gospel. This week we hear Mark’s version, when Peter says, “You are the Messiah.” In John, the stumbling block is Jesus’ invitation to eat his flesh, given for the life of the world. In Mark too the scandal has to do with Jesus’ words about his own coming death, and here Peter himself stumbles over Jesus’ words. But Jesus is anointed (the meaning of messiah) in Mark only on the way to the cross (14:3); so we are anointed in baptism with the sign of the cross.Scripture Readings: James 3:1-12; 116:1-9; Gospel: Mark 8:27-38

Sermon: Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost (9/12/21)

Throughout the Bible we are reminded to stop showing favoritism in the assembly, treating the rich visitor with more honor than the poor one. Jesus himself seems to show partiality in his first response to the Syrophoenician woman in today’s gospel. Was he testing her faith in saying Gentiles don’t deserve the goods meant for God’s children? Or was he speaking out of his human worldview, but transcended those limits when she took him by surprise with her reply? Either way, the story tells us that God shows no partiality. Everyone who brings a need to Jesus is received with equal honor as a child and heir.Scripture Readings: Isaiah 35:4-7a; Psalm 69: 1-3, 13-18; Gospel: Mark 7:24-37

Bible Study: Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost (9/9/21)

Jesus protests against about human customs being given to the weight of divine law while the essence of God&apos;s law is ignored. True uncleanliness comes not from external things but from the intentions of the human heart. Last week Jesus told us "the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and light". Now James says God has given us birth by the word of truth. We were washed in the word when we were born in the font, return to it every Sunday to ask God to create in us a clean heart, oh, God, and renew a right spirit within us.Scripture Readings: James 1:17-27; Psalm 15; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Bible Study: Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (8/26/21)

James tells us to stop showing favoritism in the assembly, treating the rich visitor with more honor than the poor one. Jesus himself seems to show partiality in his first response to the Syrophoenician woman in today’s gospel. Was he testing her faith in saying Gentiles don’t deserve the goods meant for God’s children? Or was he speaking out of his human worldview, but transcended those limits when she took him by surprise with her reply? Either way, the story tells us that God shows no partiality. Everyone who brings a need to Jesus is received with equal honor as a child and heir.

Sermon: Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (9/5/21)

Bible Study: Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (9/2/21)

Sermon: Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (8/29/21)

In today’s gospel many people take offense at Jesus’ invitation to eat his flesh and drink his blood; even many of Jesus’ disciples peel off. This is the backdrop in John’s gospel for Peter’s confession of faith. “To whom can we go?” asks Peter, in words we sometimes sing just before the gospel is read. “You have the words of eternal life.” In order to take such a stand, as Peter and Joshua did, Paul tells us to arm ourselves with the word of God. We pray in the Spirit that we might be bold ambassadors of the gospel.Scripture Readings: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18; Psalm 34:15-22; John 6:56-69

Sermon: Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (8/22/21)

This is a great preaching podcast from All Saints Lutheran Church, ELCA. Each week you will hear sermons that inspire you to Show Up, Do Good, and Be Kind. Pastors Jules Erickson and Tanner Howard will uplift your week and give you something to help make the world a better place.

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