Hope Lutheran Church in Warren, Michigan

Happy Valentines

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:30:00 +0000

Today is Valentine's Day. It recalls the story of a man named Valentinius that was jailed and sentenced to die for his Christian faith. While in jail, he befriended a servant girl, and began sending her notes about his faith. Over time, those notes became the modern Valentine...well, sort of.

Today Valentines are our way of expressing our love and affection to one another. I remember being in grade school and filling out all the Valentines for my class mates, especially that one I thought was pretty special. The flutter of the heart as we watch that special someone open a Valentine never gets old.

However, today's version of Valentines misses the whole point. Valentinius did not express his love to that little girl. He expressed God's love to her, and if the legend it true, she embraced God's love for her and now resided in heaven. God's love is the only love that is perfect, and the only love that can save!

Today as you give out whatever Valentines you may, make sure that your loved ones don't just have your love, but make sure they have the real true love of God. His love is perfect, and brings life forever!

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."
1 John 4:10

Don't forget there's homework:

+ How can you give a real Valentine to someone who needs it today?

Prayer Requests:

+ Pray that God's love may flow from His people around the world.

+ For all who battle pain, hurt, and death, pray that the Lord will show them is eternal love, and so buoy and cheer their hearts.

Don't forget to check out the latest sermons and bible studies at HopeWarren.org.

Jesus is our Hope!
+ Pastor John

Staying Amazed

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:05:00 +0000

(from Feb 7th)

Mark 1 paints a picture of Jesus that is one we would hardly recognize today. It portrays Jesus as the One who inspired amazement from His hearers simply with His words, because He spoke those words with the authority of God Himself.

Don't get me wrong, Jesus still speaks today with that same authority. His word carries with it the very authority of God Himself. The problem is that this age is no longer amazed. Maybe it is more correct to say people are still amazed today, just not by Jesus and His words. Why? Where has the amazement gone? Just take a look around...

Every morning your homepage offers a whole new set of "amazements." Talking dogs, spectacular sporting feats, the latest high-tech gizmos are all there, just waiting to dazzle and amaze. We find it hard not to click on at least a couple of the links...just 'cause we want to be amazed. And...if we really are drawn in by it, we will forward it to our address book so they can be amazed too. Usually we will forward the link with a simple, short intro. such as, "This is AMAZING!"

Get the idea? We have been slipped a substitute for God and His word, and we have gladly sucked it down..much to our delight and amazement. Is it any wonder that we as a society are no longer amazed by Jesus and His word? Who needs it? We have a talking dog to fill our amazement quota today!

Might I suggest that the pablum of amazement that is offered by our world has garnered a bit too much of our attention. Might I also suggest that heaven is not dazzled by our snippets of amazing jugglers and witty UTubes. Might I further suggest that maybe, just maybe we need to limit our diet of earthly amazements, and realize that none of them actually amounts to a hill of beans. And finally, might I suggest that we need to get back to being amazed by what really is amazing - The All-Powerful God of the Universe who loves us so much that He sent us a Savior; so that when the talking dog stops talking, and the synchronized juggler stops juggling, and next generation I-Pad quits working, we get to be amazed by God's love and life given to us forever!

"The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law."
Mark 1:22

Don't forget there's homework:

+ Why not limit your use of the word, "Amazing" to that which is really amazing...Jesus?

Prayer Requests:

+ Pray that the trinkets of this age, dangled in front of us by the god of this age, do not capture us or our attention, but that Jesus remains Lord of our Life.

+ For all who battle the foes of pain, hurt, and death, pray that the Lord will grant them visions of life, love, and reunion in Jesus - "Because He lives I CAN face tomorrow!"

Don't forget to check out the latest Hope sermons and Bible studies at HopeWarren.org .

Jesus is our Hope!
+ Pastor John

I Hate Death

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:30:00 +0000

I have had a large, yellow fish in my office aquarium for the past 11 years...till yesterday. Yesterday the big guy (I do mean big - a foot long - nicknamed 'Butkus' by one of my members) succumbed to old age and disease after a 3 week battle with sickness. I tried my best to cure him. Water changes, medicine, careful attention to ammonia and pH levels only prolonged his demise. When he died, it was neither pretty or comfortable (for either of us). I have been dealing with death for 30 years as a pastor, and I never get used to it. It is NOT a "natural part of life" as the pundits would have us believe. It is the wages of sin, and the struggle between life and death is always disturbing...even with a fish!

As I was deliberating about the nature of today's Tune-up one phrase kept coming to my mind, "I hate death!" I am sure two recent deaths at church, and some lingering illnesses have intensified my sense that, "I hate death!" I hate everything about it. The grief, the struggle to live, the loss, the pain, the helplessness all remind me how ultimately out-of-control we all are when it comes to dealing with death.

My deep distaste for the "Wages of Sin," has one saving grace. It regularly points me to Jesus...my Savior...literally! Only Jesus has the ability to rectify death. Only Jesus can give the hope, life, reunion, future, relationship that death seemingly rips from our grasp. Only Jesus can take me and all those I love home to heaven. Only Jesus can understand my fear, because only Jesus has been there inside the struggle when death steals away life...and...only Jesus was there when, by His own power, immortal life surged back through body bringing Him to life again, forever. Now He gives that life through His Word and Sacrament to the world!

Death surely will come...but it surely will not win!

I may hate death, but I love Jesus!

"The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 6:23

Don't forget there's Homework:

+ Love Jesus more.

Prayer Requests:

+ Pray that death may neither enthrall nor apall us, but that we may live everyday in the victorious life of Jesus.

+ For all who battle the foes of pain, hurt, and death, pray that the Lord will grant them visions of life, love, and reunion in Jesus - "Because He lives I CAN face tomorrow!"

Don't forget to check out the latest Hope sermons and Bible studies at: www.hopewarren.org

Jesus is our Hope!

+ Pastor John

Follow Me!

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:20:00 +0000

(from Jan 24th)

I read a great analogy last week in the Lutheran Hour Ministries daily E-Devotions. It was a perfect match to last Sunday's Gospel from Mark 1 where Jesus invited His Disciples to follow Him. It puts a great perspective on Jesus' invitation to all of us to "Follow Me."

Most of us have had that sinking feeling when we are traveling that we are lost. It is a rather helpless feeling to not know where we are going. Even though most males really despise asking for directions, we all hit that point where either we ask or we may stay lost.

Now, there are two types of directions that we can receive when we ask. First, well intentioned folks may give us a long string of verbal instructions that, if followed, will lead us to where we want to go. They may go something like this," Well, just head down this road till you get to the old school building, then turn right. Go on down a bit and you will see the Flemmings pond. Turn left about a half mile past the pond on the right. Then go straight till..." You get the idea. Maybe we can interpret the instructions well...maybe not.

The second type of directions go like this, "Just follow me, I'll get you where you want to go." That is what Jesus is offering to us when He says to His Disciples of all ages, "Follow Me!" Jesus came here, and blazed a trail for us to follow, then sent His Holy Spirit to lead us. He didn't just give us detailed directions, He also invites us to follow His leading. He will lead us through trial and pain - He's already been through them. He will lead us through hurt and betrayal - He's already been through them. He will lead us into and back out of the grave - He's already been there!

Today, when Jesus invites you to, "Follow Me," go! He will lead you where you want to go, and then lead you home!

"'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said..." Mark 1:17a

Don't forget there's Homework:

+ Do you see following Jesus as a list of burdensome directions, or the joyfilled invitation to follow Jesus out of confusion into life, peace, hope, and joy?

Prayer Requests:

+ Pray that God's people may joyfully follow Jesus as He leads us to real living, today and forever.

+ For all who battle the foes of pain, hurt, and death, pray that the Spirit convinces they to follow Jesus on the way through this world and home.

Don't forget to check out the latest Hope sermons and Bible studies at: www.hopewarren.org

Jesus is our Hope!

+ Pastor John

Consulting Experts

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

How many of you would be willing invest money in the stock market without first asking for advice? Would you feel comfortable putting the stock quote page of your local newspaper on the wall and then throwing a dart to see where you would place your life's savings? Would you construct a house without first consulting an architect or an engineer? Would you just go buy a bunch of lumber, pipes, and wire and start erecting your dream home? If you want to avoid a lot of headaches, it is wise to seek the advice of trustworthy counselors. Even presidents have their cabinet; kings have their counselors. Even the wisest kings like Solomon needed their advisors.

But the Jesus is different. The all-knowing Son of God has no need for counselors. Instead of surrounding Himself with wise, educated men to give Him advice, He surrounded Himself with simple, unschooled men and became their Counselor. Our perfect Counselor is incapable of giving bad advice. He knows you better than you know yourself and He has the answers to any financial, health, relationship or other problem you will ever face.

Our heavenly Counselor is also your Savior. He knows your greatest problem is your sin, which stirs up God's wrath against you. Knowing the only way to resolve that hostility was to take our guilt upon Himself, He willingly died in our place on the cross. He completely satisfied all of God's righteous requirements so that we can enter heaven forever.

Now, are you brave enough to to try and build your life, your destiny, and your eternity all by yourself? Are you willing to risk your eternal fortunes on the advise of fellow mortals? Jesus is both your Savior and your Counselor. He has sent His promised Spirit to be your personal Comforter and Counselor. He stands ready to help and advise us through every difficult circumstance you will ever face. Drop your pride, admit your need, and seek God's wisdom for your life. You need only look to Jesus!

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments,

and his paths beyond tracing out!

'Who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been his counselor?'" Romans 11:33-34

Don't forget there's Homework:

+ How can you find a way to remind yourself to seek Jesus' counsel when you are faced with decisions.

Prayer Requests:

+ Pray that God's people may not be taken in by the soothsayers of this age, and may return to God's Word as truth.

+ For all who battle the foes of pain, hurt, and death, pray that the Lord may help them cling to the unshakable promises of God's love for them in Jesus.

Don't forget to check out the latest Hope sermons and Bible studies at: www.hopewarren.org

Jesus is our Hope!

+ Pastor John

Winners and Losers

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:45:00 +0000

(From Jan. 10th)

I think we should rename January, "Winners and Losers Month." We begin the month with all the college football bowl games, and we end the month preparing for the Super Bowl. All along the way we hear a constant, non-stop drumbeat of commentators telling us who the winners are and who the losers are...and why they think it is so.

Now, I enjoy a good game as much as the next guy. I look forward to hunkering down on the sofa or easy chair with my favorite assortment of foods and drinks and watching the pigskin move up and down the field. However, I have become increasingly disillusioned with the focus of the game. It seems that all that matters is who wins. The winners are adored and the losers are scorned. Then the winners put their trophy in the case, the losers regroup and we do it all over next year. It doesn't seem that winning really means much when the victory immediately turns into the need to defend that victory in the upcoming season. That sounds more like a hamster on a treadmill. Lots of spinning of the wheel, but really never getting off the sinning wheel.

The short-lived nature of winning is seen in the gestures of the players. After a big play, the players treat us to an assortment of chest poundings, victory dances, and self-promotional antics. It betrays the temporary nature of human-winning. It is over quickly, so we make the most of the moment to make sure the spotlight shines on us, because on the next play or in the next season we might be the loser with all the attendant shame and ridicule.

Last night was a perfect example of the fickle nature of winning. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the LSU Tigers in the National Championship Game by the score of 21 to 0. LSU had amassed an undefeated season, was the consensus #1 team, and had already beaten Alabama ithe regular season. However, last night all that work, effort, and glory was was washed away in a tide of shame and humiliation. They laid the proverbial goose-egg, and will wear the moniker of "loser" until the next season.

All that makes me eternally grateful that our "Victory" has nothing to do with how well we perform. Neither does it hang upon our ability to be on our game each and every moment. St. Paul tells us, "If God is for us...who can be against us." He also reminds us that we are, "More than conquerors through His who loved us." What is "More than a conqueror?" It is someone who gets the victory without the fight, and without the chance of losing the victory...ever!

Today, suit up in your faith and live in the victory and as the Victor in Christ Jesus our Lord!

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39

Don't forget there's Homework:

+ What would it look like in your daily life to "Live in the victory and as the Victor in Jesus?"

Prayer Requests:

+ Pray that as Christians we may be amused by all the winning and losing going on around us, AND live in the victory and as Victors in Christ Jesus our Lord.

+ For all who battle the foes of pain, hurt, and death, pray that the Lord may help them cling to the cross of Jesus and claim His victory over sin and death.

Don't forget to check out the latest Hope sermons and Bible studies at: www.hopewarren.org

Jesus is our Hope!

+ Pastor John

Now That's Authentic!

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:55:00 +0000

As we count down the next 5 days to Christmas 2012, I truly encourage you to try and keep an Authentic Christmas in mind. So much of what we do is just ritual or tradition that has little real meaning to it. We do so many things because it is traditional that we do them that way. It is hard to celebrate an Authentic Christmas when we don't really know why we are doing what we are doing. Unless we know the "Why?" of what we do we will be caught like a hamster on a spinning wheel, year after year, slaves to things that have no real, authentic Christmas meaning.

Now don't get me wrong. I am not saying we should get rid of traditions or rituals. They help keep us anchored to truth and our past. However, I am suggesting that we take the time to discern the reason why we do what we do. That way our Christmas traditions and activities will keep us anchored to an Authentic Christmas with all the Authentic meaning of the Christmas holiday.

To help, we are providing you will a variety of Christmas/New Year services and activities. On Christmas Eve we will give you a sure-fired way to keep this and every Christmas to come an Authentic celebration of the Savior's birth. It will be a fun and memorable way for you and your children to keep Christ the center of Christmas! I promise that it will change the way you and your family look at Christmas from now on! And don't forget that the real, genuine (might I even say, 'Authentic") birthday of Jesus is Christmas Day. We have a terrific festival service planned for you and your family. Come wish Jesus an Authentic "Happy Birthday!"

"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel'—which means, 'God with us.”'"

Matthew 1:22-23

The Tune-Up will take a winter break the next couple of weeks, so see you in 2012!

God Bless us...Everyone!

Don't forget there's Homework:

+ You still have time to make this an Authentic Christmas. All you have to do is remember that all we do at Christmas is intended to celebrate Jesus birthday. Now, go have an Authentic Christmas Holiday and a Blessed New Year!

Prayer Requests:

+ Pray that this Christmas we embrace the joy Jesus brought to our world through His redemption of you, me, and the whole world.

+ Remember before the Lord those who suffer with all kinds of ailments, and those far from home during this Christmas Holiday Season.

Don't forget to check out the latest Hope sermons and Bible studies at: www.hopewarren.org

Jesus is our Hope!

+ Pastor John