GELC Sermons Welcome to the podcast of my sermons preached at Gethsemane Lutheran Church!<br><br> <br><br> It's been my goal that all of these sermons first of all be Christocentric. That is, I hope and pray that Christ and his work is always at the center. The main focus of any good sermon is not what we do for God, but what he has done for us, namely suffered and died in our place to satisfy his own wrath and punishment against sin. Because of this sacrifice, we are forgiven, holy and innocent before God, and get the heaven that we do not deserve. When we lose this focus and center back on ourselves and what we do, we fall into either self-righteous thinking ("Hey, I'm pretty good. God should love me.") or despair ("I can never be good enough.")<br><br> <br><br> My second goal through all of my sermons is related to the first. That has been to maintain a clear distinction between Law (what we do) and Gospel (what God has done). What we do is sin. While we try to do good and at times do much good, we are not perfect. That's what God demands of us -- perfection. The Gospel, which literally means "good news," is the good news that Jesus did everything to accomplish our salvation. This sets us free from the demands of the law while at the same time making us thankful and eager to strive to keep the law out of gratitude for what he's done. We don't keep the law to earn God's favor, to prove our faith, or to be blessed by God. We are blessed by God and have his favor though Christ. Even our faith that believes these truths is a gift of God and not something we produce on our own. That's why we keep the law -- to thank him.<br><br> <br><br> These two goals, I believe are the marks of a truly Lutheran sermon. I'm confident that they can be found in most every sermon preached in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (cf. www.wels.net) and hope and pray that they're always present in my own sermons. I eagerly welcome any questions or comments you may have on any of my sermons (and those can be sent to PastorGuenther@gmail.com), but especially let me know if I ever fail to keep either of those two goals.<br><br> <br><br> I'm glad you found us and hope and pray that your faith is strengthened through this podcast. May God keep your eyed fixed on Jesus and his sacrifice for you and by such a focus may he move you to a life of thanks to him in all you do.<br><br> <br><br> Your servant in Him,<br><br> Pastor Rob Guenther<br><br> Welcome to the podcast of my sermons preached at Gethsemane Lutheran Church!<br><br> <br><br> It's been my goal that all of these sermons first of all be Christocentric. That is, I hope and pray that Christ and his work is always at the center. The main focus of any good sermon is not what we do for God, but what he has done for us, namely suffered and died in our place to satisfy his own wrath and punishment against sin. Because of this sacrifice, we are forgiven, holy and innocent before God, and get the heaven that we do not deserve. When we lose this focus and center back on ourselves and what we do, we fall into either self-righteous thinking ("Hey, I'm pretty good. God should love me.") or despair ("I can never be good enough.")<br><br> <br><br> My second goal through all of my sermons is related to the first. That has been to maintain a clear distinction between Law (what we do) and Gospel (what God has done). What we do is sin. While we try to do good and at times do much good, we are not perfect. That's what God demands of us -- perfection. The Gospel, which literally means "good news," is the good news that Jesus did everything to accomplish our salvation. This sets us free from the demands of the law while at the same time making us thankful and eager to strive to keep the law out of gratitude for what he's done. We don't keep the law to earn God's favor, to prove our faith, or to be blessed by God. We are blessed by God and have his favor though Christ. Even our faith that believes these truths is a gift of God and not something we produce on our own. That's why we keep the law -- to thank him.<br><br> <br><br> These two goals, I believe are the marks of a truly Lutheran sermon. I'm confident that they can be found in most every sermon preached in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (cf. www.wels.net) and hope and pray that they're always present in my own sermons. I eagerly welcome any questions or comments you may have on any of my sermons (and those can be sent to PastorGuenther@gmail.com), but especially let me know if I ever fail to keep either of those two goals.<br><br> <br><br> I'm glad you found us and hope and pray that your faith is strengthened through this podcast. May God keep your eyed fixed on Jesus and his sacrifice for you and by such a focus may he move you to a life of thanks to him in all you do.<br><br> <br><br> Your servant in Him,<br><br> Pastor Rob Guenther<br><br> Pastor Rob Guenther Pastor Rob Guentherpastorguenther@gmail.com http://themainthing.us Copyright 2010, Gethsemane Lutheran Church en-us 60 Pastor Rob GuentherAsk the Lord to send out workers into the harvest to share the good news of God's grace in Christ to them. Then, answer your own prayer, and go share the good news! Ask the Lord to send out workers into the harvest to share the good news of God's grace in Christ to them. Then, answer your own prayer, and go share the good news! http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100711_Luke_10v1-20.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100711_Luke_10v1-20.mp3 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 00:00:00 PST http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/ 10 10 Pastor Rob GuentherIn thanks to Jesus for the sacrifice he made to win our freedom from sin, death, and hell, we gladly make sacrifices for him. In thanks to Jesus for the sacrifice he made to win our freedom from sin, death, and hell, we gladly make sacrifices for him. http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100704_Luke_9v51-62.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100704_Luke_9v51-62.mp3 Sun, 04 Jul 2010 00:00:00 PST http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/ 10 10 Pastor Rob GuentherJesus took up his cross that we might live forever with him. Now we eagerly suffer for his sake in thanks for all he's done for us. We take up our crosses, not our pillows, and follow him. Jesus took up his cross that we might live forever with him. Now we eagerly suffer for his sake in thanks for all he's done for us. We take up our crosses, not our pillows, and follow him. http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100627_Luke_9v18-24.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100627_Luke_9v18-24.mp3 Sun, 27 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/ 10 10 Pastor Rob GuentherWhen Jesus and his parade of joyous followers meet a mourning funeral procession, death and life go head to head in the confrontation. Who will win? Of course it's Jesus with the life he brings! When Jesus and his parade of joyous followers meet a mourning funeral procession, death and life go head to head in the confrontation. Who will win? Of course it's Jesus with the life he brings! http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100613_Luke_7v11-17.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100613_Luke_7v11-17.mp3 Sun, 13 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/ 10 10 Pastor Rob GuentherHave an amazing faith in Jesus! A faith that recognizes your own unworthiness, that trusts completely in God, and that is selfless in your service to him and to others! Have an amazing faith in Jesus! A faith that recognizes your own unworthiness, that trusts completely in God, and that is selfless in your service to him and to others! http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100606_Luke_7v1-10.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100606_Luke_7v1-10.mp3 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/ 10 10 Pastor Rob GuentherThank God that he will intervene in our lives to snap us out of our apathy and complacency! Thank God for his intervention on the cross! May he increase our zeal for his Word and our desire to serve him in thanks! Thank God that he will intervene in our lives to snap us out of our apathy and complacency! Thank God for his intervention on the cross! May he increase our zeal for his Word and our desire to serve him in thanks! http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100509_Revelation_3v14-22.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100509_Revelation_3v14-22.mp3 Sun, 09 May 2010 00:00:00 PST 18:15 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/ 10 10 Pastor Rob GuentherJesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and purifies us by his blood. At the same time he's the Good Shepherd who leads us to springs of living water in his Word. Because of our Shepherd-Lamb we can be certain that heaven is ours! Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and purifies us by his blood. At the same time he's the Good Shepherd who leads us to springs of living water in his Word. Because of our Shepherd-Lamb we can be certain that heaven is ours! http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100418_Revelation_7v9-17.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100418_Revelation_7v9-17.mp3 Sun, 18 Apr 2010 00:00:00 PST http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/Gethsemane Small.jpg 125 125 Pastor Rob GuentherWe can trust the good news of Easter because of the reliable eyewitnesses and the testimony of Scripture. We can trust the good news of Easter because of the reliable eyewitnesses and the testimony of Scripture. http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100411_2_Peter_1v16-21.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100411_2_Peter_1v16-21.mp3 Sun, 11 Apr 2010 00:00:00 PST http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/Gethsemane Small.jpg 125 125 Pastor Rob GuentherThe ABC's of God's Foolish Grace: A = Apostasy, B = Baddies, C = Crying, D = Deliverance, and E = Endless Thanks! The ABC's of God's Foolish Grace: A = Apostasy, B = Baddies, C = Crying, D = Deliverance, and E = Endless Thanks! http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100314.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100314.mp3 Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:00:00 PST 22:08 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/Gethsemane Small.jpg 125 125 Pastor Rob GuentherSometimes it hurts to hear the truth. Sometimes it hurts to speak the truth. But in thanks to our Savior for saving us from the hurt of hell, we gladly speak the truth in love, even when it hurts. Sometimes it hurts to hear the truth. Sometimes it hurts to speak the truth. But in thanks to our Savior for saving us from the hurt of hell, we gladly speak the truth in love, even when it hurts. http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100228.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100228.mp3 Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/Gethsemane Small.jpg 125 125 Pastor Rob GuentherAchan and his family were stoned, burned, and buried because he took some plunder off some dead men. Did the punishment fit the crime? Does did Jesus' punishment fit his crimes? Does our punishment fit our crimes? Listen and find out! Achan and his family were stoned, burned, and buried because he took some plunder off some dead men. Did the punishment fit the crime? Does did Jesus' punishment fit his crimes? Does our punishment fit our crimes? Listen and find out! http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100221.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100221.mp3 Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST 18:20 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/Gethsemane Small.jpg 125 125 Pastor Rob GuentherJesus shines in his glory on the mount of Transfiguration, in his exodus in Jerusalem, and now, through us and our witness of the things we've seen with our eyes of faith. Jesus shines in his glory on the mount of Transfiguration, in his exodus in Jerusalem, and now, through us and our witness of the things we've seen with our eyes of faith. http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100214.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100214.mp3 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST 17:35 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/Gethsemane Small.jpg 125 125 Pastor Rob GuentherFasten your eyes on Jesus and see that he's not only the fulfillment of every Scripture, but also the fulfillment of your salvation. So keep staring at him! Fasten your eyes on Jesus and see that he's not only the fulfillment of every Scripture, but also the fulfillment of your salvation. So keep staring at him! http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100207.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100207.mp3 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST 18:35 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/ 10 10 Pastor Rob GuentherJesus turns water into wine. But why doesn't he always do that for me? How come I still have problems and pain? Does Jesus really care... about me? Listen to the sermon to find out! Jesus turns water into wine. But why doesn't he always do that for me? How come I still have problems and pain? Does Jesus really care... about me? Listen to the sermon to find out! http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100124.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100124.mp3 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST 18:32 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/Gethsemane Small.jpg 125 125 Luke 3:15-17,21-22 Pastor Rob GuentherJesus' baptism is what gives the power to our baptisms. By his perfect life lived in our place and given for us on the cross, we are purified of all of our sins. Jesus' baptism is what gives the power to our baptisms. By his perfect life lived in our place and given for us on the cross, we are purified of all of our sins. http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100117.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100117.mp3 Sun, 17 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST 19:22 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/Gethsemane Small.jpg 125 125 Pastor Rob GuentherWhat God promises, God does. So we burst into songs of praise and thanks! What God promises, God does. So we burst into songs of praise and thanks! http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100103.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20100103.mp3 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST 20:23 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/ 10 10 Pastor Rob GuentherWhat did you get for Christmas? Even if you got nothing else, you got some pretty great gifts from God. You have the Light of the World and God tenting among us! Rejoice in these perfect gifts! What did you get for Christmas? Even if you got nothing else, you got some pretty great gifts from God. You have the Light of the World and God tenting among us! Rejoice in these perfect gifts! http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20091225.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20091225.mp3 Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/ 10 10 Pastor Rob GuentherWhat's the perfect gift? It's one that you need, one that you can use every day, one that will last. The perfect gift is God's gift to you in his Son, Jesus. What's the perfect gift? It's one that you need, one that you can use every day, one that will last. The perfect gift is God's gift to you in his Son, Jesus. http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20091224.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20091224.mp3 Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/ 10 10 Pastor Rob GuentherThrough our hero, Jesus, satan, the great dragon, has been defeated. With the threat of damnation removed by the cross, we know that we will live happily ever after. Through our hero, Jesus, satan, the great dragon, has been defeated. With the threat of damnation removed by the cross, we know that we will live happily ever after. http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20091220.mp3 http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/20091220.mp3 Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST http://themainthing.us/home/180003600/180003600/audio/ 10 10