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Kurt Steinbrueck July 20, 2021

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Born Of The Word

“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” – 1 Peter 1:23

Do you put much stock in words?

Sometimes we think of words as unimportant.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!”

However, the truth is that words are very important. They have the power to heal or wound, to build up or tear down. Words can inform us and give us wisdom. When spoken by people, words can be very powerful, but those words do not compare to when God speaks.

God’s Word is powerful and creative.

He spoke the very universe into existence (Genesis 1).

“And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. ” Genesis 1:3

His Word became flesh (Jesus) and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

His Word creates faith in its hearers (Romans 10:17).

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” – Romans 10:17

God’s Word sustains us (Hebrews 1:3).

“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” – Hebrews 1:3

You, having heard the Word of the Gospel and received it by faith, have now been born anew through that very living and enduring Word of God. Unlike your earthly body which will become frail and perish, this new life is imperishable for you have received it from the eternal and imperishable Word of God.

Praise the Lord!!

Heavenly Father,

You have made me a new creation through Your Word. Remind me as I struggle through the frailty of this earthly body and even face death, that You have given me a life that will never grow weak and will never end. Help me to endure faithfully until that day when the perishable is raised imperishable and we dwell with You forever and ever.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck July 19, 2021

Blog Consequences

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Natural Consequences

“Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD … they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.” – Proverbs 1:29,31

When was the last time you had to deal with the natural consequences of a bad choice?

As a parent, there are generally two ways I discipline my kids. Sometimes I impose a consequence for their actions, such as sitting in time out or losing electronics for the day. Other times, however, I don’t have to impose anything. Nature takes care of it for me. I simply have to get out the way, just not step in and prevent the natural consequence.

Sin has natural consequences both here on earth and in eternity.

If you rob a bank, you may end up in jail. If you lie to a friend, you may lose that friendship. If you steal from work, you may get fired. These are natural consequences.

Of course, these are all temporary consequences. They will end at some point. The biggest consequence of our sin is eternal condemnation.

God will often allow the temporary natural consequences in order to draw us to Himself.

Even this discipline is out of love. The Scriptures tell us that God disciplines those whom He loves like a father disciplines his children.

“‘because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.’ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.” – Hebrews 12:6-8

Thankfully, when it comes to the eternal, natural consequence, God stepped in. Through Jesus’ work on the cross, He stopped the natural consequence of eternal condemnation for all who believe in Him.

Dear Jesus,

I don’t like the natural consequences of my sin, but I know that I caused them. Please forgive me for my sin so that, while I may face some temporary, natural consequences now, I know I will not face the ultimate consequence for my sin. Thank you for standing in my place and taking that consequence for me.

Amen

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck July 17, 2021

Blog Serving Others

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Doing Church With A Heart To Serve

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10

How do you serve others?

Most churches have service events of some kind. Some have a few ongoing service opportunities. However, what if service was something built into the very DNA of the church? What if, instead of occasionally stopping our regular routine to serve others, serving others WAS our regular routine?

This was the basic question of a book I read, “Barefoot Church” by Brandon Hatmaker. Brandon pointed out that far too often serving others in the church is more about those who are doing the serving than those who are being served. However, the Bible is full of references to serving others. Jesus Christ, himself, said:

“…the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:28

Jesus Came to Serve Us
Jesus came to serve us, the broken, sinful, rebellious people that we are, even to the point of dying on the cross that we might be forgiven and saved. He didn’t require that do anything for this great blessing. It was solely Jesus acting in grace and compassion, giving us the ultimate gift.

Through faith in Jesus, we are not only saved but also brought to life. This new life in Jesus is not like our old life. Through the power of God we, now, can love and serve others. We do not do this to earn anything before God, but rather as a response to what God has already done for us.

How can you serve someone today?

How can you serve in a way that asks nothing from the person you are serving, but simply shows love to them because Jesus loved us and Jesus loves them? I encourage you to look for a way to make serving others a part of your regular life. Why not start, today?

Serving with Faith Lutheran Church
At Faith Lutheran Church, we want serving others to be a part of the DNA of the church. One way we are doing this is through Growth Groups. Growth Groups within the church are able to find specific areas of service which they can be passionate about, be it mentoring kids, helping the homeless, visiting the elderly, caring for the sick, or whatever you feel passionate about. These small groups can then engage in their specific type of service on a regular basis.

Another way we do this is through church-wide service opportunities. The pandemic made it difficult to serve others for a while, but with life returning to normal, we will be getting back to having service projects and outreach activities as a regular part of church life. I hope you’ll be a part of it.

Dear Jesus,

You came to serve us, though You are God of all and we did not deserve it. Help me to serve others with the same humility and compassion You have shown me.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Looking For Something That Has Been Lost

Kurt Steinbrueck July 16, 2021

Blog Lost

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Looking For Something That Has Been Lost

We’ve all experienced that sense of panic when we lose something we really love or need. We search everywhere.

“Where was the last place I saw it?! Where did I put it?!”

For me, I usually put it “somewhere safe” so it wouldn’t get lost and then forgot where that safe place was.

However, there’s another sense of “having lost something” that many people feel. It’s not a specific thing. It’s not even at one specific time. There’s just this sense that something is missing. That feeling is there most of the time.

In the Bible, Jesus tells several stories about lost things.

There’s a lost sheep, a lost coin, and even a lost child. Here’s one of those stories from Luke 15:

“What woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” – Luke 15:8-10

When Jesus tells this story, he is talking about how much God desires to be in a good relationship with us and how happy God is when someone believes in Him. As described in this story, God seeks us out. He’ll turn over every couch cushion in our lives and shine a light into every dark corner to bring us to Him.

Do you have that sense that something is missing?

If so, and you don’t know Jesus, it may be that you are feeling God seeking you. The amazing thing is that what you have been looking for all this time is actually seeking you, too!

I invite you to explore this possibility by reading the Bible (maybe the Gospel of Mark) and by coming to church this week.

If you have already been found by Jesus, praise the Lord!! Grow that relationship with God at church this week. Then, think about who you know who may be feeling like something is missing and pray for them. Then, look for a chance to talk to them about Jesus. Help them find what they have missing.

Dear Jesus,

We spend so much energy seeking so many things in life. Thank You for seeking us about the one thing that is most important.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck July 15, 2021

Blog jesus

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Who Do You Say That I Am?

“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 16:13-17

There are many ideas of who Jesus was/is.

Some people say He was a good teacher.
Others say He was a charismatic leader.
Still, others say He wasn’t even real.

But who do you say Jesus is?

This is the question Jesus asked the disciples. The disciples make it clear that even back in Jesus’ day, there were a lot of ideas of who He was. However, Peter, speaking for all the disciples, said something amazing.

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

In the end, this is the question we all must answer.

Despite so many ways that people respond, there are really only two answers. Either we answer with Peter,

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,”

or we say

“Jesus isn’t the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Like Peter, however, we cannot come to the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ of our own intellect or will.

Rather, God reveals Himself to us through His Word.

Thanks be to God that He does work through His Word to create faith in His people that we can confess He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Without the Father revealing this to us, we would be lost. So, let us not only confess that to each other but to all those around us that others may hear and believe.

Heavenly Father,

May You reveal to each one of us today that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Help us to believe. Then, help us to confess this boldly to as many people as we can that they might be brought to faith through Your Word.

Amen

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck July 14, 2021

Blog sin, temptation

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The Sweet Allure Of Sin

“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” – Genesis 3:6

Ah, sin. It’s vile. It’s evil. It’s destructive. It’s…so…attractive.

When satan tempted Eve in the garden, she looks at the forbidden fruit and it seemed good to her.

Good for Food – Eve saw the fruit as beneficial for her. It didn’t look poisonous or rotten. It looked good for food. So often when we face temptation it can look good for us at least in some ways. Of course, Eve didn’t think about how the fruit would be bad for her, destroying her relationship with God and causing her death. She only saw what appeared good.

Pleasing to the Eye – Sin not only can look good for us, but it looks good to us. It’s desirous. It’s the slick sports car, the beautiful woman, the admiration of others, or looking better than everyone else. The sins we fall into rarely look repulsive to us.

Desirable for Gaining Wisdom – Sin can also seem like the smart thing to do. The wisdom of the world is foolishness to God and the wisdom of God foolishness to the world. The world is constantly telling us how wise we are in our sin and we are all experts at rationalizing our sins.

Sin can look good to us. That’s why it’s tempting. However, the truth is that it is destructive, vile, foolish, and leads to death.

After Eve and then Adam disobeyed God, God came to visit with them.

They tried to hide, but they couldn’t. God knew and they were punished for their sin by being kicked out of the Garden of Eden, However, even in their punishment, we already see God’s mercy. He could have just destroyed them. Instead, He let them live and even clothed them.

It is also during the issuing of the punishments that we first hear God’s promise of Jesus, our savior. Immediately, after the sin, God is already showing His great mercy and grace to not only not punish them to the full extent they deserved, but promise to provide a way to be forgiven of the sin and, once again, restore their relationship with Him so they (and we) can live in His presence.

So it is with us.

When we give in to temptation and sin, God is right there drawing us to repentance and offering us forgiveness through Jesus, showing us His great mercy and grace.

Heavenly Father,

I admit that I have looked at sin and thought it looked good. I have given into temptation and sinned against you, but I am sorry. Please forgive me and please renew me to see sin for what it truly is, destructive, repulsive, foolish, and deadly.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck July 13, 2021

Blog Good Shepherd, jesus

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My Sheep Hear My Voice

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” – John 10:27-28

What do you think of when you hear that Jesus is your Good Shepherd?

The Shepherd metaphor in the Bible was absolutely perfect for the people who were the original audience, but today shepherding isn’t so common and we can easily miss some of the meaning of certain aspects of the shepherd metaphor.

One thing that is amazing about shepherds and their sheep is the relationship that forms between them, at least when they are good shepherds.

The shepherd watches out for the sheep.
He provides for them.
He treats injuries and disease.
He guides them away from danger, even when the sheep seems intent on getting into danger.
He protects them, even with his own life.

A shepherd knows his sheep and they know him. They trust him and they are completely reliant on their shepherd. And, yes, sheep really do know the voice of their shepherd. Check out the video below. It’s pretty amazing!

This is what makes the shepherd such a wonderful metaphor for our relationship with God.

He cares for us, provides for us, loves us, heals us, and directs us away from danger even when we are the ones who get ourselves into trouble. He even gave His life for us. He knows us and He reveals Himself to us so that we can hear His voice and follow Him. Also, we are completely reliant on Him. God provides everything we need for life and salvation and that life and salvation can come from no one else.

The Search for God
With all the places people go looking to commune with God and all the sources they seek out to hear God’s voice, there is one place we know we will hear Him.

We hear Him in His Word.

That is where we can be sure God speaks to us and reveals himself to us. So, many people want God to reveal Himself to them, but they reject His Word. Like the Jews in the John 10 passage, even when Jesus has made it obvious, those who are not His sheep, who do not listen to His voice, miss it. However, for those who hear and believe, He will give them eternal life and no one can snatch them out of His hand.

Dear Jesus,

Open my ears that I may hear Your voice. Make me Your sheep and be my shepherd.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck July 12, 2021

Blog Christ-Esteem, Self-Esteem, Self-Image

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Self-Esteem vs Christ-Esteem

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139 13-14

How do you feel about yourself?

If you are feeling a bit down or rejected, if you feel worthless or useless, there is no shortage of books and videos out there to help you build up your self-esteem. Whether it’s positive thinking, words of affirmation, or surrounding yourself with people who build you up, self-esteem building has become a huge industry.

“I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and dog-gonnit people like me.”

The problem is all these self-esteem builders aren’t based on reality.

Just because you say you are good at something and convince yourself you are, doesn’t mean you really are. Just watch the tryouts of American Idol and you can see what I mean. Another problem is it’s all about your willpower to psych yourself up, but what if you just have a really bad day and don’t have the energy?

When God speaks, it is truth.

It is reality. When God says you are fearfully and wonderfully made, you are just that. He created you. He gave you life and He did a wonderful job!

This all sounds pretty nice. Maybe it makes you feel warm and fuzzy right now, but the times come when we see our failures and we see our sin and don’t feel so wonderfully made, or maybe we feel like we broke what God had made wonderfully.

In those moments, remember the promise of Jesus Christ. Through faith in Him, you are forgiven. God has declared you righteous and holy…

And so you ARE righteous and holy.

He has made you a new creation. This isn’t trying to avoid the truth, it’s sticking to the truth…the truth of God’s promises…even when we don’t feel it.

Rather than seeking our esteem in ourselves, let us seek it in Christ.

Let us also esteem others in Christ. I love and value you not because you think you’re worth it or because I think you are the cat’s meow, but because the Father has fearfully and wonderfully made you and Jesus has redeemed you.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for creating me and redeeming me. Sometimes I don’t feel like I’m worth it. I feel worthless and useless. In those times, remind me of Your promises…promises that You love me, You forgive me, and You have given me a purpose and place here to serve and glorify You.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck July 10, 2021

Blog Caring for Others, Hospitality

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Some Have Entertained Angels Unaware

“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:1-2

Can you tell what someone is like just by looking at them?

“Look at that guy. You can just tell by looking at him that he’s no good.”

All too often we judge people based on nothing other than how they look.

Instead of taking the time to get to know them, we look, judge, and move on.

Consider this:
If you saw a bunch of Harley riding bikers coming down the road, what would you think? Would you think they are were out to go protect a child who was abused? Yet, that’s exactly what these bikers do on a regular basis:

We are called to love each other and to show hospitality to others. This isn’t just something we should do for our friends or the people who look like us.

We are to love everyone.

Why?

Because God loves everyone.

Jesus died for them just like He died for you. In fact, Jesus didn’t just not judge us by appearances, He knew exactly who we would be and how we would rebel against God by our sin. Yet, He still died for us so that we could be forgiven. So great is His love for us!

As followers of Jesus, we are to love like He does and be hospitable to everyone.

And you never know…you may be entertaining an angel.

Dear Jesus,

I confess that I have judged people just by looking at them. I have deemed people unworthy of my hospitality before I ever even met them. Please forgive me and help me to love others as You have loved me.

Amen

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck July 9, 2021

Blog prayer

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Praying With Jesus: Waiting…

“But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.“ – Micah 7:7

How quickly do you expect God to do what you pray for?

Good Friday one of the most important days of the church year when we remember Jesus’ death on the cross. Easter, of course, is another important day when we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. But the Saturday in between?…

We wait.

Waiting isn’t easy.

Today, we expect to get everything fast. Amazon is shipping same-day now. The new Boom Supersonic plane will soon be flying people from New York to London in a little over 3hrs flying at 2.2x the speed of sound. In places with gigabit internet connections, you can download a 2hr HD movie in 25 seconds.

We want things fast.

When it takes too long, we tend to lose our patience. When I worked in online marketing, the rule was that if a web page took longer than 5 seconds to load, people would start leaving. Now, a page is expected to load in about 1 second.

On the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter, we wait. In prayer, we often must wait, too.

God isn’t Amazon or Boom Supersonic or an Internet provider. He doesn’t work on our timetable hoping to have a satisfied customer. He follows His own timing and we must wait.

I’ve spoken with people who told me that yesterday they prayed for xyz and God didn’t answer their prayer. God did answer their prayer, though. He always does. However, His answer may have been that they needed to wait.

It’s not easy, but it is for the best.

It reminds us that we are the created making requests of our creator. It also teaches us to trust God and His love and wisdom, both in how He answers our prayers and when.

We know God’s will is good, His ways are wiser than ours, and He loves us. We can trust Him to always answer our prayers. We can also trust how and when He acts. So, we can join Micah in saying that we will look to the Lord and wait for the God of our salvation, knowing He hears us.

Heavenly Father,

It can be difficult to wait, but I know Your timing is better than mine. Help me to be patient and to wait on You.

Amen

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Blog

Born Of The Word

Natural Consequences

Doing Church With A Heart To Serve

Looking For Something That Has Been Lost

Who Do You Say That I Am?

The Sweet Allure Of Sin

My Sheep Hear My Voice

Self-Esteem vs Christ-Esteem

Some Have Entertained Angels Unaware

Praying With Jesus: Waiting…

Faith Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, FL serving Lutz, Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes, and New Tampa, FL