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Kurt Steinbrueck April 5, 2021

Blog Creator, jesus

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Jesus: Creator

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” – Colossians 1:16

Who created the world?

When we say the Apostles’ Creed, we confess that…

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth…

Ephesians 3:9 and the creation account in Genesis (among other passages) tell us the Father was the creator. So, can we also say that Jesus is the creator?

Yes.

The Father

“The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” – Genesis 1:2

and Son were both intricately involved in creation

“For by him [Jesus] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” – Colossians 1:16

as was the Holy Spirit.

“and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,” – Ephesians 3:9

God is a Triune God.

While different attributes are applied to the three persons of God, God is also one. The one God, (all three persons) created all things.

This all culminated with the creation of man where we see another indication of the Trinity at work where God clearly refers to Himself in the plural.

“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” – Genesis 1:26

Jesus is Still Creating.

This is true in regards to the physical world. God didn’t just create the world and walk away. He continues to create and sustain all things. This is also, however, true spiritually.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

Jesus (with the Father and the Spirit) creates new life in us when we receive faith. We are now a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Creating is a chief characteristic of the Triune God, which of course, includes Jesus.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for creating and sustaining my life and thank You for making me a new Creation and giving me eternal life.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck April 3, 2021

Blog easter, Good Friday, Jesus Burried, waiting

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Waiting

“When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.” – Matthew 27:57-60

What are you doing, today?

Today, is the Saturday before Easter. It doesn’t really have a special name like Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Palm Sunday or Easter. It’s just Saturday or Holy Saturday.

This is a day of waiting. Sometimes we wait while praying in a Easter Vigil. Sometimes we just wait.

In some ways this is hardest of the days of Holy Week. We don’t really have anything to do but wait and this isn’t something we’re very good at anymore. We like everything right away, but now we have to wait.

A Different Kind of Waiting
The disciples were waiting, too. They had quickly wrapped Jesus and put Him in a tomb, but there was more that needed to be done. However, this was the Sabbath. So, they had to wait.

We wait, but we wait with hope and expectation. We know what the disciples hadn’t understood, yet. We know that Jesus won’t remain in the tomb. We know that Easter is coming and Jesus will be raised from the dead!

Still Waiting
In some ways, this reminds us of another waiting we do. We await the return of our Savior. He’s coming again in Glory, but for now we wait. Similarly, we wait in hopeful anticipation. We know what’s coming will be awesome.

Tomorrow, Easter, will be great. The Last Day to come will be greater! So, keep the oil in your lamps (Matthew 25:1-13) and let your light shine brightly (Matthew 5:14-15) and wait with hopeful expectation.

Heavenly Father,

Give us patience as we wait. Preserve us in the faith and help us to endure. May we wait with hopeful anticipation and an urgent sense of Christ’s return that we would share the light of Christ with others.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck April 2, 2021

Blog Good Friday, Jesus Death, Redemption, Sacrifice

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It Is Finished

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), ‘I thirst.’ A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” – John 19:28-30

What did Jesus mean when He said, “It is finished?”

Was Jesus referring to His time on the cross?
Was He referring to His ministry on earth?
Was He referring to the redemption of mankind?
Is there something else?

Jesus spoke these words right before He gave up His spirit and died. His work was done. Redemption had been won. (to quote a Petra song) Jesus had now paid the price for our sins.

It Is Finished for You, Too.
All that needed to be done to accomplish your salvation is finished as well. We don’t add anything to the work of Jesus on the cross. Our sacrifices and acts of love, while wonderful and good for our neighbor, add nothing to our salvation.

It is finished for you which means you can rest in Your salvation.

Today, there is no ending question or suggestion of something you can do other than to reflect on the wonderful, amazing grace of God which has won your salvation.

Dear Jesus,

You have paid the price that was mine to pay, but which I could never have paid. Thank you. My salvation is in You and You alone.

Amen.

If you’d like to listen to that Petra song, here you go:

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck April 1, 2021

Blog Maundy Thursday, Serving, Serving Others, Washing feet

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The Greatest Servant

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,

‘Lord, do you wash my feet?’

Jesus answered him,

‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.’

Peter said to him,

‘You shall never wash my feet.’

Jesus answered him,

‘If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.’

Simon Peter said to him,

‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’

Jesus said to him,

‘The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.'”

– John 13:3-10a

What are you not willing to do for others?

A while back, Melissa accidentally dropped a necklace down the drain in our bathroom sink. I knew that it was still retrievable thanks to the p trap in the pipes below the sink. I had a decision to make. Do I serve my wife and get the necklace or not? I knew it wouldn’t take much effort, but I also knew what I would have to dig through and the smell would be vile.

Not the Proper Order of Things
Jesus continued to serve and teach His disciples right up to His last day. The way He taught them on this final Thursday flipped everything on its head. A servant should have washed all of their feet. If there wasn’t a servant, then the least of the disciples should have done it.

There’s no indication there was a servant and it’s not until after Jesus starts washing feet that it even occurs to Peter that he should have washed Jesus’ feet and, even then, Peter doesn’t seem to offer to wash anyone else’s feet. Would he really offer to wash Andrew, his brother’s feet?

A New Way of Doing Things
Jesus wasn’t just being nice. He was also teaching. His message is pretty clear.

“When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, ‘Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.’” – John 13:12-17

What are you willing to do for others?

Lent is a season of sacrifice and service as we prepare for Good Friday and Easter and reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice. He came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a sacrifice for many. Yet, it’s not just in Lent that we are to serve each other, to serve the least. May we serve and sacrifice for many, also.

Dear Jesus,

You deserve for us to serve You, yet You came and served us. Help us to love our neighbor with that same sacrificial love.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck March 31, 2021

Blog burried, holy week, jesus, Preperation, Sacrifice

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Anointed for His Burial

“Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, ‘Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.’ But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, ‘Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.’” – Matthew 26:6–13

As we get closer to Good Friday, Jesus is continuing to prepare for His great sacrifice. This preparation, however, is not just for Him. It is also for His followers.

Several times as Jesus heads toward Jerusalem and after He arrives He tells His disciples about what is coming. They have trouble letting it sink in.

No! It Can’t Be!
It’s not unlike when a person is in the final days of their life as they battle a disease. Their doctor explains what’s happening and often, the dying person is able to accept the news while family members struggle with it. Children, especially, may continue to hope that something will get better and want additional treatments. It may take several conversations and some time for them to accept what is coming.

With the disciples, even up to the Last Supper they struggled to accept it, especially Peter. When Jesus said, He would be arrested and they would fall away, Peter exclaimed he wouldn’t leave His side even if he had to die. When they came to arrest Jesus, Peter drew his sword and cut someone’s ear off. Yet, Jesus’ death happened and, for Peter’s sake, it had to.

Yes, It Had to Be.
And, so we continue to prepare as well. It can be hard for us to accept the amazing sacrifice of Jesus. Yet, it’s what needed to be done for our sake as well.

Heavenly Father,

Prepare my heart for this Holy Week. Help me to be repentant and grateful. Hold me fast in the faith You have given me.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck March 30, 2021

Blog God's will, salvation

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O That You Would Be Willing

O, That You Would Be Willing

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” – Matthew 23:37-39

Does God really want to save you?

When we reflect on our lives and consider God’s Law, we may find ourselves struggling with that question. Does God really want to save me? Maybe He’d rather just get rid of me.

This passage from Matthew reveals the answer to that question and shows the amazing compassion Christ has for us. Jesus is about to enter Jerusalem and be arrested, falsely accused, whipped, beaten, and killed. Even still He longs for the people to be saved! In the Gospel of John, we’re told Jesus weeps for the people.

Yes, God really wants to save you!

In 2 Peter, the Holy Spirit inspired Peter to write:

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9

As the Contemporary worship song puts it, “This is Amazing Grace!” God, knowing our rebellious hearts which are set against Him still wants to save us. He was still willing to die for us that we might live.

Yet, we, like those in Jerusalem, can resist. We can refuse to allow God to gather us up and give us life. O, that you would not resist. O, that you would receive His amazing grace.

It is because of His amazing grace that we are able to say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” We need not fear His return for He has redeemed us, washed us clean, and called us His own.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for saving me. I believe in You. Help me in my unbelief. Be with those who do not yet know You as their savior. Work faith in their hearts and may they not resist You that they may live.

Amen

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck March 29, 2021

Blog crucifixion, holy week, jesus

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The Long Road to Jerusalem

“Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!’” – Matthew 20:17-19

Have you ever known you had to do something hard, but it was still days away?

In the movies we see people sacrifice themselves in the moment, but every now and then we see someone go ahead with a plan knowing they won’t survive.

It’s agonizing.

It’s easy to read through the final days and weeks of Jesus life in the Gospels as if you or I were going through it. When we do that, we imagine what it would be like walking the road toward Jerusalem or entering the city on Palm Sunday or going to the temple on Tuesday.

There’s a big difference though between Jesus and us. We would either be blissfully unaware of what was coming or, if we suspecting something bad was going to happen, still have some hope that we would be able to escape the danger somehow. That’s just how we are. We don’t know the future.

Jesus Knew
Jesus, however, knew. As He set His face towards Jerusalem and started walking, He knew He would be arrested in a couple of weeks. As He entered Jerusalem and everyone cheered and praised Him, He knew He would be flogged and beaten in a few days. As He and the disciples prepared for the Passover, He knew He would soon be nailed to a cross.

Jesus Walked
Jesus knew. He knew exactly the pain, suffering, and death that was coming. There was no way out. Yet, He walked. Day after day, He walked toward Jerusalem. He rode in on a Donkey, He taught in the temple, and He sat down with His disciples.

I can’t imagine it. It’s terrible. It’s agonizing. Yet, our Lord did it. He did it also knowing that He would be raised again. He did it knowing His death and resurrection would bring life and salvation to us all. He did it because He loved and still loves you.

Dear Jesus,

You gave Your life for mine. You willingly and knowingly suffered for me. I can never thank You enough.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck March 27, 2021

Blog joy

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Rejoice Always! Always?

Rejoice Always! Always??

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4

Do you always feel like rejoicing?

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday. It’s a day of celebration. The King of kings has come. Our salvation has arrived. So, a passage like “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice!” seems quite fitting for today.

Yet, there are times in our lives when we may not feel very joyful.

For example…2020…the entire year.

So, what is this passage saying? I’ve talked to people at funerals who have said something to the effect of,

“Pastor, I’m sorry I’m crying. I know I should be happy.”

Can I Be Sad?
Some people read passages like Philippians 4:4 and think it means that if we ever feel anything but happy we are sinning. That’s not what it’s saying.

Consider these passages:

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18

“So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” – John 16:22

“For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.” – Ecclesiastes 1:18

“And he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.’” – Mark 14:34

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” – Romans 12:15

“Jesus wept.” – John 11:35

There is certainly a place for sorrow and mourning. These are emotions with which God has created us. So, yes, it’s OK to feel sad sometimes.

The Philippians 4 passage is reminding us, though, that our sorrow and mourning aren’t all-consuming. They don’t have the last word, Jesus does.

There is hope and a reason for joy, always.

When people were mourning in the church of the Thessalonians, Paul reminded them that we do not mourn as those have no hope. We know Christ defeated death. Psalm 30:5 reminds us that while sorrow may last the night, joy comes in the morning.

Let’s read the full paragraph of Philippians 4:4 and see how God positions the encouragement to rejoice in the fact that He cares for us, listens to our prayers, and gives us His peace.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:4-8

Tomorrow, let’s rejoice together that our King and Savior have come and even when we feel sad, let’s turn to the Lord and be reminded of the unending hope and peace we have in Jesus. His Joy comes in the morning!

Heaven Father,

Fill me with the joy of my salvation. When I am sad, comfort me and remind me that You are still there to bring me through. Help me, also, to remind others of the hope and peace You bring.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck March 26, 2021

Blog Belief, Faith, saved by grace, The Gospel

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Don’t Stop Believin’

Don't Stop Believin'

“By this Gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:2

What’s something you hold onto most dearly?

There are many things you love in your life. Maybe you love friends, family, sports, and/or a pet. How about your church? You may even have some objects from your past that you cling to.

Have you ever been asked the question,

“If your house caught fire, what’s the one thing you would save?”

I sincerely hope that if you live with other people, they would top your list, but after the living ones, what would you save?

This question is supposed to force us to consider what really is important to us. However, there is one thing that fire can’t touch, which I hope would top your list of things most valuable to you…The Gospel.

A Counterfeit Gospel
This is the warning and encouragement of our passage for today. It is by the Gospel that you are saved. However, there are many out there who would try to convince otherwise.

Be wary of the world – Some would tell you it’s complete rubbish and you need to hold onto something else. These people are easily spotted as offering something other than the Gospel. They are not always so easily resisted.
Be wary of Christians – Others, however, are more subtle. They call themselves Christians. They know the lingo and can make their message sound convincing. However, underneath it all, they are pushing you to trust in prosperity or works or enlightenment or societal change, etc.

Both are pushing you away from the Gospel, away from Jesus.

Know the Gospel. Hold onto the Gospel!

This is most important. Life and salvation depend on it. If you abandon the true Gospel, you abandon Jesus. So, you must know the Gospel and watch for false teachers. Pray in earnest that the Holy Spirit would protect and defend you and your loved ones in the Gospel. The Gospel is worth holding onto no matter the cost.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9

Dear Jesus,

Hold me in the faith Your Spirit has worked in me until the day of Your return. Give me wisdom and discernment to see when false teachers preach to me and give me the strength and will to reject them.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

PS – How many of you have the song from Journey playing in your head right now? 😉

Kurt Steinbrueck March 25, 2021

Blog Foolishness, love your neighbor, Righteous Works

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Not Just For You

“The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.” – Proverbs 10:21

Have you ever been helped by listening to what someone else was planning to do?

Church was over and Jack was waiting in line to get some coffee. The sermon had been about spending time reading the Bible every day. Jack had always struggled with this. He wanted to read the Bible, but he just never seemed to have time or, when he did, he didn’t think of it.

There were a few people who were standing nearby and they were talking about the sermon. One of the people said,

“I couldn’t agree more. I have grown so much from reading the Bible every morning. The funny thing is, I’ve known it was important for a long time but never did it. It wasn’t until I decided to dedicate 2 minutes a day while eating breakfast to reading the Bible, that I started to do it. I figured I have two minutes. I can do anything for two minutes.

I know two minutes doesn’t sound like much, but it got me doing it. What I’ve found is that many days, I go longer than 2 minutes. Some days I may read for 15 or even 30 minutes, but I still make my goal just two minutes a day, and if I read more, great!”

Jack thought to himself. “Two minutes. I can do two minutes.” and Jack had just found a path to reading the Bible every day.

It can be great to find an advisor when you aren’t sure what to do. Sometimes, though, the advisor we find isn’t even intending to advise us. Sometimes we don’t even realize we needed an advisor.

In our story, the person talking near Jack wasn’t trying to give advice, they were just telling their experience. They certainly weren’t trying to advise Jack, yet Jack grew from overhearing the conversation.

“The lips of the righteous nourish many”

The righteous and obedient and wise things we do have no impact on our salvation, but they are beneficial to us. However, that’s not the whole story. People are always watching and listening.

Sometimes we advise and are able to see people benefit from our righteous words and deeds. Sometimes, though, we have no idea someone benefited. That person just overheard us or saw us doing something or heard a story about us. It’s amazing how often God works in ways we don’t even notice.

Heavenly Father,

May my words and deeds be righteous in Your sight and the sight of others that they may nourish those around me. Also, surround me with wise and righteous people, that I may be nourished by them.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Blog

Jesus: Creator

Waiting

It Is Finished

The Greatest Servant

Anointed for His Burial

O, That You Would Be Willing

The Long Road to Jerusalem

Rejoice Always! Always??

Don't Stop Believin'

Not Just For You

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