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Kurt Steinbrueck July 25, 2020

Blog Adoption, Children of God, salvation

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Adopted By God

Adopted by God

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” – John 1:12-13

Who does Jesus say you are?

I love this passage. How amazing that we should be called the children of God and that is what we are. Through faith in Jesus, we have been adopted as God’s children. We are in the family. We are heirs of eternity. We are loved by God!

Adoption
Adoption is an interesting and very revealing description to use. Children who are adopted are not naturally born into the family, yet are giving all the rights and benefits of a natural-born child.

How did we become adopted children?

According to Jesus, we weren’t born into it. Some of the people of Israel thought that simply because they were born an Israelite, they were set. Jesus says it’s not about your natural birth. Sorry.

We also didn’t become God’s children by the will of the flesh or the will of man. Our sinful flesh would never will to be God’s child and we would never choose God (See Romans 3). Rather, God chose us.

Adoption is helpful here once again. Think of a baby being adopted. They don’t choose to be adopted. They have no say in the matter nor do they contribute to the adoption. Their adoptive parents make the decision and pay the cost.

A Great Comfort
I love this passage. It not only tells me that I am God’s child, but it tells me that He is the one who made that happen. It wasn’t my effort or even my choice. It was God. He chose me and He paid the cost through Jesus Christ. So, I can rest assured in that comfort rather than being worried of whether I have done enough or really meant my choice.

This passage says the same for you and for all who believe in Jesus. You are God’s child, not because you did anything or even chose Him, but because He chose you out of His great love and grace.

Heavenly Father,

How great it is that I can call You, Father. Thank You for loving me, choosing me, and making my Your child.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen, Yet Believe

Kurt Steinbrueck July 21, 2020

Blog Faith, salvation

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Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen, Yet Believe

Blessed are Those Who Have Not Seen, Yet Believe

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1

Would you like to see physically see Jesus and talk with Him?

Most Christians would probably like to see Jesus while living this life on earth, spend the day with Him, and ask Him questions. For most of us, though, that isn’t going to happen. He is present with us but unseen.

We must simply have faith.

This isn’t always easy. We love proof. We like to see and touch to know something is true. This struggle isn’t new. It reminds me of Thomas after the resurrection.

“Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.’” – John 20:24-25

Thomas wanted physical proof. He got his proof.

“Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” – John 20:26-29

We will probably not get our proof until Christ returns, yet we are blessed none-the-less. We have faith. We believe though we have not seen. With faith comes salvation. With faith comes assurance. With faith comes confidence.

This faith comes from God, the Spirit creates it through the Word. The faith itself is a gift, the greatest gift we could receive.

Dear Jesus,

I would love to see You in person, but help me to believe even when I cannot see. Give me faith until that day when I stand before You.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck July 17, 2020

Blog salvation, The Gospel

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The Power of God for Salvation

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” – Romans 1:16

Right now, everyone is waiting for a vaccine for the novel coronavirus. People are working feverishly to develop one. It is the power of medicine to save lives…for the moment.

Temporary Life Saving
It’s true. the reality is that a vaccine will only protect you for a while. I don’t mean that you’ll have to get booster shots, I mean that eventually you and I still will die unless Jesus returns first. This is true for all medicines and medical procedures. They may prevent our death, but only for a while. Yet, these medical treatments are so important to us.

Permanent Live-Saving
God’s power of salvation is different though. It isn’t temporary, it’s permanent, for all eternity. What is it?

The Gospel!

It isn’t a process or a pill or a procedure. It is the message of Jesus Christ, that He died and rose again for our salvation and that if we believe in Him we shall be saved.

It’s simple, but it’s powerful.

That is why we focus on the Gospel so much. In it, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we have life. So, we keep reminding ourselves and other Christians of it. We share it with those who don’t believe because they need it…even more than vaccine.

So, let us not be ashamed of the Gospel. Let us hold to it. Let us proclaim it!!

Dear Jesus,

Your Gospel is life. Please hold me firm in the faith of Your Gospel and help me to share it with others as the Good News that it is.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck July 11, 2020

Blog Gods Work, salvation

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Rest in the Good Work

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:6

How many of you think you are going to heaven?

I remember my father asking this question one day during Vacation Bible School. Some kids would raise their hands and others were hesitant. Some wouldn’t raise their hands at all.

The next question would be:

“How many of you believe in Jesus?”

All the hands would go up. He would then explain that if you believe in Jesus, you can confidently raise your hand that you are going to heaven.

When we consider our salvation and have doubts, those doubts usually come from the thought,

“Have I done enough good and not done anything too bad?”

The Wrong Works
Those thoughts look to our works as the source of our salvation and confidence in that salvation. It’s not our works, though, that will save us. Even the faith we have is not from ourselves. It is God working faith in us.

Philippians 1:6 gives us confidence in our salvation because it tells us to look outside ourselves and to the work of God.

If we look to ourselves, to our works, our sins, even how “strong” our faith is, we look in the wrong place. Our salvation isn’t based on those things. Our salvation is based on the faith God has given us (weak or strong) through His Word in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

It Is Sure
We can trust Jesus’ death and resurrection accomplished our salvation. We can trust the faith God has given us through His Word. We can trust that God will complete His work of salvation in our life until the day Jesus Christ returns.

How many of you think you are going to heaven?

I hope everyone will raise their hand with confidence, now, resting in the work and promise of Jesus Christ.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for saving me. When I start to doubt my salvation, remind me of Your promise and remind me that my salvation is not my work, but Yours, and I can always trust Your good work.

Amen

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck June 27, 2020

Blog Judgment Day, salvation, Second Coming

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Taking It Slow

“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

Some people are perpetually late. I’m certainly not one of them (cough, cough). 😉

When someone is slow on arriving, it can be a little irritating for some people. Sometimes it can make you wonder if that person is even going to show up.

In today’s passage, God is warning us that people will start to question whether Jesus is ever going to return or, even worse, whether He ever even existed.

Do you know anyone like that?

I do. There are many people in the world, today, who dismiss Jesus. After all, “It’s been 2000 years. Where is He?” they say. It’s actually pretty astonishing how similar what Peter writes in verse 4 is to what we hear, today:

“They will say, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.’” – 2 Peter 3:4

Not only is Jesus still coming, but it’s great that He hasn’t come, yet. Why? because He’s being patient so more people can be saved. How many of us have needed that patience?!

So, praise the Lord that God is taking it slow in arriving. It’s for our good. However, don’t forget that He will return. He will come like a thief in the night when no one expects it. So, keep your lamps lit and share your light with others.

Who knows, Jesus may come tomorrow…or today.

Dear Jesus,

Your love for us is great and You display that love in Your patience. Help me not to grow tired of waiting, but to use this time to let my light shine before others to the glory of Your name.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck June 2, 2020

Blog Jesus' Return, Judgement Day, salvation

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One Man, Two Very Different Visits

“so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” – Hebrews 9:28

Is there someone who’s visit you look forward to every time they come?

My kids love it when Grandma Bev comes to visit. Not only do they love spending time with her, but she always brings a little treat with her and they usually get to stay up a little later while she’s visiting. They have come to expect certain things from her visits.

I remember a friend of mine talking one time about how his view of visits from tow truck drivers changed over time. When growing up, his family had an old car that broke down a lot. The tow truck drivers were heroes who took his family home when the car broke down. In college, however, tow truck drivers became the people who took his car away if he parked in the wrong spot and then charged him lots of money to get it back. They didn’t feel like heroes anymore.

Jesus First Coming
Every Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus. He came in humility, being found in the likeness of man. He went around healing people and proclaiming the Kingdom of God for the salvation of mankind. He took our sins upon Himself and died for us that we might live. This salvation is a free gift for all who would believe.

Some people hear how Jesus came the first time and figure His second coming will be similar. When He comes the second time, we can just repent and it will all be good. Some even say,

“Jesus preached forgiveness. He’ll just forgive everyone when He returns and everyone gets into Heaven.”

Jesus Second Coming
This, however, is not what the Bible tells us. He would first came in humility will return glory. Jesus first came to pay for our sins, but will return to judge.

For all those in Christ, this will be a great day, a day of salvation for all those eagerly waiting for Him. As Jesus says in John chapter 5,

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” – John 5:24

For those who do not believe in Jesus it will be a terrible day, a day of judgment and condemnation.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne….And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” – Matthew 25:31, 33-34, 41

At that point it will be too late to turn and believe. So, let us believe and stand with Jesus, now. So, on that last day, His coming will be one of great joy and salvation.

Dear Jesus,

You humbled Yourself and died for me. Thank You for saving me. Help me to believe and trust in You and hold me firmly in the faith until Your glorious return. May Your name be proclaimed boldly that many more would hear and believe.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck May 15, 2020

Blog forgiveness of sins, Rejoice, salvation

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Rejoice, Oh Israel!

“The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: ‘Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.’” – Zephaniah 3:15-17

What makes you happy?

For me, I like hanging out with my family. I also enjoy a good comedy or sci-fi movie. I like the mountains, too. All of these things can make me happy. Seeing someone receive faith or reconciliation in a relationship make me very happy.

Here, God tells Israel to rejoice.

Why?

The Lord has taken away the judgments against them.
He has removed their enemies.
Their King is in their midst.

This is more than just a message for the people of Israel hundreds of years ago. This message is for you, too, who have been grafted into Israel by faith.

The Lord has taken away the judgments against you.

Jesus’ blood has cleansed you of all your sins and removed the guilt of that sin. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

God has removed your enemies.

Jesus’ resurrection has defeated sin, death, and the devil. Our enemies are defeated and we have been made victors in Christ Jesus!

Your King is in your midst.

By Faith, Jesus has claimed you as His own and now lives within you. You shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

So, rejoice!!

Dear Jesus,

You have forgiven me, saved me, and brought me into Your presence. Thank you! I praise Your Name above all else. You alone are worthy of praise.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck May 12, 2020

Blog Condemnation, freedom, Justification, salvation

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No Condemnation!

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” – Romans 8:1-2

(I’ve talked about the distinction of Law and Gospel before but as a reminder… A Bible passage is Law when it talks about we are supposed to do. A passage is Gospel when it talks about what God has done for us.)

What is your favorite Gospel passage of the Bible?

Romans 8:1-2 is one of my favorites. What a wonderful thing to hear from God especially following Romans 7.

In Romans 7, Paul describes the struggling life of a Christian, how even though we want to do good and follow Jesus, we keep sinning. Maybe you know what Paul is talking about. Maybe you have experienced the constant struggle against sin and the constant struggle to do good and find yourself failing a lot. I know I do.

Paul finishes with this:

“Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.” – Romans 7:24-25

I definitely have had my “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” moments and still do. I feel like I’ve totally blown it…again. All I can do is throw myself at the feet of Jesus. It’s an amazing relief and joy to then hear those words from God.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” – Romans 8:1-2

If, like me, you find yourself struggling with sin and feeling like you have totally blown it, hear those words from God for yourself.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” – Romans 8:1-2

Heavenly Father,

I have sinned again You and those around me. I want to do what is right, but constantly fail. I try to avoid sin, but keep doing it. Please forgive me. Thank You for sending Your Son to die for me. Remind me every day that You have saved by Your amazing grace and give me peace.

Amen.

PS – Yes, I know I repeated the same passage 3 times in this devotion. Sometimes we need to hear the Gospel over and over.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck April 30, 2020

Blog Eternal Life, hope, Judgement Day, salvation

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Nothing New

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.” – Job 19:25

Where do you turn when things get bad and seem hopeless?

The passage above was written by Job. When we consider the present suffering we are enduring, Job could relate, probably to a much greater degrees of suffering. He lost his kids, his wealth, and his health.

“Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said:

‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.‘” – Job 1:13-21

That may be the worst day anyone has ever had. That wasn’t the end, though, shortly after, he is covered in painful soars (boils) all over his body.

Over the next several chapters of Job, he laments the situation and his friends and wife come and give advice and “comfort.” One of his friends basically tells him all this is his fault because he had done some great sin (which was not true). It is after this, that Job’s response is our passage for today.

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.” – Job 19:25

Suffering is nothing new. I pray our response to our suffering is like that of Job. Whatever happens, no matter how bad it gets, we know that our Redeemer Lives and He is coming again. This suffering will end and we will be with Him.

Heavenly Father,

I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth. In this alone do I put my trust and find my hope.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck April 25, 2020

Blog Jesus Blood, Purchased by Jesus Blood, Ransomed, salvation, Salvation is a gift, Works

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Ransomed At A Price

“knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” – 1 Peter 1:18-19

Have you ever been held hostage?

Okay, you probably haven’t been held by bad guys for a literal ransom, but you have been held hostage.

“By what?” you ask.

Take your pick…

Sin
Lies
Your past
Fear
The Law

I could probably add more, but you see what I mean. In 1 Peter, it’s that last one on the list that Peter is referring to. The Jews had been held hostage by the Law. It’s not that the Law is bad, certainly not. It’s that they thought the way to be right with God was by keeping the Law.

A Surveillance State
There are many people, today, who talk about concerns of a surveillance state. With all the cameras (every cell phone, computer, even many doorbells) and all the microphones (phone, Alexa, smart TVs, etc.), if they wanted to, the government could watch your every move and listen to your every word. The book, 1984, examined through a novel how terrifying this could be. Anything you said or did that was against the law or against the state was known and punished.

Sadly, this is how many of the Jews lived and how many Christians, today, still live. God is watching all the time. They think,

“He sees and hears everything. He even knows your thoughts. If you do anything against the Law or against Him, He knows and will punish you.”

They are held hostage by the Law.

Jesus frees us by paying our ransom.

The Gospel is freeing. We no longer have to constantly look over our shoulder. We know we are sinners, but also know we are forgiven, not by what we do, but by what Jesus has done.

We are free because Jesus paid our ransom with His blood. His very life in exchange for our own.

Live in the Freedom of the Gospel
As Christians we need to constantly be reminded by each other through God’s Word that we have been freed. Our sinful self is always seeking to put us back under sin or the Law. Christ has freed you from both.

And, if Christ has freed you, you are free indeed!!

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for purchasing my freedom with Your blood. Keep me from sin and self-righteousness. Help me to rest in the gracious promise of Your Gospel.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

salvation

Adopted by God

Blessed are Those Who Have Not Seen, Yet Believe

The Power of God for Salvation

Rest in the Good Work

Taking It Slow

One Man, Two Very Different Visits

Rejoice, Oh Israel!

No Condemnation!

Nothing New

Ransomed At A Price

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