In Sermons: showing 46-60 of 79

Lead Others To Know God

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jan 31, 2006

The Apostle Paul’s message to the men of Athens at the Areopagus gives us a model for sharing Christ with others. We start with their natural knowledge of God and transition to the revealed knowledge of God.

What is the “natural knowledge” of God? Since our “examination / confirmation Sunday” is just over a month away I hope that one of our confirmands can answer that question. What is the “natural knowledge” of God? The “natural knowledge” of God is what all people know about God from nature and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Find Atonement In God's Intercessor

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jan 30, 2006

Christ has done what Moses could not do. He has "made atonement" for the sins of God’s people. Jesus took our guilt upon himself. Jesus received the punishment we deserved because of our sins.

In the Old Testament lesson for this Sunday we heard how Moses served as a sign to God’s people. He symbolized a greater prophet who would appear some time in the future. For forty years Moses filled the role of God’s voice among the Israelites. Remember they had asked for that arrangement after ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:15-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Trust The Lord To Provide

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Aug 2, 2005

Is "Providence" more than a city in Rhode Island?

“Provide.” “Provision.” “Providence.” Even in English the ancient roots of those words can be seen. “Pro” in Latin meant “ahead.” And “video,” meant “to see.” Someone who is a provider “looks ahead” and “sees” what will be needed. The implication then of course is that the person makes plans ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-16

Denomination: Lutheran

"Recognize God's Power In Your Life”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jul 27, 2005

Through one of his many miracles Elijah leads the widow of Zarephath to trust the Word that he speaks as the LORD’s prophet.

“What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you?” Time and time again the Jews asked Jesus to perform miracles as a sign of his power and as proof of his claims. They implied that they would put their faith in him if he did a miracle at their request. But to those who ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:17-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Trust The One Who Rules The Nations

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jul 6, 2005

Psalm 33 reminds us that the LORD’s plans for the nations of the world will be accomplished. It also reminds us to look to the LORD for safety and blessing for our country

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” If you have been paying attention to the news in the past couple of years you know that there are those who object to the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:10-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Walk With Your Living Lord

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Apr 20, 2005

Join Jesus and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus! Let Jesus deal with your disappointments, clear up your confusion, and set your heart on fire.

Recall with me some of the post-resurrection appearances made by Jesus. Mark’s gospel tells us that early on Easter Sunday Jesus made his first appearance to Mary Magdalene. In his gospel John gives us the details of that meeting. Mary was bawling her eyes out over what she thought was the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Lutheran

See The Shadow At Mt. Sinai

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Sep 23, 2004

Although we are far removed by time and space from Mt. Sinai a look back at the shadow of Jesus found there will serve as a great blessing for us.

What a site it must have been. Three months after the Israelites left Egypt they were camped at the foot of a mountain in the Sinai Desert. Through Moses the LORD told the Children of Israel that he was going to make a covenant—a solemn agreement—with them. He reminded them of the powerful ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Hear Jesus' Prayer For You

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on May 6, 2004

In what has been called his "high priestly prayer" we hear Jesus’ prayer for each of us.

“I’ll pray for you.” Those are comforting words, aren’t they? We take it as a sign of love when someone offers to take the time to pray for us. When a friend, or a relative, or a brother or sister in Christ says, “I’ll pray for you,” we are always thankful for their thoughtfulness. Although our ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Lutheran

See The Good Shepherd Care For His Sheep

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on May 6, 2004

When Jesus reinstated Peter he revealed Himself as the Good Shepherd. He showed His love for one of His sheep by forgiving Peter for the three times he denied Jesus. And He showed His love for His flock by commanding Peter to feed and care for His lambs

He has a lamb draped over his shoulders. In his hand is the unmistakable shepherd’s staff. A flock of sheep surrounds him. His eyes seem to be looking for danger or searching for a safe place to give his sheep food and water. I imagine that many of you have seen a picture or painting of the ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-19, John 10:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Are You Ready For The Wedding Of The Lamb?

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jan 30, 2004

We have been invited to the wedding that will end all weddings. Are we ready to be a guest? Are we ready to be the bride?

“Are you ready for the wedding?” As you think of all the people involved with a typical wedding consider the different ways that they might answer that question. The bride would have one answer and the groom another. Friends of the bride and groom would answer differently depending on their part ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:5-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Don't Excuse Yourself From God's Banquet Of Salvation

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Nov 19, 2003

In the parable of the great banquet Jesus gives us a graphic warning about excusing ourselves from God’s feast of salvation in time and in eternity.

“Are you looking for just the right excuse for a certain situation? Ask your pastor he has heard them all.” Although more of joke than advice there is some truth to it. Pastors do hear a lot of excuses. But I think it would be more correct to say that only God has truly heard all the excuses ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:16-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Breathe Like A Believer

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Nov 19, 2003

In Psalm 51 King David gives us a picture of the "spiritual breathing" believers do every day. We exhale our sorrow and repentance over our sins. We inhale God’s mercy and forgiveness by faith.

Take a deep breath and hold it. Now exhale. What just happened? You took some air into your lungs. Your lungs removed the oxygen from the air for your body to use. You then exhaled what your body doesn’t need—carbon dioxide. What you took in sustains your life. What you breathed out is of no ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Dry Bones, Hear The Word Of The Lord!

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on May 23, 2003

Through a powerful vision the LORD showed Ezekiel the source of spiritual life for God’s people. Only the Word of the LORD can make spiritually dry bones live!

To those who study them bones tell stories. Anthropologists who study the history of animal life read stories in the bones they find. They may find evidence of some species that has long since become extinct and look at their bones for the story behind why they died out. Human bones may also ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Submit To The Governing Authorities

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jan 23, 2003

Since earthly governments are an extension of God’s authority in the lives of mankind we are call upon to submit to them.

A government surveyor brought his surveying equipment to a farm to do some work for the state and county by which he was employed. He knocked on the farmhouse door and asked the farmer for permission to go into one of his fields and take some readings. The farmer had no hospitality for any state ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7

Denomination: Lutheran

How Can We Live As God's Children?

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jan 14, 2003

Because of God’s covenant of grace believers are called to live separate and holy lives.

"14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran