"Red Letter Challenge: Giving" | Matthew 6:19-34In this message, part of our Red Letter Challenge Lenten series, we begin with a shocking statement: "You are rich!" How does that hit you? If you make $40,000/year, you're in the top 4% globally. If you make $48,000, you're in the top 1%. We have a quality of life few in history have experienced. Yet we live in denial about our wealth. Our garages overflow. We buy storage sheds. We fill attics and basements. We rent storage units for stuff we don't even need. Jesus said to poor Palestinian farmers: "Do not lay up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy, but lay up treasures in heaven." Time for a spiritual health checkup on our STORAGE and our DEVOTION. "You cannot serve God and money." Not advice—a command. Your spiritual condition is critical. What are you worth to God? Everything. He laid down His life for you.🎯 Maybe you've been storing up earthly treasures that moth and rust will destroy...🎯 Maybe you're devoted to your stuff more than you realize or want to admit...🎯 Maybe it's time to discover that YOU are God's treasure—worth everything to Him.🗝️ Key Takeaways:✔️ Most of us are rich by global standards—yet we live in denial about our wealth.✔️ Jesus gives an either/or choice: serve God or serve money (mammon)—you can't do both.✔️ You are God's treasure—He laid down His life because YOU are worth everything to Him.📖 Main Scripture:Matthew 6:19-24 (Don't store treasures on earth; you cannot serve God and money)Philippians 2:7-8 (Christ emptied Himself and became obedient to death)#RedLetterChallenge #Giving #Generosity #Matthew6 #Lent #ChristianSermon #LentenSeries #Stewardship #ChristianFaith #TreasuresInHeaven

"Red Letter Challenge: Serving" | Luke 10: 25-37 In this message, part of our Red Letter Challenge Lenten series, we explore the parable of the Good Samaritan—and whether serving others feels like a "dirty job." A lawyer asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" as if there were people he WASN'T called to love. A man lay beaten and dying on the Jericho road. A priest passed by. A Levite passed by. Too dirty. Too messy. Too much involvement. "It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it... and that someone isn't me." Then came the Samaritan—the unlikely hero who bound wounds, poured oil and wine, paid for the man's care. Jesus asks, "Which one was a neighbor?" But here's the twist: WE are the man dying on the road. And Jesus is our Good Samaritan who got His hands dirty with our sins to save us.🎯 Maybe you've been treating service like a dirty job you'd rather avoid...🎯 Maybe you've passed by on the other side, afraid to get messy or involved...🎯 Maybe it's time to discover that Jesus got dirty with YOUR sins—so you could serve others freely.🗝️ Key Takeaways:✔️ The lawyer's question assumed some people AREN'T our neighbors—Jesus destroys that assumption.✔️ The priest and Levite avoided the "dirty job" of helping—we often do the same.✔️ Jesus is our Good Samaritan who dirtied Himself with our sins so we could be healed and serve.📖 Main Scripture:Luke 10:25-37 (The Good Samaritan)Isaiah 53:5 (By His wounds we are healed)

"Red Letter Challenge: Forgiving" | John 8:1-11 In this message, part of our Red Letter Challenge Lenten series, we face Jesus' hardest words: forgive. Chapter 1 of the book "Things I Wish Jesus Never Said" (that will probably never get written): Forgiveness. I love that Jesus forgives ME—but forgiving OTHERS? That's the problem. When we withhold forgiveness, we feel like we have power and control over the person who hurt us. But here's the truth: "When we choose vengeance, we are signing a blood oath to join our stories to our enemies for the rest of time." You're not controlling them—you're chaining yourself to them, dragging them through life. Who are you carrying with you right now? The ex-spouse? The parent who never believed in you? The friend who betrayed you? The Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, stones in hand. Jesus said, "Let him who is without sin throw the first stone." They all walked away. So must we.🎯 Maybe you've been carrying someone with you for 20 years, thinking you have power over them...🎯 Maybe you're holding stones, waiting to throw them at someone who hurt you...🎯 Maybe it's time to drop the stones—because Jesus dropped His right to condemn you.🗝️ Key Takeaways:✔️ Unforgiveness doesn't give you power—it chains you to your enemy for the rest of time.✔️ We play three roles in this story: the Pharisee (accusing), the woman (sinful), and Jesus (forgiving).✔️ Jesus' blood covers ALL our sins—100%, not 90%—so forgiveness should flow from our lives to others.📖 Main Scripture:John 8:1-11 (The woman caught in adultery—"Let him who is without sin cast the first stone")John 3:17 (Jesus came not to condemn the world, but to save it)#RedLetterChallenge #Forgiveness #John8 #Lent #ChristianSermon #LentenSeries #LetGoOfBitterness #ChristianFaith #DropTheStones #ForgiveAsChristForgave----📌 About St. Paul Lutheran ChurchFounded in 1855, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheboygan Falls, WI, has been a steadfast beacon of faith, service, and community for over 165 years. From its early days with Reverend F. Steinbach ministering in homes to its modern ministries, St. Paul remains deeply rooted in the teachings of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).The congregation’s journey includes building its first church in 1858 and moving to its current facility in 1995. Ministry efforts extend beyond worship, including the Early Childhood Center (est. 1986) and The Gathering Place (est. 2008), which provides compassionate care for individuals with memory loss.With a mission to "Connect People to Christ by sharing His love in Word and action everywhere we are," St. Paul welcomes all to experience the love of Christ.📌 Stay Connected📺 Subscribe for more messages of faith: youtube.com/@StPaulSheboyganFalls👍 Like & Share to spread the Good News!📜 Licenses & Copyrights:Lutheran Service Book License 100010069CCLI Copyright 712799CCLI Streaming CSPL026675

"Red Letter Challenge: Being" 📕 Luke 14:25-33 In this message, part of our Red Letter Challenge Lenten series, we encounter some of Jesus' most shocking words: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother... he cannot be my disciple." Wait—HATE our families? Carry our cross? Renounce ALL we have? This isn't the gentle devotional challenge we expected! Maybe you've done 30-day fitness challenges, gratitude challenges, social media detoxes—but being a disciple of Jesus isn't just another challenge that fits into your life. It reshapes your WHOLE life. So is this a "head issue" (misunderstanding Jesus' words) or a "heart issue" (resisting what He demands)? And what does it actually mean to "hate" our families while honoring them?🎯 Maybe you've been treating discipleship like another 30-day challenge you can complete...🎯 Maybe you're uncomfortable with how much Jesus demands—ALL of you, not just part...🎯 Maybe it's time to discover that following Jesus doesn't fit into your life—it reshapes it entirely.🗝️ Key Takeaways:✔️ "Hate" is a Hebraic expression meaning "love less than"—Jesus must be #1, even above family.✔️ Jesus challenges both our heads (understanding) and our hearts (obedience)—this is both/and.✔️ Jesus counted the cost for us—your salvation cost Him EVERYTHING on the cross.📖 Main Scripture:Luke 14:25-33 (Cost of discipleship—hate family, carry cross, renounce all)Matthew 22:37-38 (Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind)Romans 9:13 (Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated)#RedLetterChallenge #Lent #Discipleship #Luke14 #CostOfDiscipleship #ChristianSermon #LentenSeries #FollowJesus #ChristianFaith #CountTheCost

"Red Letter Challenge: Get Going" 📖 Matthew 7:24-27 In this message introducing our new Lenten series, we're launching a 40-day journey focusing on the red letters—the actual words of Jesus. There are no shortcuts to discipleship. No quick fixes, no microwave gourmet meals, no get-rich-quick schemes that actually work. Jesus said, "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock." His words aren't just nice ideas—they're the solid foundation that keeps us standing when storms hit. Over the next 40 days, we'll explore five key areas: Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going. What do Jesus' actual words say about who we are and how we should live?🎯 Maybe you've been looking for shortcuts in your faith journey...🎯 Maybe life's storms have been pounding and you need a firm foundation...🎯 Maybe it's time to build your life on the Rock—the actual words of Jesus.🗝️ Key Takeaways:✔️ There are no shortcuts to discipleship—it takes time in God's Word and acting on what Jesus said.✔️ Jesus' words are the rock foundation that keeps us standing when storms come.✔️ Five areas of focus: Being (our identity in Christ), Forgiving (releasing grudges), Serving (blessing others), Giving (generous hearts), Going (sharing hope).📖 Main Scripture:Matthew 7:24-27 (Building on the rock vs. sand)Matthew 11:28 (Come to me, all who are weary)Matthew 18:21-22 (Forgive seventy times seven)Mark 10:45 (The Son of Man came to serve)John 3:16 (God so loved the world He gave)Matthew 28:19-20 (Go and make disciples)#Lent #RedLetterChallenge #ChristianSermon #Matthew7 #Discipleship #WordsOfJesus #ChristianFaith #LentenSeries #40DayChallenge #FollowJesus

"I Can Only Imagine: When Jesus Comes Again" 1 Corinthians 15:20-26 & Revelation 21-22 In this final message of our "I Can Only Imagine" series, we explore what the Bible says about the resurrection and the new creation. Death isn't the end of the story—if it were, God's project would be incomplete, unfinished. Instead, Jesus rose as the "firstfruits" showing us what's to come. John saw a vision of a new heaven and new earth, describing it like a wedding banquet—not a boring church service, but a never-ending celebration. Will we have real bodies? Will there be work, relationships, pets? Won't eternity get boring? What does "new Jerusalem" mean? And how does knowing our future change how we live today?🎯 Maybe you've wondered if heaven is just souls floating on clouds forever...🎯 Maybe you're afraid eternity will be boring or unrecognizable...🎯 Maybe it's time to discover that God is making ALL things new—familiar, but gloriously better.🗝️ Key Takeaways:✔️ Jesus is the "firstfruits"—His resurrection shows us what our resurrection bodies will be like.✔️ The new creation isn't escape from earth, but earth RENOVATED—familiar but infinitely better.✔️ Heaven is described as a wedding feast, not a boring service—it's celebration with the people and God who matter most.📖 Main Scripture:1 Corinthians 15:20-26 (Christ the firstfruits of the resurrection)Revelation 21:1-5 (New heaven and new earth—God dwelling with us)Revelation 19:6-9 (The marriage supper of the Lamb)Revelation 22:3-5 (We will see His face)Philippians 3:20-21 (Our citizenship is in heaven)#ChristianSermon #Resurrection #Heaven #NewCreation #Revelation21 #EternalLife #ChristianFaith #SundaySermon #ICanOnlyImagine #LifeOfTheWorldToCome

"I Can Only Imagine: Today in Paradise" | Luke 23:32-43 In this message, part of our "I Can Only Imagine" series, we explore what happens the moment a believer dies. A criminal hanging on a cross next to Jesus had nothing to offer—no good works, no time to make amends, just faith in the suffering Messiah. He asked, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus' response? "Truly, I say to you, TODAY you will be with me in paradise." Not someday. Not after purgatory. Not after soul sleep. TODAY. When does eternal life begin? What happens between death and resurrection? And what does it mean to be "with Christ" in paradise?🎯 Maybe you've wondered what happens the moment after you die...🎯 Maybe you're afraid there's a waiting period before you can be with Jesus...🎯 Maybe it's time to discover that death doesn't separate believers from Christ—TODAY you'll be in paradise.🗝️ Key Takeaways:✔️ When believers die, we are IMMEDIATELY with Jesus in paradise—no waiting, no soul sleep.✔️ Heaven is being WITH JESUS in His presence—that's what makes it paradise.✔️ Paul's perspective: "To live is Christ, to die is gain"—either way, we're with Him.📖 Main Scripture:Luke 23:32-43 (The criminal on the cross: "Today you will be with me in paradise")Philippians 1:21-24 (To live is Christ, to die is gain)Philippians 3:20-21 (Our citizenship is in heaven)Romans 6:23 (The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life)#ChristianSermon #Heaven #Paradise #Afterlife #Luke23 #EternalLife #ChristianFaith #SundaySermon #ICanOnlyImagine #TodayInParadise

"I Can Only Imagine: If I Should Die" ✝️ Psalm 23 & John 10:27-28 In this message, part of our new "I Can Only Imagine" series, we tackle the heaviest question of all: What happens when we die? We spend billions on the funeral industry, obsess over fitness to postpone the inevitable, and consume entertainment filled with death—yet we're terrified to talk about it. When we close our eyes for the last time, when our heart stops beating, when we take our final breath—will we be okay? The psalmist wrote, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." But how can we not fear? Because Jesus did what good fathers do—He went first. He looked death in the face and made it safe.🎯 Maybe you've been avoiding thinking about death, pretending it won't happen...🎯 Maybe you're terrified of what comes next and whether you'll be okay...🎯 Maybe it's time to discover that death is not the end—and Jesus has made even death safe.🗝️ Key Takeaways:✔️ We don't need to obsess over death or ignore it—Jesus conquered it through His resurrection.✔️ "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints"—God treasures you and holds you close.✔️ Jesus went first through death to show us it's safe—no one can snatch us from His hand.📖 Main Scripture:Psalm 23:4 (Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death)Psalm 90:12 (Teach us to number our days)Psalm 116:15 (Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints)John 10:27-28 (I give them eternal life, and they will never perish)#ChristianSermon #Death #Afterlife #Psalm23 #EternalLife #ChristianFaith #SundaySermon #Heaven #ICanOnlyImagine #JesusConqueredDeath