Closer to Christ

Different, Part 4: Different Definition of Success - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0600

In 2009, Facebook added the “like” button. That same year, Twitter added the “retweet” feature. Interestingly, reported cases of depression began to rise sharply in 2010. It is easy to think that the more people like us, the more successful our lives must be. Likewise, it is easy to believe the more people like a church, the more successful that church is. So here is an important epiphany for both individuals and churches. Popularity is not proof of success. Though there will be times when Christ’s gospel and those who proclaim it are popular, that popularity is never the goal. Nor does that popularity define success. If a church makes its central focus things like personal improvement, healing for the sick, or social justice, that church may draw a crowd. It just fails to carry out the true agenda Christ has given his Church. The gospel of forgiveness is to be the center of all our preaching and teaching. The agenda for Christ’s Church is set. It’s the same agenda that was followed by the Church’s Christ.

Different, Part 3: Different Definition of Failure - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0600

When you are trying to share some important information with someone, but they refuse to listen or perhaps totally reject what you are saying, it feels like you have failed. This is especially true when someone rejects the gospel! We proclaim the good news because we want others to know the love of Christ. When people are disinterested in God’s Word, we feel like we’ve failed. So, here is this week’s epiphany. Rejection is not proof of failure. Precisely because the gospel is divine revelation, it is guaranteed to be rejected by many. God’s Word offends like an unwelcome diagnosis from the doctor. When someone rejects God’s Word (including us), that rejection is proof that God’s Word powerfully cuts straight to the heart of mankind’s biggest problem—sin. Yet, what causes Jesus’ words to hurt is what gives them power to heal. That reality encourages us to receive God’s Word with joy and to proclaim it boldly to others.

Different, Part 2: Different Identity - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0600

“Who is Jesus?” For the longest time, people thought the answer to that question was, “Mary and Joseph’s son” or “a carpenter from Nazareth.” While true enough, those answers do not adequately describe Jesus. But when Jesus was baptized, God the Father spoke, declaring Jesus true identity. Jesus was the dearly loved Son of God, chosen to be the Savior of the world. “Who are you?” someone asks. Perhaps you would answer by providing your name. Maybe you would add additional information—where you are from or what you do for a living. Perhaps, in some dark corner of your mind, you would answer negatively. “I’m no one.” We need to understand that none of those things really describes who we are. To answer that question—Who are you?—we must look to our baptism. Baptism is the cure for an identity crisis. There, just like he did with Jesus, our Father declares us to be his dearly loved child. Moreover, in baptism God anointed us with power for a life of selfless service. May God grant us this epiphany moment!

Different, Part 1: Different Purpose - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0600

On Christmas Eve the angel told the shepherds, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10). One wonders if those words struck those Jewish shepherds as odd. For centuries, God had given special attention to one nation—Israel. There were Jewish religious leaders who taught that only members of that special people would be saved. Not according to the Christmas angel! The birth of the Savior was good news for all people.

Today we celebrate the Festival of the Epiphany. Epiphany comes from a Greek word meaning “reveal.” When the Savior was born, he was first revealed to Israelites: the shepherds, Simeon, Anna. But today, we see the Lord miraculously guides foreigners across countless miles so the Savior could be revealed to them as well. How did the magi respond? “They were overjoyed” (Matthew 2:10). The Festival of Epiphany is sometimes known as “The Gentiles’ Christmas.” We Gentiles (non-Jews) rejoice in the good news that this Jewish baby is not just a gift for the Jews. He is a gift for all people—the Savior of the world.

December 29, 2025 - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0600

The Son of God took on flesh for two reasons: to be our substitute and our sacrifice. You see, when God created mankind in his image, his desire was that we would live holy lives, full of love for him and our fellow man. When mankind fell into sin, that became impossible. So, the heavenly Father sent Jesus. He is the only human being to keep all of God’s law perfectly. He did that as our substitute. Through faith, we claim his perfection as our own. But we needed another gift—one who could pay for the sin we had committed. And so, the Son of God became human for another reason—so that he might die as the sacrifice for our sins, removing that barrier between us and a holy God. Understanding we needed both—substitute and sacrifice—helps us

Christmas Eve 2024 - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0600

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Christmas Eve 2024 - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0600

Presence and Perseverance, Part 4: Perseverance: Hold on Until You Rest - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0600

“Make every effort to enter that rest.” That’s a strange sounding sentence. Effort and rest don’t usually go together. If I want rest, I don’t need effort. I just stop. Anyone can rest by stopping their effort. But the rest we are talking about today is different. It isn’t a rest that comes from inaction, it comes from work completed. The Christian life is not a life of inaction while we wait for Jesus to come back. It is a life of obedience to Christ as we strive to enter his rest. And when it seems so hard to hold on to the work of obedience, we find mercy and grace to help us from Jesus, the Son of God, our High Priest.

Presence and Perseverance, Part 3: Perseverance: Hold on to the Best - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0600

The original readers of the book of Hebrews were being tempted to let go of Christianity and go back to Judaism. To them, in their culture, following Moses felt like an upgrade compared to following Jesus. But that would be a downgrade! Jesus is best and far superior to Moses. Following Moses didn’t guarantee entrance to the promised land, and those who follow Jesus have the certain hope of heaven! What are we tempted to downgrade to? Whatever tempts us to turn away from Christ won’t benefit us it will only harden and deceive us. But Jesus is our apostle and high priest. We are those who share in the heavenly calling. And we have the privilege of encouraging one another to persevere in faith. Jesus was present as God and man to bring us into his presence forever. Let us persevere, holding on to our conviction until he comes!

Presence and Perseverance, Part 2: Presence: The Son of Man, Our Brother - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0600

Jesus is the Son of God, the ultimate messenger. But if he was only going to be a messenger, he didn’t need to become human. He could have thundered from a mountaintop or blazed from a burning bush. But thundering voices don’t suffer, and burning bushes don’t die. If Jesus only wanted to be a messenger, power would have been enough. But Jesus wanted to do more. He wanted to bring us into his presence forever. So his presence had to be more. Jesus became the Son of Man. He became fully human and became subject to suffering and death. He became our brother, and he suffered, and he died. And in doing so, he became our salvation from death.

Presence and Perseverance, Part 2: Presence: The Son of Man, Our Brother - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0600

Presence and Perseverance, Part 1: Presence: Emmanuel Speaks! - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0600

The Advent season reminds us of Jesus’ coming as a baby in Bethlehem, and of his second coming at the end of the world. But, so far, there have been over two thousand years between those two comings! Where is Jesus, now? And why isn’t he talking to us? Jesus promised to be with us always to the very end of the age. He is right here in this room. But sometimes, wouldn’t you like to see his face? Wouldn’t you like him to hear his voice? The disciples saw him, why can’t we? And if we can’t, maybe at least an angel could talk to us! Instead, it feels like silence. But this week we will see that we don’t need to downgrade to angels or hope to hear some voice. Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. His presence is real, and he speaks the ultimate message.

Live Like You Will Live Forever, Part 4: Live With Your Eyes to the Skies - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0600

“Eyes on the prize.” That axiom stresses that when pursuing some good goal, focus is important. You don’t want distractions or a lack of self-discipline to keep you from obtaining whatever that prize might be. “Eyes on the prize.” You summon the willpower to fixate on that good thing. You let nothing divert your attention from obtaining the prize. The prize that we want most is spending eternity with Jesus. As the Church Year comes to a close, Jesus promises that he will come again “in clouds with great power and glory” to give us that prize. That prize will be so unbelievably good, it is worth fixating on. It merits our striving to set aside all that would distract us from Christ. Let us be ready. Let us keep watch. Let us live with our eyes on the skies.

Live Like You Will Live Forever, Part 3: Live Free from the Fear of Judgment - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0600

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) affects many millions of adults. It is more than shyness. SAD includes an acute fear of being judged. An individual with SAD struggles with everyday tasks like talking to people at work or school because he is terrified that he is constantly being evaluated. Even if you don’t have that disorder, perhaps you have experienced that uncomfortable feeling that others are watching you, trying to find something to criticize. We don’t want others judging us. It is bad enough listening to the voice inside our own head, whispering that we aren’t worthy. How do we overcome the fear of judgment? It begins by realizing that there is only one person whose opinion ultimately matters—the Judge. Everyone is going to live forever in one of two very different places. Where you spend eternity depends on a judgment that Jesus will render. This week we see why his judgment need not trigger any sort of anxiety. Judgment day is something we can joyfully anticipate. We can live free from the fear of judgment.

Live Like You Will Live Forever, Part 3: Live Free from the Fear of Judgment - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0600

Live Like You Will Live Forever, Part 2: Live Knowing Life Only Gets Better - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0600

“It will get better.” We say that to try to comfort someone who is having a bad day (or maybe a whole string of bad days). Perhaps tomorrow will be better. But perhaps it’s worse. In this life, there really are no guarantees that things will get better. That isn’t the case with the life that is to come. That life isn’t just going to be better. It will be perfect. Since the seventh century, Christians have marked a day to celebrate those who have died in faith and now realize the perfect joys of heaven. It is called “All Saints’ Day.” We thank God for bringing our Christian loved ones out of the troubles and turmoil of this world and into eternal bliss and glory. And we ask God to preserve us in our faith so that we might one day join the saints in that place where life is far more than better.

Live Like You Will Live Forever, Part 1: Live a Life of Fearless Witness - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0600

Jesus repeatedly told his followers that living as his disciples would bring hardship. Living life according to God’s Law is going to make one appear odd in the eyes of the world, perhaps even evil. Sharing a message of mankind’s sin and God’s gracious salvation can cause offense. So why not just stay silent if that makes life easier--keeping our faith private? Answer: because we are going to live forever--a fact which changes how we live! In gratitude for Christ saving us, we share the gospel with others that they might believe and be saved too. Since we will live forever in the joys of heaven, we don’t worry if being a witness for Christ brings hardship or even death. On this Sunday celebrating the Reformation, we recall the life of Martin Luther. Martin wanted to reform the false teaching of the church. He stood firm in the truth of the gospel, knowing it might cost him his life. But Luther knew that, thanks to Christ, he would live forever. So will we! Therefore, like Luther, let us live a life of courageous witness.

World Gone Mad, Part 4: Suffering - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Modern believers are in dire need of the biblical call to suffer well. With modern medicine, pain relief options, and even in some places the option of euthanasia, we have become a generation who fears and runs from suffering. Yet, the Bible repeatedly extols suffering as a tool the Lord uses to refine our faith, like gold in the fire. Daniel’s trial was unjust, unfair, and ungodly, yet he suffered well, with fire and humility. Even a wicked world notices when we suffer like Jesus. May this sermon get us one-step closer to becoming a people who suffer well.

World Gone Mad, Part 3: Be Humble in Victory - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0500

The gripping story of a ghostly handwriting on the king’s wall is God’s reminder of his sovereignty over us all. Those who humble themselves will be exalted, but those who exalt themselves will be humbled. Although God has shown grace to Nebuchadnezzar multiple times through his reign, Nebuchadnezzar continued to fall back in older pride-filled patterns. Finally, his time of grace came to an end. His example be a sobering lesson for us all.

World Gone Mad, Part 3: Be Humble in Victory - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0500

World Gone Mad, Part 2: Be Humble In a Prideful World - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0500

This week our message series delves into the theme of humility in a prideful world, drawing lessons from biblical stories about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, King Nebuchadnezzar and King Herod. The message emphasizes how the loss of humility can lead to downfall, while embracing humility in our walk with the true God is true peace, no matter what.

World Gone Mad, Part 1: Be Countercultural - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Daniel and his friends were in a foreign land filled with pagan gods, sinful customs, and unbiblical values. Did they cower and hide? No. Did they compromise their faith? No. Instead Daniel “resolved not to defile himself” (1:8). He leaned into the Word of God and the grace of God so that he could do the will of God. While modern America is far from ancient Babylonia, every believer would be wise to resolve to follow Daniel’s example of grace-based resolve.

The Need for Followership, Part 4: Followers Have Powerful Allies - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Green Berets. Rangers. SEALs. Delta Force. These special forces groups are part of the United States military. They are elite: highly trained with unique skill sets. Many of their important missions are carried out in total secrecy. Several weeks ago, we acknowledged that we are in the middle of a massive spiritual war. Today, we thank God that we fight this war with the protection of special forces. Since the fifth century, Christians have observed the Festival of St. Michael and All Angels. We commemorate that God has sent Michael, one of the great archangels described in Scripture, and countless of his fellow angels to protect and serve mankind. Let us rejoice that followers of Christ have powerful allies!

The Need for Followership, Part 3: Followers Know How to Love Their Families - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Love can cause harm. Consider the wife whose husband wants little to do with church. She loves him and does not want to upset him. So, when her husband wants her and the children to stay home Sunday morning, she complies without protest. That wife’s love for her husband hurts him, her children, and herself. Or consider the father who loves his child so much that he gives the child everything that child asks for. That father’s love is toxic. It is shaping that child to be a selfish, entitled adult. In our families, it is not enough that there is love. We need to rightly love, to love in a way that leads to blessings for those we claim to love. This illustrates the need for followership. In Jesus we see perfect, self-sacrificial love. Jesus loves us as we are. He also loved us too much to leave us as we are. So, in love he gave his life up so that we might be holy and blameless. His love for us shapes the way we love our spouse, our children, our parents. Today we see that followers of Christ know how to love their family.

The Need for Followership, Part 3: Followers Know How to Love Their Families - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0500

The Need for Followership, Part 2: Followers Are Servants - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Humility and pride are polar opposites. Pride exalts self at the expense of God and others. Humility exalts God and others at the expense of self. Pride is the essential vice, for it increases one’s hunger for all other sins. Humility increases one’s hunger for the forgiveness and healing found in Christ. The one who is proud demands to be served. The one who is humble is not content unless serving others. St. Augustine described it this way: “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” As we see all Christ did to serve us, our hearts melt. Within us grows a Christ-like obsession to serve others, without counting the cost, without any desire to be repaid. Those who are in positions of Christian leadership understand that their leadership can only be achieved through service. For followers of Christ are humble servants.

The Need for Followership, Part 2: Followers Are Servants - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0500

The Need for Followership, Part 1: Followers Trust the Impossible - Dave Panitzke

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0500

So often it may seem that all is lost. A cancer diagnosis, a relapse into addiction, the revelation of the unfaithfulness of a spouse, just the nightly news of the horrors and atrocities taking place throughout the world—it would appear the evil has this world by the throat and there is no hope of any real and lasting change. But nothing could be further from the truth. Through the cross and his resurrection Christ has won the battle with sin and death. The demons must and do submit to his authority. God give us the faith to trust that our risen and ascended Savior is ruling and controlling all things for the good of his people and of his church, even more, that everything is possible for the one who believes!

The Need for Followership, Part 1: Followers Trust the Impossible - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Unraveling the Mysteries, Part 12: Finishing Well - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0500

When the fires of the trials of life burn hard and long, our strength, our patience, our ability to endure, even our motivation begins to fade. Arrogance and pride can sneak in when things are going well for us. Or we can become cynical and embittered toward our struggles and difficulties. Where do we find the strength and the ability to finish strong and to finish well?

Unraveling the Mysteries, Part 11: Godliness and Contentment - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Godliness is a God-centered life. It grows, not through the pursuit of a process, but through the presence of a person. Jesus Christ is the mystery of godliness (1 Timothy 3:16). His presence in your life is your hope of becoming the person God calls you to be. Christ in you [is] the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Contentment is finding joy in what God has given to you. The opposite of contentment is greed which destroys your capacity to enjoy what God has given. Contentment is a Christian grace that grows over time. It does not come quickly, easily or naturally. Paul says “I have learned to be content” (Philippians 4:12). How did he learn it? He tells us “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content” (Philippians 4:12). He is saying: “There were times when I had plenty. But then God brought me to situations where I was ‘in need.’ And through that I learned something: I discovered the secret of being content.” God used the experience of loss to produce the good fruit of contentment in Paul’s life. Have you discovered the secret of being content?

Unraveling the Mysteries, Part 10: Live to God’s Glory - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0500

What do you live for? God wants us to think big. Do we live for ourselves? Our desires? Our ambitions? Do we live for our career? Our relationships? Our family? Our friends? We live for the One who died for us. We live to glorify him. We live to give witness to his love to the people he has placed in our lives. In so doing we find fulfillment, meaning and joy because this is what we were created for. How we live, how we act, our attitudes, our reactions to hardships and life’s challenges—in all of these we have opportunity to glorify God. Let’s remember that God has put us where he wants us, and it’s our privilege to show other people who Jesus is and what he’s really like. For in the eternal scheme of things nothing else matters but the glory of God.

Unraveling the Mysteries, Part 10: Live to God’s Glory - Dave Panitzke

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Unraveling the Mysteries, Part 9: Care for the Care Givers - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Being in a place of leadership—even in the church--is challenging. A congregation is made up of diverse people: different backgrounds, personalities, preferences--different lenses through which we see the world. There is no way that church leaders can make every member happy all the time. Leadership in the church is to one degree or another a ministry of love offered above and beyond an already busy life with multiple commitments. Whether we always agree with decisions made by our church leaders, their work is a blessing to us as their work with the Word of God promotes a healthy church. Today the apostle Paul calls us to respect, honor, celebrate and care for our leaders. What do we need to repent of and change in ourselves to do this better? How can we be a greater source of encouragement and support for those who give so much of themselves to build a church environment that ministers the best it can to the needs of individuals, families and our community?

Unraveling the Mysteries, Part 8: Treat Each Person as a Precious Individual - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0500

In his second letter to Timothy Paul writes: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” God’s Word is true. God’s Word is practical. God’s Word is sufficient. God’s Word provides principles that are enduring from generation to generation, yet each age and each culture must wrestle with how to apply those principles to its own context and circumstances. In the section of scripture before us Paul is seeking to apply the timeless truths of God’s Word to a very specific time and place and to the people living within that culture. This makes our study of this section of the scripture challenging. The applications Paul makes may be applicable to us and our culture or they may not. The challenge of God’s people is to determine the values/principles driving Paul’s applications. Then we can apply these principles to our own time and culture. So, how does this section of scripture speak to us today?

Unraveling the Mystery - A Study of 1 Timothy

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Unraveling the Mysteries, Part 7: Establish Your Training Regime - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0500

A 5k, a marathon, a Tough Mudder, tryouts for your school team—we recognize the importance of preparing well for these types of events. In many cases it can be a “do or die” situation. Preparing well requires a plan, commitment, tenacity and self-discipline. The race of life is also a do or die situation. And life is much more a marathon than a 5K. The apostle Paul encourages us today to establish a spiritual training regime that gives the Holy Spirit the opportunity to work in us the strength and endurance we will need to run the race well and finish strong. As in all training regimes there are fundamentals that we will all keep coming back to. At the same time, we are all different and the specifics of our own training regime, if it is going to work best for each of us, will be personal to each of us. But as was stated earlier, success in this arena requires a plan, commitment, tenacity and self-discipline. God help us grow in all these areas.

Unraveling the Mysteries, Part 7: Establish Your Training Regime - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Pressure Reveals Truth - Dave Panitzke

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0500

It’s easy to hide weaknesses when everything is going well. But what about when the pressure is on? When we experience the pressure that life can bring, what truth will that pressure reveal? Pressure can not only reveal to us the truth about ourselves, but can also reveal the truth about God to us, and to others.

Unraveling the Mysteries, Part 6: Aspire to Greater Service - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Our church body and many others are wrestling right now with a shortage of ministry workers to meet the needs of the local church. Why are there fewer men and women going into full-time ministry work? There are, of course, many factors. Your present pastors recall the culture surrounding them when they were young and considering pursuing full-time ministry. There was great respect for this pursuit from family members and from the community. The thought was that there was no greater work than leading people to Jesus and helping God’s people on their journey heavenward. Do young people today experience that same family and cultural encouragement? Certainly not to the same extent. But is there really any more important work, whether you are in full-time gospel ministry, pastoring your own family and home, or serving to advance the ministry of one’s local church? Didn’t Jesus tell us to work for those things that will last into eternity? One may feel that he or she does not have the qualifications for the job, especially when reading those Paul shares in this letter. The reality is no one fits them perfectly. Most are qualifications we as God’s people are all striving to grow in. How can we create a culture where all God’s people aspire to greater service in God’s kingdom?

Unraveling the Mysteries, Part 5: Explain “Church Rules” - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0500

The household of faith is built on the reality that God has designed the members of his household be complementarily diverse. That’s a mouthful. It means that God created us all with unique gifts, skills, talents, and predispositions. This diversity provides all that is required to meet the complex needs of the household of faith, individuals, families, churches, and communities. It is a perfect design. Today we consider this design as it pertains the roles and relationships of men and women. In so doing we have to be watchful for our own predetermined thoughts and biases which skew and work against God’s design. What are the principles God has established for the roles of men and woman? Can we see how they correspond to his masterful design—not just in marriage, but for men and women in all kinds of relationships. In all of this, as always, we seek to keep Christ in the center, to act in love, to seek to align with his will and design. For we are witness of God’s love and grace in all we do and speak

Unraveling the Mysteries, Part 5: Explain “Church Rules” - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Unraveling the Mysteries, Part 4: Don’t Let Politics Get in the Way - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0500

As the presidential election draws closer, people’s fear is tangible. Some of this fear is rational. Much of this fear is not. Our future does not rest in the hands of the man who will be elected as our next president. Our future rests in the hands of the One who created and rules over all things. Our future rests in the hands of the One who understands the ungodly, sinful nature that resides in all people and has therefore established government to curb our greed, selfishness and violence. Our future rests in the hands of the One for whom government is merely a tool to provide stability for gospel proclamation because there is only one mediator who can change hearts. Our future rests in the hands of the One who calls his people to provide a unique service in this world—to pray in love, to assume the best of others, to respect everyone, and to not allow fear to lead to anger. As God’s people we have a role to play in politics, but it is not the role that many assume.

Unraveling the Mysteries, Part 3: Build a Positive Self Image - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0500

What do you see when you look in the mirror. A vast majority of people do not like what they see. And we are not talking first and foremost about appearance. We are talking about the man and woman underneath. The mistakes we have made, the people we have hurt, our failings and failures, our disappointments and regrets. If this is what see, we are not seeing what God sees. We are focused instead on what the devil wants us to see. He wants us to see sin, failure, shame, hopelessness. That is not the reality of who we are in Christ. That is not what God sees. In Christ we live in grace—mercies new every morning. We are eternally loved, forgiven, and cherished. As a part of the household of God we live in the joy and freedom of his grace. As part of the household of God our quest is to be constantly growing in our ability to display grace…to ourselves, to our children, to our spouses, to everyone. And when, like Paul, Satan holds our past failures in front of us to haunt us, the response God encouarages is to focus on how he is graciously redeeming our past and miraculously making it all beautiful.

Unraveling the Mysteries, Part 2: Remember Your Goal – Proper Use of the Law - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Many of us grew up with a healthy amount of fear when it came to our fathers or other male leaders, principals and police officers, for example. Certainly, there was benefit in this fear. We put ourselves and others in danger of great harm when we choose to break the rules. In the same way, it is healthy to fear God. His law is real, not just a suggestion. Yet, the Bible says that the law is “not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels.” What does that mean? The law is meant to terrorize the ungodly. And when we or other Christians are acting in an ungodly way, the law also becomes mirror in which we see the ugly reality of our sin. But the law was not intended to make people (or children) better members of God’s household. God does not want us to live in fear, but to act “in love, from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincerity of faith.” The devil, the world and our sinful nature encourage us to use the law in ways that work against God’s design, i.e. as a shortcut to change people’s behaviors, using God’s law to convict others and exonerate ourselves (ignore the part of the law that convicts us). And there are many other way God’s law is misused. Today we want to allow God’s Word to remind us of the true purpose and proper use of God’s law that we, our families and our church may reap the benefits of drawing closer to God’s design.

Unraveling the Mysteries, Part 2: Remember Your Goal – Proper Use of the Law - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Unraveling the Mysteries, Part 1: Start with the Foundation Mystery - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0500

"I just want to be happy." The challenge with that sentiment is understanding what it truly means to be happy. Am I happy when I feel good? Am I happy when everything is going my way in life? A part of us recognizes that these kinds of approaches to happiness are shallow, that true happiness has to have more depth to it. Throughout the Scriptures we are told that true happiness is realized more and more as we find ourselves in greater harmony with the truth--the truth about ourselves, the truth about God's grace, the truth about his design for our lives. As we begin our journey through 1 Timothy, unraveling the mysteries of a godly church and home, Paul is going to lay the foundation for this entire series. Where do I find true happiness? We find it in Jesus, in his life and death, in his forgiveness and love, in his teaching and guidance, in learning to live more and more in his grace and truth.

Unraveling the Mysteries, Part 1: Start with the Foundation Mystery - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Unraveling the Mystery - A Study of 1 Timothy

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Rest Is a Gift, Not Something to Be Earned - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0500

After a long day of work, you have earned the right to sit down in your favorite chair, put your feet up, and watch your favorite program. After a hard week on the job, you have earned the opportunity to relax a bit that weekend. After doing your job well for many months, you have earned those two weeks of vacation at the beach. This is how everyone thinks: rest is something you earn through hard work. We even teach that to our kids: no gaming until homework is done, no playing with friends until chores are complete. Since that concept of rest being earned is so deeply engrained in us, to properly understand spiritual rest requires a top-down faith. God needs to send us the Spirit so that we can grasp this truth. True spiritual rest cannot be earned. In fact, the harder you try, the more restless and the less peaceful you become. Spiritual rest is a gift that God gives. The rest we need most—from guilt, from worry, from shame, from hopelessness—is graciously given to us by the Lord of the Sabbath.

Trinity Sunday 2024 - Only a Triune God Can Deliver What Only a Triune God Can Offer - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 27 May 2024 03:00:00 -0500

No Christian teaching demonstrates that we have a top-down faith more than the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Scripture teaches that there is only one God. Yet that God exists as three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Incomprehensible! It is the type of teaching about which the psalmist declares, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain” (Psalm 139:6). We believe in the Triune God without fully comprehending his existence, simply because the Spirit has given us the gift of faith. Our belief in the triune God came from the top down. Not only is the concept of the Trinity itself something unique to the Christian faith, but what the triune God does for us and offers us is also completely unique. Our triune God invites us into the blessed relationship that is part of his very nature. The members of the Trinity share with us an intimacy that they have enjoyed with each other from eternity. Our triune God makes us not servants or subjects but blessed members of his family.

Resurrection Reality, Part 8: Christ Has Not Left Us Alone - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 20 May 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Jesus told his disciples that, though he was going to ascend into heaven, he wasn’t going to leave them alone. He was going to send “the Advocate,” a title for the Holy Spirit. But Jesus wasn’t sending the Spirit just to keep us company. Jesus would have the Advocate give us spiritual power so that we might participate in Christ’s saving work. Here is the final resurrection reality. The Spirit gives us the ability to raise the spiritually dead to life. We see this happen on Pentecost. The festival of Pentecost was held fifty days after Passover. (Pentecost is Greek for “fifty.”) It was a time to thank God for the harvest. But on that day, through the Church at work, the Holy Spirit gathered another harvest, a harvest of souls. Therefore, Pentecost is the third great festival of the Church, along with the Nativity and the Resurrection. With the Festival of Pentecost, the festival half of the Church Year comes to a close.

Resurrection Reality, Part 7: Jesus’ Business Is Love; Therefore, So I Ours - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 13 May 2024 03:00:00 -0500

The entirety of God’s Word can be summed up in one word: love. God’s Law is all about love. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart…” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37,39). The gospel is all about love: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…” (John 3:16). From his compassion for the sick and broken, to his sacrificial death on the cross, to the peace he provided after his resurrection, Jesus was the perfect embodiment of love. Love is his business. Therefore, love is our business too. The resurrection reality is that with the same supernatural power by which God raised Jesus from the dead, God now enables us to live a new life—one marked by radically selfless love. The motivation and ability to do this comes from seeing the endless love Christ has for us. We love only because he first loved us.

Resurrection Reality, Part 6: Remain in Me - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 06 May 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Conventional wisdom would say if Christ has ascended into heaven, he is further away from his followers than when he was visibly on earth. The resurrection reality is that it is the other way around. Now that Christ has ascended, he is closer than ever. The living and ascended Savior has reassumed full use of all his divine power. So if you need Christ’s help, you don’t need to hunt for him in Galilee. You call to him in prayer, wherever you are, whenever you want, and he hears and acts. You want to hear Jesus speak? You don’t need to chase him down. Open his Word and listen to his powerful, life-giving voice. The ascension marks the completion of Jesus’ earthly mission, but it does not signify the end of his work. Christ ascended to exercise his limitless authority for the Church as we carry out our mission to be Christ’s ambassadors of grace to the world. Therefore, the Festival of the Ascension is one of the oldest and most joyful celebrations in the Christian Church. It will be observed by Christians until Christ returns to take us to be with him.

Resurrection Reality, Part 5: The Living LORD Produces ACTIVE Faith - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Generally, our actions are shaped by our beliefs. People who eat low-carb diets do so, probably not because they hate pasta, but because they believe it healthiest. If a man buys stock in a company, it probably is because he believes in their business plan. Our beliefs shape our behavior. This is true of Christians’ belief in the resurrection. We believe that Christ’s resurrection means our resurrection to a glorious eternal life is guaranteed. That inevitably shapes how we will act now. However, it is not simply the facts of the resurrection that shape our behavior. It is the person of the resurrection. Jesus is not some wise, dead sage whose advice is contained in dusty books. Jesus lives! Therefore, through his Word, he is able to work on our minds and hearts, molding them to his perfect will. Here is a resurrection reality. Jesus fills us with his Spirit, not only so that we have faith, but also so that we produce the fruits of faith he seeks.

Resurrection Reality, Part 5: The Living LORD Produces ACTIVE Faith - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Resurrection Reality, Part 4: The Risen Savior is the PERFECT Shepherd - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Scripture frequently pictures spiritual care in terms of a shepherd watching over sheep. Even folks unfamiliar with shepherding are able to grasp the meaning. Sheep are helpless animals—an easy meal for predators. For sheep to survive they needed a shepherd who not only leads them to sources of food, but who also is willing to tangle with a pack of wolves. Jesus is such a shepherd. He proved he is willing to lay down his life for his sheep. The word “pastor” comes from the Latin word for “shepherd.” Today, there are plenty of people—pastors, religious leaders, etc.—who claim they can provide healing for your soul. Yet, Scripture warns that “many” of these are “false prophets” (1 John 4:1) who “distort the truth” (Acts 20:30). Many! But the resurrection reality is that our Good Shepherd is faithful. He will raise up true sub-shepherds who know Christ and proclaim the truth of his gospel.

Resurrection Reality, Part 3: We Have a Meaningful Message to Share - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0500

A platitude is a statement aimed at helping soothe some sort of emotional unease. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Or “Life is a mystery.” Or “Good things come to those who wait.” While platitudes may be well-intentioned, at best they come off as trite. And since platitudes provide no real help, they can actually make a situation worse. Tell the one whose heart is shattering, “Life is a mystery.” They won’t appreciate your platitude or you. The resurrection gives believers the ability to offer more than platitudes. We have a meaningful message to share—of repentance, of forgiveness, of peace, of power. The reality is we have something important to say to every single person that God brings into our sphere of influence. And our risen Savior gives us the courage and power to share that meaningful message.

Resurrection Reality, Part 2: The Living Lord Gives Proof and Peace - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0500

In most world religions, the alleged foundational event was experienced by only one person. A self proclaimed prophet would allege he alone had some special encounter with God. “No really! Just trust me. It really happened.” The resurrection reality is so very different. In the Great Resurrection Chapter (1 Corinthians 15), St. Paul writes an entire paragraph listing all the people to whom Jesus appeared after he rose, including a group of over five hundred at one time. It is like St. Paul is telling skeptics, “You don’t need to take my word for it. Hundreds of us saw Jesus back from the dead.” The proof of Jesus’ resurrection brought peace and strength to those early believers. They knew there was more to their existence than just their time on earth. They knew the reality that eternal life was theirs, a gift from their living Lord. It gave them incredible joy and courage. May the resurrection reality give us the same

Resurrection Reality, Part 1: All Will Be Made Alive - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0500

The film director Woody Allen once said, “I’m not afraid to die, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” Studies have shown that most people fear death to varying degrees. This fear is so common, there is even a field of psychological study called thanatology. It examines human reaction to death and dying. One of the biggest reasons people fear death is the perception of its permanency. In the normal realm of human existence, dead is dead. Someone dies, and all you have are pictures and memories. That is the way people typically think, but it is far from reality. Today, Christ proves to us that death is not final at all! Easter teaches us that Christ is the first fruits of those who have died. Just as Christ rose, “so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). That changes everything: the way we grieve the death of a Christian loved one, the way we feel when our health fails, the way we look at the purpose of life right

Resurrection Reality

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Rethinking Religion, Part 7: Rethinking Appetite - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0500

We use the word “appetite” to describe a powerful desire for something. So, what is it you crave the most? Where does your mind go in those quiet moments? What do you want? Power? What do you dream about? Prestige? For what do you hunger? Pleasure? Are our appetites healthy?

A truly healthy appetite is one that aligns with our deepest needs: forgiveness, salvation, communion with God, loving relationships with others. The believer is ravenous for such things! And all of those blessings are on the menu of the Lord’s Supper. Some view Holy Communion as just a religious ritual. Far from it! In this meal, Christ satisfies our greatest appetites.

Rethinking Religion, Part 6: Rethinking Real Strength - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0500

What does real strength look like? Is it exerting your will over another using any means necessary, including force. But this week we see Jesus Christ demonstrate a different kind of strength. Jesus assumes a position of weakness. To do what Christ did for us and our salvation took real strength.

Rethinking Religion, Part 5: Rethinking Commitment - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Religious sociologists sometimes divide Christians into two groups: committed Christians and cultural Christians. The former are usually defined as those who are active in a congregation, who pray regularly, who read Scripture, etc. The latter are those individuals who call themselves Christian and perhaps have some Christian beliefs. Yet, they do not strive to live a Christian life. They are not interested in church involvement. Those definitions are interesting when trying to understand shifts in American Christianity. However, they demonstrate a false assumption about the Christian religion. There is indeed a devoted commitment at the center of Christianity, but it is not man’s commitment to God. Even believers will at times demonstrate lukewarm commitment at best. Instead, at the heart of Christianity we find God’s devotion and commitment to us. It is a devoted commitment so strong that it put God on the cross.

Rethinking Religion, Part 4: Rethinking “Try Harder” - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0500

While not every religion uses the word “sin,” they all embrace the concept. Every religion acknowledges that mankind’s flawed attitudes or misguided actions are a source of pain, both now and potentially in eternity. So, every religion offers a solution: a set of laws, a moral code, a path to more enlightened behavior. What do they have in common? We are to solve sin through human effort. Be better! Try harder! This is the heart of every false religion. Those who correctly understand they will never overcome their sin are crushed by guilt. Those who ludicrously believe they have defeated their sin are killed by pride. True religion offers a better way—one that frees us from guilt and has no room for pride. Jesus teaches that the solution to our sin is not to work harder. It is to trust in the work he has done for us. Salvation

comes through Spirit-wrought faith in Christ.

Rethinking Religion, Part 3: The Why of Worship - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0600

Person A never attends worship. He can’t see the point. Person B attends every week out of a slavish sense of obligation. Her mind wanders during the services, for she views the activities of worship merely as tasks for her to complete. Who is worse off? Rather than debating the point, let us just admit neither understand the true why of worship. And that is exactly what Satan wants. Many think worship is about what we do for God. It is the other way around. As we gather around Word and sacrament, the Spirit moves us to love and trust in God above all things. Moved by the cross of Christ, we bow down before our God. We commune with him. And that’s exactly what God wants.

Rethinking Religion, Part 2: What We Give Up for Lent - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0600

When Jesus told us to deny ourselves and take up our cross, he wasn’t talking about chocolate or sweets. And what is the cross Jesus mentioned? Is it sickness or pain or trouble? Even non-Christians experience those things, and they are imposed on us. We don’t take them up. No, our cross is to deny the bitterness, the anger, the doubt, the fear that sickness or pain or trouble causes. To deny ourselves is to say “no” to the sinful nature.

Rethinking Religion, Part 1: Trials, Tests and Temptations - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0600

“If God loves us, why doesn’t he remove all the trials and tests and temptations that we face?” That question demonstrates the religious assumption that those things are bad. They aren’t. In the hands of a loving God, they are tools by which he refines our faith. He uses tests to compel us to be less self-reliant, and instead trust in his strength. He uses trials to teach us that this broken world is not our true home. God even takes Satan’s temptations and uses them for our good. Trials, tests, and temptations are not exceptions to God’s love. That’s a false assumption! These are examples of God’s love. We just keep coming back to the proof of God’s love, that God allowed his beloved Son Jesus to face trials and temptations, so that he might be our perfect savior and substitute.

Rethinking Religion

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0600

Meet the Man, Part 6: The One Whom the Father Loves - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0600

We began this worship series in the Jordan River. At his baptism, Jesus heard his Father’s glorious voice: “You are my Son, whom I love” (Mark 1:11). From that day, in word and deed, Jesus began to reveal more about himself. He demonstrated the extent of his authority and power and love. Along the way, we had an epiphany. Jesus has to be the very Son of God! Yet, Jesus looked so normal, like an ordinary carpenter or your average rabbi or just another prophet. Until today. Today, on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus gives us a glimpse of his true glory. As we see him in his dazzling brilliance, the Father speaks again, this time to us: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” This final epiphany prepares us for the journey of Lent where we will witness the most glorious work that Jesus would do when he came down from this mountain.

Meet the Man, Part 5: The One Who Defied Demons for You - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0600

Martin Luther once said, “Where God built a church, there the devil would also build a chapel.” Satan and the other demons hate God. They demonstrate hatred by hurting those that God loves in any way they can. The epiphany Christ wants us to have is this: demons are real, they are plenteous, and they are dangerous. But Christ would also have us see that he is continually undoing the devil’s work. More, through his Word, Christ Jesus gives us the power to resist the devil and stand firm in the faith.

Meet the Man, Part 4: The One Who Is More Than a Man - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0600

Has there ever been a man who has had as great an influence on this world as this man named Jesus Christ? Thousands of years after his life and death his vision for life continues to haunt and challenge humanity. Everywhere we look we see how he has inspired movements in art, music science, government, medicine, and education. His lessons about dignity, compassion, forgiveness, and hope continue to influence humanity. His impact is more profound on the day-to-day lives of people--believers or not--than the impact of any other person at any point in history. How does a man have such a profound impact? He is more than a man. He is God himself, come to earth speaking, teaching and living the divine truths that cut through the noise of our broken humanity and show us a life and an eternity that line up with the way God designed our lives to be.

Meet the Man, Part 3: The One Who Gives You Purpose - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0600

To whom does the work of salvation belong? Simple question. There is only one Savior. But this is how good Jesus is. So that our lives might have profound meaning and eternal purpose, he shares some of that work with us. He calls us not just to be followers, but to be follower-makers. Jesus asks some— prophets, apostles, pastors, missionaries, teachers—to do this full time. But ultimately Jesus asks all believers to serve as his ambassadors, sharing the gospel with whomever he brings into our sphere of influence. This lofty charge requires commitment—a willingness to abandon everything else should faithfulness require it. This is the life-changing revelation for this week. Jesus has committed us to a lofty charge: the privilege to play a role in his saving work.

Meet the Man, Part 2: The One Who Knows You Better than You Know Yourself - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0600

We try to hide our faults and failures from others. We want people to see us at our best. Perhaps we assume that if people knew what we were really like, they would want nothing to do with us. There’s no hiding anything from God. He is all-seeing and all-knowing. Christ Jesus has witnessed our very worst, even the sins that only occurred in our heads. The psalmist says, “You perceive my thoughts from afar. You are familiar with all my ways” (139:2,3).

Yet even though Jesus knows all our faults and failures, he continues to long for relationship with us. So, he calls us to follow him. He wants us to be in conversation with us. He wants us to feel safe and secure in his love and forgiveness. He wants us to know that he knows what we’re going through and what we need for true health and prosperity.

Meet the Man, Part 1: The One Who Will Change Your Life in Your Own Baptism - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0600

At his baptism in the Jordan River Jesus was publicly anointed with the Holy Spirit and designated by God the Father as his chosen Messiah. Thus, Jesus’ baptism was the beginning of his public ministry. Jesus’ baptism revealed that he was not just a nice guy who could make a sturdy table. He was God’s chosen servant, the one who had come to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. Jesus is the one willing to stand in our place as our substitute and Savior. Jesus’ baptism reveals to us who he really is. Our own baptism does the same! Our baptism was the beginning of a new and better life—our “eternal life”! This gift is graciously given to us by our truest friend. This gift completely changes the direction of our lives. This is a gift we can lean on every day for peace, strength, hope, and a clearer understanding of who we and our true purpose in life.

Meet the Man, Part 1: The One Who Will Change Your Life in Your Own Baptism - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0600

New Years Eve 2023 - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0600

On Christmas Eve a choir of angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” So, where is this peace on earth? Between nations? There are always wars going on somewhere. In our country? Disagreements have only grown more contentious, one group screaming angrily at another group. We might not even have perfect peace in our homes! So, what were the angels singing about? They were singing about peace between a holy God who hates sin and human beings who sin every day. Because of what Christ did as our Savior, there is no hostility between us and God, only peace and love. We have the peace of salvation in our hearts. As we draw near the end of life, like elderly Simeon or Anna, we have the peace of knowing of the glorious eternal life that is to come. As this peace with God fills our hearts, it moves us to live in peace with each other too.

Christmas 2023 - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0600

Christmas 2023 - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0600

Go Back to Christmas, Part 3: When You Don't Understand - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0600

Why would Mary be highly favored? The thought troubled her. How could she be the mother of the Messiah? Mary had certainly heard the words of Isaiah 7, but that didn’t mean she expected the Messiah to be born without a human father. And she was a virgin! Was she supposed to rush the wedding to Joseph? Very confusing! And then Gabriel gave her an answer, that could have easily created more questions than answers. How was she going to understand all this? When we want so badly to understand everything, we would be better off doing what Mary did. Seek the answers we can get from God and his Word. And when we get the answers we barely comprehend, we do something better than understanding. We do what Mary did. We marvel that God would be so good to us, and we trust him.

Go Back to Christmas, Part 2: To Find your Purpose - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0600

Have you ever wondered why the Jewish leaders sent people to ask John who he was (vs19)? Why did they care? Why did they need more than public knowledge? Because John was great. He had crowds coming out to him, listening to him, obeying him. He had power and influence. He was great! But he was also confusing. Surely, he could have turned all this attention to his own benefit, but he didn’t. He just wore his hair shirt and ate bugs and honey. When the priests and Levites gave him all kinds of opportunities to make claims for himself, he passed on all of them. Instead, he simply pointed ahead to Jesus, because John knew that no matter what he was, and no matter what he could do, the best thing he could do was to point others to Jesus. So also for us. While we may not live a life exactly like John’s, the second lesson shows us how we can also be great. Confusing…but great. As we live our Christian lives, as we are different from this world, may we also point others to Christ.

Go Back to Christmas, Part 2: To Find your Purpose - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0600

Go Back to Christmas, Part 1: To See God Show Up to Save - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0600

The crowds outside Jerusalem identified Jesus as the one who comes—the Messiah they were waiting for, the Messiah they needed. And they had great expectations about what he would be and do for them. So, when they saw him riding into Jerusalem as king, they shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes!” And they pinned all their hopes on him. They were so excited because their king was showing up to save them. But isn’t it interesting that before the parade and the shouting and the hosannas, Jesus simply but miraculously reminded his believers who he really is. By predicting how the whole donkey scenario would play out, Jesus reminded us that he knows how everything is going to play out. When you really need Jesus to show up, remember that he does. He always has. He has always showed up to save his people. Not always in the way they were expecting, but in the best way, because he knows how it will all play out.

Saints Triumphant: E3 Proves Total Victory - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 20:50:16 -0600

Since Death’s sudden appearance at the sin of Adam…since Death’s first victory with the bloody hands of Cain…Death has reigned undefeated. The genealogies of the Old Testament read like the results of battle after battle, or boxing match after boxing match. Another name is called, another man stands in the ring with death, but the verdict is always the same: “and then he died.” The referee raises the cold boxing glove of death in victory again and again. But a challenger arises. A challenger who systematically climbs through the ranks, defeating opponent after opponent. He defeats disease, blindness, deafness, disability, and chronic pain. He proves himself more powerful than death—he raises children, raises Lazarus. But he doesn’t stop there, he goes around death and fights the source—sin! He defeats the devil himself. He reigns as the ultimate champion. And now death stands in the ring fighting us. Fighting the undercard. It looks like death is still racking up victories, but death is shaking in his boots because even death knows one truth: “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” And when Christ comes again, Death will be forced to vacate all his victories and Jesus will lay his boxing gloves at the feet of the Father to show that the victory is won, and God is “all in all.”

Thanksgiving 2023 - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0600

Don’t Be Foolish! Be rich toward God!

Saints Triumphant: E3 Redefines Life and Death - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0600

See how thoroughly Endless Easter Encouragement has redefined life and death for the Christians in Thessalonica!

• They were concerned that those who had died would miss out, not on the things of this world and this life, but that they would miss out on Jesus’ glorious return at the end of the world.

• Death itself has been redefined as a sleep that we will wake from.

• Death is no longer a permanent separation, but a temporary separation. And the best reunification is that we will all be with the Lord.

• Always, and especially when we mourn those who have preceded us in death, we encourage one another with the death and resurrection of Jesus. Notice that his personal savior name is used here in connection to his death and resurrection.*

• All of the encouragement and anticipation of these words depends on Easter!

*(Interestingly enough, in all of 1 Thessalonians, the only three occurrences of the name Jesus without any other title such as Lord or Christ are in the immediate context of the death and resurrection—1:10 and the two occurrences here in 4:14. Every other time Paul uses the name Jesus in 1 Thessalonians it is accompanied by either Lord or Christ or both.)

Saints Triumphant: E3 Redefines Life and Death - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0600

See how thoroughly Endless Easter Encouragement has redefined life and death for the Christians in Thessalonica!

• They were concerned that those who had died would miss out, not on the things of this world and this life, but that they would miss out on Jesus’ glorious return at the end of the world.

• Death itself has been redefined as a sleep that we will wake from.

• Death is no longer a permanent separation, but a temporary separation. And the best reunification is that we will all be with the Lord.

• All of the encouragement and anticipation of these words depends on Easter!

Because iT Matters, Part 5: My Joy Matters - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0600

Giving brings joy to the giver, joy to the recipient, and joy to our God as he sees his children live and act like him. What gives you joy as you think about your commitment to Because iT Matters and as you pray about your initial gift on the December 3 Celebration Weekend?

Because iT Matters, Part 4: My Surrender Matters - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0600

The Macedonian congregation presented the Corinthians and us with a role model of surrendered giving. They did not have much. Paul mentions their “extreme poverty.” What they did have was a “singleness of purpose.” They could only be truly generous if they surrendered their hopes and dreams to Christ and instead focused on the mission Christ had given them. The Macedonian response amazed Paul and encouraged the Corinthians. How might our surrender to God’s mission be evident in our response to Because iT Matters? How might our response encourage others today and in the future?

Because iT Matters, Part 3: The Mission Matters - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0500

As we celebrate the Lutheran Reformation, we remember how much the cross and the mission of God’s church mattered to Martin Luther and the other reformers. They were willing to risk their lives for the mission. What would it look like if I were willing to risk my life (or livelihood) for the mission presented to us in Because iT Matters?

Because iT Matters, Part 2: The Partnership Matters - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0500

God’s church is designed to be a partnership. What is your part in this partnership? What is your next step to strengthening our partnership? A commitment to regular worship? Participation in the “Following the Promise” Bible study? Joining a small group? Giving more consistently or starting a recurring gift online? Volunteering?

Because iT Matters, Part 1: The Cross Matters - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0500

When did you have that defining moment, that life-changing encounter with the Savior? At your baptism? As an adult? Has it happened to you more than once? When did the cross matter to you more than anything else in the world? If you haven’t had that life-changing encounter, could today bring God’s invitation to you to bow before the cross?

He Gets Us - Family Conflict, Part 2: They Don't Need to Be "Right" for Me to Love Them - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0500

When Jesus set out to create a church family, he didn’t go looking for people who were “right”. Case in point: Levi/Matthew the tax collector. There were many tax collectors and sinners who followed Jesus. Only Mark includes this detail. They didn’t need to be right for Jesus to love them. But once again Jesus is accused. Are there many “tax collectors and sinners” following us? Or do we fall into the same mistake the Pharisees did: “I’ll love them when they are right.” Romans 12:16 “Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” Humility is the path to real communication, to real relationship, to forgiveness. Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. What a perfectly balanced proclamation of Law and Gospel, with the Gospel predominating!

He Gets Us - Family Conflict, Part 1: I Don't Need to Be "Right" - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Sometimes headings can be helpful. The NIV heading for this reading is: “Jesus accused by his family and by teachers of the law.” We might not catch it at first, but there are two accusations against Jesus: his family accused him of being insane, and the people who should have been his church family accused him of being demon possessed. I wonder which one hurt more, his biological family or church family? He does respond to them differently. Does it seem like Jesus disowned his family here? Or did he just not need to prove himself right? He didn’t feel the need to defend his sanity or his pride. He didn’t need to fight with people who loved him even though they were wrong (The “even though they were wrong” is a foreshadowing of next week!) But his ministry was important enough to defend. Not because it was about him, but because it was about the kingdom. It was about the eternal salvation of those who heard him. Jesus didn’t need to be right even though he was the only one who always was right. Instead, he displayed wisdom, patience and love, valuing reconciliation over being right.

He Gets Us - Anxiety, Part 2: God Knows What We Need - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0500

From the “He Gets Us” sermon helps: “The Roman Stoic Philosopher Seneca is not wrong with this statement: ‘He suffers more than is necessary, who suffers before it is necessary.’”— Seneca Anxiety whispers, “What if? What if I won’t have what I need?” Jesus gets us—he knows what worries us. He speaks the beautiful and comforting words: “Your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” He also knows us better than that—he knows the quiet yearnings of our hearts. We are more complex creatures than just animals searching for food and shelter. We want to be loved. We want to be valued. Anxiety whispers: “What if? What if I’m not important? What if I’m not cared about?” God knows. Jesus answers by asking, “Are you not much more valuable than they?” “Will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” Of course, you are valued. Of course, you are cared for. But he knows us even better than that. God knows that what we need more than anything else is his kingdom and his righteousness. And this is what he has given in Christ.

He Gets Us - Anxiety, Part 2: God Knows What We Need - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0500

He Gets Us - Anxiety, Part 1: God Knows What We Don't - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0500

When we feel anxiety, we are often tempted to think that knowing what will happen would make us feel better. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus knew what was going to happen, but knowing didn’t relieve his anxiety. Knowing didn’t make it easier. Where did Jesus turn for relief? He confided in his believing friends. He told them he wasn’t OK and asked for their help. He turned to his Father and told God what God already knew—how he was feeling and what he was afraid of. Jesus understands anxiety. And more than anything else, Jesus trusted. He knew the future and he could do anything, but he trusted. The one who knew what we wish we could know, and could have done all the things we wish we could do, trusted instead. He earned righteousness for us as he contemplated his sacrifice for us. The best remedy for anxiety is not to know the future like God does, but to know that God knows and to trust him

In Pursuit of Family Church, Part 4: Family Church Is Prayer - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0500

God has designed Family Church to be regular conversation with him--something we call prayer. Prayer is not something parents or friends just "model" for their children and for those in their functional family. Prayer is something that we "live" with our children and friends as God is the purpose and focus and true friend of our lives. "Can I pray for you?"

In Pursuit of Family Church, Part 3: Family Church Is Preparedness - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0500

God has designed Family Church--the home or one’s functional family--to be a place of safety and security for its members. Family Church is also a place of preparation and training for the spiritual warfare awaiting us in this world. Just as parents teach their children to look both ways before crossing the street, or buy their child a helmet for riding his or her bike, so we outfit our children and those within our functional family with the armor of God for the journey home to heaven.

In Pursuit of Family Church, Part 3: Family Church Is Preparedness - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0500

In Pursuit of Family Church, Part 2: Family Church Is Service - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0500

God has designed Family Church to function well as each member carries out his or her role in service to the others, seeing it first as service to Christ. To serve is to submit. "Submit" is a welcomed word to the believer in Jesus. It is an approach to living that blessed and changed the world in the person of Jesus Christ. It is an approach to MY living that brings blessing every day to the people in my family and in my area of influence.

In Pursuit of Family Church, Part 1: Family Church Is Personal - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0500

God has designed the Family Church with dad and mom in mind as spiritual shepherds of the family. To be a shepherd takes training and preparation. To be a spiritual shepherd takes training and guidance from God's Word. In other words, for dad and mom, Family Church is personal--it begins with ME and my relationship with Jesus, my Savior. Are you a mom or a dad? Are you an influencer in your functional family? Then Family Church is personal--between Jesus and you.

In Pursuit of Family Church, Part 1: Family Church Is Personal - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0500

In Pursuit of Family Church

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0500

A mission statement defines a company's business: whom it serves, what it does, its objectives, and its approach to reaching those objectives. A mission statement is prominent in an organization's daily work, keeping everyone on task and in pursuit of the mission. The Christian family is no different in its purposeful living. We want our family founded on Jesus and his forgiveness, focused on his example of love, with eyes fixed on the ultimate goal of heaven. This sermon series looks to the book of Ephesians to guide us in our missional pursuit of Family Church.

Let's Go Camping, Part 5: You Can Get Lost Camping - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Moses must be lost! Jerusalem was only 25 miles directly north of them. Yet, they were going on a couple of hundred mile detour through barren desert. Do you sometimes feel your God is lost? Is he leading you on this camping trip in a direction you don’t want to go? Is his path to the Promised Land impossible for you? In your suffering, look to the One who suffered for you. There you will find clarity. The way to the Promised Land is safe.

Let's Go Camping, Part 4: Camping Can Be Frightening - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0500

“Is that a bear?” “No, mom. It is just a stump.” After seeing bear warning signs, all she could see were bears. That happened for the Israelites too. The spies came back with warning signs. The Canaanites were too big. The cities fortified. They wanted to give up and go home. What are the warning signs you see in your life? Does the future look frightening to you? Remember who is in the camp with us. Your fellow campers need to hear you say, “The LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

Let's Go Camping, Part 3: Camping is NOT a Spectator Sport - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Camping is work! When one person thinks he or she has to do everything, it is easy to be overwhelmed and want to quit. Everyone on a camping trip has a something to do. When everyone understands their role, bitterness and jealousy disappear. What is your role as you journey through life to the Promised Land? Are you getting bitter? Perhaps you are trying to do too much. Are you getting jealous? Perhaps you don’t see the importance of your role for the blessing of all. God has gifted each of us to serve. Both leaders and followers need to understand that.

Let's Go Camping, Part 2: Camping Produces Crises - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0500

If you have ever gone on a family camping trip, you have experienced crises. Complaints begin to surface. It’s too hot. It’s too cold. I’m tired. I don’t like the food. I’m doing more than my fair share. Moms and dads get to the breaking point too. How much more of this can they take? The Israelites experienced similar crises. It was too hard. The food was monotonous. Fortunately, the LORD was at the center of their camp. The crisis was overcome, but not without pain. A story was created that united the family for generations. What crises are you facing on your camping trip? Trust that, when the LORD is at the center of your camp, the crises will be overcome and a story of God’s faithfulness will be created.

Let's Go Camping, Part 2: Camping Produces Crises - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Let's Go Camping, Part 1: Pack for the Camping Trip, Take the LORD Along - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0500

The Numbers camping trip starts with Moses counting noses. He counts noses again at the end of the trip. Then he explains the arrangement of the camp, everyone’s duties while camping, and the order in which they will hike. There are so many details in this part that we may lose sight of the most important thing – Who and what is at the center of the camp and at the center of their hike? It is the LORD. Isn’t that a lesson for us as we walk through life? What are we doing to make sure that the LORD is at the center of our family camping trip through life?

Agape, Part 5: A Love Without End - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0500

We are used to temporary. “All good things must come to an…end.” Those are common words because they reflect our experience—even our experience of love. Conflicts end friendships. Through distance and time people drift apart. And even if the love goes the distance, death stands at the end. Or does it? Jesus speaks of a never-ending relationship. He will never lose or drive away his beloved people. And death certainly cannot separate us from him! Jesus has conquered death. He has power and authority over death. Listen, and recognize the boldness of Jesus’ words, words he repeats: “I will raise them up at the last day.” Only Jesus can say those words. He does so with the full power and authority of the Father behind him. Our God is eternal. He loved us before the world began and he will love us into eternity. He has given us eternal life. He will raise us up at the last day—and the last day will be only the beginning. “As I look for the seeds the king has sown to burst up from their graves.”

Agape, Part 4: A Love Without Limit - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0500

To love without limit means to love all the way. No “if” at the beginning. No “if” in the middle. No “if” at the end. And that does not make sense to us. It might even be frightening to us. At some point don’t we get to stop? Isn’t there some kind of limit where love ends and hatred takes over? That kind of thinking shows how little we truly understand love, and how incapable of agape we truly are on our own. But Jesus loved without limit. Jesus wrapped a towel around his waist and did the work of the lowest servant. And not primarily to teach humility, but to teach love—to teach that love has no limits. Peter thought it should. He thought that love should be limited by social status and cultural norms. He thought it should be limited by deserving and worthiness. But Jesus simply loved. He even loved the man who had made himself unclean, who had made himself Jesus’ enemy. He washed Judas’ feet, even though the devil was already at work in him. Loving without limit does not mean having no boundaries or taking every abuse, but it does mean that hatred has no place. It means that love exists outside of boundaries like friend and enemy. Love is without limit.

Agape, Part 3: A Love Without Expectation - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0500

To love without expectation means to keep loving. After hearing last week that loving without condition means that we love first, then we have expectations. In our minds, when we love first, then a time should come when we get what we want or need. “I loved first, so now you will”…fill in the blank. Love me back, support me, defer to me, give me what I want whatever that might be, and so on. But that isn’t a love without “if”. That just means we moved the “if” from the front to the middle. Loving without condition meant to love first. Loving without expectation means we keep loving. And that is what makes the parable of the tenants so shocking. Landowners have expectations of their tenants, and they should. That is the deal. So when the landowner sent servant after servant to the tenants and they mistreated them, why would he send his son? It makes no sense! It is because this isn’t just a business relationship. This parable represents the relationship between God and people. And God loves people, even people who reject him. God wanted all people to love him back, but that wasn’t an “if”. It wasn’t an expectation. He knew the rejection would come. He knew the sacrifice would come. And he loved anyway.

Agape, Part 2: A Love Without Condition - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0500

To love without condition means to love first. That is hard for us. We would rather approach others more guardedly, with the idea, “I’ll love you when…” No matter what that “when” is, it reveals something about us: we place conditions on love. We put the “if” first. But any condition placed on love makes that condition the operating concept rather than love itself. That condition becomes the main thing rather than love being the main thing. And if love isn’t the main thing then it isn’t really there at all. The prodigal son thought his father would “love him when”. He would love him when he apologized well enough. He would love him when he groveled. He would love him when he proved himself. And the older brother agreed. There were all kinds of conditions that the younger brother should have met and didn’t, and the older brother had met those conditions, at least in his own mind. But the father didn’t want to hear any of that. He loved without condition, which meant he loved both of them not when, but already. He didn’t love them because of what they did or didn’t do. He loved them with agape, which meant he loved them without condition.

Agape, Part 1: A Love Without Beginning - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0500

In all our earthly relationships love has a beginning. But in our relationship with God, his love has no beginning. He chose us before the creation of the world. In love, he predestined us to be his children. These words of Paul contain not only Paul’s rejoicing, but God’s own joy! Words like “lavished” and “freely” and “pleasure” show the character of our God’s love that depends not on us, but only on him. Can’t you see how much fun God is having? Can’t you see how excited he is to have us as his own? He has been planning this since before time began!

Trinity Sunday 2023 - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0500

The Scriptures never use the words “Trinity” or “Triune.” They never even summarize in any single place the entirety of this doctrine. Instead, as we read God’s Word from the first verse of Genesis to the last verse of Revelation, he gives us hints and glimpses of his Triune nature. Thus, the doctrine of the Trinity can seem very academic, even abstract. It may seem to have little relevance to the Christian’s daily life. Nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, as God provides those hints and glimpses, his primary focus is on the way in which his Triune nature is a blessing to us. God shows us how we benefit from the fact he exists as Trinity. God dwells in a “majesty and mystery” (Prayer of the Day) that far exceeds our understanding. But here is what we can understand. Every time we gather in the name of the Lord, our Triune God, we receive indescribable blessings.

Pentecost 2023 - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 29 May 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Jesus ascended into heaven. That does not mean the gospel has ceased to march victorious around the world! Jesus promised to send another advocate to represent God to the world: the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the constant companion of believers in these Last Days. This raises an important question. If God now reveals himself by his Spirit, where is the Holy Spirit found? God has not left the answer to that question in doubt. When Jesus promised to send the Spirit, he indicated that his work would be connected to words, specifically God's Word. As a result, we need never wonder where we can find the Spirit. He marches victorious through the Word

Our Next Steps, Part 3: We are Committed - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 22 May 2023 03:00:00 -0500

“But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away.” Can you imagine the disciples’ confusion? How could this be for their good? Jesus did so many wonderful things for them. Why would he leave? Jesus has also done wonderful things for us. By his death and resurrection he has given us forgiveness and eternal life. He has made us a community of convinced people. And he has another gift for us—something to be committed to. Conquering kings tend to take glory, advantage and benefits for themselves. In fact, all humans do. By nature, we try to build pyramid schemes with ourselves on top. Human nature uses the many to empower the few. But look at how differently Jesus arranges his kingdom. He alone is at the bottom, giving gifts—empowering more, like evangelists, pastors and teachers to work in his kingdom. And what is their purpose? To equip and empower more people, in fact, all of his people for service. The pyramid is upside down! Jesus’ vision for his church is that the whole convinced community be committed to his mission.

Our Next Steps, Part 2: We are a Community - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 15 May 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Today we recognize the importance of mothers in producing the sense of community we enjoy in God’s Church.

Our Next Steps, Part 1: We are Convinced - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 08 May 2023 03:00:00 -0500

“I am convinced!” quickly becomes, “We are convinced!” As God creates and strengthens faith in individual hearts, he also connects us with other believers. The conviction of one person encourages the faith of another. The support that they give each other enhances their ministry to serve more people with God’s Word in new and exciting ways. Jesus lives! And each time the Holy Spirit gives faith to an individual, he adds that person’s, “I am convinced!” to the ever-growing church that says, “We are convinced!”

Our Next Steps

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Thu, 04 May 2023 03:00:00 -0500

In our last series, “My Next Steps”, did you notice that all those steps brought you more and more into community and fellowship with others? That isn’t a coincidence. That’s how God designed it. As we grow stronger in our conviction, as we build our own family churches, as we express our commitment to Christ, all of those things bind us closer and closer to other Christians. Those steps bind us into gatherings, a congregation—our church!

When we live according to God’s plan, what we do as individuals and what we do as a church are very similar. God uses the same steps that move us forward and help us grow as individual Christians to make us a faithful and vibrant church. We are convinced! We are a community! We are committed! Praise God that he has accomplished this in our own hearts and in our church!
We are Convinced
We are a Community
We are Committed

www.stpaulmuskego.org

My Next Steps, Part 3: Commitment - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 01 May 2023 03:00:00 -0500

The martyrdom of Stephen was a display of commitment that God used to change the Christian church and the world. It was the watershed moment between a local religious group and a worldwide church. But that commitment didn’t just happen in a moment. And it didn’t come from just one man. Look at all the displays of commitment in this reading. The church was committed to serving the members of its family. The Apostles were committed to the ministry of the word. The deacons stood up and made a commitment to doing their duty. God didn’t have one committed follower, he had a committed church that cultivated and prepared a committed man. Then God gave him the opportunity to show the ultimate commitment. Every day we have opportunities, large and small, to live our commitment to Christ. Don’t underestimate the importance of the small commitments! Every small step you don’t take prepares you to not take the big step that could be coming. But in every small step you take God is training you and preparing you for joy and service and an eternity that is more rewarding than anything in this world.

My Next Steps, Part 2: Community - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Doesn’t the description of the Jerusalem church sound wonderful? People eating together, sharing with each other, hanging out together, showing love and respect to each other—people outside the church love it too and want to be part of the group. Where does that kind of community come from? It comes from repentance—the whole process of repentance. The Jerusalem church had a vivid awareness of their sinfulness, and a joyful appreciation of the forgiveness they had because of the sacrifice of Jesus. Sin and grace, law and gospel—this is where their joy came from. And then they put it into practice. They met together. They spent time together. They ate together. They loved each other. And while they did all that they continued to praise God and pray and speak God’s wonderful rescue story to each other. It was a cycle of joy and encouragement and rejuvenation. A cycle that God is also working in us as we build our community.

My Next Steps, Part 2: Community - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0500

My Next Steps, Part 1: Conviction - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Peter was not content to merely know what he had seen. He repeatedly refers to other witnesses. He reviewed the testimony of the Old Testament. He was determined to not only know that Jesus rose, but to strengthen his conviction with proof after proof. Let us not be content with knowing that Jesus rose, or hearing about it once or twice. Instead let’s intentionally strengthen our conviction. How? By examining all the witnesses in scripture we can find. By talking about Jesus’ resurrection with fellow Christians. That is how the Holy Spirit works. That is how conviction grows stronger.

My Next Steps

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Jesus walked his earthly life with direction and purpose. Every step led to his final steps, carrying his cross, and our sins to Calvary. And then, on Easter morning, he breathed again, he stood up from the cold stone and took his first steps out of the tomb. We watched him take his final steps to the cross for us. We celebrated his resurrection, his life, his first steps out of the grave! So now what? What’s next? What are my next steps?
If you have ever heard about the amazing things Jesus has done and wondered, “So, what should I do?” this series is for you. You can take your cue from the first followers of Jesus. They took steps. Jesus’ work had an impact on them and their lives. It made a difference—an observable change in them and in their behaviors. You can take these next steps, too. You will strengthen your conviction, build a community, and live your commitment. These are not just stories or concepts. No, conviction, community and commitment are my next steps. Sermon series through April 30th - www.stpaulmuskego.org

His First Steps Led Outside His Tomb - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Together the witnesses shout to us, “Easter is real! The Lord’s gracious forgiveness of sins is real!” Jesus made that crystal clear when he sent Mary with a message for his “brothers.” Even the greeting was pure grace for those who had scattered like scared rabbits into the night outside Gethsemane only days before. There is the same pure grace for us too who sometimes get stuck in our Good Friday nightmares. Because, you see, the writer to the Hebrews assures us that the risen Lord is not ashamed to call us his “brothers” either (Hebrews 2:10-15). That is why he came. That’s why he took every one of his final steps to the center cross on Calvary. And that’s why his first steps led outside his tomb!

His First Steps Led Outside His Tomb - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0500

His Final Steps Led to the Place of the Skull - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Tenebrae, which is a Latin word meaning "shadows," has been observed in the church of Jesus Christ since the fourth century. On this Good Friday we remember the death of Jesus and recall his seven last words on the cross. As we remember the last words, we extinguish the candles on the communion table, one by one. The gradual extinguishing of the candles is accompanied by prayers, hymns, choral anthems, and readings from Scripture. Following the final hymn, the Christ candle is removed briefly from the sanctuary to signify Christ's death. After a moment of silence, the Christ candle is brought back as a symbol of the resurrection hope that we will celebrate on Easter.

His Final Steps Led to the Upper Room - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Listen closely: “My time is near. I will observe the Passover with my disciples at your house” (Matthew 26:18). “My time is near.” The chosen time! The appointed time! The time our Lord had set from eternity itself was now at hand. The set time for all of our Savior’s final steps! To the upper room. To the garden. To Judas who betrayed him with a kiss. To the trials. To the scourgings. To the spitting. To the stone pavement and the trial before Pontius Pilate. To the Via Dolorosa—the road of sorrows. To the center cross on Golgotha, where God’s Lamb would forever finish the messy business of washing away the stench of humanity’s sin. Yours and mine included. “The teacher says . . . my time is near,” is the same Savior who hung on the cross, because he peered down the corridors of time to see us fall victim again and again to our sinful nature, to see how, especially when life is hard, we can get on each other’s nerves. We can get testy. We can get crabby. We can get a little worried, more than a little fearful. But God’s Lamb knew all about that. And he paid for all of that too. Because nothing takes our Lord by surprise. Nothing, no one, not death, not even the gates of hell can undermine his plans. His final steps led to the upper room, exactly as planned.

His Final Steps Led to a Donkey - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Jesus' grand entrance into Jerusalem paved the way for our Savior’s final steps to his cross. And that was always the goal, because saving us was his mission. Saving us was his purpose. Saving us is what he did when he bowed his head and died, when he dragged down into his grave the most-deadly infection to ever plague our world! A cross-generational pandemic with a 100 percent fatality rate: sin (yours, mine, and everyone else’s too). Our fears and our worries right now: “What if there’s another pandemic? Will I get sick? What about the kids? And what about my investments and my retirement fund?” Our anger over our Father’s plans when they don’t seem to match our own. Our selfishness and self-centeredness that sometimes—especially when our life is threatened as it is now—come bubbling to the surface like so much raw sewage. Jesus answers the cry “Hosanna!” to show what kind of king he really is, precisely the kind of king broken people like you and me need—now and always.

His Final Steps Led to a Donkey - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Dear Younger Me, Part 6: We Want to Rationalize It - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0500

When Paul was known as Saul, he was a famous enemy of the church. His zeal for persecuting the church made his conversion all the more shocking, and his testimony even more powerful. And Paul could have used those facts to rationalize away his regrets. This is perhaps the most common response to regret that pop-psychology can give. “You learned from your mistakes. Your experiences made you who you are. You have grown, and you shouldn’t regret the process that got you here.” That kind of thinking—who does it glorify? It glorifies the self. That kind of thinking calls our evil good because it turned out well. And that is a lie. If good things have come from regrettable actions; if you grew, if you gained wisdom, or a family, or the ability to empathize and be compassionate, don’t give the glory to yourself. Be like Paul and give it to God. This is how we balance repentance and thankfulness. This is how we love our lives and regret our sins at the same time. We remember the words repeated at the end of our theme song. “You are holy. You are righteous. You are one of the redeemed.” If you could write a letter to your younger self, is there anything better to write than this truth? Anything you could try to change about your past could lead to unintended consequences you never imagined. Any letter you wrote couldn’t guarantee 100% improvement without tradeoffs. When it comes down to it, exactly what I would have told younger me, is exactly what I need to know now, and in the future: the truth. "You are holy. You are righteous. You are one of the redeemed; set apart, brand new heart. Oh you are free indeed.” We move forward in the truth.

Dear Younger Me, Part 5: We Want to Soak in It - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Fiction only resonates with us when it reflects fact. Think of our fictional heroes. Do you know what so many of them have in common? Regrets. So many of them have something in their past, some failing, some loss, something that they wish they could change. But even with their superpowers, they can’t. Batman’s parents are dead. Spiderman, his uncle Ben. Ironman had a whole history of arms dealing. Black Widow is obsessed with clearing the red from her ledger. Even Superman, the last of his people carries the weight of the destroyed planet Krypton on his shoulders. All these heroes are driven by these losses, these failings, these regrets. They soak in that regret because it gives their lives direction and meaning. This is a trap. We may think that holding on to our regret will motivate us to be better people, but this is really just another form of discontentment. What is regret other than thinking, “What I have is smaller than what I could have or should have had”? God is bigger and you have him. Or to claim, “What I have become is less than I should have become.” God is enough and he loves you, and that is enough. A life consumed by regret does not find its sufficiency in Christ. But to recognize that we are truly forgiven by God is to be freed for action, for the rest of life! We don’t sit and soak in our regret. We move forward as a new person.

Dear Younger Me, Part 4: We Want to Hide It - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0500

As soon as we do something we regret, we want to hide it. Secret sins are a lie that began with the devil’s lie in the garden. As soon as Adam and Eve sinned they hid, they created a secret, something that “nobody knows.” What a silly lie! Nobody knows? No, everybody knows! Adam, Eve, God, the Devil—who else was there? And what good did hiding bring? Our hiding is no less silly but easier to rationalize. It’s not that everyone knows—there are plenty of people who don’t know. But it’s not really a secret. You know and you’re not going to forget it. Satan knows, and he will accuse you. God knows, and that is the most important relationship of all. His promise of forgiveness is real and trustworthy. Our sins impact us, God, and others, but that is no reason to hold on to regret by hiding. His promise gives us courage to face the consequences, and the strength to treat others with compassion. Nowhere in the Bible are Adam and Eve ever shamed for the Fall, even though it impacted all of us. It is simply presented as a fact with ramifications, but never with shame. Rather than holding on to regret by hiding, we will be like Adam and “Life” and… We move forward in God’s promise.

Dear Younger Me, Part 3: We Want to Fix It - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0600

In this second week, it is necessary to make a distinction between healthy and unhealthy regret. Healthy regret is essential to repentance—what we would call contrition. The proper response to contrition is to immediately take it to the cross and leave it there. As the theme song says: “You were never meant to carry this beyond the cross.” But that is not what we usually do. We stay there in the past ruminating and pounding on the brick wall of the past that we cannot change as if we will make an impact on the past. Our constant attempts to make up for it, compensate for it, change it have one primary effect—damage to ourselves. We pound on that brick wall and end up with nothing but bloody fists. How much better it is to experience the healthy sorrow that leaves no regret, and to live in the truth that we are forgiven! That our sins have been hurled into the depths of the sea! Rather than holding on to regret because we think we can fix it…We move forward in forgiveness.

Dear Younger Me, Part 2: We Want to Be In Charge - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0600

The best thing for us is to move forward, and the primary thing preventing that is our own arrogance. The belief: “If I could go back, I’d do it differently!” grossly overestimates our ability, power, wisdom and goodness. Is the problem really that you didn’t know it was a bad idea in the first place? Have you ever made the same mistake twice? Being convicted of our sinful arrogance allows us to live in the present, as David did, accept the reality that our sins have brought, hold on to the forgiveness God has given, and recognize the blessings that God still has in store. Even though David was a king, he recognized that his goal was not to build his own kingdom, but rather to trust God to build God’s kingdom, even if that meant loss for himself. Rather than holding on to regret because we want to be in charge… We move forward in humility.

Dear Younger Me, Part 2: We Want to Be In Charge - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0600

Dear Younger Me, Part 1: We Treat Regret Like a Virtue - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0600

As we seek to bring everyone in our area of influence closer to Christ, it is good to evaluate our own situation. How close to Christ am I? What does being close to Christ really look like? To the outside world, the Pharisee looked close to God. He certainly thought he was, and you could see it in his posture. He stood tall with no regrets, but that was a sham. The reality was he was about as far from God as possible. The Tax Collector stood at a distance, bowed down with regret. This is the proper response of a human being before the holy God, as we have been taught. But is this the intended posture of the Christian, bowed down with regret? Is regret the place where we are supposed to live? No. Rather than freezing the frame on the regretful Tax Collector, we remember that Jesus spoke these words with a purpose and a resolution. The purpose was to shake up those who are self-confident and look down on others, which, at times, is us. The resolution was that one of them went home justified. On this Ash Wednesday, let us remind people that regret itself is not a virtue. God never intended for us to live in regret, only to visit it when necessary. Go home! Go home with joy! Go home justified! Even though we are but dust and ashes…

Dear Younger Me

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0600

As we seek to bring everyone in our area of influence closer to Christ, it is good to evaluate our own situation. How close to Christ am I? What does being close to Christ really look like?

UNOFFENDABLE, Part 4: Throwing Gas on the Fires of Injustice (Work) - Pastor Nate

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0500

“Acting out of love, to show mercy, to correct injustices, to set things right...is beautiful. Love should be motivation enough to do the right thing. And not 'love' as a fuzzy abstraction, but love as a gutsy, willful decision to seek the best for others. What the world really needs, I think you’ll agree, is not a group of people patting themselves on the back for being angry. We need people who actually set things right.” —Brant Hansen

UNOFFENDABLE, Part 3: Ain't You Tired? (Rest) - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0500

“This gavel, the one I awarded myself—who knows why?—is really, really heavy. I can keep pronouncing everyone else guilty for the rest of my life, but I’m not sure why. I don’t want this anymore. Maybe you know what I mean. So let me ask you… Ain’t you tired?” ~Brant Hansen, Unoffendable, p. 61 Anger and rest are always at odds. You can’t have one without the other.

UNOFFENDABLE, Part 3: Ain't You Tired? (Rest) - Dave Panitzke

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0500

UNOFFENDABLE, Part 2: Everyone's an Idiot but Me (Mercy) - Dave Panitzke

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0500

“When I was learning to drive, my grandparents' neighbor gave me some advice: "Always assume every other driver is an idiot." What he meant was that you can't assume other drivers are going to do the right thing, but could there be a problem with launching out into the world assuming everyone's an idiot but me? Can we even do Jesus work at all in the world with that outlook? Is there a better way, a more humble way?” Brant Hansen.

UNOFFENDABLE, Part 2: Everyone's an Idiot but Me (Mercy) - Pastor Kuehl

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0500

UNOFFENDABLE, Part 1: Is That Even Possible?! (Humility) - Pastor Pete

St Paul's Lutheran Church, Muskego WI — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0500

This week we kick off a new series: "UNOFFENDABLE". It's inspired by Brant Hansen's excellent book by the same title, that challenges us to question the myth of "righteous anger" and learn to react to offenses with love, patience, and humility.