"Holy Trinity Lutheran Church" Tagged Sermons

We and They

We and They – Luke 10:25-37 We are all part of a group some other group calls “they”. And there is always someone who thinks that “they”, in this case that would be us, – that they – are out to get us. And most of the time nobody asks the most obvious question; Why? What nefarious reasons have they to go out and get us. Why? We should take a step back and realize that whatever “they” are supposedly doing…

Heaven and Stuff – John 18:33-37

Heaven and Stuff – John 18:33-37 The church year ends and Jesus’ kingdom is not from this world. It’s all about heaven and stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with the here and now. So I will fill my sermon with enjoyable Jesus Bla Bla that will be entirely inoffensive, easy to hear, uplifting, unpolitical, and entertaining. In short, wellness for the soul. And then we’ll play our fabulous pipe organ, – followed by prayers, communion and coffee. Or…

Miracles: Humans need Hope

Miracles: Humans need Hope Jesus miracle stories are a rejection of the theology that believes that God readily kills you with sickness when you fail to keep the law. Jesus miraculous healings bring people into the community that ancient society has cast out, because their suffering was seen as God’s punishment. God in Christ loves people no matter what, and Jesus expresses that with everything he does. Rev. Olaf Baumann, sermon, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Angeles WA. Please visit…

Pentecost – and what it does to the guys with the big sticks.

Pentecost – and what it does to the guys with the big sticks. Jesus is dead and the apostles are in panic mode. They have barricaded the door because they are afraid that talking about God’s love and grace would anger the neighbours. Many neighbours, way back then as well as today like God to be as angry as they are. And because most neighbours don’t like to be told that they’re wrong, and because God will send you to hell…

Christian Love, – what does that even mean?

Christian Love, – what does that even mean? Jesus gave us a new commandment. To love each other. Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it. We know what love is, don’t we? The funny thing is that in general evil deeds are never done, because the perps consider themselves to be evil. NO, they think they are usually convinced they are acting out of love. Even Private Schicklgruber, – you might want to google that name, did what he did out of…

Doubt is the eternal twin of faith.

Doubt is the eternal twin of faith. Many People want to have prove for the existence of God, like in a science lab where peer reviewed numbers can quantify what we know about the physical universe. This is not gonna happen. Every theologian and philosopher who set out to prove the existence of God, proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that the exercise is futile. Faith cannot be proven, faith can only be experienced. Faith is about living it,…

Passion Sunday; Christ’s Death is an Act of Love

Passion Sunday; Christ’s Death is an Act of Love The Palm Sunday sermon is about the passion of Christ, his suffering and his dying, which resulted in his resurrection of Easter. As everything that God does, Jesus death is an act of love. Jesus descends to the dead as the Apostle’s Creed says, not to have a well-deserved day off until the resurrection, but to throw open the Gates of the underworld and to free all people from their graves…

Do not be afraid!!!

Do not be afraid!!! The church year comes to a close this Sunday as we celebrate Christ the King Sunday. Again we have completed another cycle in the life of the church. And my message for this day is simple. No matter what life throws at you, sickness, loss, catastrophes, IRS agents, or Zombie apocalypse, – Do Not Be Afraid! True peace and happiness is found in your relationship with God in Christ.   That is why Christ is King.…

The US Military and the 10 Bridesmaids (5 bright & 5 foolish)

The US Military and the 10 Bridesmaids (5 bright & 5 foolish) It is Veterans day Sunday and we think about our military. We do that by reflecting on a story that seems to have very little to do with the military. 5 foolish bridesmaids don’t have their lamp oil ready when they are called to light the way of the bridegroom to the house of the bride. We have to be ready to take care of our soldiers like…

Taxes!!!

Taxes!!! Nothing gets Americans more worked up than the topic of taxes. Who can impose what taxes on whom and what happens with the money? This topics has always been the bone of contention since the Pharisees asked Jesus whether one should pay taxes to the emperor or not. Rev. Olaf Baumann, sermon, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Angeles WA. Please check out our video ministry 1517 Grace Guerrilla https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv2aB-i9zHPqgh3NjUJ5-lg

Following Christ Means Compassion

Following Christ Means Compassion Culture and ideology are powerful forces. Humans tend to harmonize their reading of scripture and their understanding of religion with their culture and religion, even if that means severe intellectual contortion. The only way to follow Christ’s call to love is to base all of our actions on compassion with those who will be affected by the things we do and believe. In the face of the other we will recognize Christ. Jesus calls us to…