Lutheran Sermons | David L. Hansen

Courage in the Dark - Advent 4

February 03, 2021 23:00 - 12 minutes - 8.67 MB

We often experience darkness as a negative - the absence of light. But throughout Scripture, God meets people in the middle of the dark. And it is often there, in the beauty of the dark, that God's love and grace are revealed. This Advent, we are invited to experience Hope in the Dark. Texts this week: Luke 1:26-38 and Luke 1:46-55

Whispers in the Dark - Advent 3

December 16, 2020 18:00 - 11 minutes - 8.18 MB

We often experience darkness as a negative - the absence of light. But throughout Scripture, God meets people in the middle of the dark. And it is often there, in the beauty of the dark, that God's love and grace are revealed. This Advent, we are invited to experience Hope in the Dark. Texts this week: Genesis 37:5-11, Acts 2:14-21, Matthew 1:18-24

A Promise in the Dark - Advent 2

December 09, 2020 18:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MB

We often experience darkness as a negative - the absence of light. But throughout Scripture, God meets people in the middle of the dark. And it is often there, in the beauty of the dark, that God's love and grace are revealed. This Advent, we are invited to experience Hope in the Dark. Texts this week: Genesis 15:1-21 and John 20:1-16

Advent 1 - The Beauty of the Dark

December 01, 2020 20:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MB

We often experience darkness as a negative - the absence of light. But throughout Scripture, God meets people in the middle of the dark. And it is often there, in the beauty of the dark, that God's love and grace are revealed. This Advent, we are invited to experience Hope in the Dark. Texts this week: Genesis 1:1-5, Song of Songs 1:2-6, and Exodus 20:18-21

Stories Jesus Told - 1

August 19, 2020 18:00 - 11 minutes - 7.65 MB

In our latest worship series we are looking at the stories that Jesus told - the parables that are so familiar to many of them. In this first sermon in the series, we hear the explanation that Jesus himself offered for the parables, Matthew 13:10-17. This passage gives us an invitation to dig deeper in our reading of all the parables, to read them with fresh eyes.

Stories Jesus Told - 1

August 19, 2020 18:00 - 11 minutes - 7.65 MB

In our latest worship series we are looking at the stories that Jesus told - the parables that are so familiar to many of them. In this first sermon in the series, we hear the explanation that Jesus himself offered for the parables, Matthew 13:10-17. This passage gives us an invitation to dig deeper in our reading of all the parables, to read them with fresh eyes.

For Such a Time as This - 4

August 11, 2020 21:00 - 13 minutes - 9.03 MB

What if now - in the middle of all that is happening - is the perfect time to be a community of faith? What if THIS is exactly what God has called us for? Together we dig deep into the story of Esther and discover the ways God is working behind the scenes in our lives. This week, we are looking at Chapters 7-9 of the Book of Esther

For Such a Time as This - 3

August 11, 2020 20:00 - 14 minutes - 9.99 MB

What if now - in the middle of all that is happening - is the perfect time to be a community of faith? What if THIS is exactly what God has called us for? Together we dig deep into the story of Esther and discover the ways God is working behind the scenes in our lives. This week, we are looking at Chapters 5&6 of the Book of Esther

For Such a Time as This - 2

July 17, 2020 16:00 - 15 minutes - 10.6 MB

What if now - in the middle of all that is happening - is the perfect time to be a community of faith? What if THIS is exactly what God has called us for? Together we dig deep into the story of Esther and discover the ways God is working behind the scenes in our lives. This week, we are looking at Chapters 3 & 4 of the Book of Esther

For Such a Time as This - 1

June 30, 2020 22:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MB

What if now - in the middle of all that is happening - is the perfect time to be a community of faith? What if THIS is exactly what God has called us for? Together we dig deep into the story of Esther and discover the ways God is working behind the scenes in our lives. This week, we are looking at Chapters 1 & 2 of the Book of Esther

The Death of Normal

June 23, 2020 20:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MB

Unprecedented. Unforeseen. Extraordinary. Unparalleled. To say that 2020 has been weird is like saying that Michael Jordan was a "pretty good" basketball player. It seems as though normal - the normal we expected and anticipated for our lives this year, the normal we have come to count on - normal has died. What does this mean for our lives and our faith. Texts for this Sunday include John 11 Follow us on facebook for our weekly livestream.

A Crisis of Spirit - Pentecost 2020

June 04, 2020 22:00 - 13 minutes - 9.5 MB

What does the day of Pentecost say to us in the middle of a respiratory crisis; on the week that George Floyd was murdered and said "I can't breathe"? What does it mean when the crucified one - who was killed in a legal, brutal, public execution comes back and breathes on the disciples? Texts this week are Acts 2:1-21 and John 20:19-23. Our primary recording had a glitch this week, so the audio is from our backup recording with more ambient sound.

The Women of the Gospel - Unsung Heroes

June 01, 2020 22:00 - 14 minutes - 10 MB

The last sermon from our Unsung Heroes of Scripture series. The story of the women who followed Jesus is one of the most consistently overlooked stories of the Bible - a story of faithful compassion, service, and generosity. Our Scripture for the day was Luke 8:1-3 and Matthew 27:54-56, 28:1-8

Onesimus - Unsung Heroes

June 01, 2020 22:00 - 11 minutes - 7.75 MB

More Unsung Heroes of Scripture! The faithful women and men whose stories we often overlook when we read the Bible. Today we encounter Onesimus - A reminder that God remembers our names, and calls us to lives of purpose You can read the story of Onesimus in the book of Philemon

Ananias - Unsung Heroes

May 19, 2020 18:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MB

We are continuing to look at the Unsung Heroes of Scripture - the faithful women and men whose stories we often overlook when we read the Bible. Today we encounter Ananias - a faithful disciple who loved when it was hard, loved another who did not deserve his love. You can read the story of Ananias in Acts 9:1-22

Shiphrah & Puah - Unsung Heroes

May 12, 2020 21:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MB

We are continuing to look at the Unsung Heroes of Scripture - the faithful women and men whose stories we often overlook when we read the Bible. Today we encounter Shiphrah & Puah - women who show us the power of ordinary people in the face of the trial of life. You can read the story of Shiphrah and Puah in Exodus 1 (Once again I am indebted to the insights of Dr. Wil Gafney)

Hagar - Unsung Heroes

April 26, 2020 23:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MB

Today we begin looking at the Unsung Heroes of Scripture - the faithful women and men whose stories we often overlook when we read the Bible. Our first Unsung Hero is Hagar - the slave who is overlooked and forgotten. Encounter in her story a new name for God. Read the story of Hagar in Genesis 16. (Cited in this sermon is the work of Dr. Wil Gafney)

Stump the Pastor 1

April 22, 2020 21:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MB

We all have questions. Today, with Thomas the Apostle, we bring forward some of our questions. We tackle all sorts of little topics in this sermon: the Trinity, suffering, baptism, the role of Judas, and the classic: Will pets go to heaven. Listen as we wrestle with these questions - and wonder: What would you like to learn more about as you grow in relationship with God this year?

Behind Closed Doors - Easter 2020

April 15, 2020 20:00 - 8 minutes - 5.91 MB

What does Easter mean for us while we are socially distanced and isolated from one another? How do we celebrate Easter behind closed doors? Text: Mark 16:1-8

Wade in the Water - Easter Vigil / Sunrise 2020

April 15, 2020 20:00 - 13 minutes - 9.29 MB

Sermon for the Sunrise Service on Easter morning. Texts included Genesis 8:13-18, 9:8-13; Exodus 14:10-14, 21-31; 15:20-21; Romans 6:3-11; and John 20:1-18 Musical reflection: Wade in the Water, performed by Sweet Honey in the Rock

Behind Closed Doors - Easter 2020

April 15, 2020 20:00 - 8 minutes - 5.91 MB

What does Easter mean for us while we are socially distanced and isolated from one another? How do we celebrate Easter behind closed doors? Text: Mark 16:1-8

Wade in the Water - Easter Vigil / Sunrise 2020

April 15, 2020 20:00 - 13 minutes - 9.29 MB

Sermon for the Sunrise Service on Easter morning. Texts included Genesis 8:13-18, 9:8-13; Exodus 14:10-14, 21-31; 15:20-21; Romans 6:3-11; and John 20:1-18 Musical reflection: Wade in the Water, performed by Sweet Honey in the Rock

Good News for Good Friday - Good Friday 2020

April 15, 2020 19:00 - 10 minutes - 7.51 MB

Good Friday 2020 - a sermon preached during the Holy Week of quarantine, to and with the people of Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church. An image of Mattias Gunewald's Isenheim Altarpiece discussed in the sermon can be seen here.

God Stoops - Maundy Thursday 2020

April 15, 2020 19:00 - 7 minutes - 5.39 MB

What does the example of Jesus' last night on earth have to teach us during this time of quarantine? Sermon from our Maundy Thursday service, where we gathered on Zoom for worship. Text include John 13:1–17, 31b–35

Good News for Good Friday - Good Friday 2020

April 15, 2020 19:00 - 10 minutes - 7.51 MB

Good Friday 2020 - a sermon preached during the Holy Week of quarantine, to and with the people of Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church. An image of Mattias Gunewald's Isenheim Altarpiece discussed in the sermon can be seen here.

Palm Sunday 2020 - The Risk of Faith

April 10, 2020 16:00 - 12 minutes - 8.32 MB

The story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, experienced in the middle of the global COVID-19 pandemic. What does faith look like at this time? Texts include Matthew 21:1-11

I Love to Tell 5 (Learning to Listen)

March 29, 2020 19:00 - 11 minutes - 7.64 MB

Loving God's story is not just about learning to tell the story ourselves - learning to share our experience of God with others. It is also about learning to listen to God and to others, so that we can truly hear what God saying through the people we encounter. Texts include James 1:16-20 and 1 Kings 19:8-13. Visit us at sojoy.org/corona for more resources for growing in faith during this time of quarantine.

I Love to Tell 4 (Church Outside the Walls)

March 23, 2020 00:00 - 8 minutes - 5.56 MB

This week, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we talk about what it means for us to be outside of the church building and still be the church -- How do we tell God's story where God has placed us? Readings include Romans 12:3-17

I Love to Tell 4 (Church Outside the Walls)

March 23, 2020 00:00 - 8 minutes - 5.56 MB

This week, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we talk about what it means for us to be outside of the church building and still be the church -- How do we tell God's story where God has placed us? Readings include Romans 12:3-17

Lent 3 - Hope in the Midst of Fear

March 15, 2020 17:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MB

In the midst of the news stories, warnings, and precautions of a global pandemic, we gathered to hear God's Word of hope spoken to us. Texts include Acts 9:1-20

Bonus: 6 Minutes of Faith in a Pandemic

March 12, 2020 20:00 - 10 minutes - 7.03 MB

I'm so excited to introduce you to a new resource - 6 Minute Faith. We all want a deeper connection to God and our neighbors. But we don't always have the time for all-consuming spiritual practices. Life is busy! 6 Minute Faith invites us to grow giant faith through small changes. Watch our Facebook page for more info as this resource rolls out. https://www.facebook.com/pg/6MinuteFaith

I Love to Tell 2 (Whose Story?)

March 08, 2020 17:00 - 13 minutes - 9.1 MB

On TV, in advertising, on the big screen - we are wrapped up in stories. But often in our faith we forget the power of stories to transform our lives and the world. Our current series, "I Love to Tell the Story," returns us to the power of the story of who God is and our relationship with God. Sermon 2: Whose Story? Scriptures include: Deuteronomy 26:4-11

I Love to Tell 1 (The Power of Story)

March 01, 2020 18:00 - 10 minutes - 7.08 MB

On TV, in advertising, on the big screen - we are wrapped up in stories. But often in our faith we forget the power of stories to transform our lives and the world. Our current series, "I Love to Tell the Story," returns us to the power of the story of who God is and our relationship with God. Sermon 1: The Power of Story Scriptures include: Psalm 71:14-20, Joel 1:1-3, and Luke 10:25-37. During the sermon, we showed the "Lost Dog" Budweiser commercial, which you can watch on youtube here....

The Weight of Dust - Ash Wednesday

February 27, 2020 22:00 - 7 minutes - 5.49 MB

The hope and freedom found in the Ash Wednesday proclamation, "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return" Preached February 26, 2020 at Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church in The Woodlands, Texas

Transfiguration 2020

February 23, 2020 19:00 - 13 minutes - 9.13 MB

The Transfiguration is one of those "church words" that is hard to make sense of. What happened, and what does it mean for our lives? Preached at Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church of February 23, 2020 Texts: 2 Kings 2:1-12 and Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus Never Said 5

February 16, 2020 18:00 - 10 minutes - 7.09 MB

Jesus shared a lot of wisdom in the Bible. And lately, he also seems to share a ton on Instagram, on screen-printed mugs, and in those images your aunt posts on Facebook, too. But how much of it is true? Where’s the line between what Jesus actually told us, and the Things Jesus Never Said? Sermon 5 in the series looks at the idea of personal, individual faith lives - the idea that "You have to have a personal relationship with Jesus." Scriptures this week include Philippians 2:1-12 and...

Jesus Never Said 4

February 09, 2020 18:00 - 9 minutes - 6.86 MB

Jesus shared a lot of wisdom in the Bible. And lately, he also seems to share a ton on Instagram, on screen-printed mugs, and in those images your aunt posts on Facebook, too. But how much of it is true? Where’s the line between what Jesus actually told us, and the Things Jesus Never Said? Sermon 4 in the series looks at our ideas about fairness - about God, or Karma, or life catching up with the people who deserve to be punished. Scriptures this week include Matthew 5:43-48, 1 John 1:8...

Jesus Never Said 3

February 03, 2020 17:00 - 12 minutes - 8.52 MB

Jesus shared a lot of wisdom in the Bible. And lately, he also seems to share a ton on Instagram, on screen-printed mugs, and in those images your aunt posts on Facebook, too. But how much of it is true? Where’s the line between what Jesus actually told us, and the Things Jesus Never Said? Sermon 3 in the series takes up that go-to cliche for tragic situations - Did Jesus ever say "Everything Happens for a Reason"? Scriptures this week include Romans 8:26-32 and John 9:1-11

Jesus Never Said 2

January 19, 2020 19:00 - 9 minutes - 6.49 MB

Jesus shared a lot of wisdom in the Bible. And lately, he also seems to share a ton on Instagram, on screen-printed mugs, and in those images your aunt posts on Facebook, too. But how much of it is true? Where’s the line between what Jesus actually told us, and the Things Jesus Never Said? Sermon 2 in the series looks at the relationship between being sorry and being forgiven. Is it true that you have to be really repentant to be forgiven? Did Jesus say, "You have to be sorry to be forgiv...

Jesus Never Said 1

January 12, 2020 19:00 - 12 minutes - 8.65 MB

Jesus shared a lot of wisdom in the Bible. And lately, he also seems to share a ton on Instagram, on screen-printed mugs, and in those images your aunt posts on Facebook, too. But how much of it is true? Where’s the line between what Jesus actually told us, and the Things Jesus Never Said? Sermon 1 in the series looks at the saying "God helps those who help themselves" to see how it matches up with what we learn about God in Scripture. Scriptures this week include Ephesians 2:4-10, Prov...

Following Our Star

January 06, 2020 21:00 - 12 minutes - 8.84 MB

How can we start the year off right? A sermon for the first Sunday of 2020, looking at the story of Epiphany (Matthew 2), alongside the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5) and the changing of seasons in Ecclesiastes 13.

Messy Christmas

December 26, 2019 21:00 - 7 minutes - 5.15 MB

A sermon of Christmas Eve, preached at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in The Woodlands, Texas on December 24, 2019

Essential Stories - Creation

November 18, 2019 21:00 - 10 minutes - 7.32 MB

The essential stories of Scripture, looking this week at the story of Creation. Reading: Genesis 1:1-2:4. Preached at Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church on September 1, 2019

Essential Stories - The Prophets

November 14, 2019 17:00 - 9 minutes - 6.38 MB

The essential stories of Scripture, looking this week at the message of the Prophets. Readings: Amos 5:14-16, 21-24 and 2 Samuel 12:1-10. Preached at Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church on October 6, 2019

Essential Stories - The Prophets

November 14, 2019 17:00 - 9 minutes - 6.38 MB

The essential stories of Scripture, looking this week at the message of the Prophets. Readings: Amos 5:14-16, 21-24 and 2 Samuel 12:1-10. Preached at Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church on October 6, 2019

Essential Stories - Death & Resurrection

November 14, 2019 16:00 - 10 minutes - 7.26 MB

The essential stories of Scripture, looking this week at the story of Jesus' death and resurrection. Readings: Luke 23:13-56 and Luke 24:1-12. Preached at Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church on All Saints Sunday, November 3, 2019

Generous Living 7.21.2019

July 25, 2019 20:00 - 16 minutes - 11.7 MB

What does generous living look like? Part of the Summer of Service worship series at Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church. Preached on July 21, 2019. Readings: Luke 21:1-4; Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Corinthians 9:5-14

Living With Hope (B90)

July 22, 2018 04:00 - 11 minutes - 5.33 MB

As we continue to read the entire Bible, this week we move into the Prophet Isaiah and his words of promise and hope. What do we mean be hope, and how can it make a difference in our lives? Listen for more. Preached on Sunday, July 22, 2018. To learn more about the ministry of Spirit of Joy! visit our website at sojoy.org

Songs of Faith (B90)

July 18, 2018 04:00 - 13 minutes - 6.17 MB

We made it halfway through the Bible! Congratulations! The week we spend time with the songs of faith that are the Psalms, and wrestle with the complex and dynamic relationship with God that the Psalmist calls us to. Preached on Sunday, July 15, 2018. To learn more about the ministry of Spirit of Joy! visit our website at sojoy.org

Stonger Together (B90)

June 19, 2018 04:00 - 14 minutes - 6.65 MB

As we continue to read the whole Bible, this week we encounter the stories of Ruth and Rahab. In the middle of this broken world, what does it mean to find help from unexpected places? Preached on Sunday, June 17, 2018. To learn more about the ministry of Spirit of Joy! visit our website at sojoy.org

Lutheran Sermons | David L. Hansen

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