http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org St Matthew Lutheran Church Sermons, Audios and Videos en-us Mon, 13 May 2013 10:30:46 PST todd@totaldesignshop.com http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/podcast/logo.gif http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/CORE.MP3 CORE meeting of February 27th, 2011 Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/CORE.MP3?266 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:54:25 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.12.13 Dave Farley Things to Come.MP3 Walter Brueggemann says that worship is a response to the mercy of God, but it is also a “world-making” event. Worship sets right the world. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.12.13 Dave Farley Things to Come.MP3?368 Mon, 13 May 2013 10:30:46 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.5.13 Jim Doherty Praise God When it is Hard.MP3 Throughout scripture there are giants of faith who go through hard times and suffer greatly for their faith, and yet they still have faith Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.5.13 Jim Doherty Praise God When it is Hard.MP3?367 Thu, 09 May 2013 09:43:49 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.28.13 Paul Lyda Praising God When it is Easy.MP3 This sermon series is an invitation to praise God at all times. That includes the good times. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.28.13 Paul Lyda Praising God When it is Easy.MP3?366 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:53:09 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.21.13 Jim Doherty Filled with Alleluias.MP3 In our day the word is spoken throughout the year, but it is most prominent in Easter when the victory over death and the grave needs a special shout of celebration. Alleluia, Christ is Risen! Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.21.13 Jim Doherty Filled with Alleluias.MP3?365 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 08:44:59 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.14.13 Jim Doherty Beginning and the End of Praise.MP3 The word alleluia is an ancient word meaning “praise the Lord.” In the Hebrew Bible (our Old Testament) the word only appeared in the Book of Psalms and almost always at the beginning or at the end of the Psalm. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.14.13 Jim Doherty Beginning and the End of Praise.MP3?364 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:33:38 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.31.13 Jim Doherty A Community Event.MP3 One of the challenges for the disciples, in proclaiming Jesus raised from the dead, was that it was so unpatriotic. Jews in Jesus’ day understood their connection to God as being assured according to the heritage of Israel as a nation. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.31.13 Jim Doherty A Community Event.MP3?363 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:46:53 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.24.13 Paul Lyda Kingdom People.MP3 This morning the starkness of the passion story is set against the central event of Palm Sunday. Just a week before his crucifixion the people were in celebration. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.24.13 Paul Lyda Kingdom People.MP3?362 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:40:23 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.17.13 Paul Lyda Live and Love Through the Cracks.MP3 2 Corinthians 4 captures the core theme of this week. As Christians, if we wish to affect the world—if we intend to be healers or redeemers, the place to start is with our brokenness. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.17.13 Paul Lyda Live and Love Through the Cracks.MP3?361 Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:31:01 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.10.13 Rob Shick The Big Dance.MP3 Personal Testimony Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.10.13 Rob Shick The Big Dance.MP3?360 Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:15:52 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.3.13 Jim Doherty Narrative of Forgiveness.MP3 Forgiveness is at the core of that work of reconciliation, but there is more to it. If you consider the parable of the Prodigal Son and describe the father’s love as “forgiving” you would be correct, but you could say so much more. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.3.13 Jim Doherty Narrative of Forgiveness.MP3?359 Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:02:10 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.24.13 Suzan Farley What Stirs Hope.MP3 In John’s Gospel we have a story that is not told by any other writer in the New Testament, and is probably the only incident where the act of healing fails to produce faith in the recipient. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.24.13 Suzan Farley What Stirs Hope.MP3?358 Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:53:42 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.17.13 Jim Doherty A Peculiar People.MP3 .” The word peculiar has negative connotations that are not intended here, but King James does reconnect us with the idea of what it means to be the people of God: we are unique, special, set apart by the grace of God Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.17.13 Jim Doherty A Peculiar People.MP3?357 Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:48:16 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.3.13 Jim Doherty Justice Before Redemption.MP3 Clearly Jesus saves his strongest criticism for the religious elite of his day. That should be a meaningful warning to all of us. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.3.13 Jim Doherty Justice Before Redemption.MP3?356 Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:42:17 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.27.13 Dave Farley Justice in the Neighborhood.MP3 Jesus is defining the neighbor and the contribution religiousness can make toward inhibiting the obligations of love. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.27.13 Dave Farley Justice in the Neighborhood.MP3?355 Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:36:50 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.20.13 Jim Doherty Limits of Power.MP3 The authority of the king in scripture is a collection of mixed opinions. The desire for a king, to begin with, was consider misguided and faithless by God, but the nation spent centuries waiting for the return of a king, which they called messiah. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.20.13 Jim Doherty Limits of Power.MP3?352 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:01:06 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.13.13 Paul Lyda Unwelcome Dance Partner.MP3 : Jesus quotes from Isaiah 61 in our Gospel lesson. It is a text that his audience would be familiar with, and one that would go on to recount the justice of the Lord. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.13.13 Paul Lyda Unwelcome Dance Partner.MP3?351 Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:58:48 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.6.13 Paul Lyda What's a Noel.MP3 Epiphany Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.6.13 Paul Lyda What's a Noel.MP3?350 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 13:00:40 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.30.12 JD Henry Gospel of Christmas.MP3 The Gospel of Christmas in one Word: Joy Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.30.12 JD Henry Gospel of Christmas.MP3?349 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:57:36 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.23.12 Jim Doherty The Source Goal Completion.MP3 Mary sings the song of praise to God in our Gospel lesson. She doesn’t use any of the words “hope” “faith” or “love” but they are clearly evident in every line. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.23.12 Jim Doherty The Source Goal Completion.MP3?348 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:29:26 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.16.12 Paul Lyda The Greatest of These.MP3 Let’s be clear about why love is the greatest, because Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 is abundantly clear on this point. Love is the greatest because love endures. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.16.12 Paul Lyda The Greatest of These.MP3?347 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 13:37:35 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.9.12 Suzan Farley Seeing in a Mirror.MP3 It is seeing in the mirror dimly as opposed to seeing face to face. It is the contrast between the partial and the complete. The point is that there is a goal that faith drives toward, and once it is obtained it is foolish to turn back. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.9.12 Suzan Farley Seeing in a Mirror.MP3?346 Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:36:35 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.25.12 Jim Doherty The Beat That Brings Unity .MP3 There is one ingredient that changes the formula for self-righteous religion into unifying grace. That ingredient is love. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.25.12 Jim Doherty The Beat That Brings Unity .MP3?345 Sun, 25 Nov 2012 14:21:07 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.18.12 J.D. Henry Clangs Without Rhythm.MP3 The reference to a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal is not arbitrary. Worship in the first century was an event filled with sound. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.18.12 J.D. Henry Clangs Without Rhythm.MP3?344 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:13:30 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.4.12 Dave Farley The Beat of Divine Witness.MP3 I heard a pastor once say that sharing in Holy Communion should bring with it the sense that angels and the Saints of the Church are at your shoulders, extending their hands next to ours to receive the gifts of life in bread and wine. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.4.12 Dave Farley The Beat of Divine Witness.MP3?343 Mon, 05 Nov 2012 10:44:53 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.28.12 Paul Lyda The Beat of Reform.MP3 The reformation of the Church that gave birth to the Lutheran Denomination was as much a movement of justice as it was a movement of theology and religious practice. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.28.12 Paul Lyda The Beat of Reform.MP3?342 Mon, 05 Nov 2012 10:16:45 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.21.12 Jim Doherty Where Fear Leads.MP3 Fear is natural, and it can even attempt to control our lives if we allow it to, but fear doesn’t have to own us. In a life of faith it can also lead to prayer and even greater confidence in the grace of God. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.21.12 Jim Doherty Where Fear Leads.MP3?341 Mon, 22 Oct 2012 11:00:49 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.7.12 Suzan Farley The Beat of Loving Relationship.MP3 God will be known by what God does in our midst i.e. “doing defines being.” So when Matthew’s Gospel has the angel say to Joseph, “you shall have a child, and you shall name him Jesus for he will save his people from their sin,” the meaning is clear and compelling. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.7.12 Suzan Farley The Beat of Loving Relationship.MP3?340 Wed, 10 Oct 2012 10:31:48 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.30.12 Dave Farley The Beat of Justice.MP3 . If the story of the Exodus from Egypt teaches us anything about that active doing of God, it teaches us that justice is his purpose, which means that justice is definitive of his being. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.30.12 Dave Farley The Beat of Justice.MP3?339 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:49:32 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.23.12 Paul Lyda The Beat of Obedience.MP3 The name of God that Moses received from the burning bush is Yahweh, which means “I am.” On one level that name is double-speak. If I were to ask you, “who are you,” and you said, “I am,” I would probably think you hadn’t finished the sentence. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.23.12 Paul Lyda The Beat of Obedience.MP3?338 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 10:50:02 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.16.12 Jim Doherty Moses Stepping to the Beat.MP3 This week we push back to Moses’ introduction to the Lord's determination for redemption because there is something significant to say in his name. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.16.12 Jim Doherty Moses Stepping to the Beat.MP3?337 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:19:32 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.26.12 Jim Doherty The Pastor Passing On.MP3 Though Paul is an itinerate preacher, he clearly sees his primary function here in Ephesus, and toward all the communities he founded, as pastor. It clearly grieves him that this role in their lives is passing beyond his control. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.26.12 Jim Doherty The Pastor Passing On.MP3?336 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 10:03:49 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.19.12 Jim Doherty Convictions and Contentions.MP3 The church in our day can be a messy place, but even Paul was challenged to shepherd his people into gracious and loving community. The good news is that, because of Corinth’s challenges, Paul leaves behind him a lot of sage advice. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.19.12 Jim Doherty Convictions and Contentions.MP3?335 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 09:35:14 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.12.12. Jim Doherty Christ and the Unknown God.MP3 Paul knew that Greek philosophers would reject his conviction regarding the resurrection of Jesus, but he still trusted in the power of his message to change even their world. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.12.12. Jim Doherty Christ and the Unknown God.MP3?334 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 09:30:21 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.5.12 Paul Lyda Power in the Prison.MP3 : The church in Philippi was one of Paul’s most successful and gracious churches. His letter to them glows with admiration and gratitude, but the work there was not without challenge. It is not theology that gets Paul in trouble this time. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.5.12 Paul Lyda Power in the Prison.MP3?333 Mon, 06 Aug 2012 11:01:17 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.29.MP3 Conflict is a part of life, even in the church! Last week we saw it in the conflict that led to a council in Jerusalem. Here a few verses later these joint advocates for grace end their long partnership and Paul and Barnabas divide their efforts. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.29.MP3?332 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 09:52:29 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.22.12 Dave Farley Convictions and Defense.MP3 There was no one better to advocate for the power of grace than Paul and Barnabas. They had seen too much and experienced the power of grace in their own lives. They traveled to Jerusalem to defend their message and their authority to preach the Gospel. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.22.12 Dave Farley Convictions and Defense.MP3?331 Mon, 23 Jul 2012 08:42:35 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.15.12 Jim Doherty Turning the Story to the Living God.MP3 Our passage in Chapter 14 highlights not only the character and leadership of Paul and Barnabas in the city of Lystra, but an honest glimpse of how they are perceived in that city. They are perceived as gods from the Greek pantheon, but they speak of another God: a living God. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.15.12 Jim Doherty Turning the Story to the Living God.MP3?330 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 09:02:35 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.8.12 Paul Lyda A Partnership in Blessing.MP3 Barnabas is an under-recognized hero of the New Testament. He is the emissary that the disciples send to the mission start in Antioch. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.8.12 Paul Lyda A Partnership in Blessing.MP3?329 Mon, 09 Jul 2012 11:53:54 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.1.12 Paul Lyda Nations at the Table.MP3 The history of the early church is defined by conflicts over right believing. All the heroes of our faith plodded through the development of doctrine in the first 300 years of our history by examining the messy business of where we got it wrong. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.1.12 Paul Lyda Nations at the Table.MP3?328 Mon, 02 Jul 2012 10:26:03 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.24.12 Dave Farley A Different Version of Conversion.MP3 Our text from Acts follows right on the heals of last week’s story of Philip baptizing the Ethiopian Eunuch. Paul’s conversion is dramatic and overpowering. The story of the eunuch is simple and compassionate. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.24.12 Dave Farley A Different Version of Conversion.MP3?327 Mon, 25 Jun 2012 09:56:58 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.17.12 Jim Doherty Up from the Water.MP3 The Eunuch in Acts asks an honest question: “What prevents me from being baptized.” The water is not diluting anything, and what comes up from the water lacks nothing in the way of power or passion. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.17.12 Jim Doherty Up from the Water.MP3?326 Mon, 18 Jun 2012 08:43:43 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.10.12 Paul Lyda How Stephen Changes the Story.MP3 Our scripture passage from Acts is one small section of the long sermon Stephen tells at his trial and execution. It is not a personal testament, but an attempt to put Jesus the Messiah into the context of Israel’s history as a people. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.10.12 Paul Lyda How Stephen Changes the Story.MP3?325 Mon, 11 Jun 2012 13:05:53 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.3.12 Jim Doherty From Power to Persecution.MP3 This episode follows the events of another arrest in chapter 4. Peter and John were brought before the leadership council in Jerusalem. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.3.12 Jim Doherty From Power to Persecution.MP3?324 Mon, 04 Jun 2012 09:53:16 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.27.12 Paul Lyda When the Story Becomes Community.MP3 We call that collection of people the church, and the Spirit is the sign that assures our place in the story. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.27.12 Paul Lyda When the Story Becomes Community.MP3?323 Tue, 29 May 2012 12:31:13 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.20.12 Paul Lyda Promise Delivered.MP3 When Abraham first receives the call to follow God in chapter 12 his wife is almost an addendum. God doesn’t even mention her. Even the description of the journey’s entourage mentions Lot the nephew before Sarah the wife. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.20.12 Paul Lyda Promise Delivered.MP3?322 Mon, 21 May 2012 09:41:41 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.13.12 Suzan Farley Covenant of Fruitfulness.MP3 There is no longer any question about the “who” the covenant participants are or even the “when” God will fulfill them. God has given away the punch line to his great joke: his name is Isaac Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.13.12 Suzan Farley Covenant of Fruitfulness.MP3?321 Mon, 14 May 2012 08:38:27 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.6.12 Jim Doherty Hearing and Not Hearing.MP3 What is most instructive is that in spite of the missteps of Sarai and her husband, God is still gracious. Even Hagar and Ishmael (being the missteps of impatience) receive the comfort of covenant grace. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.6.12 Jim Doherty Hearing and Not Hearing.MP3?320 Mon, 07 May 2012 08:18:24 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.29.12 Jim Doherty Believing the Promise.MP3 We often wonder to ourselves how God could allow trouble to strike us and detour us from the clear access to our goals. Abram’s detour comes at the hands of a famine in the new home to which God had led him. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.29.12 Jim Doherty Believing the Promise.MP3?318 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:40:52 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.22.12 Jim Doherty Following the Call.MP3 When you start a journey you need a plan. Abram didn’t have much of a plan. No lodging preparations were made, there wasn’t even a road map of how to get there, but his journey was more than a physical move. Abram was responding to a call from God and the journey that followed was as much a spiritual epic as anything else. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.22.12 Jim Doherty Following the Call.MP3?316 Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:36:16 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.8.12 Jim Doherty Easter.MP3 What is the promise of Easter? Heaven? Eternal Life? An Empty Grave? Yes, yes and yes, but we should add one more thing to that list that is more than just a footnote. The promise of Resurrection is that God will make all things new. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.8.12 Jim Doherty Easter.MP3?315 Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:58:58 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.25.12 Jim Doherty Freedom from Engineering Others.MP3 What is it about faith that breeds self-righteousness and gossip? And how does God want us to live and belong to one another and what is God’s purpose in discerning good and evil in the world? Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.25.12 Jim Doherty Freedom from Engineering Others.MP3?314 Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:55:25 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.18.12 Paul Lyda Freedom from Worry.MP3 We have probably all heard the advice of Jesus many times, “Do not be anxious… God will provide.” It sounds admirable, but hard to attain and maybe we even think it naive. But we probably miss the point. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.18.12 Paul Lyda Freedom from Worry.MP3?313 Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:53:23 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.11.12 Felix Omodi Freedom from Anger.MP3 In the story of the Serpent in the Garden of Eden the tempter assures Eve that by eating the forbidden fruit her eyes will be opened and she will know good from evil. The depth of that lie does not take long to prove itself. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.11.12 Felix Omodi Freedom from Anger.MP3?312 Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:36:22 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.26.12 Jim Doherty Freedom from Anger.MP3 James Bryan Smith refers to the sin of pride as “vainglory.” It is the effort of the soul to construct an imposter-self that we can put forward as reputable, courage and worthy of praise. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.26.12 Jim Doherty Freedom from Anger.MP3?311 Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:28:29 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.12.12 Paul Lyda Exclamation Point.MP3 There is an exclamation point at the end of Thomas’ profession of faith. Our proclamation of the gospel should have this same certainty and exuberance. In other words, as we go about loving our world, let’s shout praise and thanks to God – with enthusiasm! Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.12.12 Paul Lyda Exclamation Point.MP3?310 Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:37:04 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.5.12 Jim Doherty World Equals Everyone Everywhere.MP3 God is big and he has big plans for us. God’s covenant is an expansive promise to be the everlasting God for his people. It reflects his limitless grace and eternal desire to be in relationship with all of creation. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.5.12 Jim Doherty World Equals Everyone Everywhere.MP3?309 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:46:31 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.29.12 Suzan Farley Creation and Community.MP3 : From the very beginning there is a relational quality to creation. Life comes out of the relational nature of the Triune God, as indicated by the proclamation in Genesis to “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness…” Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.29.12 Suzan Farley Creation and Community.MP3?308 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:39:32 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.22.12 Jim Doherty God So Loved.MP3 Left to our own devices our efforts to love God and to love each other would not last. Our ability to faithfully live in God’s truth and to authentically follow after Christ on our own is not possible. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.22.12 Jim Doherty God So Loved.MP3?307 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:02:30 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.15. Paul Lyda Go with God.MP3 The Bible is full of examples of God calling people to get up and move. To go where God leads them to go and do what God asks them to do. The Bible also honestly recounts all the instances where “our” going” is utterly contrary to God’s command. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.15. Paul Lyda Go with God.MP3?306 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:14:53 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.8.12 Suzan Farley The Epiphany of God.MP3 Today in the Church calendar we make use of the word to <BR>remind us of the events that confirmed a unique presence of God in the person of Jesus Christ: The star of Bethlehem is chief among them. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.8.12 Suzan Farley The Epiphany of God.MP3?305 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:04:38 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.1.12 JD Henry At the Name of Jesus.MP3 A New Year's Message from J.D. Henry Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.1.12 JD Henry At the Name of Jesus.MP3?304 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:30:19 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.18.11 Suzan Farley Raising My Ebenezer.MP3 The name Ebenezer means stone of help. We might think first on the irony of that name. Despite his wealth Mr. Scrooge’s is not inclined to help anyone but himself. But the Ebenezer pleads with the spirits of Christmas on several occasions to know if his life in the future can make a difference—could a redeemed practice in his own produce a remedied result in the world. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.18.11 Suzan Farley Raising My Ebenezer.MP3?303 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:34:19 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.27.11 Jim Doherty The Chains of Jacob Marley.MP3 Jacob Marley’s Ghost describes his chains as being “forged in life… of his own free will.” He had spent his days a good man of business, but he was a failure in life because “mankind… charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence” should have been his business. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.27.11 Jim Doherty The Chains of Jacob Marley.MP3?302 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:52:12 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.20.11 Jim Doherty At the Dinner of the King .MP3 Besides being the last Sunday of the year today is also Christ the King Sunday and our attention is captured by the anticipation of standing in the presence of the Lord filled with awe and praise. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.20.11 Jim Doherty At the Dinner of the King .MP3?301 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:45:40 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.13.11Jim Doherty and Dave Petersen.MP3 The Good Samaritan is one of the stories of Jesus that has passed into the common parlance of our culture. In fact to be a Samaritan, by conventional assumption, is to be good. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.13.11Jim Doherty and Dave Petersen.MP3?300 Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:32:02 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.6.11 Paul Lyda When the Dogs Look Down.MP3 In this story we can’t be sure that Jesus has his friend in mind, but what we know from the story is that the Kingdom of God is revealed in the suffering of a man named Lazarus and an unnamed rich man who cares for little but himself and his comfort. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.6.11 Paul Lyda When the Dogs Look Down.MP3?299 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:37:07 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.30.11 Tom Ashbook Power in Seed and Soil .MP3 What does it mean to be good soil? What are the active principles in changing soil from bad to good? And when we are good are we always good, and what does that feel like? Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.30.11 Tom Ashbook Power in Seed and Soil .MP3?298 Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:45:56 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.23.11 Jim Doherty Forgiven As We Forgive.MP3 This story of the unforgiving servant has a simple point: “Grace should beget grace”. God does not measure out his grace as a quid pro quo, but it should have the power to renew life, redeem purpose and expand the reign of holy love in the world. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.23.11 Jim Doherty Forgiven As We Forgive.MP3?297 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 07:40:22 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.16.11 Suzan Farley Pat Reser Fortunes of Life.MP3 These three parables share a common theme. There is something valuable in the world. Something so precious that we would do anything to get it, but it is not what you would think. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.16.11 Suzan Farley Pat Reser Fortunes of Life.MP3?296 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:49:30 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.9.11 Jim Doherty Redeeming the Son Who Stays.MP3 Luke 15 tells the story of two sons who are loved by their father. This week we focus on the elder son; the so-called “good son” who stayed “true”. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.9.11 Jim Doherty Redeeming the Son Who Stays.MP3?295 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:45:43 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.2.11 Dave Farley Loving the Son Who Leaves.MP3 This parable is often called the Parable of the Prodigal Son, but of course this long story in Luke 15 is not about a son it is about two sons. Both are very different, but both very selfish and both recipients of their father’s grace. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.2.11 Dave Farley Loving the Son Who Leaves.MP3?293 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:11:08 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.25.11 Paul Lyda A Steward's Fruitfulness.MP3 From the beginning of our relationship with God there was an expressed desire that we be people of fruitfulness. This parable of the three servants causes us to wrestle with the grace and the challenge of belonging to a kingdom that contains a plan for completion. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.25.11 Paul Lyda A Steward's Fruitfulness.MP3?292 Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:06:16 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.18 Suzan Farley Prayers of Righteousness.MP3 What is the guarantor of God’s regard? The Pharisee would answer self-righteousness, but in the humility of the tax collector Jesus suggests something else. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.18 Suzan Farley Prayers of Righteousness.MP3?291 Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:13:53 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.11.11 Jim Doherty Points People Purpose.MP3 We often treat the parables as if they were mysteries waiting to be solved. And sometimes the construction of the story does recommend a need to penetrate the surface, but most often if we are trying to look for the hidden meaning we are missing the point. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.11.11 Jim Doherty Points People Purpose.MP3?290 Wed, 14 Sep 2011 08:59:25 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.4.11 Suzan Farley The Armor of God.MP3 Pastor Suzan Farley is speaking about her recent trip to Africa Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.4.11 Suzan Farley The Armor of God.MP3?289 Wed, 14 Sep 2011 08:10:17 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.28.11 Jim Doherty Subject to One Another.MP3 Which is the harder task, to be subject to your husband or to love your wife like Christ loved the Church. Our culture tends to use passages like this to restrain women, but clearly Paul’s point is to move his culture in the opposite direction. His goal is mutuality and love. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.28.11 Jim Doherty Subject to One Another.MP3?288 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 08:33:36 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.21.11 Paul Lyda Imitators of God.MP3 We are the sacrifice God calls for and our lives lived in imitation of Christ are the pleasing fragrance that bless the holy relationship that started through the sacrifice of his own Son. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.21.11 Paul Lyda Imitators of God.MP3?287 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:52:17 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.14.11 Jim Doherty.MP3 Roman culture was familiar with invitations to turn and worship other gods, but Paul was ask for something more than that. Christ has laid claim to all of them. It rewired their worldview Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.14.11 Jim Doherty.MP3?286 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:39:11 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.7.11 Jim Doherty The Measure of Christ.MP3 We are the body of Christ because God loves the world too much to leave it abandoned from the expression of his love. The gifts of apostleship, evangelism, pastoring and teaching are designed to extend the reach of God to all those he loves. That is a daunting expectation on all of us. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.7.11 Jim Doherty The Measure of Christ.MP3?285 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:17:55 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.31.11 Jim Doherty The Bond of Unity.MP3 If we are going to be the body of Christ on the earth—if we are going to represent God’s love, service, power and mercy—than every aspect of how we treat one another will communicate the Gospel to the world around us. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.31.11 Jim Doherty The Bond of Unity.MP3?284 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:06:44 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.24.11 Paul Lyda The Bond of Unity.MP3 Maybe you remember that old camp song, “They will know we are Christians by our Love.” That is the point in this passage. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.24.11 Paul Lyda The Bond of Unity.MP3?283 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:09:11 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.17.11 Dave Farley Least of All the Saints.MP3 Paul often tells his story, and for good reason. His life is a compelling testimony to the power of God’s grace to change and redeem even the most resistant heart. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.17.11 Dave Farley Least of All the Saints.MP3?282 Mon, 18 Jul 2011 08:07:43 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.10.11 Dave Farley No Longer Strangers.MP3 Paul clearly believes that a new chapter of fulfilling that destiny had dawned, and was forming a new citizenship and belonging around the reign of God’s Messiah. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.10.11 Dave Farley No Longer Strangers.MP3?281 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 09:40:37 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.3.11 Jim Doherty Grace Through Faith Alone.MP3 Chapter 2 of Ephesians doesn’t pull punches. It starts with the problem: sin and death. It is common to all of us and worst it all it is a sickness unto death. There is, however, a cure. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.3.11 Jim Doherty Grace Through Faith Alone.MP3?280 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:40:59 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.25.11Dave Farley Heavenly Places.MP3 You get the sense of Paul’s exuberance in this first chapter of Ephesians. He is basking in the glow of the dramatic faith of those new believers in Ephesus. He wants to celebrate with them, but he knows the challenges too. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.25.11Dave Farley Heavenly Places.MP3?279 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:57:16 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.19.11 Paul Lyda Destined for Adoption.MP3 The language of adoption is critical to Paul’s theology. He uses it in the letters to Rome and Galatia. His point is the same here, previous to Jesus those who called themselves “The Lord’s people” were so because they could trace their ancestry back to Abraham and Sarah. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.19.11 Paul Lyda Destined for Adoption.MP3?278 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:55:23 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.12.11Paul Lyda Growth in Power.MP3 Power is a dangerous thing. The marriage of religion and power is even more dangerous. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.12.11Paul Lyda Growth in Power.MP3?277 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:27:33 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.5.11 Paul Lyda Growth in Fruitfulness.MP3 You wouldn’t want to say that Sarah’s story is one of growing into faith. She is a woman of considerable faith from the beginning. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.5.11 Paul Lyda Growth in Fruitfulness.MP3?276 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:05:06 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.29.11 Jim Doherty Growth in Understanding.MP3 The story of faith in the Ethiopian Eunuch is only half told in the book of Acts. Some gracious impulse first led this humble man to open the book and set in his heart a curious desire to understand the mystery of a sheep led to the slaughter. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.29.11 Jim Doherty Growth in Understanding.MP3?275 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 09:37:32 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.22.11 Paul Lyda Growth in Love.MP3 The Old Testament book Song of Songs is entirely devoted to the expression of love between two individuals, but in all of its exuberant revelry, it doesn’t exceed the purity of this small portion of the book of Ruth. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.22.11 Paul Lyda Growth in Love.MP3?274 Mon, 23 May 2011 09:55:12 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.15.11.Jim Doherty Growth in Faith.MP3 Poor Thomas doesn’t get much play in the Gospel accounts, but this is the one that everyone knows best. It is the one that earns him the moniker of “Doubting.” Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.15.11.Jim Doherty Growth in Faith.MP3?273 Mon, 16 May 2011 12:47:43 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.8.11.Suzan Farley Growth in Grace.MP3 The arrest of Jesus is punctuated by the two corollary stories of Judas and Peter. The difference between them is Grace. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.8.11.Suzan Farley Growth in Grace.MP3?272 Mon, 09 May 2011 07:57:13 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.24.11.Jim Doherty Planting the Seed of Life.MP3 Jesus says, “Unless a seed falls into the earth and dies it remains just a seed.” Jesus used this metaphor just before he road into Jerusalem in the last week of his life. It is a safe bet that the disciples didn’t understand the metaphor. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.24.11.Jim Doherty Planting the Seed of Life.MP3?271 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 11:12:59 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.17.11 Suzan Farley God is Self Sacrificing.MP3 Palms to Passion is the theme for our service. We start with the rejoicing of the crowds welcoming Jesus into the holy city and we end with the crowds that jeered him at his trial and crucifixion. In the midst of the week we travel past, there is the story of Jesus’ suffering and our belonging to him through that suffering. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.17.11 Suzan Farley God is Self Sacrificing.MP3?270 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:23:42 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.10.11.MP3 God’s relationship with the nation of Israel was built on a mighty act of redemption. He called them forth from the oppression of Egypt. A unique act of redemption, from a unique God, toward a people called into a unique relationship. It set them apart for holiness. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.10.11.MP3?269 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:47:35 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.27.11.Paul Lyda God is Generous.MP3 It is the nature of God to be generous. Ironically we more often think of God when things are coming up a little short, but in fact God wants goodness for us and supplies generously from the bounty of creation to secure it in our lives. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.27.11.Paul Lyda God is Generous.MP3?268 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:37:56 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.20.11.Jim Doherty God is Worthy of Trust.MP3 When Paul says in Romans that the Gospel is the power of God to all who believe, the Greek word he uses for faith could have as easily been translated “trust.” Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.20.11.Jim Doherty God is Worthy of Trust.MP3?267 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:16:37 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.13.11.Jim Doherty God is Good.MP3 It was an important question and still is today. Is God good? And if God’s goodness can be assured, what does that say to me when goodness does not seem to flow into my life. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.13.11.Jim Doherty God is Good.MP3?265 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:26:18 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.27.11.Dave Farley End and New Beginning.MP3 Life’s final transition is likely the one that puts us most in mind for the consideration of faith and God’s grace. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.27.11.Dave Farley End and New Beginning.MP3?264 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:13:46 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.20.11.Jim Doherty Work in Transitions.MP3 The work ethic of American productivity has roots in Christian theology. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.20.11.Jim Doherty Work in Transitions.MP3?263 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 08:33:18 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.13.11.Suzan Farley Conflicts of Culture.MP3 Christianity was born in a culture that didn’t understand it and was even offended and threatened by it. Oddly enough, throughout Christian history cultural dissonance has been a setting where faith in Jesus thrives. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.13.11.Suzan Farley Conflicts of Culture.MP3?262 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:48:29 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.6.11.Paul Lyda When It All Goes Sideways.MP3 What happens when the hurricane blows and illness strikes our family? What happens when it is our faith that is shaken by the storms we struggle through? Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.6.11.Paul Lyda When It All Goes Sideways.MP3?261 Mon, 07 Feb 2011 10:50:17 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.30.11.Jim Doherty The Good Life.MP3 Salvation is not about the world beyond the clouds. Salvation, heaven and eternity begin now. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.30.11.Jim Doherty The Good Life.MP3?260 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:28:26 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.23.11.Paul Lyda The Discover Me.MP3 In our culture the meanings of our names don’t determine our destiny, but all of us have to make the discovery of Jacob. We all have to face the critical question, “Who am I.” Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.23.11.Paul Lyda The Discover Me.MP3?259 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 07:37:12 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.16.11.Jim Doherty A Sphinxy Riddle.MP3 The riddle of the Sphinx is from the myth of Oedipus. The Sphinx sat outside the city of Thebes and asked all who entered it a question. “What goes on four legs in the morning, on two legs at noon, and on three legs in the evening?” Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.16.11.Jim Doherty A Sphinxy Riddle.MP3?258 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 11:32:00 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.9.11.Jim Doherty What Begins with an Ending1.MP3 Transitions in life are partially difficult because they begin with endings. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.9.11.Jim Doherty What Begins with an Ending1.MP3?257 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 10:02:00 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.2.11.JD Henry In the Fullness of Time.MP3 God’s Son, sent to earth, is not just a mark on history’s timeline. It is a divine interaction that faces each of us as we engage the news that the Savior is born in Bethlehem. A personal point of reference that every heart must ponder and treasure. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.2.11.JD Henry In the Fullness of Time.MP3?255 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 13:44:30 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.26.10.Paul Lyda A World Nation Heir.MP3 The Incarnation of Jesus bears the fruit of belonging to God through a means other than heredity. Jesus is the Son and the Heir of the Kingdom. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.26.10.Paul Lyda A World Nation Heir.MP3?254 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:12:31 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.25.10.Dave Farley Sought Out.MP3 All the roadwork done, all the signs made up, all the musicians are in place. We’re just waiting for the leader; who, by the way is God. Luke tell the conclusion to that story of God’s arrival. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.25.10.Dave Farley Sought Out.MP3?253 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:07:44 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.24.10.Paul Lyda Season of the Outsider.MP3 It should have been clear to us that the child in Mary’s womb was about a new season. Mary knew it better than any one. It was the season of a change where God spoke past kings, and priests, and emperors and into the lives of the weak, and the poor. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.24.10.Paul Lyda Season of the Outsider.MP3?252 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:04:34 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.24.10.Jim Doherty Season of the Outsider.MP3 It should have been clear to us that the child in Mary’s womb was about a new season. Mary knew it better than any one. It was the season of a change where God spoke past kings, and priests, and emperors and into the lives of the weak, and the poor. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.24.10.Jim Doherty Season of the Outsider.MP3?251 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:03:14 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.19.10.Paul Lyda The New Creation.MP3 As we await the return of Jesus, the church nurtures us in this newly created life in Christ. Through the Word of God, the Sacraments, and the fellowship of the Saints. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.19.10.Paul Lyda The New Creation.MP3?250 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 08:59:32 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.12.10.Jim Doherty Christ to Each of Us.MP3 The new creation that is offered to each of us leads us to ask an important question: what needs renewal, restoration, and new life in our lives? Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.12.10.Jim Doherty Christ to Each of Us.MP3?249 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 13:08:50 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.5.10 Suzan Farley A New Creation.MP3 This totally new creation reintroduces the reality of paradise into the world in the form of creation as it was intended to be, before sin came into the world. We are forgiven through the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.5.10 Suzan Farley A New Creation.MP3?248 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 08:27:31 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.28.10.Suzan Farley Creation.MP3 In the beginning was the Word Who started the universe and is guiding its continuous creation? God the Father created all things. God is responsible for our being what and where we are. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.28.10.Suzan Farley Creation.MP3?247 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:43:49 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.21.10.Dave Farley Life in Season.MP3 To be “in season” means to be fully ripe and ready for harvest. Jesus makes plain in John 3:16 what life is and what brings our life to its fullness. It is easy for us to convince ourselves that life is our responsibility to make of it what we will. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.21.10.Dave Farley Life in Season.MP3?246 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 10:12:27 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.14.10.Dave Farley I Believe I Cannot Believe.MP3 Luther begins his explanation to the third article of the creed with a statement about belief. If you take out one preposition in that first sentence you get a very odd result, “I believe I cannot… believe.” Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.14.10.Dave Farley I Believe I Cannot Believe.MP3?245 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:07:34 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.7.10 Jim Doherty That I May Be His Own.MP3 The result of God’s love is very simple and very powerful. John 3:16 assures us that we will not perish. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.7.10 Jim Doherty That I May Be His Own.MP3?244 Mon, 08 Nov 2010 09:07:55 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.31.10 Paul Lyda Grace Beyond the Ought.MP3 : In the Small Catechism, Luther ends his description of our faith in God the Father with this ominous phrase, “Therefore I surely ought to thank and praise, serve and obey him.” Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.31.10 Paul Lyda Grace Beyond the Ought.MP3?243 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:08:47 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.24.10 Jim Doherty God So Loved.MP3 We are so familiar with the words of John 3:16 that we have difficulty seeing them fresh and filled with power and promise, but an honest assessment of what is attributed to God in these first words of verse should leave us scratching our heads. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.24.10 Jim Doherty God So Loved.MP3?242 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:00:38 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.17.10 Jim Doherty Labor of Love.MP3 The challenge that most confounds the writer of Ecclesiastes is the one he never recognizes. He is selfish and short sighted. No matter what he accomplishes in life he will still end up filling the void of his grave. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.17.10 Jim Doherty Labor of Love.MP3?241 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 17:13:01 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.10.10.Jim Doherty Living the Bounty of Belonging.MP3 A funny thing happens here at the end of Ecclesiastes. The Preacher has searched the world for meaning—the work and toil of being– and come back with little to celebrate according to his bleak view. Yet his counsel here at the end is to do something that now has purpose or meaning. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.10.10.Jim Doherty Living the Bounty of Belonging.MP3?240 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 09:47:09 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.3.10 Dave Farley Beyond Boredom.MP3 life isn’t simple and tidy, and if you read Ecclesiastes all the way through, you discover that the author doesn’t conquer boredom, rather, he accommodates it as part of his existence and God’s creation. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.3.10 Dave Farley Beyond Boredom.MP3?239 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 09:15:25 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.26.10 Paul Lyda Life in Freedom and Grace.MP3 In breadth of God’s will and all that God is intent on accomplishing on the earth what is our freedom and purpose in the short span we are given. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.26.10 Paul Lyda Life in Freedom and Grace.MP3?238 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 09:49:48 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.19.10 Dave Farley Playing Out the Seasons.MP3 Today we consider verses 4 and 5 of Ecclesiastes and the elements of life that come to us by chance. What are the seasons of change and how do they connect us to God? Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.19.10 Dave Farley Playing Out the Seasons.MP3?237 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:41:26 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.12.10 Jim Doherty Adding Up the Moments in Life .MP3 The Hebrew mind thinks more about how life and its seasons of change mark time’s passage. This Sunday we consider the first three verse of this chapter and the broad themes of birth and death, planting and harvesting, building up and tearing down. This is time in the broad sweep. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.12.10 Jim Doherty Adding Up the Moments in Life .MP3?236 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:13:35 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.5.10 Dave Farley The Art of Winning.MP3 Baseball, like much of life is fascinated with measuring things against impossible standards. In Jesus' temptation as well as the temptations that face us, we are tempted to take our lives out of God's hands and shape them, as we want. Jesus gives us a way to "win" in God's kingdom. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.5.10 Dave Farley The Art of Winning.MP3?235 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:40:33 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.29.10 Dave Farley It Ain't Over 'til It's Over.MP3 These grammatically incorrect, but unrestrained words, attributed to Yogi Berra, a former catcher for the New York Yankees, express a deep Christian concept. Baseball's fairness is expressed by the lack of a clock. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.29.10 Dave Farley It Ain't Over 'til It's Over.MP3?234 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:50:04 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.22.10 Jim Doherty Reaching Base.MP3 It seems a very simple mission to travel 90 feet to come in safe at first base. Despite the lonely box and the big stage, no single at bat, nor any batter taking their shot at it, is bigger than the game or the goal of the team. The mission is not the 90 feet, but the shared effort to bring in the victory. Being the church and connected to the mission of the kingdom is much the same. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.22.10 Jim Doherty Reaching Base.MP3?233 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 07:58:10 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.15.10 Jim Doherty Fearing, Falling, and Filthy Uniforms.MP3 A forensic examination of any baseball uniform after nine innings might reveal an interesting collection of spit, dirt, grass, blood and pine tar, but none of them would confirm success or talent. On the other hand no player will succeed in the game without facing the fear of standing 6 inches from a 90-mile-an-hour fast ball or sliding head first after a full sprint. Any way you slice it, the game is messy, and so is life. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.15.10 Jim Doherty Fearing, Falling, and Filthy Uniforms.MP3?232 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 07:55:47 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.8.10 Paul Lyda Living the Rules of the Game.MP3 Being fruitful in this expression is more than stats, and proficiencies. Life according to the Word that lives within us is about grace, and love, and sacrifice and most of that sacrifice is not ours. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.8.10 Paul Lyda Living the Rules of the Game.MP3?231 Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:04:27 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.1.10 Paul Lyda The Rest of Renewal.MP3 Jesus makes of the Sabbath a place of restoring health to all who seek it. Healing, for Jesus, is the practice of recreation Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.1.10 Paul Lyda The Rest of Renewal.MP3?230 Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:04:24 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.18.10 Dave Farley Faith Fresh.MP3 : Summer has a different tempo to it. We have time and weather that is not available to us during the rest of the year. We step away from some regular practices and step into others. These changes are important to the refreshing of our spirits and energy and to the building of memories that bless our family. Summer can also be a time to refresh our faith. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.18.10 Dave Farley Faith Fresh.MP3?229 Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:52:15 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.11.10 Jim Doherty Sacred Altar of Faith.MP3 It is a very instructive study to follow the lessons of memory in scripture as they relate to redemption and worship. Joshua instructs the nation of Israel to construct an altar in Gigal to remind them always of the history of their redemption story, but that’s not the earliest lesson on remembering. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.11.10 Jim Doherty Sacred Altar of Faith.MP3?228 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:23 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.4.10 Laurie Christopher Pricilla.MP3 Paul at the end of the letter to Rome greets many women whom he refers to as deacons, apostles and partners. And then there is Pricilla who is frequently mention and appreciate for the work she shares with her husband and on behalf of the Church’s renown. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.4.10 Laurie Christopher Pricilla.MP3?227 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:47:52 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.27.10 Joy Frisbie Timothy's Mother.MP3 Timothy was only a young boy when Paul met him. His mother and grandmother were of Jewish descent and were followers of Christ. Timothy had inherited their faith. The New Testament in largely a conversion story, but as the community matured the significance of raising children in the faith would bless the church just as profoundly. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.27.10 Joy Frisbie Timothy's Mother.MP3?226 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:28:59 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.20.10 Jim Doherty Philippian Jailer.MP3 This story is not significant because of the life or leadership it created in the early church, but because the story is idiomatic of life after life that is touched by the gospel and radical changed by God’s grace. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.20.10 Jim Doherty Philippian Jailer.MP3?225 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:54:08 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.13.10 Steven Linnerooth Second Choice.MP3 While John Mark is never mentioned by name in the Gospel that bears it, according to the Book of Acts John Mark’s home was the base of operations for the early church. For that reason it is generally held that it was the site of Christ’s last supper was also at his home. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.13.10 Steven Linnerooth Second Choice.MP3?224 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 07:04:20 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.6.10 Dave Farley An Encouraging Soul.MP3 Barnabas means “Son of Encouragement.” Barnabas had the gift for seeing potential in people that others dismissed, and the courage to pursue God’s direction even when it was unpopular to do so. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.6.10 Dave Farley An Encouraging Soul.MP3?223 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:22:56 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.30.10 Chris Fowler Stephen.MP3 . It is Stephen’s execution that first engages Paul’s story with that of Jesus and it is the expulsion of Greek Christians from Jerusalem that leads to the first missionary efforts within the early church. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.30.10 Chris Fowler Stephen.MP3?222 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:19:05 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.23.10 Jim Doherty Godyssey of the Spirit.MP3 Retracing the Steps Towards Glory Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.23.10 Jim Doherty Godyssey of the Spirit.MP3?221 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:34:18 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.9.10. Dave Farley Treasure in Clay Jars.MP3 Description of the theme: Wars have been fought over relatively minor points of theology—Christians have killed Christians (along with Muslims, Jews, Pagans and others) to defend their faith, but few laud or even remember the success of soldiers for this cause. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.9.10. Dave Farley Treasure in Clay Jars.MP3?220 Mon, 10 May 2010 08:45:25 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.2.10 Jim Doherty Conflicts, Credentials, Counsels.MP3 We often convince ourselves that Paul’s churches were filled with harmony and passionate devotion. Not true. Paul was constantly being required to defend his credentials, his message, his authority to raise funds, and his call as an apostle to the Gentiles. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.2.10 Jim Doherty Conflicts, Credentials, Counsels.MP3?219 Thu, 06 May 2010 08:07:48 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.18.Dave Farley Glory in the Crown.MP3 Paul is often reflective on his accomplishments and the course of his ministry, but none of these passages is more poetic or final in its tone than this one in 2 Timothy. In this sermon we open up the series with Paul’s own account of his legacy and preparation for eternity. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.18.Dave Farley Glory in the Crown.MP3?217 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 09:58:38 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.4.10 Jim Doherty I Am What I Am by Grace.MP3 Paul had met the Lord after the resurrection. That would make us all untimely born as well, but the gift of the resurrection isn’t about credentialing the apostles, it is about belonging to a promise. Easter marks us all as belonging to the promise. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.4.10 Jim Doherty I Am What I Am by Grace.MP3?216 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 10:45:27 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.28.10 Dave Farley Greater Expectations.MP3 The people who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday did not realize that God was offering them an opportunity to join him in doing a new thing. Rather than simply destroying the oppressive government of that day, God was building not only a group that would change the world, but bring everlasting salvation to all who believed in him. That is why we shout “Hosanna!” today. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.28.10 Dave Farley Greater Expectations.MP3?215 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 08:23:07 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.21.10 Paul Lyda A Signpost on the Way.MP3 One of the definitions of a sign post is “indicated as advisable or necessary.” The time would come when all people would look to him as Lord and Savior. Jesus is Lord of all, Jew and Gentile, rich person and poor, righteous and unrighteous. No one is excluded. It was now necessary that Jesus go to the cross for all of us. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.21.10 Paul Lyda A Signpost on the Way.MP3?214 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:54:05 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.28.10 Jim Doherty A Fickle Companion.MP3 The gospel story we consider today follows immediately upon the transfiguration story of last week. It’s “just another healing story” but the feast of insight is on the topic of faith. This text embodies the challenge of being a person of faith. Everything from the father’s confession, “I believe: help my unbelief” to the challenge the disciples have in accomplishing what faith requires, are lessons on the journey of belonging to God. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.28.10 Jim Doherty A Fickle Companion.MP3?213 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:30:16 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.21.10 Dave Farley A Peek Behind the Curtain.MP3 Our Gospel passage describes the event of the transfiguration. Jesus is transformed before them to look radiant and heavenly. The disciples (as is often the case) both see Jesus and don’t see Jesus. They are understandingly overwhelmed by the sight and sound of the event, but their impulse to memorialize is based on the assumption that this image of power and glory is the apex of Jesus ministry. Far from it, the odyssey had just begun. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.21.10 Dave Farley A Peek Behind the Curtain.MP3?212 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:07:52 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.3.10 Harold Brown Memorial.MP3 Reading from Philippians 1:20-24 and John 14:1-6 Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.3.10 Harold Brown Memorial.MP3?211 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:48:30 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.31.10 Jim Doherty Seeing People Through Christ's Eyes.MP3 Through our gospel passage we discover that Jesus’ mission guided his vision. He focused on needy people, looking through his lens of compassion. By taking up Christ’s mission, we will be looking at people from Jesus’ point of view. And by seeing people through Jesus’ lens, we will be compelled to act compassionately toward them. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.31.10 Jim Doherty Seeing People Through Christ's Eyes.MP3?210 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 07:56:15 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.24.10 Dave Farley Love Takes a Detour.MP3 We have opportunities in life to take our usual route or to follow God’s prompting to take a divine detour. This detour will not be easy. It includes the disadvantage of giving our agendas and control so that we can help someone else in need. By exploring the parable of the Good Samaritan we see that he decided to take a divine detour on his highway of life. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.24.10 Dave Farley Love Takes a Detour.MP3?209 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:47:18 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.17.10 Dave Farley A Divine Invasion.MP3 All the gospels of the New Testament make reference to John the Baptist and the first three reference Christ’s own baptism, but only Mark rips open the sky. The word implies some degree of violence. It is schidzo the word from which we get schizophrenic. It is the most dramatic and emphatic description of God’s Godyssey from heaven to earth. The point is that something radical has happened and it promises to change everything. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.17.10 Dave Farley A Divine Invasion.MP3?208 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:56:13 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.10.10 Jim Doherty Univited Visitors.mp3 The epiphany event doesn’t really care who the wise men were. If they were all that important someone would have thought to take down their names. The important element of the story is that nations other than Israel are being drawn to the shining light of God’s grace. God’s love wasn’t a Jewish secret anymore. It was a message and promise to all who had ears to hears and eyes to see what the heavens declared. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.10.10 Jim Doherty Univited Visitors.mp3?207 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:24:32 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.27.09 Paul Lyda Only Hope Sees Through.mp3 Mary and Joseph are faithful Jewish parents fulfilling their proper religious responsibilities. They are circumcising their son, they are consecrating his name as Jesus, and they are making sacrifices for the first born in their family. Beside this litany there are a whole host of responsibilities unspoken but no less assumed like changing of diapers, early morning feedings, and the firm assurance that strained peas are important no matter what your taste buds tell you; mundane, everyday, parent child stuff. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.27.09 Paul Lyda Only Hope Sees Through.mp3?206 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:43:35 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.20.09 Dave Farley Preparing the Path.mp3 John comes to point the way to Jesus—to straighten the paths that bring salvation. Christ’s baptism is the initiation of his ministry, and the beginning of the path that ends at the cross. For Mark’s gospel that beginning is so auspicious—so critically important—that he determines to avoid any other historical backdrop to the ministry of Christ. The good news about God Son begins in Jordan river standing next to John. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.20.09 Dave Farley Preparing the Path.mp3?205 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:16:12 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.13.09 Dave Farley Traveling Uncovered.mp3 Mary is as much the symbol of Christmas as the joy filled manger. While Jesus enter the picture at the end of the story, God’s work, God’s presence, and the whole plan of redemption travels incognito in the guise of a young, gracious girl. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.13.09 Dave Farley Traveling Uncovered.mp3?204 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:11:14 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.6.09 Jim Doherty An Odyssey of Sorrow and Exile.mp3 This peculiar little episode in 2 Kings it not a common Advent text, but it should be. In this sad description King Jechoniah—David’s final heir to rule Judah—is carted off Babylon, and the messianic hope of the Jewish nation is born. The story of the exiled king serves as a remarkable contrast to the coming of Jesus some 500 years later. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/12.6.09 Jim Doherty An Odyssey of Sorrow and Exile.mp3?203 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:24:53 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.29.09 Jim Doherty Divine Odyssey.mp3 Jesus’ description in this parable is priceless. He characterizes his own mission to earth as both impossible and pointless because “even a man raised from the dead” would not convince the living to repent. What’s at the heart of this conflict and Christ’s message to the smug and self satisfied life of the rich man and his brothers? Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.29.09 Jim Doherty Divine Odyssey.mp3?202 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:06:04 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.22.09 Jim Doherty The King Has One More Move1.mp3 : Add it all up. Life is short. That in itself might motivate you to grab the gusto (whatever a gusto is). But the bible invites us to consider an epilogue on our story that makes all the difference in how we define the game we play. When the game is over and we are all prepared to go into that final box, then the king has one more word-- one more move-- one more act of grace. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.22.09 Jim Doherty The King Has One More Move1.mp3?201 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:02:44 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.15.09 Jim Doherty The Heart of a Champion.mp3 In both our scriptures today the New Testament references a different kind of winning, a kind of winning that looks a lot like losing from the context of competive sports. Jesus calls losing winning and Paul the Apostle switches teams whenever it suits his whim. But God is calling champions, and God's champions are laying aside trophies and crowns and even their lives to call God's children into the halls of a different kind of reward. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.15.09 Jim Doherty The Heart of a Champion.mp3?200 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:03:14 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.8.09 Dave Farley Making Your Move.mp3 Redemption stories are powerful because it tells a remarkable truth. God made you, God chose you, and God endowed you with gifts that make you unique to anything he has ever made or will ever make in the future. You are a miracle. Part of the challenge of realizing the possibility of what you could do is a very practical reality: Are you ready to trust God's will and promises? Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.8.09 Dave Farley Making Your Move.mp3?199 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:08:04 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.1.09 Jim Doherty Surrendering to the Master of the Board1.mp3 We live our lives with intention and purpose, and when life is coming to an end we want our contribution to mean something. Our scriptures reference two individuals contemplating their final days: Paul the faithful Apostle, and the thief on the cross next to Jesus. Neither of them died with any wealth to speak of, but their legacies of faith have blessed generations. They are counted as saints because they surrendered the need to be master of the board. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/11.1.09 Jim Doherty Surrendering to the Master of the Board1.mp3?198 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:54:14 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.25.09 Paul Lyda Keeping Score.mp3 Jesus could not have chosen two more diametric extremes from his culture than a Pharisee and a Tax Collector, but then he tossed out the whole measuring system. It wasn't goodness God was measuring, it was humilty, repentance and faith. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.25.09 Paul Lyda Keeping Score.mp3?196 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:17:15 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.18.09 Dave Farley Object of the Game.mp3 What is the organizing principle of your life. If people were to view your accomplishments, and the investment of your energies what would they be inclined to say that would summarize the way you live? Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.18.09 Dave Farley Object of the Game.mp3?195 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:13:33 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.11.09 Jim Doherty Finishing Well.mp3 Christians live as both the citizens of a kingdom and residents of an alien land. It is the nature of the promise of God that is both already and not yet. God’s victory is already won over death and the rule of wickedness, but the fullness of earth’s redemption is not yet realized. God is still breaking into the world with the righteous reign of his kingdom. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.11.09 Jim Doherty Finishing Well.mp3?194 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:11:42 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.4.09 Jim Doherty Crossing the Barrier Claiming the Promise.mp3 Stepping into the water of the Jordan is a powerful symbol of faith. The Israelites had wandered for forty years because they lacked the faith to take the step out of the wilderness and into the promised land. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/10.4.09 Jim Doherty Crossing the Barrier Claiming the Promise.mp3?193 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:33:41 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.27.09 Paul Lyda Faith is Not the Map Its the Treasure.mp3 Belonging to God is a journey of trust where every day is a step that has the potential to lead us to God or away from God. The lesson that Moses teaches in Deuteronomy is that the difference between those that walk in concert with God, and those that wander away is in the opportunities to take stock and recognize where God has met us in the past. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.27.09 Paul Lyda Faith is Not the Map Its the Treasure.mp3?192 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:05:24 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.20.09 Dave Farley Lessons Learned in Wandering.mp3 Israel’s spies fail in their ability to see the truth. It was a failure to perceive the truth—to see God as being stronger and more capable than the strong people of the land of Canaan. They should have seen it, but they didn’t. But God was at work in that failure. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.20.09 Dave Farley Lessons Learned in Wandering.mp3?191 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:37:00 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.13.09 Jim Doherty Freedom in the Following.mp3 The word Odyssey is forever tied to Odysseus and Homer’s epic tales of his long difficult journey home. There is little purpose in Odysseus travels. He is partly the pawn of rival gods. Other parts of his journey are due to his own curiosity and foolishness, but the point was always to getting home Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.13.09 Jim Doherty Freedom in the Following.mp3?190 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:53:12 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.6.09 Jim Doherty Heaven is in Our Hands.mp3 It would be interesting to survey the gospel accounts for the presence of food. Jesus is always feeding or sharing a meal with someone, and the Pharisees seem to enjoy the context of dinner too, but the difference between Jesus and the Pharisees is at the heart of this passage. The Pharisees are like movie stars at a red carpet affair. They love dinner parties because they love being seen at them. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/9.6.09 Jim Doherty Heaven is in Our Hands.mp3?189 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:21:48 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.30.09 Jim Doherty Choking on the Treasury Missing the Reward.mp3 Have you ever known a child who loves to give things away? That’s the picture that Jesus paints of God in the generosity of the king in this gospel story. Wealth means nothing to the creator of the universe, the greater treasure is the power to release someone from the indignity of overwhelming debt. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.30.09 Jim Doherty Choking on the Treasury Missing the Reward.mp3?188 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:07:39 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.23.09 Dave Farley Stunned by the Treasure.mp3 The sentiment of religion being a “nice thing” makes it sound like the pabulum that singles list in their personal ads, “I like starry nights, walks on the beach and a little religion.” It suggests that faith doesn’t mean much, and what can it hurt after all; like a toothless cat that we love to cuddle when we can find the time. Jesus spoke of faith very differently. In this gospel parable it is a discovery that changes people so radically that they willingly give away every possession they own to obtain it. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.23.09 Dave Farley Stunned by the Treasure.mp3?187 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:41:25 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.16.09 Dave Farley The Undisciplined Sower.mp3 Scattering seed is not a disciplined activity. This sower scatters it like it were nothing, and then walks out of the picture without wonder or concern. The seed just grows or it doesn’t grow. It all depends how good the soil is, and that’s really God’s business. But we’re not always satisfied leaving it to God. Our tendency is to focus on the insider cues of Jesus’ explanation to make the proper diagnosis, “O yeah he’s rocky soil for sure. We won’t waste anymore seed on him.” Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.16.09 Dave Farley The Undisciplined Sower.mp3?186 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:39:32 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.9.09 Paul Lyda The Big Plan for a Tiny Seed.mp3 God’s economy is not our economy. What God values often stands in stark contrast to what the world values. And so, we learn, the Kingdom of God is not dependent on human strength or wisdom. Jesus repeatedly reminds his followers that God will use anyone, anywhere – even young, inexperienced youth – to accomplish his work. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.9.09 Paul Lyda The Big Plan for a Tiny Seed.mp3?185 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 07:52:44 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.2.09 Jim Doherty Accomplishing What Pleases God.mp3 This wonderful passage from Isaiah could be a theme verse for this whole series. It captures the tension between transcendence (God being above and beyond the human experience) and immanence (God entering into the world). Understanding that dichotomy is more than a game of Where’s Waldo. The mystery of “where heaven resides” is solved by staring into the face of Jesus. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/8.2.09 Jim Doherty Accomplishing What Pleases God.mp3?184 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:21:16 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.26.09 Dave Farley Light and Flavor of a New Attitude.mp3 This passage is usually associated with the ministry practice of Evangelism, which is inviting people to share our faith and become a part of our community. But reading the gospels should expand our association of what it means to be salt and light in the world. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.26.09 Dave Farley Light and Flavor of a New Attitude.mp3?183 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:41:29 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.19.09 Dave Farley God's Kingdom; Making a Place for the Kingdom.mp3 What does it mean to make a place for the kingdom in our lives today? Jesus often spoke about the kingdom being near. Many times in our lives the kingdom comes near us and we let it pass us by because we don’t have room for it. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.19.09 Dave Farley God's Kingdom; Making a Place for the Kingdom.mp3?182 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:08:47 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.12.09 Jim Doherty God's Kingdom; Building a Foundation.mp3 What kind of renewal will come our way if we take seriously the invitation to open our hearts and minds to the arrival of God’s kingdom? We might discover, for example, that we are “poor in spirit”. A term that describes people who find their identity in the One Lord God. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/7.12.09 Jim Doherty God's Kingdom; Building a Foundation.mp3?181 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:42:34 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.5.09 Paul Lyda Free to Do Something Beautiful for God.mp3 For many, freedom is about what we are freed from, such as obligations or fear. However, both Jesus and Paul teach us that, by grace, freedom is also about what we are freed to, such as love and trust. This past week the a group of St. Matthew adults and high school youth were reminded that, in Christ, we are free to do something beautiful for God. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.5.09 Paul Lyda Free to Do Something Beautiful for God.mp3?180 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:37:52 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.28.09 Dave Farley The Worm God's Obedient Servant.mp3 Jesus says to the Pharisees, "Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'" The Pharisees had a carefully devised list of insiders and outsiders, but they had not spent enough time in the book of Jonah. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.28.09 Dave Farley The Worm God's Obedient Servant.mp3?179 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:35:07 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.21.09 Jim Doherty The Indispensable, Indigestible Prophet.mp3 This is a miraculous event. Nineveh is a city that does not know the Lord, but it hears a begrudged sermon, offered under duress, to only one-third of the population and yet their contrition is so great that even the farm animals participate. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.21.09 Jim Doherty The Indispensable, Indigestible Prophet.mp3?178 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:02:43 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.14.09 Jim Doherty A Stormy Conversion Story.mp3 It is remarkable how hard Jonah is working to hide his identity as God's prophet. The sailors almost have to drag the truth out of him in this passage from Chapter 1. His name, his faith, and his prayers to God are all practices that are clearly listed in the prophet's handbook, but what is even more remarkable is that these pagan sailors some how prosper from the half-hearted effort of Jonah and end the story praising God. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.14.09 Jim Doherty A Stormy Conversion Story.mp3?177 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:09:11 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.7.09 Dave Farley On The Lamb.mp3 This openning sermon introduces us to the prophet and, by extension, to the people of God both of whom have good motivation to dispise the city of Nineveh. Maybe Jonah assumed that his being unavailable for duty would leave God with no choice but to destroy this evil city which would one day destroy all of Israel, but what is remarkable is that God is not only free to fullfill his will through whomever he wishes, but God is determined to do it through Jonah. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/6.7.09 Dave Farley On The Lamb.mp3?176 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:33:30 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.31.09 Jim Doherty Breathing with Fire.mp3 Pentecost is the birth day of the Church. God blew a fresh wind into the faith people who gathered on that first Pentecost and a new passion was set to burning in the world. What is the passion of the Spirit now as God moves and directs us today? And how do we get back to the notion of Church being something beyond the box 10390 SW Canyon Rd? God is still blowing life into the world. Are we ready to breath fire again? Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.31.09 Jim Doherty Breathing with Fire.mp3?175 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:05:43 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.24.09 Jim Doherty The Manna Principle.mp3 The Exodus story of God bringing the great nation of Israel out of captivity includes the miraculous gift of manna. Bread settled on the ground like dew and fed the nation during their 40 years of wandering, but the lesson of provision was a hard one to learn. Having confidence that God will provide means releasing ourselves from the need for worry. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.24.09 Jim Doherty The Manna Principle.mp3?174 Tue, 26 May 2009 10:56:49 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.17.09 Dave Farley The Manna Principle.mp3 The Exodus story of God bringing the great nation of Israel out of captivity includes the miraculous gift of manna. Bread settled on the ground like dew and fed the nation during their 40 years of wandering, but the lesson of provision was a hard one to learn. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.17.09 Dave Farley The Manna Principle.mp3?173 Mon, 18 May 2009 08:10:36 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.10.09 Paul Lyda The Purpose of Divine Partnership.mp3 The Genesis story indicates that work was always there. It helped define both our relationship with God and the world that he created. In fact the commission to till and keep the garden was the invitation into a partnership in the ongoing creative process of bringing the world into the fullness of God’s divine purpose. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.10.09 Paul Lyda The Purpose of Divine Partnership.mp3?172 Mon, 11 May 2009 08:22:42 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.3.09 Dave Farley Peace Making in a Restless World.mp3 We were made to be in the presence of God—to enjoy his presence and live without fear. Maybe that is why Jesus in the accounts of the resurrection begins so often with the blessing of peace. Jesus’ presence immediately removes the grief and sorrow, and the security regarding their future. Jesus brings shalom. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/5.3.09 Dave Farley Peace Making in a Restless World.mp3?171 Mon, 04 May 2009 08:25:21 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/ 4.26.09 Dave Farley Do Not Fear An Unwieldy Command.mp3 The command “Do not be afraid” is by far the most consistent and familiar instruction that the Lord gives; to Abraham and Joshua, to David, to Isaiah and certainly to the disciples. You’ve probably done the same for a frightened child or spouse or friend, but to what effect? Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/ 4.26.09 Dave Farley Do Not Fear An Unwieldy Command.mp3?170 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:27:09 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.12.09 Jim Doherty Easter Festival.mp3 At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. Thus says the Lord:The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness;when Israel sought for rest,the Lord appeared to him from far away. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.12.09 Jim Doherty Easter Festival.mp3?169 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:27:04 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.5.09 Paul Lyda A Celebration of God's Love.mp3 Palm Sunday is the tradition service of both celebration and passion. Jesus enters Jerusalem in triumph and a week later lies in a borrowed tomb. What is the journey from celebrated life to death say about the one who lived the message he brought and the loving God who sent him. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/4.5.09 Paul Lyda A Celebration of God's Love.mp3?168 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:30:05 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.29.08 Jim Doherty Entreating God to Come.mp3 God is working toward the complete redemption of the earth. Included in that promise is the assurance that disease and even death will one day pass away. But between the giving of the promise and the completion of the task, our world and each life anticipates sickness, tragedy and the need for healing. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.29.08 Jim Doherty Entreating God to Come.mp3?167 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:10:04 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.22.09 Jim Doherty God in Between Us.mp3 There are many who make the proposition that the early church was the pure, faithful expression of God’s Church, evident especially in the harmony of relationships represented by the book of Acts. But there is no panacea of harmony represented anywhere in the New Testament. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.22.09 Jim Doherty God in Between Us.mp3?166 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:46:47 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.15.09 Jim Doherty God Leading iinto the World.mp3 On this special Sunday we consider the mission of our congregation and continue the task of listening to God regarding what he is calling us to be as a community. The question that guides our inquiry is definition of mission. If mission is a body of people sent to conduct the business of an organization or the business itself for which they are sent; what then is the business of the church? Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.15.09 Jim Doherty God Leading iinto the World.mp3?165 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:08:28 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.8.09 Dave Farley The Holy Habitation of Christian Worship.mp3 Worship is the most basic expression of faith. It is the rudimentary recognition and submission to the presence of a God who has claimed Lordship over our life and our world. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.8.09 Dave Farley The Holy Habitation of Christian Worship.mp3?164 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:15:55 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.1.09 Dave Farley Holy Democracy of God's Call.mp3 The Church is a Holy Democracy. Martin Luther says it is first a work of the Holy Spirit to call, gather, enlighten and sanctify us. The uniqueness of this practice of Holy Community is its invitation to be led by the needs of the weakest member and determine leadership according to the merits of service. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/3.1.09 Dave Farley Holy Democracy of God's Call.mp3?163 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 09:39:31 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.22.09 Bruce Fivecoat God in our Joy and Sorrow.mp3 God inhabits our days so completely that he enters into both our sorrows and our joys. The Scriptures are full of examples of God sharing in the highs and lows of our daily existence. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.22.09 Bruce Fivecoat God in our Joy and Sorrow.mp3?162 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 09:27:54 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.15.09 Paul Lyda God in Wisdom and Foolishness.mp3 God often surprises us and trips up our pride with what appears foolish, or lowly, to accomplish his purpose and reveal his glory. The contrast between what we think we know about of God and what we actually know about the character and heart of God is significant. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.15.09 Paul Lyda God in Wisdom and Foolishness.mp3?161 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:12:49 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.8.09 Dave Farley God in Gathering and Sending.mp3 A missional (sending) community (gathering) of faith reflects God’s own redemptive work in the cosmos. God comes to call, heal, teach and gather, in love, the people of God, so that they in turn might go into all the world and call, heal, teach and gather together for worship of our heavenly Father. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.8.09 Dave Farley God in Gathering and Sending.mp3?160 Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:26:04 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.1.09 Jim Doherty God in Our Freedom and Service.mp3 Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Many would ask, “Free from what?” Perhaps the question should be, “Free to what?” Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/2.1.09 Jim Doherty God in Our Freedom and Service.mp3?159 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 08:40:04 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.25.09 Jim Doherty God in Law and Grace.mp3 In the DNA of God is the idea of being in a covenant-relationship with the world, as opposed to being in a contract-relationship. The covenant-relationship is based upon grace, while the contract-relationship is based on the law. Much of our interaction with others – both individually and institutionally – reflects the need for respectful boundaries to protect life. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.25.09 Jim Doherty God in Law and Grace.mp3?158 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 09:04:00 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.18.09 David Farley God in the Night and Day.mp3 “God works the night shift” by Pastor Ron Mehl. Within this simple rhythm of night and day is the powerful truth that we need rest. We are wired to observe a time of Sabbath – of rest. God ordered creation to reflect the importance of taking a break from our labor; to breathe and turn our attention to God. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.18.09 David Farley God in the Night and Day.mp3?157 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:21:43 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.11.09 Dan Brunner God i n the Old and New.mp3 Behold, I make all things new. God is a God of creation. We are created in his image to be co-creators of our daily life – our spiritual formation. Through this we are called and set apart to share the new promise of God’s redeeming work through Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.11.09 Dan Brunner God i n the Old and New.mp3?156 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:51:40 PST http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.4.09 Jim Doherty God in Darkness and Light.mp3 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it The Bible constantly reminds us that darkness is real and present in our world, as well as in our personal lives. However, scripture also teaches us that darkness is limited in its reach and power over us. By comparison, God’s light is likewise real and present, but without limit to reach and hold on to us – God’s beloved. Christianity http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/public/av/1.4.09 Jim Doherty God in Darkness and Light.mp3?155 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:06:23 PST