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Episodes
Weekly messages from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista Inc
Episodes
Sunday May 08, 2022
Sunday May 08, 2022
Change is always hard, and times of transition can be quite challenging. At Para Vista we are beginning to come to terms with the fact that Pastor Rolly will no longer be with us. That’s a big change for us! How will we transition successfully through this?
In Joshua chapter 1, we encounter the people of Israel in transition. Moses was dead and Joshua was wondering whether he was up to the task of leading God’s people. Those were some pretty big shoes to fill! It seems to me that many of the things that God said to encourage Joshua, equally applies to us today.
In verse 3 God says to Joshua, “As I told Moses, I have given you and all my people the entire land.” Here God is reassuring Joshua and the people that the promises spoken to Moses still hold good, even though Moses is no longer with them.
Note too how God refers to the people as “my” people, not Moses’ people. In the same way, God claims you as his own here at Para Vista. Jesus is your true Pastor, not Pastor Rolly or Pastor Reid. They may have left, but Jesus is still with us! And his promises to you still hold true! God is, and will continue to be, faithful during this time of vacancy and transition.
In verse 5 God says, “I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will always be with you; I will never abandon you.” You can’t help but think of Jesus’ other name, “Immanuel” when you read this. Immanuel, of course, means, “God with us.”
Next God says to Joshua the same thing three times in a row. In verse 6 God says, “Be determined and confident.” He repeats the same encouragement in verse 7, “Just be determined, be confident.” And for a third time God says in verse 9, “Remember I have commanded you to be determined and confident!” God says it three times. Clearly God wants us to take this message to heart!
So, let’s be really determined to remember that and be super confident because of it, knowing that God loves each one of us and will be with us every step of the way!
Pr. Richard Haar
Sunday May 08, 2022
Sunday May 08, 2022
Change is always hard, and times of transition can be quite challenging. At Para Vista we are beginning to come to terms with the fact that Pastor Rolly will no longer be with us. That’s a big change for us! How will we transition successfully through this?
In Joshua chapter 1, we encounter the people of Israel in transition. Moses was dead and Joshua was wondering whether he was up to the task of leading God’s people. Those were some pretty big shoes to fill! It seems to me that many of the things that God said to encourage Joshua, equally applies to us today.
In verse 3 God says to Joshua, “As I told Moses, I have given you and all my people the entire land.” Here God is reassuring Joshua and the people that the promises spoken to Moses still hold good, even though Moses is no longer with them.
Note too how God refers to the people as “my” people, not Moses’ people. In the same way, God claims you as his own here at Para Vista. Jesus is your true Pastor, not Pastor Rolly or Pastor Reid. They may have left, but Jesus is still with us! And his promises to you still hold true! God is, and will continue to be, faithful during this time of vacancy and transition.
In verse 5 God says, “I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will always be with you; I will never abandon you.” You can’t help but think of Jesus’ other name, “Immanuel” when you read this. Immanuel, of course, means, “God with us.”
Next God says to Joshua the same thing three times in a row. In verse 6 God says, “Be determined and confident.” He repeats the same encouragement in verse 7, “Just be determined, be confident.” And for a third time God says in verse 9, “Remember I have commanded you to be determined and confident!” God says it three times. Clearly God wants us to take this message to heart!
So, let’s be really determined to remember that and be super confident because of it, knowing that God loves each one of us and will be with us every step of the way!
Pr. Richard Haar
Sunday May 01, 2022
Sunday May 01, 2022
This Sunday will be my last sermon as your pastor here at Good Shepherd.
Last words can be poignant and impacting. The “last words” I want to share with you are not mine, but God’s! God has spoken to us most clearly and personally in his Son: Jesus – the Word made flesh. In Jesus we discover that our Father’s heart is always beating with love for us, wanting us to be in relationship with him, and to join his work in this world.
The writer of Hebrews 12:1-3 warns his audience not to return to their old way of life, but to walk in the freedom and life that Jesus has for us. He urges his readers – and us – not to get distracted by lesser things, or things that have no future in God’s plans; but to run the race trusting God’s promises and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.
I thank you for the privilege of sharing the Scriptures with you and pointing you to Jesus. As I bid you farewell, I encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.
- Pastor Rolly Stahl
Sunday May 01, 2022
Sunday May 01, 2022
This Sunday will be my last sermon as your pastor here at Good Shepherd.
Last words can be poignant and impacting. The “last words” I want to share with you are not mine, but God’s! God has spoken to us most clearly and personally in his Son: Jesus – the Word made flesh. In Jesus we discover that our Father’s heart is always beating with love for us, wanting us to be in relationship with him, and to join his work in this world.
The writer of Hebrews 12:1-3 warns his audience not to return to their old way of life, but to walk in the freedom and life that Jesus has for us. He urges his readers – and us – not to get distracted by lesser things, or things that have no future in God’s plans; but to run the race trusting God’s promises and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.
I thank you for the privilege of sharing the Scriptures with you and pointing you to Jesus. As I bid you farewell, I encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.
- Pastor Rolly Stahl
Sunday Apr 24, 2022
Sunday Apr 24, 2022
A message from guest preacher Paul Fielke.
Doubt almost seems like a bad word in Christian circles. All too often it is equated with falling away — with losing your faith. Christians fight against doubt and are often encouraged to just have faith. But doubts are a normal part of our lives. So rather than run from it, use it to your advantage. Bring your doubts to God. Seek answers to your doubts. When you do that, doubts can lead to growth.
There may be times when your doubts are really hard to answer. When they are, remember even though you might at times doubt God, God never doubts you. And always tell yourself that you can rely on his love for you and his promises to you.
Sunday Apr 24, 2022
Sunday Apr 24, 2022
A message from guest preacher Paul Fielke.
Doubt almost seems like a bad word in Christian circles. All too often it is equated with falling away — with losing your faith. Christians fight against doubt and are often encouraged to just have faith. But doubts are a normal part of our lives. So rather than run from it, use it to your advantage. Bring your doubts to God. Seek answers to your doubts. When you do that, doubts can lead to growth.
There may be times when your doubts are really hard to answer. When they are, remember even though you might at times doubt God, God never doubts you. And always tell yourself that you can rely on his love for you and his promises to you.
Sunday Apr 17, 2022
Sunday Apr 17, 2022
Mary Magdalene – Devotion
Mary Magdalene is arguably Jesus’ most devoted follower.
She was one of the women who followed him in Galilee and supported his ministry. She is present at the cross and at his burial. So, surprise, as soon as Sabbath is over, she is back at the tomb – only to find that the stone has been rolled away and the tomb is open! Shock!
Who would do such a thing?
Not long afterwards her grief is turned to joy!
Praise the Lord, we’ve received lots of positive comments about this series. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to open ears, eyes, hearts, and minds to Jesus – so many will encounter him personally.
Peace and Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly
Sunday Apr 17, 2022
Sunday Apr 17, 2022
Mary Magdalene – Devotion
Mary Magdalene is arguably Jesus’ most devoted follower.
She was one of the women who followed him in Galilee and supported his ministry. She is present at the cross and at his burial. So, surprise, as soon as Sabbath is over, she is back at the tomb – only to find that the stone has been rolled away and the tomb is open! Shock!
Who would do such a thing?
Not long afterwards her grief is turned to joy!
Praise the Lord, we’ve received lots of positive comments about this series. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to open ears, eyes, hearts, and minds to Jesus – so many will encounter him personally.
Peace and Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly
Friday Apr 15, 2022
Friday Apr 15, 2022
Mary the mother of Jesus – Traumatised
As Mary witnesses the trauma of her firstborn son’s execution,
she questions what the Father of Jesus is doing.
How can he allow this travesty of justice to happen?
Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus the Pharisee – Emboldened
Both were members of Jewish Ruling Council: The Sanhedrin.
Since most of the Sanhedrin were hostile to Jesus,
Joe and Nic were discreet about their connections with him.
This changes after Jesus’ death.
What inspired their boldness to ask for Jesus’ body and carry out his burial?
Friday Apr 15, 2022
Friday Apr 15, 2022
Mary the mother of Jesus – Traumatised
As Mary witnesses the trauma of her firstborn son’s execution,
she questions what the Father of Jesus is doing.
How can he allow this travesty of justice to happen?
Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus the Pharisee – Emboldened
Both were members of Jewish Ruling Council: The Sanhedrin.
Since most of the Sanhedrin were hostile to Jesus,
Joe and Nic were discreet about their connections with him.
This changes after Jesus’ death.
What inspired their boldness to ask for Jesus’ body and carry out his burial?