Jesus Pours Out His Spirit

Are We Growing Wheat or Pulling Weeds?

The wheat that grows in the Middle East is a variety that looks much like wild grass or weeds. It is difficult to tell wheat and weeds apart until shortly before harvest time, when the wheat stalks develop a head containing the kernels of grain. Pulling the weeds out of a wheat field could lead to accidentally pulling up a fair amount of wheat. People need to wait for the harvest to separate wheat from weeds. Jesus uses that image to illustrate life this side of heaven. What makes Christians different? They are wheat planted by the Lord. Unbelieving evildoers are pictured as weeds. We might want God to take care of evil now, pulling up all the weeds. But he tells us to wait for the harvest of judgment day. So we live as wheat among weeds, being faithful, fruitful, and mindful of the coming harvest. Thank you Pastor Behringer for leading our service this week. Check out his sermon, "Are We Growing Wheat or Pulling Weeds?" to learn more! #faith #gospel #Christ #Christian #sermon #Jesus #God #lutheran #welslutheran #garlandtx

Follow God's Plan To Build His Church

Planting seed by hand can be extraordinary. In your hand, the seed looks lifeless and insignificant. You put the seed into the soil, and suddenly, all by itself, the seed germinates and sprouts and reaches to the sun. Except when it doesn’t! Plant multiple seeds, and often only some will grow. The Bible describes Christians as planted by the Word. Why do some people grow in faith, and not others? What makes Christians different? The Bible describes the supernatural process by which God calls people to faith through the gospel. He promises that his Word always accomplishes his purpose. It is powerful all on its own, without our help. As we grow in faith, we give God thanks for the miracle of his work in our lives. Check out Pastor Hering's sermon, "Follow God's Plan To Build His Church," to learn more! #faith #gospel #Christ #Christian #sermon #God #lutheran #welslutheran #garlandtx

The Government Is God's Servant

The Bible says Christians are different. Christians are people who believe in Jesus as their Savior. But they often look the same as those who do not believe in Jesus. How are Christians different? The answer is often something internal, attitudes or perspectives that come only from the work of the Holy Spirit in Word and sacrament. Ultimately, Christians are people who run to Christ for forgiveness because they have failed to live perfect lives. As we receive the mercy of Christ, it moves us to strive with all our being to do all the things that Jesus says Christians do, things that make Christians different. Check out Pastor Hering's most recent sermon, "The Government Is God's Servant!" #faith #gospel #Christ #Christian #sermon #lutheran #welslutheran

Keep God Number One

Not all love is good. It is self-destructive to love bad things. It is just as harmful to love good things in a bad order. For example, Pastor Hering loves it that the Oklahoma Sooners won the College World Series! But, if he love the Sooners more than he loved preparing for today’s worship that wouldn’t be good. Also, it would seem to be a good thing for a man to love his dog. But if he loves his dog more than he loves his wife, his “love” for both is disordered. For love to be healthy, it needs to be properly ordered. Christians love the people whom God has placed into their lives. But when those people desire something that God does not desire, Christians love and serve God above all. Properly ordered love leads us to be faithful to God and his Word. We love God above all because he first loved us. Check out Pastor Hering's sermon, "Keep God Number One" to learn more! #faith #gospel #sermon #love #Christ #Christian #lutheran #welslutheran #garlandtx

In The End, Keep The Faith

Believers in God and their ministers have always been persecuted. Religious leaders in Jerusalem tried to muzzle the truth, but they only succeeded in sending people to preach the Word throughout the land. The Roman Empire persecuted Christians with stakes and lions, but God’s Church exploded with growth. In Martin Luther’s day, both pope and emperor tried to limit the gospel movement that was spreading from Germany, but God led many people to speak his truth. God wants his people to keep the faith and preach the Word even in the face of opposition. Check out Pastor Hering's sermon, "In The End, Keep The Faith," to learn more!#gospel #faith #Christ #Christian #sermon #lutheran #welslutheran #garlandtx