Saint Athanasius Lutheran Church

Good Fruit for Good Fruit

In this message, I reflect on John the Baptist’s call to “bear fruit in keeping with repentance,” reminding us that repentance is more than words—it is a life changed by God’s grace. Sin is not something to manage or excuse, but something Christ came to remove, at the cost of His own life. From the cut-down stump of Israel, God brought forth Jesus, the true Branch and the source of new life, who was cut down for us so we could live. Through Baptism and repentance, the Spirit continually calls us out of sin and into a new life that bears good fruit—faith, hope, love, and peace—as we are prepared for Christ’s coming, now and in glory.

Cleansed Brides

In this message, I reflect on how Advent is not only about preparing for Christmas, but about preparing for Christ’s coming now through His Word and Sacraments and His coming again on the Last Day. Scripture gives us a joyful picture of that final day, not just as judgment, but as a wedding feast between Christ and His Church. Through Baptism, we are cleansed and made His radiant Bride, clothed in His promises rather than our own faithfulness. Because of this, the Last Day becomes a day of joy, not fear. We live now in hopeful anticipation, eager for the Bridegroom’s return and longing for others to share in that same joy.

It's Time!

In this week’s message, we hear Paul’s urgent reminder: you know the time. Not clock time, but the spiritual moment we live in—one where Christ’s return draws nearer each day. The temptation is to hit the snooze button, to drift through life distracted, sleepy, or spiritually drowsy. But Scripture calls us to wake up, to live as people who know what hour it is. We prepare by crying out “Hosanna” as the crowds once did, receiving Christ in Word and Sacrament, and practicing for His final coming each time we gather at the altar. Paul urges us to cast off the works of darkness, repent, and put on the armor of light—living as people clothed with Christ in Baptism. Advent invites us to stay awake, to connect the manger, the cross, and Christ’s promised return. We prepare not just for Christmas Day, but for the Last Day, living out Christ’s love in service to our neighbors. So we pray: Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come—wake us, arm us with Your light, forgive us, and keep us ready for the day when the Savior of the Nations comes again.

Waiting for Eternity

In this week’s message, we shift from wondering what eternal life will be like to facing what life looks like as we wait for Jesus’ return. Scripture shows us a world marked by turmoil—wars, disasters, false teachers, persecution, and a creation groaning toward its end. These signs have been unfolding since Christ’s ascension and continue today. But Jesus’ surprising instruction is not to duck and cover, but to stand up and lift our heads, because these signs mean our redemption is drawing near. Like first responders trained for crisis, we gather in worship to receive strength, forgiveness, and peace, so we can go back into a troubled world with courage and hope. Christ—who faced the cross, conquered death, and promises never to forsake us—anchors us with words that will never pass away. So when we see the world shaking, we do not fear. We stay awake, stand firm, and bear witness, confident that our Savior is near and coming again to redeem His people.

A Nugget of the Eternal

In this episode, I explore why Scripture tells us so little about heaven and why our limited minds couldn’t grasp it anyway. Jesus gives us a small glimpse when He tells the Sadducees that life in the resurrection will be entirely new—no longer divided into many families, but united as one family in Christ. We recall Moses at the burning bush, meeting the eternal God who stands outside of time, and we hear Jesus affirm that the resurrection is real and that God is the God of the living. Until that day comes, Paul urges us to stand firm in truth and good works, even as the world burns with doubt and sin. Though we don’t yet understand what eternal life will be like, we know Christ will bring us there. And until then, He prepares us at His table, where heaven and earth briefly meet.