Pastor Gregg Bitter
Angels: Spiritual Warriors Guarding God's People -- Psalm 91:11, 12
We are not alone in our spiritual warfare. God's angels guard and protect us. They are spiritual warriors guarding God's people. Parts: A. T…
The Holy Spirit Cleans Your Heart -- Psalm 51:10-12
Could we call the Holy Spirit our janitor? Consider how he cleaned the mess of sin in David's heart and how he cleans ours. Parts: A. To kee…
Why Am I a Christian? -- Matthew 5:13-20
As Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount, he reminds us of our purpose as Christians and mentions his mission in coming to earth. Parts: A…
Jesus: The Only Name That Saves -- Acts 4:8-12
How much we needed to be rescued! Only this baby could save us. One week after his birth, as he is circumcised on the eighth day, he is give…
Honor God's Gift of Marriage -- Genesis 2:18-24
Marriage is God's wonderful gift. But we see it under attack more and more. How can we defend and honor his gift of marriage? Parts: A. God …
Learn Wisdom from the Wise Men -- Matthew 2:1-12
Even the most familiar events from the Bible have much to teach us, if we take them to heart and practice them in our lives. What abou…
Why Christmas? -- John 3:16
Little children love to ask an endless chains of 'Why?' What happens when we ask 'Why Christmas?' Preached on December 24, 2012, for christm…
What Gain to Know Christ! -- Philippians 3:8-11
So many things in life seem important. But when it comes to our standing before God, it's all loss, except for Christ and his righteou…
You are God's Gifted People -- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
How many Christmas gifts don't leave up to our expectations and are soon forgotten? How different is the Holy Spirit and the gifts he distri…
Beware Earthly Repentance -- Isaiah 58:5-9
We can never make ourselves sorrow enough. In fact focusing on our efforts to be sorry is earthly repentance. It leaves our hearts dead. Onl…
Repent and Live -- Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
God's ways are just. Through the justice of the cross, he fervently seeks your salvation. He calls out to you and me: Repent and live. For h…
What Mercy Comes from the LORD, Our God! -- Psalm 136:1
'O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.' We say these words from Psalm 136 so often at meal time. Let's t…
Face the World Confident of God's Judgment -- 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10
What encouragement does God's judgment bring to me to live my faith despite the world's opposition? Parts: A. The world opposes your faith. …
God Knows Your Heart -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13
How can we have a heart like David's rather than like King Saul's? Let's learn what the Holy Spirit does as he works in our hearts through B…
God’s Love Drives Out Fear -- 1 John 4:13-21
1 John 4:13-21. How amazing God's love is! It even drives out our fear. Parts: A. So that we have courage to anticipate Judgment…
David’s Prayer Marvels at the Lord’s Promise -- 1 Chronicles 17:16-27
How should we prayer? The Scriptures give us many examples of prayer from the heart of believers. Today we turn to David’s prayer recorded i…
The LORD’s Word Raises Dry Bones -- Ezekiel 37:1-14
Ezekiel 37:1-14. What a miracle the Holy Spirit has worked in the lives of God's people! He has brought life to our dry bones through …
Watch Continuously, Ready for Jesus -- Matthew 24:37-44
We don't know when Jesus will return, so how can we be ready? How does the Holy Spirit keep our eyes on Jesus? Parts: A. Beware of the distr…
We Follow Our Heart's Treasure -- Mark 10:17-27
Where is your heart leading you? Is that where you want to go? Jesus exposes what our hearts so often treasure instead of treasuring him, an…
God Weaves Together All Things for Good -- Romans 8:28-30
God works all things for good. So often when we need that promise the most, those words sound empty. How can we live confident of this truth…
Jesus Is the One -- Matthew 11:2-11
John the Baptist struggled. Was Jesus the One? Jesus leads us into God's Word to heal our hearts that struggle, just as he did for John. Par…
The Ancient of Days Convenes His Court -- Daniel 7:9, 10
Those who oppose God will not escape. His holy zeal will carry out justice. But what about us? What will Judgment Day bring? Parts: A. He br…
The Lion of Judah Reigns -- Genesis 49:8-12
The Lamb who was slain is the Lion of Judah who reigns. What a paradox! And just as it was for Jacob, Judah, and their descendants, so…
Be First -- Mark 9:30-37
Mark 9:30-37. What does it mean to be first when it comes to Christ's kingdom? Be first A. By pursuing excellence in your Christian li…
The Only God Who Blesses -- Numbers 6:24-26
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each one fully God. Each one distinct from the other. Yet they are ONE God. Although the mys…
Life Flows from the Throne of the Lamb -- Revelation 22:1-5
The winter of this world bears down on us. But the scene of the life and light of heaven strengthens and encourages us. Cherish the heavenly…
Knowing Jesus Moves Us to Love -- 1 John 2:3-11
Our relationship with Jesus changes our relationship with one another. Parts: A. His word of truth calls for a response. B. His love shines …
Christ Unites Us -- Romans 15:4-13
So much discord among Christians, but Christ unites us. How can we get our hearts more in tune with Christ's unity? Preached on Decemb…
“Lord, Hear Your Servant's Prayer” -- 1 Kings 8:22-23
Solomon humbly prayed to the LORD at the dedication of the temple. The temple wasn't for his glory but for the LORD's. So Solomon reli…
Christ's Body Makes Us Holy -- Hebrews 10:5-10
How different Jesus sacrifice is! As we celebrate his birth, we see the Son of God with a human body. Only his sacrifice can make us holy. P…
Test Yourself and See Christ in You -- 2 Corinthians 13:5-10
When Christ lives in our hearts, we live differently. Test yourself and see Christ in you. Parts: A. As you do what is good. B. As you work …
Submit to God, For He Lifts Up the Lowly -- James 4:7-10
As we submit to God and come near to him through his Word and Sacraments, he lifts us up in victory over the devil and washes us clean. Part…
Christ's Baptism Is Yours -- Matthew 3:13-17
What blessings your Baptism brought you! We see these blessings as we contemplate Jesus' Baptism. Parts: A. He carries your guilt. B. You sh…
Free at Last! -- Galatians 4:4-7
Jesus was born to redeem us. What kind of freedom does that bring us? How are we using that freedom? Parts: A. God's Son has redeemed us fro…
Praise the Works of the Lord -- Psalm 111:1-10
What's on your new year's list? One word can summarize our goal and purpose in the year ahead as well as our greatest accomplishment o…
My Hope Waits for You, O My God -- Psalm 25:1-5
Psalm 25 comes from deep within David's heart. Yet these are also words the Holy Spirit himself gave David to prayer. O what we can learn fo…
“Lean on Me” – the LORD -- Proverbs 3:5, 6
Proverbs 3:5, 6. What does it mean to lean on the LORD? Parts: A. Let go of your own understanding. B. Know him as your Shepherd. …
Keep Praying for Justice against Your Adversary -- Luke 18:1-8
The platitude, 'Just keep praying,' seldom helps us in our struggle to persist in prayer. What encourage does the parable of the unjust judg…
The LORD: Our Faithful God Who Keeps His Promises -- Exodus 6:2-8
The Lord's faithfulness lifts us up out of despair and gives us the courage to serve. For he is the LORD, the faithful God who keeps his pro…
Shout with the Stones -- Luke 19:37-40
Jesus will be praised, even if the stones have to do it. Let's shout with the stones. Parts: A. What are these stones?. B. How do we shout o…
The Lord’s Mighty Mercy Delivers His People -- Exodus 14:10-31
Has God's help left us? How devastating that thought is! But no matter what trouble is bearing down on you, turn to the Lord. For the Lord's…
Wear Your Faith on Your Sleeve -- Deuteronomy 6:4-9
You know the One in whom you believe. He is the faithful Lord, your God, who keeps his saving promises. Let that faith show in your life. We…
Who Is Jesus Christ? -- Mark 8:27-35
Mark 8:27-35. Who is Jesus Christ? Parts: A. He is the Cross-bearer. B. He is the Cross-sender. Preached on August 30, 2015, for…
The Righteous Branch Brings You Hope -- Jeremiah 33:14-16
Often God's promises seem to be dead stumps. We wonder how it's possible for him to keep them. But look how he kept his impossible promise t…
Now Thank We All Our God -- Romans 5:1-5
Even in the midst of suffering we can sing: Now thank we all our God. Let's learn why we can rejoice in suffering. Parts: A. His verdict ove…
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! -- Psalm 148:1-14
What does it mean to praise the LORD and shout 'Hallelujah'? The reasons behind this praise tell us both why we praise the Lord (our motivat…
How Much Our God Exceeds Our Expectations! -- Acts 3:1-10
It seems that we often fail to get what we want. But God is at work giving us more than we desire. How much he exceeds our expectations! Par…
The Son of Man Reigns in Victory -- Daniel 7:13, 14
The victory has been won by none other than our Brother, Jesus Christ, who shares our human nature and yet is God over all. Stand firm with …
How Wonderfully Our God Works! -- Psalm 139:13-18
How marvelously our God brings new life into this world! What honor he gives to mothers! And he takes care of his people throughout li…
Pray, Holding On to God's Truth Till the End -- 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5
As faithful servants waiting for your Lord's return, be busy with the work he's given you to do. Pray, holding on to God's truth till the en…
Pray for the Country the Lord Has Placed You in -- Jeremiah 29:7, 10-14
How easily we can swing from patriotic fervor on the Fourth of July to despair about our country's future. We find help in this letter the L…
Love Your Enemy -- 1 Samuel 26:7-25
King Saul had it coming, but David did not take revenge. What does David's example teach us about loving our enemy? Parts: A. Revenge usurps…
Our Father's Promises Trump our Worries -- 1 Kings 17:7-16
God's promises made the difference for Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. His promises overcome our worries. He cares for you as your Father…
>Our Lord’s Treasure Shines Out Through Our Struggles -- 2 Corinthians 4:5-12
How frail and breakable our earthly life is! But the treasure of Jesus shatters our darkness and brings light to others through our struggle…
Shine out of the Darkness -- Isaiah 60:1-6
What darkness we were born into! But your Light has come. So shine out of the darkness. Parts: A. Because the Light has risen for you. B. So…
Take Refuge in the LORD -- Psalm 34:1-22
No matter what the danger, the Lord is our refuge. Now to take refuge in him includes having a new attitude toward him. We see David express…
The Lord Blesses a Shunammite Woman and Mothers Today -- 2 Kings 4:8-37
This woman from Shunem leads us to examine our attitude toward motherhood. In Christ we have forgiveness for our sins against motherhood and…
We've Seen Our Salvation -- Luke 2:29-32
Simeon longed to see the promised Messiah. What peace when he held the baby in his arms! By faith he knew that this Child was the Son of God…
You've Crossed Over to Life -- John 5:24-29
What does Jesus mean when he talks about crossing over? When does it happen? How does it happen? What difference does it make? Parts: A. Kee…
The New Covenant: No Ifs, Ands, or Buts -- Jeremiah 31:31-34
The law confronts us with conditions that we're powerless to measure up to. What hope is there? None, if we have to meet any condition…
Keep Walking with Jesus -- Colossians 2:6-15
We want to be a positive influence on those around us. So we all the more need to keep walking with Jesus so that the rotting influenc…
Lift Up Your Heads! See the King of Glory! -- Psalm 24:1-10
How dare we lift up our heads, sinners that we are? Jesus answers that as he rides into Jerusalem. Parts: A. How can we dare to? Only becaus…
Listen and Turn Before It's Too Late -- Jeremiah 26:1-6
Which direction are you headed in? How the Lord longs for us to be following him and not our own ways! So he calls out to us: Listen and tur…
O Lord, How Great Your Blessing Is! -- Genesis 32:9-12
Jacob must soon face Esau. Let's see what his prayer teaches about the Lord's blessing and thanksgiving. Parts: A. I confess my total unwort…
Blessed with Grace, Love, and Fellowship -- 2 Corinthians 13:14
How greatly the Triune God blesses us! The Apostle Paul reminds us of this as he closes his second letter to the Christians in Corinth. Part…
Hope Praises our God Now and Forever -- Psalm 43:1-5
We walk in danger throughout this earthly life, but through Jesus we walk in hope as well, praising our God. For Jesus brings us the r…
In God's Courtroom You're Forgiven through Jesus -- Acts 13:38-48
What would it have been like to hear the Apostle Paul preach? Let's join those hearers in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch. Parts: A. A ver…
Love Makes the Difference -- 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13
The world speaks so much about love, especially as Valentine Day approaches. But what is the love that the Holy Spirit works in our hearts? …
Jesus Comes to Purify -- Malachi 3:1-4
Nothing we do is good enough to save us. But Jesus came to purify you and me, cleansing us from all sins. He not only purifies us but also o…
Created for Fellowship with God -- Genesis 1:1, 2, 26-28
The Triune God created mankind to have a relationship with him, but our sin destroyed it. Only Jesus could restore it. That's how much God d…
The LORD Works Strength through Tragedy -- 1 Kings 17:17-24
Tragedy strikes even good Christian people. Why? When we're caught up in the emotional confusion of our own troubles, we seldom …
Wait for the Harvest -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
How long, God? The evils in the world around us move us to ask that question. How long? But the Lord knows what he is doing. So wait for the…
Why Is This Baby Immanuel? -- Matthew 1:18-25
Christmas is so much more than a birth, even a miraculous birth. The name Immanuel reveals the mystery of Christmas. Parts: A. Because he's …
The Credit Goes to God -- Judges 7:1-8
As he did for Gideon, the Lord often places us in situations that seem impossible. He trains us to give up on our own strength and trust in …
Listen as a Servant -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10
The Lord called out to young Samuel. How does our Lord speak to us? What does he say? How do we listen as a servant? Parts: A. Listen first …
Live Ready for Your Lord -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
How we look at death changes the way we live our lives. Like the Apostle Paul, live ready for your Lord. Parts: A. By striving in your servi…
Stand Strong with the Lord -- Joshua 1:1, 6-9
As he did for Joshua, so also the Lord encourages us to hold on to his promises so that we stand strong with the Lord. Parts: A. Filled with…
I Can't Wait! -- Hebrews 9:24-28
Judgment Day stirs up dread and terror. But because of Christ's once-and-for-all sacrifice, our entire view of that day changes. Through fai…
How Precious Is God’s Flock! -- Acts 20:28-32
Acts 20:28-32. What give us true worth and value? Why does God count each of the sheep in his flock as precious? Parts: A. Purchased b…
The Stinger’s Gone! -- 1 Corinthians 15:54-58
Death still comes, but it's sting is gone. For Jesus has risen. Preached on April 8, 2012, for Easter: The Resurrection of Our Lord, at St. …
Love Builds Up -- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Knowledge of God's truth is good, important, and vital. But trying to use that knowledge without love is deadly. Love builds up. Parts: A. L…
Cherish God's Christmas Letter -- Romans 1:1-7
What's God's Christmas letter? To whom does he send it and why? Let's listen to the opening words of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Christ…