Pastor Otterstatter • March 20, 2022

Crushed: False Security is Crushed by Faithful Presence

Where is God? This is one of human beings' most frequently-asked and incorrectly-answered questions. We are tempted to believe that evidence of God's presence is found in outward circumstances. We equate good fortune with God's favor and bad fortune with his judgement. So, as long as nothing terrible is happening, God must not be too angry with us, right? We are free to go on sinning. Such foolish assumptions must be crushed. Therefore God must constantly remind us where he intends to be found; in the Gospel.


He makes himself present in Word and sacraments. Because he is always present, we realize the urgent need to turn away from the sin he despises. Because his presence is graciously hidden, we are drawn to him for forgiveness rather than driven away from him in fear.

Imminent Arrival of the Messiah

By Pastor Quinn • December 14, 2025
The Messiah is an important person. You stand when he enters the courtroom. What he says must be obeyed. If you are the one on trial, his determinations make a big difference in how your life will continue. You might be quite nervous if the judge is about to arrive. John invited people to turn their nervousness to repentance. He says that the arrival of the Judge is imminent, and the kingdom of heaven is near! You are invited to hear John, repent, and believe the good news of the coming Savior.

Imminent Arrival of the Judge

By Pastor Quinn • December 7, 2025
The judge is an important person. You stand when he enters the courtroom. What he says must be obeyed. If you are the one on trial, his determinations make a big difference in how your life will continue.  You might be quite nervous if the judge is about to arrive. John invited people to turn their nervousness to repentance. He says that the arrival of the Judge is imminent, and the kingdom of heaven is near! You are invited to hear John, repent, and believe the good news of the coming Savior.

Resurrection/Hope

By Pastor Quinn • November 16, 2025
People think of “hope” as being an optimistic desire. “I hope it doesn’t rain this weekend” simply means that is what you want to happen. Your hope doesn’t mean that will happen. It might pour all weekend. Yet, that is the best the world can offer—an uncertain enthusiasm, a cautious anticipation. Optimism is the cause of that shaky type of hope. In a world as hard as this one, we need more than shaky hope. Jesus gives us better. He has given us the unbreakable promise of resurrection, a promise rooted in his own resurrection. More, he has given us the promise of eternal life in a breathtakingly beautiful heavenly home. What is the effect of Jesus giving us such promises? We are given a better type of hope . . . a certain hope. We watch and wait for the life that is to come, with the certainty that it will come. For Jesus has made a promise. And one thing Jesus never does is lie!
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