Living Hope Lutheran is a church in Chattanooga, TN seeking to center the listener on the living hope for everyday life we have in Jesus. Hope forever in Jesus brings hope for every day in life.
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Some people want to follow Jesus because they think that Jesus will respond by giving them all kinds of peace and prosperity. In Matthew 16 Jesus teaches that is a serious misunderstanding. Because Jesus willingly sacrificed himself, following him means that we too will have to willingly sacrifice in our lives. Being a disciple of Jesus means carrying a cross. Not because he wants us to suffer, but because it is the path he took to victory. God’s “gameplan” defies all expectations of the world, because he asks his people to win… by losing.
Ephesians 5:8-14 In a world where sin can blur the truth and leave us stumbling in darkness, Christ calls his people to something radically different: “You are light in the Lord.” In Ephesians 5:8-14, Paul reminds us that Jesus has already rescued us from darkness and made us children of light. Now we get to live out that identity. We expose the lies of sin, reflect Christ’s love, and point others to the only true source of light. When our own struggles and failures tempt us toward despair, we look again to Jesus, the Light of the World, whose death and resurrection give us certainty, comfort,
Matthew 15:21-28 What do you do when you feel like you’re on the outside looking in? Maybe you’ve wondered whether you’ve failed too much, wandered too far, or simply don’t deserve a place at God’s table. In Matthew 15, a Canaanite woman comes to Jesus with nothing to offer except a desperate faith that clings to his mercy. She is willing to take even the scraps. But Jesus gives her far more. And Jesus does the same for us. When our sin and failures leave us feeling like outsiders, Christ doesn’t leave us begging beneath the table. He brings us all the way in, not because we deserve a seat, bu
Matthew 9:35-38 Here’s another truth that will still be true until the end of time: The harvest of souls is plentiful but the workers are few. Today we get the privilege of installing a vicar here at Living Hope, an answer to prayer for more workers in the field. We have the additional privilege of having Pastor Nathan Strutz here to share the sermon with us today. Pastor Strutz was Pastor Eric’s supervising pastor when he was a vicar. Pastor Strutz will be sharing with us what a vicar is and the work of proclaiming the gospel that he’ll get to join us with here in Chattanooga.
Matthew 14:13-21 Jesus is still our Great Provider today like he was for that great crowd of 5,000.
Matthew 13:44-46, 51-52 Everyone is chasing something they believe will make life better - a bigger paycheck, greater security, the perfect family, the next adventure, or the dream they've always wanted. But what if we've been settling for far too little? In today's Gospel, Jesus points us to a treasure so valuable that it's worth giving up everything else to possess. Better yet, it's a treasure he has already won and freely placed into your hands. Discover where true wealth is really found.
Sorry for some technical difficulties during the recording. Isaiah 44:6-11 The world can feel overrun with weeds. Evil seems to spread quickly, injustice often goes unanswered, and it's easy to wonder if wickedness is winning. At the same time, our own hearts are tempted to cling to false "rocks" that promise security but can never save. In Isaiah 44, God reminds his people that there is no rival to him. He alone is the King, the Redeemer, and the Almighty. While we wait for the day he will finally uproot every evil and make all things new, we live with confidence, trusting the only Rock who n
Anxiety, grief sin, and hardship can leave us feeling isolated, as though we're drowning with no one to pull us out. Yet God's promise has not changed: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). Our Savior never abandons his people, and he has also gathered us into a church family where we don't have to carry our burdens alone. this week we'll be reminded that Christ is always present to lift us up. And he also calls us to be a community that lifts one another up with his gospel of grace.
Matthew 10:34-42 The opposition may seem bigger, stronger, and louder than ever. Fear can make us wonder whether following Christ is worth the cost. But Jesus gives his disciples a different message: “Do not be afraid.” In Matthew 10, we discover why Christians can face opposition, uncertainty, and even death with confidence. Our heavenly Father knows us, values us, and preserves us through it all. Because Christ acknowledges us before the Father, we have nothing to fear.
1 Corinthians 4:1-7 We live in a world overflowing with opinions. Every day we are evaluated, rated, criticized, and compared. We worry about what others think of us, and sometimes we become our own harshest critics. But whose opinion truly matters? In this message from 1 Corinthians 4, Paul points us away from the ever-changing judgments of people, and even our own consciences, to the verdict of Christ. Discover the freedom that comes from knowing that the Judge of all has become your Savior, declaring you forgiven, faithful, and his own. When Christ's verdict is the one that defines you, you
1 Timothy 1:12-17 We all carry things from our past that we'd rather forget—regrets, failures, sins, and moments we wish we could undo. Sometimes those memories still have a way of accusing us years later. In 1 Timothy 1, the apostle Paul looked honestly at his own past as a blasphemer, persecutor, and violent man. Yet instead of despair, Paul marveled at the mercy of Christ. His story reminds us of a life-changing truth: no sinner is beyond God's grace, and no past is bigger than Christ's mercy. Today we'll hear again the trustworthy saying that stands at the heart of the Christian faith: "Ch
Matthew 28:16-20 As Jesus prepares to leave his disciples in Matthew 28, he gives ordinary, imperfect, sometimes doubting followers a purpose that is bigger than themselves: "Go and make disciples of all nations." And then he gives them something even better than purpose—his promise. The mission is great, but the Savior who sends us is greater. Today we'll see that Jesus still gives his people both a purpose and a promise.
Acts 2:1-21 Pentecost is one of the most dramatic moments in the entire Bible—rushing wind, tongues of fire, miraculous speech. But if we’re honest, it can also feel strangely distant from our everyday Christian experience. Where are those signs today? Why doesn’t the Holy Spirit seem to work like that anymore? In Acts 2, God shows us that the greatest miracle of Pentecost was never the spectacle itself, but the saving message of Jesus carried to the world. The same Spirit who filled that room in Jerusalem is still at work today—through the gospel, through baptism, through ordinary believers w
Acts 1:1-11 Even after Jesus’ resurrection, his disciples still misunderstand the nature of his kingdom, looking for earthly glory and immediate victory. Then moments later, after Jesus ascends into heaven, they stand frozen with their eyes fixed on the sky. Their focus keeps drifting in the wrong direction. And honestly, so does ours. We can become consumed with earthly kingdoms we can build and control, or disconnected from the mission Christ has placed right in front of us. But in his ascension, Jesus sharpens the focus of his Church. The risen and reigning Savior redirects our eyes away fr
Acts 17:22-31 We live in a world overflowing with spirituality, opinions, and endless searching for meaning. Yet for all our knowledge and advancement, many people still feel like they are “groping in the dark” when it comes to God. In Acts 17, the apostle Paul stands in the intellectual center of Athens and proclaims a stunning truth: the true God is not distant, hidden, or unknowable. He is the Creator who made us, sustains us, and wants to be known. Most of all, he has made himself known through the risen Jesus Christ. This message reminds us that we have a God who is near to us, seeks us o
Acts 16:16-34 Everything in this story starts out loud—voices shouting, crowds forming, accusations flying, chains clanking, an earthquake shaking the ground. But then the noise fades and the dust settles. And the whole story narrows down to one man in the dark, trembling, asking a question that cuts through everything else: “What must I do to be saved?” In that moment, we discover something essential about the gospel: it isn’t abstract. It isn’t just for crowds. It’s personal. It’s for one. It’s for you. And the answer to the question is that salvation is all taken care of by Jesus for you.
Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a, 51-60 What does a powerful Christian witness really look like? Is it bold preaching, persuasive arguments, or even heroic sacrifice? In Acts 6 and 7, we meet Stephen, a man who wasn’t an apostle, pastor, or public figure, but an ordinary servant in the church. Yet through his life, and even more through his death, we see something extraordinary. As the early church grows and faces pressure from within and without, Stephen quietly serves, boldly speaks truth, and ultimately gives his life. But what stands out most isn’t just his courage—it’s his love. Even as stones are raised
Acts 24:10-21 In Acts 24, the apostle Paul stands on trial, falsely accused and politically trapped, yet remarkably calm and clear. While others twist facts for power and advantage, Paul speaks with steady confidence about something far greater than his circumstances: the resurrection and the hope found in Christ. We may feel the same tension today living in a world of pressure, politics, division, and injustice. But we get to point to a hope that rises above it all. A hope that doesn’t depend on outcomes, fairness, or earthly power… but transcends them.
Acts 10:34, 36, 39-43 The excitement of Easter Sunday is hard to match. Just days removed from the empty tomb, it’s easy to wonder what comes next. Do we move on? Do we look for something new? In Acts 10, the apostle Peter reminds us that the message doesn’t change. It doesn’t need to. The risen Jesus remains the heart of every sermon, every witness, and every believer’s hope. This week, we’re reminded that the goal of every sermon is simple yet powerful: to proclaim Christ—who he is, what he’s done, and what he gives.
John 20:1-18 Have you ever felt lost? Ever feel like life has dropped you deep into the woods with no clear way out? In those moments, we don’t want hints or small signs. We want answers, relief, and rescue right now. But in John 20, as grief-stricken followers approach Jesus’ tomb, God doesn’t give them everything at once. Instead, He leaves a trail, small, intentional “breadcrumbs” of hope: an empty tomb, folded grave clothes, and remembered promises. What seems insignificant at first is actually leading them to the greatest truth in history: Jesus is alive. In the same way, God still places
1 Corinthians 11:23-28 Maundy Thursday meditation. Jesus doesn't wait for us to be at our best to give us one of his greatest gifts.
Philippians 2:5-11 God is too holy and too perfect for me. His glory would overwhelm me. And because of my sin I should have no right to stand before him or see him. But this is the greatest wonder of all: God does exactly what I need him to do. He humbles himself. God want me to know him and he wants me to know his heart for me. So he comes down into my world as Jesus. He empties himself of glory and power so that he can be a servant of all—even giving himself to death on a cross. In Christ I see the truth. God loves me and is willing to humble himself, to stoop down to me when I could not ri
Matthew 9:35-38 We need compassion because in so many ways, we are harassed and helpless because of our sin and because of the defeat that the world brings to our front doors. But we have a Savior who always works to bring compassion to those who are harassed and helpless.
John 4:4-26 Jesus had to go through Samaria. There was a woman there whom he had to meet. He had to because she had needs that she couldn’t meet by herself; she had to be shown how thirsty she was for grace. He had to because he had to elevate the conversation they were having to focus her on the solution he provided. He had to because of the necessity of love. Jesus has to do the same for us. And today we see that he has.
Genesis 12:1-8 God told Abram to leave all he knew and go to a place yet unknown and wait for blessings as yet undefined. God revealed that the Seed of the woman promised in the garden would now descend from the family of an old man and his barren wife living as strangers in a land not yet their own. No logic or emotion could have led Abram to leave his home—only trust in his Savior God. Abram believed and set God’s plan in motion to build a nation on the promises of God to fulfill the promises of God. Abram wasn’t leaping blindly into the dark. He was leaping as he clung to the promises of hi
