Shows
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachFinding Your Place | The Kingdom | Pastor Joel SchulzSmall things can have a big impact. A simple "Hello" tied to a smile can change someone's day. A well-timed compliment or "Thank you" can encourage someone when their heart is feeling down. A small seed can grow into a flower, a bush, even a tree. God's kingdom sometiems appears small. It sometimes looks to be insignificant, but God causes it to grow and grow and grow. He causes it to grow in people's hearts. He causes it to grow through the work of the church. He causes it to grow as you love, care for, encourage, and speak...2025-07-2125 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachThe Gates Of Repentance | The Kingdom | Pastor Joel SchulzWhat's the cost of entry? Whether it's the theme park, ball park, or skate park - it likely isn't free to get in. What about the magnificent, marvelous kingdom of God? What would it cost us to get in? It's not a material amount, and it's not some great deed that we can do, but there is a cost. The cost of humility. The cost of setting aside our pride and allowing God to carry us. The cost of repentance, which turns to God to receive his mercy, favor, and grace - all which he is so willing to...2025-07-1429 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachForgiveness Overflows | The Kingdom | Pastor Joel SchulzAs we live in the kingdom into which God has brought us through his forgiveness, we too demonstrate forgiveness to others. Though we often assume that we live autonomous lives, we are interconnected with our God and with others. Everything we have is our God's - a recognition that leads us to see the debts we have owed him. Such debts have been forgiven because of God's grace In his kingdom, we are empowered and moved to freely forgive others their debts they owe us.2025-07-0732 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachThe Secret of Contentment | Shine Like Stars | Pastor Joel SchulzSome days go well and some don’t. Some days we feel like we’re on top of the world, and others like we’re on the bottom. If the value we place on our lives and ourselves is tied to how well things are going in our “everyday,” we’re going to be riding an uncomfortable roller coaster. We need something, someone we can look to for unchanging contentment no matter how our “everyday” is going. Paul had plenty of highs and lows, but learned the secret of contentment in any circumstances. His unchanging reason? Jesus. We can do everything th...2025-06-3027 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachLive In Joy | Shine Like Stars | Pastor Joel SchulzLife isn’t always easy here. And it isn’t hard for friction to happen between people. If it keeps happening, it can start causing pain, and then start creating bitterness. And when bitterness has built up, a single spark can cause an explosion. There is a joy we are given as a gift through Jesus. This means we can rejoice together no matter how hard things get. This joy can help us live together with other imperfect people like us. And this is so important… because those who will spend an eternity in joyful unity might as well start...2025-06-0830 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachRun Hard For Home | Shine Like Stars | Pastor Joel SchulzWhen you’re on your way home from travelling, and have been gone a while, there’s nothing like getting close to home. You can see the familiar sights, hear familiar sounds, even smell familiar things. It keeps you going, and encourages you to finish the journey and get home! Life on earth is like that. We’re on a journey here, but our real home is with God. He’s put that home in our hearts, and the closer we come, the more we will long for it. Keeping our real home as our focus helps us through life’s j...2025-06-0236 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachKnowing Christ Is Unspeakable Joy | Shine Like Stars | Pastor Joel SchulzWe love sharing with people the places we’ve been, things we’ve done, stuff we’ve accomplished. There are things in this world that have brought us joy that we want to share with others. But when we focus on sharing with everyone what we have done or accomplished, it can turn into a competition as to who has done or seen the most. And truth be told, all these things can only bring joy for so long. If we think things we have done have brought us joy, there is something that was done for us that brough...2025-05-2633 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachA High Call To A Lowly Life | Shine Like Stars | Pastor Joel SchulzIn this world, it seems that it is important to show everyone who you are, what you have accomplished, what you deserve. If you aren’t watching out for yourself, who is going to? But the greatest possible contradiction to this is the heart and core of the Bible. We must humble ourselves if we are to be exalted. But if we do that, then who will take care of us? Jesus will. The very One who showed us what it means to humble Himself for the good of others. Let’s learn what a truly great life is – it beg...2025-05-1239 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachIt's A Win Win | Shine Like Stars | PastorJoel SchulzWhat does it look like to live a life worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ? It means living in such a way that shows Jesus is worth something to you. It looks like walking with, loving with, and doing life with those who are different than you, because Christ binds you together. It looks like striving together to make Christ known because Christ motivates you. It looks like standing with courage against all oppressors, because Christ secures you. Have you found Christ worth living for, dying for, worth casting all away for?2025-05-0436 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachWhy I Pray With Joy | Shine Like Stars | Pastor Joel SchulzLetting God’s light shine as we live in this dark world can be pretty difficult. As we follow Jesus in a world that doesn’t, we will face opposition. So we need a thick skin if we are going to do what God calls us to do. But we also need a loving heart toward people. Love moved Jesus to do what He did for us, and it is love for people that will move us to live out our purpose. 2025-04-2742 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachEaster Sunday | Holy Week | Pastor Joel SchulzEaster Sunday is the cornerstone of our faith, celebrating the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. It marks the triumph of life over death, light over darkness, and hope over despair. On this sacred day, we gather to rejoice in the fulfillment of God’s promise, the victory over sin, and the gift of eternal life through Christ our Lord. He is risen—He is risen indeed!2025-04-2134 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachGood Friday | Holy Week | Pastor Joel SchulzGood Friday is a significant day in the Christian calendar, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. This Friday of Holy Week, before Easter Sunday, we observe the suffering and death of Jesus and the forgiveness of all humanities sins.It is a day of mourning, reflection, and solemn remembrance.Despite the name, “Good” Friday reflects the goodness of Jesus’ sacrifice rather than the actual events leading up to his crucifixion—it’s considered “good” because of what Jesus’ death achieved for his believers.2025-04-1944 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachDead Man Walking | Ransom | Pastor Joel Schulz"That week in Jerusalem was unlike any other. When Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, the crowds erupted with excitement, waving palm branches and shouting praises. They sang, “Hosanna!” and celebrated His arrival, but the truth is, they didn’t fully understand what was happening. By the end of the week, those same crowds changed their tune. They cried out for His crucifixion, shouting for His death. No one truly understood what was happening that week—no one except Jesus. Jesus knew exactly what He was walking into. He knew the betrayal, the suffering, and the cross...2025-04-1326 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachWitness | Ransom | Pastor Joel SchulzLife often calls us to take a stand. Whether it's standing up for what we believe in or making a statement about who we are, these moments shape and define us. As followers of Christ, we’re sometimes called to take a stand that speaks to our relationship with our Savior. It isn’t always easy. Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, someone who boldly declared his allegiance to Christ. But when the moment came for Peter to take a stand and witness to his faith, he famously failed. Why? Because Peter’s focus wasn’t where it should have bee...2025-04-0732 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachJudgment Hall | Ransom | Pastor Joel SchulzTwo things in life are certain—death and taxes. Taxes are due in just a few weeks, and most of us are already preparing for that. But what about the other certainty? Death is something no one can predict. Who knows when it will overtake us? One thing is for sure: at that moment, we’ll stand before the ultimate Judge of all.That might sound sobering or even intimidating, but there’s incredible hope in what comes next. You see, for you, Jesus willingly stood before human judges and even God Himself. He, the ultimate Judge—the One...2025-03-3130 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachOne For All | Ransom | Pastor Joel SchulzWe were stuck in a mess we couldn’t escape—trapped by fear of the cost, unwilling to pay it, and unable to find the way out. Deep down, we thought we could handle it on our own, but the truth? We couldn’t. Only one could—and He already did. Jesus stepped in, paying the price we couldn’t afford, wouldn’t choose, and didn’t even realize we needed. One Savior, one sacrifice, one ransom—for everyone who walks the earth. That changes everything!2025-03-1029 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachDrinking: Let Everything Give God Glory | Taboo | Pastor Joel SchulzDrinking is a big part of our culture, like it or not. It isn’t hard to get caught up into it. It also isn’t hard to see the damage that can come from abusing it. Alcohol affects us. Some Christians are certain it must be sinful and evil. Some seem to be OK with it. What does God think about all this? What does Jesus say about drinking? It may surprise you to find out what the Bible does say about it. But the Bible is very clear about how God feels about abusing this gift He give...2025-03-0327 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachSex: God's Amazing Design | Taboo | Pastor Joel SchulzWe’re going to talk about sex! But it’s not going to be a shameful, embarrassing conversation. God loves sex. He created it and designed it for our enjoyment. He loves it when we enjoy sex the way he designed it. But good sex takes work. It’s not as movies and TV and porn represent it. Sex is a beautiful gift from God that can bring amazing blessings, but its power can also bring harm and pain when misused. Let’s learn about God’s beautiful gift of sex. 2025-02-1733 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachAnxiety: Our Heavenly Father Gives Peace | Taboo | Pastor Joel SchulzAnxiety is prevalent in so many people today. Worrisome thoughts fill our minds and it leads to a bodily response. As Christians, God’s Word tells us again and again not to be anxious and not to worry. Why? Because we have a God who is in control. More than that, we get to call this God Father. Just like a loving father protects, provides, and loves his children, our Heavenly Father protects, provides, and loves us more than we could ever know. 2025-02-1034 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachTransgender: Letting Jesus Speak Into The Tension | Taboo | Pastor Joel SchulzHow do Christians participate in the transgender conversation? How does God want Christians to feel about the topic, and more importantly, the people? Too often, the topic of transgender makes us think about ideologies, progressive societal trends, and angry debates. But what about people? How can we help people who struggle with transgender feelings? How does the gospel apply to this issue? God’s Word will be our guide as we see how God gives us hope amidst the brokenness of our bodies and minds.2025-02-0333 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachPolitics: Loving Across The Aisle | Taboo | Pastor Joel SchulzWe live in a country of extremes. How many of us have seen online posts that rip apart those with opposing political views? We tend to avoid politics in conversations because we know how fast such a topic can cause anger to flare quickly, even between Christians. But what would it look like if we loved across the aisle? What if our focus was less about proving our political points and more about proclaiming the Savior who faced the ultimate injustice so he could make us citizens of his kingdom? This week, we explore how God's grace is the...2025-01-2733 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachIdentity:I Am Not My Own | Taboo | Pastor Joel SchulzAs we celebrate Baptism Sunday, we rejoice that our true identity as children of God is a divine gift through baptism, not a self-made achievement. Baptism, empowered by God’s Word, welcomes us into God’s family and grants us a new, unshakeable identity beyond our achievements or status. Unlike our culture that insists on earning worth through personal success, we find our true value at the cross of Jesus. Because God has given us such an identity, we are clothed with Jesus and we have the greatest reason to live.2025-01-2128 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachAuthority: Who Gets The Final Say | Taboo | Pastor Joel SchulzWho gets the final say in your life? That question is a matter of authority. In a culture where we are raised to live out our truth, the Bible calls us to the exact opposite. We conform ourselves to the truth of God’s Word. That’s what it means to call Jesus Lord.2025-01-1332 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachWhen You Can’t See The Star | Epiphany | Pastor Joel SchulzAre you following the Star? Everyone can see it – it isn’t a big mystery. But it is wise people who follow it. Plenty of things in this world can make it difficult to see it. But what joy it brings us when we can truly see it! Start out the new year with a definite plan to see God’s “star” in your life. You need that light to lead you and guide you! And it isn’t a mystery… it’s right in front of you.2025-01-0627 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachNow Dismiss Your Servant in Peace | Christmas | Pastor Joel SchulzSimeon and Anna give us a stirring picture of what it means to wait on the Lord and finally experience the joy of God’s promises fulfilled. How have you experienced the joy of God’s promises fulfilled?2024-12-3020 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachChristmas Gives Us Hope | Messianic Metaphors | Pastor Joel SchulzWhere have you been before? What is your background and experiences? These questions serve in evaluating candidates for leadership. They help us form our opinions, and the stronger the background and experiences, the better. Whom we celebrate at Christmastime is the One whose background and experience answer all our questions and give us security and peace. The one we worship and adore is begotten of the Father from eternity. He is worthy of all praise and glory, just as Mary sang in her song. And he comes to be our shepherd. To stomp on the ancient serpent and old...2024-12-2322 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachThe Mighty Warrior | Messianic Metaphors | Pastor Joel SchulzWhen your leader is strong, you are strong. When your leader is weak, fear and despair overtake his followers, because there will always be enemies and adversity. Fear and despair creeps into our lives because of the adversity and unknowns we face, but God calls you to rejoice, shout aloud, and sing, because your leader is a mighty warrior. Jesus came as an infant, lowly, and humble, yes, but he was a warrior with the might to overcome our greatest enemies – sin, death, hell, and Satan, who desires these for us. Since God has so delighted in us to se...2024-12-1612 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachThe Silversmith | Messianic Metaphors | Pastor Joel SchulzThe anticipation of a new leader comes with new expectations for those who follow. Are we prepared in our own hearts to welcome the one for whom we prepare? God’s expectations stand for all time – they don’t change. Which means, we must change. All change is hard. This change is impossible – for us. Thank God his grace and mercy never change. He sends the refiner – the one who applies the heat so that the silver is purified. Our God calls us to return to him in repentance, acknowledging our sin and letting it be burned away, and God return...2024-12-0934 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachThe Righteous Branch | Messianic Metaphors | Pastor Joel SchulzLineage matters. Family trees tell us of the values and strengths. We might look at family members of the past to gain an understanding of a person in the present, and especially their pedigree when it comes to leadership. What if the family tree leaves much to be desired. What if there is weakness and immorality and brokenness there. This was the case with the family tree of the royal line of David and the ruling family of God’s people. A tree that seemed to begin so strong, became filled with weak, diseased, and broken branches. Yet, God pr...2024-12-0227 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachLive With Your Eyes On The Skies | Live Like You'll Live Forever | Pastor Joel Schulz“Eyes on the prize.” That axiom stresses that when pursuing some good goal, focus is important. You don’t want distractions or a lack of self-discipline to keep you from obtaining whatever that prize might be. “Eyes on the prize.” You summon the willpower to fixate on that good thing. You let nothing divert your attention from obtaining the prize. The prize that we want most is spending eternity with Jesus. As the Church Year comes to a close, Jesus promises that he will come again “in clouds with great power and glory” to give us that prize. That prize will be...2024-11-2531 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachLive Free From The Fear Of Judgment | Live Like You'll Live Forever | Pastor Joel SchulzHave you ever experienced that uncomfortable feeling that others are watching you, trying to find something to criticize? We don’t want others judging us. It is bad enough listening to the voice inside our own head, whispering that we aren’t worthy. How do we overcome the fear of judgment? It begins by realizing that there is only one person whose opinion ultimately matters—the Judge. Everyone is going to live forever in one of two very different places. Where you spend eternity depends on a judgment that Jesus will render. This week we see why his judgment need n...2024-11-1829 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachLive A Life Of Startling Generosity | Live Like You'll Love Forever | Pastor Joel SchulzPerhaps you have heard the axiom, “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” In other words, while you still can, use what you have in order to enjoy life to the fullest. If this life is all there is, St. Paul agrees that would be a good philosophy. Paul wrote, “If the dead are not raised, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die’” (1 Corinthians 15:32). However, note the “if.” Paul was saying that the epicurean approach to life makes sense only if this life is all we have. But it isn’t. Jesus will raise us from the dead and...2024-11-1125 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachLive A Life Of Fearless Witness | Live Like You'll Live Forever | Pastor Joel SchulzJesus repeatedly told his followers that living as his disciples would bring hardship. Living life according to God’s Law is going to make one appear odd in the eyes of the world, perhaps even evil. Sharing a message of mankind’s sin and God’s gracious salvation can cause offense. So why not just stay silent if that makes life easier? Why not keep our faith private? Answer: because we are going to live forever. In gratitude for Christ saving us and giving us eternal life, we share the gospel with others, hoping that they will believe and be sav...2024-10-2832 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachGod's Final Answer To Our Pain | Job: Finding Peace On An Unpredictable Path | Pastor Joel SchulzOne of the easiest ways to make our problems worse is to dwell on ourselves and make everything center around ourselves – make our life all about ourselves. It might seem counter-intuitive, but the way life works better is when we make life about God… because life is about God. With some of the most powerful words in Scripture, God reminds Job that the universe doesn’t revolve around Job. It revolves around God. A life focused on God will never disappoint. A life focused on self always will. Join us for the last week of the series and listen to God...2024-10-2128 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachIt's Ok To Question God | Job: Finding Peace On An Unpredictable Path | Pastor Joel SchulzIs it OK to question God? Why have you received nothing you wanted from Him? Why has He let such awful things happen to you or those you love? Or to anyone in the world? Isn’t there a limit to what He will let you endure? Do you feel guilty if you are questioning God or something God is doing? Does questioning God mean you lost your faith in Him? Is there a difference between having questions for God and losing trust in Him? What gives us true comfort? Is it just maybe knowing WHO God is? Explore th...2024-10-1425 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachGod Is In Control | Job: Finding Peace On An Unpredictable Path | Pastor Joel SchulzDo you feel like you are in complete control of everything? Or does your life sometimes feel out of control? And if we aren’t in control, who is? When we come to the realization that we aren’t in control, it becomes very important how we answer the question of who or what our God really is. Is our God in control? Is He able to control our lives? Do we worship Him only to get good things from Him and get Him to do what we want Him to do? Or is He the true God who uses...2024-10-0725 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachWhere Is Jesus In Our Pain | Job: Finding Peace On An Unpredictable Path | Pastor Joel SchulzHas it ever seemed God isn’t listening or answering your prayers? Things aren’t going your way, and you’re reaching out, but you’re starting to wonder if God is there? Where is God in your pain? Well… look at the cross. That is where God dealt with the real source of our pain. Jesus isn’t on that cross anymore. He rose and He lives. And because He lives, we will live too! That was Job’s strength, and it is also our strength. Because Jesus lives, we have something that gives us hope no matter what we suffer...2024-09-3031 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachChoosing The Right Friends | Job: Finding Peace On An Unpredictable Path | Pastor Joel SchulzWhen you are going through hard times, it is so important to have good friends. Friends who will be there for you make all the difference. When a friend of yours is dealing with hardship, being there for them is important. Just your presence and your love makes a difference. Your words can too. But there are times a friend’s words are helpful, and there are times a friend’s words are not as helpful. Job had some friends who were there for him, but loading him with guilt over what was happening to him, and in the end...2024-09-2329 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachWhy Bad Things Happen To Good People | Job: Finding Peace On An Unpredictable Path | Pastor Joel SchulzNo matter who you are, young, old, rich, poor, sick, healthy, you face pressure in life. Parenting pressure, school pressure, work pressure, loneliness and grief pressure. We are often “surviving” one day at a time and don’t know what we will do if things get “worse.” Since we live in a broken world, we can expect things to go “wrong” in our lives and force us off the path we have charted for ourselves. Yes, “bad” things can happen to “good” people in this world. We begin looking at the Biblical book of Job to learn how to find peace on an unpre...2024-09-0934 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachLive For Jesus | Joining Jesus In Changing Lives | Pastor Joel SchulzWe are joining Jesus in changing lives! By not only becoming disciples, but making disciples… who make disciples. We each have a role to play in this important process! Each of us not only have a gift… each of us is a gift. The church is here to train us, equip us, and prepare us for this adventure with Jesus by using our gifts. It’s not only what we learn to do, but how we can help others learn to do it, too. It’s not only what we do to serve Jesus, it is how we show others a...2024-09-0236 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachListen To Jesus | Joining Jesus In Changing Lives | Pastor Joel SchulzWe are joining Jesus in changing lives! By not only becoming disciples, but making disciples… who make disciples. We need to be fueled for the journey first. That begins by being in the Word… by listening to Jesus. We are here to help you on that path. A great start is Start class. Then Grow class, then Connect Groups and other Bible studies. All these things are geared to help us join Jesus for this important mission of changing lives… the way He has changed our lives. So take the first step on the journey! Join us this Sunday! Get ro...2024-08-1929 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachLet Your Conscience Be Your Guide | Are You Sure That's What It means? | Pastor Joel SchulzHow often have we heard these words, “Let your conscience be your guide.” No doubt, the acceptance of this concept is part of the reason so many people’s lives and messed up and broken. The problem is that a lot of us imagine our conscience to be a spiritual thermometer. We assume it can be placed into any situation and it will tell us the moral temperature—too hot, too cold, or just right. But that’s not how our conscience works. It’s more like the thermostat in our living room. It reflects our definition of hot and cold. We...2024-08-1232 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachFaith Can Fix Anything | Are you sure That's What It Means? | Pastor Joel SchulzYou just gotta believe! As long as you believe, anything is possible! Have you heard that? Thought that? Believed that? That if you have enough faith, it can fix any problem, heal any loved one, guarantee any solution? Faith certainly is important! But can it actually fix anything? Or does it connect us to the God who can actually fix everything? What’s the difference, and why would this matter to us? A lot more than most might think!2024-08-0528 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachGod Will Give You A Good Life | Are You Sure That's What It Means? | Pastor Joel Schulz"God wants me to be happy. He wants me to have what I desire, so if I follow Him, and obey his rules, and generally be good, God will make my life good! Right? After all, Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life, and have it to the full," right? Sounds like following Jesus will make my life here pretty good! But what does Jesus really mean when he says that? Let's examine the context of this saying and be assured that Jesus loves us too much to give us whatever we ask for. And his p...2024-07-2924 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachDon't Judge | Are You Sure That's What It Means? | Pastor Joel Schulz"Don't judge me!" is not just a common saying, it is a philosophy of life for those controlled by the sinful nature. "Let me do whatever makes me feel good as long as it doesn't hurt other people, and don't criticize me for it." Even unbelievers pull out Matthew 7:1 to show Christians how lacking their Bible knowledge is and say, "See, Jesus tells you not to judge!" But is that what Jesus is saying? There is no question that Jesus calls us to judge, but the question is how should we judge? That's where Christians sometimes fall into temptation...2024-07-2232 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachYou Must Be Pretty Important | Are You Sure That's What It Means? | Pastor Joel Schulz"I wish I could figure out what God's plan is for my life." Many Christians have mouthed these anguished words. They read Jeremiah 29:11 and conclude that God has a detailed, tailored plan for their life that they just need to discover. This presumes that Jeremiah 29:11 is directed at us specifically, as well as the idea that we have no choices in life, kind of like chess pieces on a board that God moves around according to his will. When we start listening to the feelings of our heart, the passions that we have, or some "voice of God" we...2024-07-1534 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachYou Can Have Life A Without Limits | Are You Sure That's What It Means? | Pastor Joel SchulzPhilippians 4:13 might easily be called the Christian version of, "Just do it." There's nothing you can't do if you set your mind to it...and trust in Jesus. Jesus will make it possible to achieve what you thought was impossible: beat cancer, found a Fortune 500 corporation, or win an Olympic medal. With Jesus at your side, there are no limits. But life is not one victory after another, even for the founder of a billion dollar corporation. What happens when we don't achieve what we want? We don't need Jesus as a mantra or a life coach but as...2024-07-0829 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachFaith Alone Isn't Enough | Are You Sure That's What It Means? | Pastor Joel SchulzIt just sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? Those who trust in Jesus alone are completely forgiven and reconciled with God. This is what you have been taught, but this is such an important issue so it totally makes sense that there must be at least something that you have to do. Then you look in the Bible and it seems to agree with you because James says, "You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone." Is James telling us that faith alone in Jesus is not sufficient...2024-07-0141 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachGod Loves You Just The Way You Are | Are You Sure That's What It Means? | Pastor Joel Schulz"God is love" is one of the most beautiful and comforting truths of the Bible, but it is also one of the most abused. Some understand God's love as if it were like human love, mostly based in feelings that change according to the behavior of those around us. Others feel a God of love is like a strict parent who is tough on you in order to push you toward great accomplishments. Still others think of God as a permissive grandfather in whose eyes you can do no wrong. He is willing to overlook your faults and focus...2024-06-1032 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachStand Firm | The Living Hope Of Easter | Pastor Joel SchulzThere is no safer place in the universe than in God’s hands – so let’s cast all our cares on Him. We need his protection – the enemy is real! But we are safe with God. Forever. The world can take away everything… but it cannot take our identity or our future. So stand firm in that living hope! And look forward to what Jesus is coming back to do for you! 2024-06-0329 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachDon't Be Surprised If Life Isn't Easy | The Living Hope Of Easter | Pastor Joel SchulzIt’s not easy being a Christian today. It never has been. Jesus said that would be the case. We need a deeper joy, a deeper hope to live for to make it through. Easter gives us that living hope. But don’t be surprised by the suffering. Jesus experienced it too. Rejoice in it! It’s proof you belong to Him! Don’t be ashamed – be honored! We have nothing to fear about the future – but everything to look forward to! We are in the hands of the God who loved us so much He suffered for us and gave his...2024-05-2729 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachLiving For God | The Living Hope Of Easter | Pastor Joel SchulzJesus knows what it is like to be ridiculed, abandoned, and humiliated. He suffered for us and by doing that, gave us a reason to live for Him, even when that is hard or means suffering for us. The first enemy we have to fight is our own sinful self. It craves things that God knows aren’t good for us. Let God change our hearts and minds – which will begin to change our behavior. The best way to do this is living with the end in mind – especially when the going is difficult. Living for God includes self-control, wisdom...2024-05-1329 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachJoint Heirs of Life | The Living Hope of Easter | Pastor Joel SchulzChristian husbands and wives are an object lesson to the world of Jesus’ love for us. They submit to one another and love each other the way Jesus loves the church. This isn’t always easy. And we don’t like to deal with words like “submit.” But there is a beauty here in how God uses husbands and wives, equal and joint partners, heirs together of his salvation and blessings, not only to love each other, but to share his gospel with the world. It is a beauty that never fades. It isn’t weakness – it shows strength. This lesson wi...2024-05-0631 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachFollow In His Steps | The Living Hope Of Easter | Pastor Joel SchulzWe live in two different kingdoms – the kingdom of the world, and God’s kingdom. As citizens of this kingdom, we are called to submit to the governing authorities. It is part of how we honor God. But we do this remembering there is one true King, and He isn’t voted in. We honor our leaders, but we worship The King. Our submission shows worship to our heavenly King. The truth is, we are free. Free in Jesus – in the living hope of Easter. So let’s live as free people. But as servants honoring God. We aren’t the first...2024-04-2929 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachHope Makes Us Strangers | The Living Hope Of Easter | Pastor Joel SchulzIt’s not easy being a Christian in our world. The living hope of Easter makes it easier, it makes it possible. We learn how to think with hope and how to live with hope. The way we live shows what we are hoping in. God made us “strangers” in this world with the new home He has promised us. Do we live as strangers? Or do we forget that there is more than this? We won’t enjoy living with the love of God until we have the right fear of God. What Jesus did for us at Easter g...2024-04-2230 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachJoy In Suffering | The Living Hope Of Easter | Pastor Joel SchulzGrief. Suffering. Hardship. Loss. These experiences can cause hopelessness. We need a deeper joy, a deeper hope to live for to make it through. Easter gives that to us. So does the fact that God was thinking about us since before creation! The God who chose us before time began isn’t going to let go of us now. The future we have to look forward to will make everything worth it. That gives us reason for joy. Our suffering isn’t meaningless – it focuses us ever more sharply on the inheritance waiting for us.2024-04-0827 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachHope Is Alive | Easter Sunday | Pastor Joel SchulzWe all need hope. We need an answer for what comes after this life. What are we living for? And what happens after we die? And then… how does that change the way we live? Easter gives us a living hope! Easter answers what happens after we die and gives us a whole new reason to do all the things we do today! Join us Sunday for the best news in the world – Jesus has risen from the dead – and that means that Hope is alive!2024-04-0126 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachWhat Kind Of A King Is This? | Race To The Cross | Pastor Joel SchulzThey come around the final turn and now it is a sprint to the finish, but just because it is near the end of the race doesn’t mean the steps become less important - they become more important. Every stride takes the runner closer to the finish, closer to victory, but every step becomes more challenging, more difficult. The crowds may roar around the turn, but the celebration can’t fully begin yet. There is more to take in. As Jesus enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the crowds roar with praise, but the chants will turn by the end...2024-03-2529 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachAll This He Did For Us | Race To The cross | Pastor Joel SchulzWhat does it take to get ahead in this world? To achieve greatness? Hard work? Skill? Luck? Making sacrifices? The real answer might be different than we think. If we are going to believe what Jesus tells us, true greatness comes through service. Lifting others up, serving them, sacrificing for them. Jesus showed us, to the extreme, what it looks like to serve others and be great. He gave everything, even his life, to serve us. That is the only true way to love someone – making sacrifices for them.2024-03-1833 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachLosing To Win | Race To The Cross | Pastor Joel SchulzNo one likes to lose. No matter how much our competitive nature drives us, we still prefer to win. But sometimes you win by losing. If you want to follow Jesus you have to lose to win. You have to give up your life for Jesus in order that he can save that life. You have to deny yourself and follow Him, just as Jesus denied himself to take up his own cross. 2024-03-0429 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachGod Gives You What You Need | Race To The Cross | Pastor Joel SchulzHow do we approach God? How are we able to be in his “good graces” enough for Him to listen to us and help us? Do we have to get “cleaned up” first? Do we need some kind of pass that gets us in? People have been asking these kinds of questions since the beginning. Jesus gives us some good answers as He ministers to some people considered far outside of those people who were “welcome” in good society. And He knows what we need even better than we do! Jesus shows us that God gives us just what we need in e...2024-02-1928 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachMountain Peek | Race To the Cross | Pastor Joel SchulzOnly through pain can a runner gain the glory that is to come, if they finish. Throughout his life Jesus showed glory in his miraculous power, and on the mount of transfiguration he showed incredible glory, but his race wasn’t complete. His race needed to continue; to the cross. There was no turning back. It had to go through the cross. There was glory ahead, but first the agony of the cross. This mountain worship experience gave the disciples and us a “sneak peek” at the awesome things God has in store for us. This worship experience, this “mountain...2024-02-1328 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachWhy Are You So Afraid? (Mark 4:31-45) | Race To the Cross | Pastor Joel SchulzEvery find yourself in a storm? What kinds of storms are you going through now? Financial? Health problems? Relationship issues? Work challenges? Lack of inner peace? Jesus’ disciples found themselves in a real storm one day. And Jesus was in the boat with them. But they didn’t realize they had the Lord of the storms with them, and they didn’t think He cared about them enough to do anything about it. They learned that even though He loved them, it was still good for them to go through this storm, have their faith tested and refined, and learn...2024-02-0527 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachResting From Religion | Race To The Cross | Pastor Joel SchulzReligion can be really draining. It can be exhausting. How do we define Gospel/rest and Religion/works? What is the difference? In the passages in Mark 2:23-3:6 we are faced with the theme about the Sabbath Rest, pointing to the rest Jesus gives us and the difference between Gospel/Rest and Religion/Works.2024-01-3030 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachThe Beginning of The Good News | Race To The Cross | Pastor Joel SchulzSome athletes are incredible. When they compete, you can’t help but stare in awe and wonder at the strength they exert, the focus on their task, the abilities with which they have been blessed, and what they are able to accomplish. It tells you something about their origin, their work ethic, their determination, and you wonder what drives them so hard… You can’t help but stare in awe and wonder at Jesus’ miraculous power. It is amazing! As He is determined to use that amazing power to help people in need, He shows his determination to continue...2024-01-2234 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachBringing People to the King | Race to The Cross | Pastor Joel SchulzWhat inspires you to get up each day? What allows you to live with joy? With the hardships and struggles we experience in this world, we need something to encourage us and empower us to live well each day. Money, philosophy, and technology might be tools we use, but they aren’t the reason we live. Jesus uses tools to bring his incredible and miraculous grace into our hearts. That grace can inspire us each day. That grace gives us joy each day. Because of the power in Jesus’ words, you can live with joy; you can live with...2024-01-2228 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachRevelation Instead of Rules | Messy People, Merciful God | Pastor Joel SchulzSometimes we don’t like rules. Sometimes we do. The world lives with the mindset of “what is right for you isn’t necessarily right for me.” We don’t always want rules that limit our freedoms, but we often want rules showing us exactly how to live our Christian lives and how to make decisions and how to know what to do. Today, as we continue our series on Judges: Messy People, Merciful God, we are going to see how Samson’s father wanted these kind of rules for how to bring up the son God would give him in...2020-10-2533 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachConfidence Without Boasting | Messy People, Merciful God | Pastor Joel SchulzDo we have the tendency to boast about and take credit for things that actually are blessings from God? We don’t like it when others take credit for what we do, and God doesn’t like it when we take credit for what He does. Gideon and his army could have been tempted to take credit for the coming victory. God took some things away to make sure they couldn’t. God sometimes takes things away from us so we can see our weakness and his strength, and trust his strength instead of ours. So we can live i...2020-10-1133 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachMaking God Real | Messy People, Merciful God | Pastor Joel SchulzHow is it possible that people can “forget” God? We may “know” certain truths about God, but those truths don’t grab our hearts, and therefore He stops being “real” to us. The Israelites forgot God, and so idols became more “real” to them than God was. It is important that God is real to us! And if his forgiveness and salvation is real to us, then we will live it out in our lives! So let’s let his Word today remind and convince us of how real God is, and encourage us to live a life that thanks Jesus fo...2020-09-2729 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachAvoiding A Downward Spiral | Messy People, Merciful God | Pastor Joel SchulzToday we will see how important it is for one generation to pass the faith down to the next generation. The failure to do that leads to the loss of something very important. We are also introduced to the repeated cycle in the book of Judges - Rebelling against God, being oppressed, crying out for help, God sending someone to deliver, and then a return to sin. An awful downward spiral. That unfaithfulness to a God who continues to be patiently faithful is the most hurtful kind of adultery. But it shines a spotlight on how tremendously loving...2020-09-2032 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachHalf-Hearted Discipleship | Messy People, Merciful God | Pastor Joel SchulzThe book of Judges. Messy People. Merciful God. As we walk through this book, we are going to encounter a lot of horrifying tales of what sin can do in people’s lives. Sin can get real messy. We can identify with that today. The book of Judges shows what happens when people stop giving full-hearted devotion to God and start offering Him half-hearted discipleship. It eventually leads to non-discipleship. It leads to people doing whatever they want to do. We see that in the world around us. What about us? Are we offering God full-hearted devotion? Or ha...2020-09-1339 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachThe Parable of the Great Banquet | The Stories That Read Us | Pastor Joel SchulzInvitations go out in the mail. E-vite reminders begin to fill people’s inboxes. Follow up text messages, phone calls, and personal messengers even go out to make sure you know, “You are invited!” It’s going to be the banquet of a lifetime. A feast. A party. The venue is first-rate. The food and drink is five-star. There is no fee to attend, no cover charge to get in the door. Surely everyone who's invited is going to want to be there, right? After all, what could be better? But Jesus has an unsettling surprise to share with us...2020-08-3030 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachThe Parable Of The Unjust Judge | The Stories The Read Us | Pastor Joel SchulzIn an age of fast food, direct deposit, and Netflix we have gotten pretty used to getting what we want, when we want it. At least for the little things in life. But what happens when we don't? What about the more important things in life like difficulties, frustrations, injustices, and hurts? What happens when those aren't easily fixed or immediately solved? In the Parable of the Unjust Judge, Jesus helps his disciples understand the best way to approach these matters. What does that mean for us? Listen to His story to find out what Jesus has to...2020-08-0931 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachThe Parable Of The Workers In The Vineyard | The Stories That Read Us | Pastor Joel SchulzYou work a long day and expect a fair wage. You pay for a good education and expect a good job. You do good work and expect appropriate recognition. So what happens when someone hasn't put in the same effort, but receives the same reward? In the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, Jesus helps his disciples understand the nature of the One who is handing out payment at the end of the day. What does that mean for us? Listen to His story to find out what Jesus has to say to...2020-08-0231 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachThe Parable Of The Good Samaritan | The Stories That Read Us| Pastor Joel SchulzWe all look for clear definitions and guidelines to outline how we act in certain situations or treat certain people. Our society today has laid down some guidelines based on career, race, gender, socio-economics, and life experience. Some are good. Some are most definitely not. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus helps an expert in the law understand what His guidelines are for how we are to act and treat others. What does that mean for us? Listen to His story to find out what Jesus has to say to us about...2020-07-2630 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachGod, It’s Not Fair | Can We Talk? | Pastor Joel SchulzIs being a Christian and a passionate Christ-follower worth it? It seems like those who set aside God’s Word or ignore it somehow end up with nicer houses, more money, and easier lives. Why? It doesn’t seem fair. The Christian heart calls out to God about what seems unjust.2020-07-1928 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachGod, You Give Me Confidence | Can We Talk? | Pastor Joel SchulzSometimes the outlook looks hopeless and difficult. We may not have enemy armies bearing down on us, but there are times when we feel surrounded. This psalm expresses the Christian hope of God’s protection and love and wisdom even in the face of disaster. We can sing in the midst of battle!2020-07-1230 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachGod, I Messed Up | Can We Talk? | Pastor Joel SchulzJune 28 - Guilt is a burden we often bear alone. We feel the shame of past sins and the frustration of falling into the traps of repeated, habitual sins. And in the face of that guilt and shame, we can be afraid of telling someone. The Christian heart is one that goes to God in the face of guilt every time.2020-06-2828 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachGod, You’re Incredible! | Can We Talk? | Pastor Joel SchulzIt’s good to brag and boast about God! God wants us to have unbridled joy at how amazing he is. We are proud of our teams and our kids and our favorite shows, but do we brag about our God? It’s good to count our blessings and really see how many ways God is so incredibly good to us. Maybe we get in the habit of only coming to God with the difficulties and the requests, but we should celebrate and praise him too!2020-06-2127 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachGod, I’m Hurting | Can We Talk? | Pastor Joel SchulzLife is hard. There’s pain and hurt that shows up in so many different ways. Sometimes we feel that in order to be proper Christians, our lives should be neat and clean, and we should always have a smile on our faces. But the reality of life is that we are going to go through hurt and pain, and to hide that pain or deny it would be dishonest. Instead, the Christian heart is honest about the pain and goes to God with it.2020-06-1430 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachWhen We Need Hope In Our Hopelessness | There's Another In The Fire | Pastor Joel Schulz2020-06-0729 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachWhen We Wonder Who Is In Control | There's Another In The Fire | Pastor Joel Schulz2020-05-3129 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachWhen We're On Trial For What We Believe | There's Another in the Fire | Pastor Joel Schulz2020-05-2432 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachWhen The Heat Of Hardship Is Too Much | There's Another in the Fire | Pastor Joel Schulz2020-05-0330 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachWhen We Need Understanding | There's Another in the Fire | Pastor Joel Schulz2020-04-2626 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachWhen We're Far Away From Normal | There's Another in the Fire | Pastor Joel SchulzAs Christians, we live in this world as strangers. Exiles. And now, in the middle of a pandemic, we have left behind everything familiar and don’t know what the future holds. So, how do we navigate this “new normal”? We can find a lot of hope and direction in the book of Daniel. He was also an exile in Babylon. He had to leave behind everything he was used to. He had to live a “new normal” in a culture that made life very difficult and dangerous for him and his friends. But whether the...2020-04-1933 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachBut Deliver Us From Evil | Best.Prayer.Ever | Pastor Joel SchulzEvil exists in this world because we fell into sin. It threatens our bodies and also our souls. God often protects us from evil to our bodies. But sometimes He allows it. Why? For our good! When evil does come, God gives us what we need to bear it. Everything God does protects us from evil to our souls. And He will deliver us from all evil on the last day. So acknowledging that the kingdom, the power, and the glory of all things are his… we ask Him to deliver us from evil to our bodies and to...2019-10-2728 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachLead Us Not Into Temptation | Best.Prayer.Ever | Pastor Joel SchulzWhy would God lead us into temptation? Doesn’t He love us and want us to live His way? Of course He does! With this request, we are admitting that the enemy that tempts us is stronger than we are, and hates us and wants to destroy us. So we are asking that God wouldn’t let temptation anywhere near us. He is the only One more powerful than the enemy who wants to harm us. 2019-10-2031 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachForgive Us Our Sins, As We Forgive Those Who Sin Against Us | Best.Prayer.Ever | Pastor Joel SchulzWe haven’t even earned the privilege of talking with God. Our sins have separated us from Him. But He forgave us through Jesus. So this request is as important to us as breathing. We humbly ask God to forgive us for all the ways we failed Him. But before we ask Him to forgive us, we have to be willing to forgive others. This prayer reminds us of the importance of extending grace before asking for grace. 2019-10-1336 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachYour Will Be Done On Earth As It Is In Heaven | Best.Prayer.Ever | Pastor Joel SchulzGod’s will is that that people of all nations know Him as loving Lord and Savior and come to worship Him. His will is that we live the kind of lives that honor Him. Our wills are so often different. We so often want other things. And so… before we get to that part of the prayer where we are asking Him to bless us and give us things… we want to worship Him and yield ourselves to his will… being willing to have his will being done ahead of ours! 2019-09-2925 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachYour Kingdom Come | Best.Prayer.Ever | Pastor Joel SchulzGod’s kingdom is where He rules. He rules in our hearts. He rules in the hearts of people who love Him. In this prayer, we are asking that his ruling activity would increase on this earth. We are asking that his ruling activity in our own hearts would increase. That He would grow our faith strong. His kingdom also comes when new people come to know Him. So we are asking that his Word would bring more people to faith. And… that He would give us the courage to team up with Him in bringing his kingdom to n...2019-09-2230 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachOur Father In Heaven | Best.Prayer.Ever | Pastor Joel SchulzNot everyone knows how to pray. As followers of Jesus, we want to know how to talk to our loving God. Jesus gives us a template that teaches us how to pray. His template, the Lord’s Prayer, reminds us that because Jesus gave us access to his Father, we are talking to our loving heavenly Father when we talk to God. We are children of God who can approach Him with joy and confidence!2019-09-0828 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachA Valley Means A wrong Turn | Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe | Pastor Joel Schulz2018-09-0936 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachDead People Go To A Better Place | Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe | Pastor Joel SchulzWhat is the first thing we hear people say when someone has died? “Oh, she’s in a better place.” The problem is, in many cases it's simply not true. Dead people don't always go to a better place. That might be what we’d like to believe, but that still doesn’t make it true. The scripture clearly teaches that there is a hell. And it also teaches that many people will end up there. As uncomfortable a topic as this is, we need to give a clear witness to the world. Once we lose the concept of hell, t...2018-09-0229 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachLet your Conscience Be Your Guide | Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe | Pastor Joel SchulzHow often have we heard these words, “Let your conscience be your guide.” No doubt the acceptance of this concept is the reason why so many people's lives are messed up and broken. The problem is that a lot of us imagine our conscience to be a spiritual thermometer. We assume it can be placed into any situation and it will tell us the moral temperature - too hot, too cold or just right. But, that’s not how our conscience works. Its more like the thermostat in our living room. It reflects our definition of hot and cold...2018-08-2632 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachChristians Shouldn't Judge | Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe | Pastor Joel SchulzIn a world where truth is relative, the idea of judging a person by an absolute standard of right and wrong goes completely cross-grain. Many christians get flustered and confused when others quote Jesus’ own words “Do not judge.” The idea that Jesus forbids his followers to judge is a myth. Refusing to make judgements and call sin, sinIs not what Jesus asks us to do. As we’ll see, he did so all the time. And he asks us to do the same. Refusing to do so leads to costly spiritual consequences, not only...2018-08-1236 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachGod Has A Blueprint For My Life | Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe | Pastor Joel SchulzMany Christians believe God has a highly detailed blueprint for their lives that includes a specific, preordained job, career, house, spouse, car and everything in between. This causes many people to go crazy trying to figure out what God’s specific will for them is. Some get so caught up in it that they they don't make any decision because they are paralysed with fear that they will make the wrong decision. This idea confuses GOd’s omniscience with God’s Divine will. There is no question, God knows everything down to the number of hairs on your head...2018-08-0529 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachA Godly Home Guarantees Godly Kids | Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe | Pastor Joel SchulzThe myth that a godly home guarantees godly kids (and godly adults) is simply not true and finds no basis in scriptures nor in real life experiences. The myth is based primarily on the Proverb “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. The problem is, this is a proverb and not a promise from God. Its an observation that is generally but not always true.those who buy into this myth are especially vulnerable to two things that are never a part of God's plan: Un...2018-07-2934 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachForgiving Means Forgetting | Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe | Pastor Joel SchulzSome of us have been taught that forgiveness means forgetting that something happened - a head in the sand posture that ignores the obvious. Some of us think of it as a never ending series of second chances. others view it as a second chance with all the consequences and old baggage removed. Still some view it as the immediate and full restoration of a broken relationship, complete with the same level of trust and privileges that preceded the wrongdoing. But the goofiest idea of all is the widely held belief that genuine forgiveness means literally forgetting what...2018-07-2235 min
Divine Savior Church-Delray BeachFaith Can Fix Anything | Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe | Pastor Joel SchulzThe word in the street is that faith is a potent mixture of intellectual and emotional self-control that when properly harnessed can literally change outcomes through positive thinking and clear visualisation. Its what successful people tout as the key to their achievements, survivors of great tragedies cite as the source of their endurance, televangelists credit with healing power and motivational speakers make a sweet espousing. Unfortunately this kind of hopeful thinking has nothing in common with what the Bible calls faith. It's more about faith in faith than faith in God.2018-07-1537 min