Shows
Scripture FirstWe Are All Judas | John 12:1-8 with Sarah StensonMary uses a perfume worth a year’s salary to wash Jesus’ feet. Judas questions if that’s the best use of that money.Sarah Stenson teaches us in this episode that Mary’s acting out of faith. She’s not worried about the consequences of her actions or what people will think of her. Judas, on the other hand, is acting under the devil’s influence. The law is his identity. In an otherwise straightforward Law and Gospel text, Jesus adds a seemingly controversial line, “You always have the poor with you.” You’ll want to hear how Sa...2025-03-3127 minScripture FirstWhat Does It Mean to Defeat the Devil? | Luke 4:1-13 with Sarah StensonJesus defeated sin, death, and the devil. That’s a line you hear fairly often on this podcast. But what does it actually mean that Jesus defeated the devil?What is the devil? Who is the devil? What should we think of when we talk about the devil?These are the questions we ask Sarah Stenson as we discuss Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness for 40 days. Sarah explains the devil’s only tool is doubt. His only tool is unbelief. Unbelief is sin. The consequence of sin is death. But d...2025-03-0332 minScripture FirstThe Nets Begin to Break | Luke 5:1-11 with Sarah StensonDespite not being a commercial fisherman, Jesus tells Simon Peter to let down his nets despite Simon Peter having fished all night and caught nothing. Sarah Stenson joins the podcast to explain how God’s creative power is in full display in this text as well as Simon Peter’s responses to Jesus: first, a confession of faith. Second, a plea for Jesus to get away from him. Lastly, Sarah teaches us what it means to truly be a “fisher of men.” CONFIRMATION Does your church have a confirmation...2025-02-0321 minScripture FirstLeaping in the Womb | Luke 1:39-55 with Sarah Stenson & Lars OlsonThis week we’re discussing Elizabeth, pregnant with John the Baptist, giving her sermon to Mary, pregnant with Jesus, and Mary’s Magnificat in response. Sarah Stenson and Lars Olson point out the importance of Elizabeth being filled with the Holy Spirit before delivering her sermon to Mary. As you’ll hear, Mary, and you and I today, are blessed because of what God has spoken to us. Then in Mary’s Magnificat, Sarah and Lars zero in on Mary saying, “My soul magnifies the Lord.” They teach us that it's the great works of God that are b...2024-12-1629 minScripture FirstWhen God Extends His Benefits | Matthew 5:1-12 with Sarah StensonTake a moment to answer this question to yourself: what is a saint?For All Saints Sunday, Sarah Stenson asks Kiri, Max, and Mason what we think a saint is, and we think it’s a path you’re on to become a better Christian. Sarah explains how this text gives us an understanding of what a saint is and who makes us a saint. Also, as you hear the Beatitudes, see if you notice yourself hearing them as instructions on how to live. CONFIRMATION Does your church have a confirm...2024-10-2830 minScripture FirstGreat Millstones Hung Around Your Neck | Mark 9.38-50 with Sarah StensonThe disciples report there is someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name, and Jesus says whoever is for Him cannot be against him. This spurs our conversation with Sarah Stenson about what it means to be ecumenical: who can Lutherans share the altar and pulpit with? What does it mean to have, “right doctrine?”Sarah explains how right doctrine matters because it reflects Scripture. Right doctrine shows our righteousness is in Christ, not in our self-righteousness or human tradition. We also discuss what it means to be a stumbling block. In this lectionary text, Jesus is bein...2024-09-2334 minScripture FirstThe True Bread from Heaven | John 6:24-35 with Sarah StensonOn the heels of eating their fill of loaves and fishes, the crowd tracked Jesus down on the other side of the Sea of Galilee looking for more of their needs to be met. Jesus tells them not to work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life. Sarah Stenson teaches Kiri and Mason why the crowd is confused about what they have to do to receive eternal life when Jesus tells them very clearly that He is the one who gives it freely. Though we often hear, “I am t...2024-07-2924 minScripture FirstPlenty of Leftovers | John 6:1-21 with Dr. Chris Croghan & Sarah StensonThis week, we’re discussing the popular story of the Feeding of the 5,000. Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson teach Kiri and me the details that show what Jesus is doing in this story to produce faith in the people who ate the fish and loaves as well as in those who hear this story today. In this week’s conversation, we ask Chris and Sarah:What’s the difference between miracles and parables? Do they do different things? Why did Jesus set Philip up by asking, "Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?"...2024-07-2232 minScripture FirstWhat Does Maundy Mean? | John 13:1-17,31b-35 with Lars Olson & Sarah StensonIn the first of two Holy Week bonus episodes, Lars Olson and Sarah Stenson break down what Jesus meant by giving us a new commandment to love one another in this Maundy Thursday text. Jesus demonstrates true humility by washing His disciples’ feet. He also commands us to love one another. Many will read this as a command in the Law, as an expectation of what they’re supposed to do. But what Jesus is depicting is what makes someone a disciple. A disciple is someone who betrays Christ. He’s not demanding more love from you...2024-03-2134 minScripture FirstWaving Palm Branches | Mark 11:1-11 with Sarah Stenson & Dr. Chris CroghanPalm Sunday. Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. In many churches, we’ll wave our palm branches and shout, “Hosanna!” In this week’s conversation, Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan explain how the crowds believed the Messiah was going to be a king whose power came through the Law. They thought the Messiah would defeat their enemies and make their lives materially better—much like how people view being a Christian today will benefit them. The crowd chants, “Hosanna! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!” They didn’t know it, but they were confessing exac...2024-03-1834 minScripture FirstAnd the Angels Waited On Him | Mark 1:9-15 with Sarah StensonAt the beginning of Lent, the Gospel of Mark continues on a blistering pace: in six verses, Jesus is baptized, driven into the wilderness, John was arrested, and Jesus proclaimed the good news of God. In these six verses, Kiri, Max, and Mason ask Sarah Stenson about the details that could get overlooked when focusing on the big events happening in these verses. At Jesus’ baptism, Sarah explains how the Greek word for “just” in the verse, “and just as he was coming up out of the water,” means immediately. There’s no separation in time between J...2024-02-1232 minScripture FirstYou Will See Greater Things | John 1:43-51 with Sarah StensonIn this week’s text, Jesus goes to Galilee and finds Philip and tells him to, “Follow me.” This prompts Philip to tell Nathanael they’ve found the one the Old Testament prophesied. Sarah Stenson explains how this is what happens when Jesus grabs you. When you hear of Jesus’ promise you can’t help but to tell others about it. Similarly, Jesus tells Nathanael He’s known him before He ever met him, and Nathanael responds, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God!” When you’re named by Christ, you confess that He is the one. She also points out that Je...2024-01-0834 minScripture FirstUnder the Law | Luke 2:22-40 with Dr. Chris Croghan & Sarah StensonWhat does it mean Jesus was put under the law? That He who knew no sin became sin? That’s the question Kiri, Justin, and Mason ask Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson in this week’s episode about Jesus in the temple and the prophets Simeon and Anna. In order for Jesus to get rid of the law, He needs to go under it so it can do its full work on Him. We try to make sense of the gospel: how can three people be one? How can God be under something He created? How can someone who...2023-12-2628 minScripture FirstThe Christmas Episode | John 1:1-14 with Sarah Stenson (Rebroadcast)We're discussing the very familiar lectionary text for Christmas Day in today's episode: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. As you'll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask Sarah Stenson, we can roll over the incredible meaning of these words from how familiar it is. As you'll hear Sarah explain, this text is the basis for the entire Christian faith. Adam, Kiri, an...2023-12-2234 minScripture FirstClothed with Camel's Hair | Mark 1:1-8 with Sarah StensonWe're discussing the opening verses of the Gospel of Mark, starting with, "1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." Sarah Stenson explains how this verse shows how the entire book of Mark is good news: we now have God's mercy, in the flesh, as promised in Genesis. His name is Jesus. As we discuss John the Baptist, Kiri, Justin and Mason ask Sarah: what does it mean to make the Lord's paths straight? Many assume this is a to-do. Sarah explains the quoted Isaiah passage is passive, something that happens to you. Lastly...2023-12-0426 minScripture FirstWeird Sheep | Matthew 25:31-46 with Sarah Stenson & Lars OlsonIn one of Jesus' last parables before being crucified, He mentions terms Christians hear all the time: Son of Man, blessed by the father, sheep and goats. Kiri, Max, and Mason slow down and ask Sarah Stenson and Lars Olson to unpack what those terms actually mean. What does Jesus' title as Son of Man mean? What does it mean to be blessed by God the Father? How do I know if I'm a sheep or a goat? In the ensuing conversation, Lars and Sarah preach why is everyone trying so hard to be a good person? The calls...2023-11-2033 minScripture FirstTen Bridesmaids | Matthew 25:1-13 with Sarah StensonWe dive into the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids with Sarah Stenson this week. Five wise bridesmaids were prepared for the bridegroom by bringing oil for their lamps. Compare that to the five foolish bridesmaids who came unprepared and demanded the wise bridesmaids share their oil only to be turned down, and, while they were off buying their own oil, the bridegroom showed up and the door to the wedding banquet was shut. We hear Jesus conclude this parable in a terrifying way: "Truly I tell you, I do not know you. Keep awake therefore, for you know neither...2023-11-0633 min