The Twin Steeples Podcast

This weekend we are going to sing two Lent hymns. That might seem strange in the middle of the Trinity season. But we are reflecting on how salvation seems impossible, but it isn't with God. These hymns point to the great price that God willingly paid in order to redeem sinful mankind to Himself: The sacrifice of His Son on the cross. The hymn is largely based on Isaiah 53, but also weaves in many other passages pointing to Jesus as the Messiah from the Old Testament, and the New Testament.  The hymnwriter, Thomas Kelly, reminds us that we should not just look at the physical agony that Jesus endured, but understand that His true agony was suffering the punishment of all sin at the hand of God. Jesus was "smitten by God and afflicted!" When we understand this, it put our own sin in a different light as well. A true understanding of Christ's sacrifice will lead us to understand the horrible nature of our sin. We can't look at sin and say "It's no big deal!" Not when we see what God had to pay because of our sin. Jesus, who is the "sacrifice appointed" and the "one who bears the awful load" is our hope, our foundation. His is the name that we have to boast about and in. Thanks be to God! Rejoice in that HOPE, and build on that Foundation!

Devotion Romans 9:25-33   Announcements Review ILS Brainstorming Meeting Time and Talent Offering Freshman Carnival Upcoming Church Choir Men’s Breakfast Ladies’ Bible Study Teaching Timothy’s and Preparing Phoebe’s (Saturday - 10am) Worship this Weekend Outreach Meeting Building Committee Church Council   Prayer List  Jim Lien Lynette Roehl Becky Mincey Wedding Nicholson Baptism Teachers - Mr. Schrader, Mrs. Roettger Mission in Nepal   Hymn of the Day TLH 479 “Zion, Rise, Zion, Rise”

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on September 27, 2026. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.   Sermon Text: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 (NKJV) Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. 2 Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool’s voice is known by his many words. 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed— 5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. 6 Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.   Theme: Stand in Awe of God! 1. It guides our prayers 2. It sustains our promises

God's people have worshiped Him from the very beginning. Able offered sacrifices to the LORD. Noah and Abraham built altars to worship the true God. Moses constructed the tabernacle for worship, and Solomon built the LORD a temple. God people gathered around humble altars, and glorious temples to worship. For what reason?  This hymn, and the Psalm that it is based on (Psalm 100) answers that questions.  The Psalmist describes God's people: "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name." Psalm 100:4 The Psalmist also describes why God's people do this: "For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations." Psalm 100:5 Remember why you come to church: The LORD is good. Remember what that means: Jesus paid the debt of your sin through His life and death. That changes us. He has given us a new life, freedom from ourselves and freedom to serve Him.  O enter then His gates with praise, Approach with joy His courts unto; Praise, laud, and bless His name always, For it is seemly so to do. (TLH 14:3) The LORD bless your worship of Him this weekend, and give you joyful hearts for all that He has done for YOU!  

Devotion Romans 9:14-24   Announcements Review Mission Festival Upcoming ILS Brainstorming Meeting Church Choir Board of Education Men’s Breakfast Ladies’ Bible Study Time and Talent Offering Worship this Weekend Freshman Carnival Board of Elders   Prayer List  Jim Lien Lynette Roehl Becky Nepal Flooding Sherri Collier Teachers - Mrs. Greve, Mr. Fischer Mission in Bangladesh     Hymn of the Day TLH 472 “Rise, Ye Children of Salvation”