Encouragement in the Ordinary

This sermon was originally preached at Bethany Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas on January 26, 2025.

This sermon was originally preached on 1.12.25 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas. Text: James 1:19-26

1 John 4:9–15In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. Music by John Slaten.Artwork by Tanya Celia. 

John 1:1–5In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Music by John Slaten.Artwork by Tanya Celia. 

Luke 1:67–79And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,for he has visited and redeemed his peopleand has raised up a horn of salvation for usin the house of his servant David,as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,that we should be saved from our enemiesand from the hand of all who hate us;to show the mercy promised to our fathersand to remember his holy covenant,the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant usthat we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,might serve him without fear,in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,to give knowledge of salvation to his peoplein the forgiveness of their sins,because of the tender mercy of our God,whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on highto give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Music by John Slaten.Artwork by Tanya Celia. 

John 3:16–21“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” Music by John Slaten.Artwork by Tanya Celia. 

Psalm 138:4–8All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD,for they have heard the words of your mouth,and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD,for great is the glory of the LORD.For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly,but the haughty he knows from afar.Though I walk in the midst of trouble,you preserve my life;you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,and your right hand delivers me.The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.Do not forsake the work of your hands. Music by John Slaten.Artwork by Tanya Celia.

Psalm 40:1–3I waited patiently for the LORD;he inclined to me and heard my cry.He drew me up from the pit of destruction,out of the miry bog,and set my feet upon a rock,making my steps secure.He put a new song in my mouth,a song of praise to our God.Many will see and fear,and put their trust in the LORD. (ESV)Music by John Slaten.Artwork by Tanya Celia. 

Psalm 33:4–8For the word of the LORD is upright,and all his work is done in faithfulness.He loves righteousness and justice;the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,and by the breath of his mouth all their host.He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;he puts the deeps in storehouses.Let all the earth fear the LORD;let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! (ESV)Music by John Slaten.Artwork by Tanya Celia. 

Psalm 119:65–68You have dealt well with your servant,O LORD, according to your word.Teach me good judgment and knowledge,for I believe in your commandments.Before I was afflicted I went astray,but now I keep your word.You are good and do good;teach me your statutes. (ESV)Music by John Slaten.Artwork by Tanya Celia. 

Psalm 47:1–7Clap your hands, all peoples!Shout to God with loud songs of joy!For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared,a great king over all the earth.He subdued peoples under us,and nations under our feet.He chose our heritage for us,the pride of Jacob whom he loves. SelahGod has gone up with a shout,the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.Sing praises to God, sing praises!Sing praises to our King, sing praises!For God is the King of all the earth;sing praises with a psalm! (ESV)Music by john Slaten.Artwork by Tanya Celia.

Psalm 41:1–3 Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him; the LORD protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. The LORD sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health. Music by John Slaten.Artwork by Tanya Celia. 

Psalm 63:1–8O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;my soul thirsts for you;my flesh faints for you,as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,beholding your power and glory.Because your steadfast love is better than life,my lips will praise you.So I will bless you as long as I live;in your name I will lift up my hands.My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,when I remember you upon my bed,and meditate on you in the watches of the night;for you have been my help,and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.My soul clings to you;your right hand upholds me. Music by John Slaten.Artwork by Tanya Celia.

Psalm 32:1–5Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,whose sin is covered.Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity,and in whose spirit there is no deceit.For when I kept silent, my bones wasted awaythrough my groaning all day long.For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. SelahI acknowledged my sin to you,and I did not cover my iniquity;I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. SelahMusic by John Slaten.Artwork by Tanya Celia. 

Psalm 31:3–4For you are my rock and my fortress;and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,for you are my refuge.Music by John Slates.Artwork by Tanya Celia 

Psalm 37:3–7Trust in the LORD, and do good;dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.Delight yourself in the LORD,and he will give you the desires of your heart.Commit your way to the LORD;trust in him, and he will act.He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,and your justice as the noonday.Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,over the man who carries out evil devices! Music by John Slaten.Artwork by Tanya Celia.

This sermon was originally preached on December 8, 202,4 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas. 

Psalm 119:33–37Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;and I will keep it to the end.Give me understanding, that I may keep your lawand observe it with my whole heart.Lead me in the path of your commandments,for I delight in it.Incline my heart to your testimonies,and not to selfish gain!Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;and give me life in your ways. Music by John Slaten.Artwork by Tanya Celia.

Psalm 39:4–7“O LORD, make me know my endand what is the measure of my days;let me know how fleeting I am!Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,and my lifetime is as nothing before you.Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! SelahSurely a man goes about as a shadow!Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?My hope is in you."Music by John Slaten.Artwork by Tanya Celia.

Psalm 9:1–2I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.I will be glad and exult in you;I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:9–11The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,a stronghold in times of trouble.And those who know your name put their trust in you,for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion!Tell among the peoples his deeds! Music by John Slaten.Artwork by Tanya Celia.