The Twin Steeples Podcast

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Podcasts contain weekly sermons and brief discussions concerning the ongoing activities of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mankato, MN.

Episodes

4 days ago

Hymn 48 - How Blest Are They Who Hear God's Word

4 days ago

Our hymn study this weekend is "How Blest are They Who Hear God's Word" (TLH 48) which is found in the Close of Service section of the hymnal. This hymn beautifully describes the rich blessings that God offers sinners in the banquet of His Word and Sacraments. The hymnwriter, Johan Brun, was a pastor in the Lutheran Church in Norway, and came to appreciate the power and importance of God's Word. In this hymn he includes images from all over Scripture which teach us about the Treasure of God's Word, such as:

But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28)
"The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." (Psalm 19:9-10)
“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32)
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
"They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead." (1 Peter 4:5)

Yes, God's Word and His Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, are true treasures for the Christian, offering rich blessings that can be found no where else!

Treasure those blessings! Feast on His Means of Grace, which He offers you freely!

Thanks be to God!

6 days ago

June 24, 2026

6 days ago

Devotion

Romans 6:1-7

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Committees #6-7

Hymn of the Day

TLH 298 “Baptized into Thy Name Most Holy”

Monday Jun 22, 2026

Sermon - June 21, 2026

Monday Jun 22, 2026

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on June 21, 2026. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.

Sermon Text: Luke 15:11-32 (NKJV)

“A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 ‘for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. 25 Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ 28 But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”

Theme: the “Prodigal Sons” and the Forgiving Father

Friday Jun 19, 2026

Hymn 342 - Chief of Sinners Though I Be

Friday Jun 19, 2026

This weekend our theme revolves around the gracious nature of our Heavenly Father, as seen in His love for us in Jesus. We will consider the truth that we were "lost," and "prodigal" from our heavenly Father. Yet in His love for us, He seeks us, redeems us to Himself and receives us eagerly to Himself in spite of our unworthiness. The title of the hymn comes from the words of the Apostle Paul where He writes:

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

This hymn highlights first of all, our nature. We are sinful and unclean. We are ungodly and the enemies of God. It is only in understanding this reality that we can ever truly comprehend the nature of our God as Paul prays for the believers in Ephesus: "that you... may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge." (Ephesians 3:18)

Only the True (Triune) God can offer such love in the person and work of Jesus, who "shed His blood for me."

The love of Jesus, which we come to know through faith, is what offers "peace... from sin forgiv'n, joy that lifts the soul to heav'n."

The prayer of the Christian is that the LORD would preserve us in the true faith through Word and Sacrament as we face the trials and burdens and temptations of the fallen world and our own sinful flesh, and lead us in repentance back to the open arms of our gracious Father in heaven!

May the LORD sustain us in the earthly strife while we await the heavenly life! Amen!

Wednesday Jun 17, 2026

June 17, 2026