The Twin Steeples Podcast

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”

This weekend, for our Mission Festival, we will be singing a number of "Mission" hymns. Mission Festival is a reminder of the calling that the Christian, and the Christian Church, has to "preach the Gospel to all creation." As we consider "mission work" we often can think that it doesn't apply to us. "I'm not a missionary." "I'm not a pastor. I'm not good with words, or deeply knowledgeable about theology. That is for someone else."

This hymn by Daniel March reminds us that there are many ways that we can be involved in the work of sharing Jesus with others. Maybe that is as a Sunday School teacher of young children. Maybe that is simply telling a friend or neighbor about Jesus and His death for the payment of their sins. Maybe it is in supporting missionaries like Aaron and Hur supported Moses by "holding up the prophet's hands." You can do that with your prayers, and with you offerings of time, talents or treasure.

There are many ways we can serve. There are many ways we can be involved. Let none hear you idly saying: "There is nothing I can do!" Rather, joyfully respond to the Lord's call, saying: "Here am I! Send me, send me!"

Devotion

• Romans 9:6-13

 

Announcements

• Review
  • Adopt a Highway
  • Ladies’ Auxiliary
  • Sunday School and Bible Class 
  • Church Council
• Upcoming
  
  • 6-8th Doctrine Class
  • Church Choir
  • Men’s Breakfast
  • Ladies’ Bible Study
  • Mission Festival
  • 3rd Weekend Communion
  • Board of Education
  • ILS Brainstorming Meeting

 

Prayer List 

• Jim Lien
• Lynette Roehl
• Becky
• Nepal Flooding
• Teachers - Mr. Wheaton, Mrs. Mayhew
• Mission in Pakistan

 

 

Hymn of the Day

• TLH 494 “Awake, Thou Spirit, Who Didst Fire”