The Twin Steeples Podcast

Sermon - March 1, 2026

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on March 1, 2026. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.

 

Sermon Text: 1 John 2:12-17 (NKJV)

I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. 13 I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. 14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one. 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Theme: Remember that You are God’s Children!

Hymn 522 - When in the Hour of Utmost Need

The focus of our worship on the Second Sunday in Lent is on the Victory that Jesus has earned for sinners and how He shares the spoils of that victory with those who believe. We live in a fallen world that reveals the impact the curse has had on our lives and on the world that we live in. The enemies of the believer are great: the devil, the world, and even our sinful flesh. As we live as God's children and are attacked by these enemies, we need the LORD's presence and strength. Paul Eber, knew the power of those enemies and that the LORD was his only hope. In our hymn for this weekend, he confesses his sin and his confidence in the LORD's grace and power. We are studying "When in the Hour of Utmost Need" (TLH 522). This hymn is based on the words of King Jehoshophat in his time of trouble recorded in 2 Chronicles 20:12: “O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” Another passage is Hebrews 4:16: "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

This hymn acknowledges our need for help from God because of the enemies that we face, confesses our sin and unworthiness before a holy God, and a desire to praise the LORD for His mercy and grace and to live our lives to and for Him, in deep thanksgiving for His mercy. 

This is a prayer that can and should be prayed by every believer in Jesus. It includes Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. Join with Paul Eber, Christians of the past and those of the future in praying to our Faithful God to help us in our deepest time of need, and rejoicing in our confidence that He will hear and answer.

The LORD bless your worship this weekend!

February 25, 2026

Devotion

• Romans 1:18-23

 

Announcements

• Call News
• Music Call for 2026-2027
• Midweek Lenten Service
• Girl's Basketball Tournament
• Church Choir
• Men's Breakfast
• Ladies Bible Study
• Weekend Worship - Communion
  • Bible Class - The Holy Spirit
  • Sunday School - Jesus Changes Water into Wine
• Board of Elders
• Next Week's Midweek Lenten Service

 

Prayer List 

• Pastor Tim Wheaton
• Jim Lien
• Lynette Roehl
• Becky
• Girl's Basketball Team
• Mission in Myanmar

 

Common Christian Q&A

• What's the deal with all those Old Testament Laws?

 

Hymn of the Day

• TLH 43 “We Sing the Almighty Power of God”

Sermon - February 22, 2026

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on February 22, 2026. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.

 

Sermon Text: Genesis 22:1-14 (NKJV)

Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." 2 Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you." 6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." Then he said, "Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" 8 And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering." So the two of them went together. 9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" So he said, "Here I am." 12 And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." 13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, "In the Mount of The LORD it shall be provided."

 

Theme: A Foreshadowing of God’s Sacrifice

1. A Father Willing to Sacrifice His Son

2. A Son Willing to Sacrifice Himself

Hymn 778 - Grace Has a Thrilling Sound

This weekend enter the Lenten season. The Sundays in Lent are not actually a part of Lent, but are mini celebrations of the resurrection of Jesus DURING Lent. One of the main Biblical themes which we will consider this weekend in our worship is the theme of Grace.  

That theme is beautifully described by Philip Doddridge in "Grace Has a Thrilling Sound" (TLH 374; WS 778). This hymn is based on Paul's words to the believers in Ephesus: 

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:4-10).

God's grace has accomplished our salvation, from beginning to end. Our election is by His grace. Our faith is by His grace. Our Christian lives are lived by His grace. Our entrance into Heaven is by His grace. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith! 

Grace is indeed a thrilling sound in the ear of a believer! When we know our sin and what we deserve because of it, we can't help but be joyful when we hear God's message of grace in Christ!

Rejoice in that grace! Praise Him, this weekend and always!