Pastor Ike

Faith Alone

Sola fide, faith alone, is one of the principle positions of the Reformation. Paul reminds is in Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith.” But what is faith? How is faith defined in the Bible? Join Pastor Ike as he finishes this Pre-Lent series on faith alone.

Scripture Alone

Pastor Ike Nicholson continues in his series in the season of Pre-Lent on the three solas, Grace alone, Scripture alone, and Faith alone. Today’s message is on Scripture alone. What does that mean? Is that a concept thought up during the Protestant Reformation or did the early Church fathers teach it as well? What does the Bible say about itself? What does it mean for the Christian today, especially as we find ourselves engaging with an increasingly hostile, secular, and materialistic world?

Grace Alone

One of the frailties of the flesh is a desire to be in control, a desire to participate in saving our own souls. The Bible teaches that we are dead in our sins. The Bible teaches that our will is not free but bound by sin. The Bible teaches that Christ has done it all. What does grace alone mean? Even for those who believe in grace alone can also think that we choose Christ instead of the biblical teaching that Christ has chosen us.
This Sunday and over the next two weeks Pastor Ike will be teaching on Grace alone, Scripture alone, and Faith alone.

Transfiguration Sunday

One of the most pivotal moments in the Gospel that shows us Jesus, the Son of God and God the Son.

Presentation of our Lord

Candlemas…. The Purification of Mary… The Presentation of our Lord at the Temple. A feast of the church since the fourth century, today we celebrate one of the great Canticles or hymns of the church, the song of Simeon or the Nunc Dimittis. “Lord, let your servant now depart in peace…” The righteous man Simeon, in Luke chapter 2, sees the Messiah and tells the Lord, he can now die in peace. After years of waiting, he has seen the salvation of the Lord. Waiting… One of the hardest things to do.

Ordinary means to do Great Things

On this 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany, we hear the story of Naaman who was healed by God through the ordinary means of dipping in the waters of the Jordan River seven times. God uses ordinary means to do Great Things. Join Pr. Ike and St. Matthew Lutheran Church as we focus on this great Biblical foreshadowing of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

On empty? What you need is….

The miracle at the Wedding Feast at Cana is Jesus’ first miracle. What was Jesus saying? Jesus not only meets us where we are, He gives us what we really need, even when we’re running on empty.

Confession of Peter

Jesus asks, “But who do you say that I am?” With that question, Peter answers rightly. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This scene of Peter’s Confession teaches us much about who it is we long to please, who Christ is, who gives us faith, and the work to which the church has been called in forgiving sin. Pastor Ike opens God’s Word as it confronts us and comforts us all at the same time.

The Baptism of our Lord

Pastor Ike Nicholson’s sermon on the Baptism of our Lord. In our Lord’s baptism, Jesus sanctifies the waters for our own baptism. This work of God, this means of grace, is not merely a symbol. It is, as the Bible teaches, for the forgiveness of sins. You are baptized. Your justification, God’s love for you, is not dependent on your feelings or your understanding. It is God’s claiming of you as His child. 

The Circumcision of our Lord

Some of you may be asking, “did I read that title correctly?“ The church has observed the circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ, as it was his first shedding of blood as well as his first fulfilling of the Law. So, what can we say about the circumcision of Jesus Christ?pastor Ike preachers at this vesper service on the circumcision of our Lord.