University Lutheran Chapel Sermons

The story of the prodigal son is the story of the universe. We’ve all run from our home in God, but in his grace, while we were still a long way off, God in Christ ran towards us, embraced us, and welcomed us home. 

This week we launched a new series for Advent titled, This Must Be the Place. Is our home a place? Is it fulfilled once we reach a certain goal or have certain things? Pastor Marcus shares a message What is Home?

In his final letter to the 7 churches in Asia Minor, Jesus calls the church of Laodicea to repent of being lukewarm and pursue him with zeal. He invites to not be distracted by the riches and accolades of the world but to zealously grab hold of the spiritual power found in relationship with him. 

As Jesus speaks to the church in Philadelphia he reminds them of his authority, sends them on his mission, and gives them a hope for the future. In this sermon, Pastor Gabe encourages us to live under Jesus’ authority as we pursue his mission and look to eternity with God. 

We continue our sermon series Dear Church // 7 Letters to 7 Churches in Revelation with a message from Pastor Marcus. Are we, as a church, asleep at the wheel? Listen to hear what we can learn from the letter to the church in Sardis. 

Pastor Marcus continues our Dear Church series with a message on Thyatria: The Worldly Church. If you long for peace, wholeness, and rest, it comes through the just judgement of the one who has our well-being in mind. 

Peace requires compromise. But what does that mean when it comes to Jesus? Pastor Marcus continues our series on "Dear Church."

In the letter to the church in Smyrna, Jesus acknowledges their suffering and their poverty, and in the midst of that he calls them to not be afraid but instead remain rooted in his love and be faithful unto death that the may receive the crown of life. We, too, are challenged to hold fast to Jesus’ love in the face of fear as we take hope in our risen Savior. 

When you think of the word church, what comes to mind for you? We begin our new sermon series "Dear Church" with a letter to Ephesus. This message focuses on returning to our first love that they might conquer by faith in Christ the conquerer. 

Not only does calling him the Christ mean worshiping him as the crucified one. It means taking up a cross and suffering with him. What is preventing you from taking up the call to carry your cross and following after Jesus? What are you trying to gain? Protect? Avoid? Who are you trying to impress or appease? Is it worth it?

As Jesus calls the tax collector Levi we get a glimpse of the radical and scandalous nature of grace. And yet, it is by this grace that we are saved from a narrative of performance into a life lived from a place of love and acceptance. 

If God is just, why is there so much evil in the world? If Jesus is so good, why has so much bad been done in his name? Pastor Marcus continues with our Why Jesus? sermon series. 

The life of Jesus has inspired more beauty in this world than anything or anyone else. As we see his beautiful life in action, we can’t help but be captivated, inspired, and overwhelmed by his grace towards us.

Jesus brought about an ethical revolution that has shaped our world so throughly that in, some ways, we are blind to it. And yet, his command for us to love others remains a constant challenge, it is only in first resting in the love he has shown us that we can extend the goodness of his love to others. 

If Jesus is true, live-giving foor that means everything else claiming to give life is actually fake. Listen for Pastor Marcus' full sermon on He is True as we continue our Why Jesus? sermon series.

As we start a new series, we begin to explore how Jesus is better than anything else the world has to offer. As we turn from an instrumental understanding of our relationship to him, we find that he is the sustaining source of life we need both now and into eternity.

As the story of Joseph comes to a close, Joseph lets God be God, holds onto an eternal perspective, and reconciles with his brothers for good. All of this points us to the God who came into our world in the person of Jesus Christ that we might be reconciled to Him forever.

As Joseph rises to power, he encounters the brothers who sold him into slavery. Instead of exacting vengeance on them, he extends grace. In the same way, our brother Jesus, doesn’t execute the justice we deserve but instead offers us God’s transformative grace again and again. 

The four-week series on The Gospel According to Joseph continues with Pastor Marcus' message Joseph Tempted. When we endure temptation, we do not do so in our own strength but in the power of God's love poured out in Jesus.

Pastor Marcus launches our four-week sermon series The Gospel According to Joseph with a message on Joseph Mistreated. The outline for this message is Jacob’s partiality, Joseph’s pride, and his brother’s contempt.