Love God Most (God.LGBTQ.You. 1 - Pastor Mike)

Love God Most (God.LGBTQ.You. 1 - Pastor Mike)

Author: 922 Ministries April 13, 2026 Duration: 39:07

This series aims to move beyond social media snippets and explore Christianity and sexuality with biblical depth, empathy, and "dripping compassion".
The Question Before the Questions Before diving into the complex "what abouts" regarding pronouns, policies, or specific Bible passages, this sermon poses one fundamental question: "Do you love God the most?". Drawing from Matthew 22, Pastor Mike highlights Jesus’ teaching that the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This means placing God’s Word above personal desires, cultural trends, and even church traditions.
The sermon outlines two primary reasons why we must prioritize God’s perspective in the conversation on sexuality:
1. God always speaks the truth: Unlike human experiences or cultural shifts that can be mistaken, God's Word is always right, true, and faithful.
2. God always acts in love: God is the definition of love, demonstrated most clearly through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, who took on the "muck and mire" of our sin so we could be washed pure.
Pastor Mike shares the stories of individuals like Beckett Cook, St. Augustine, and Rachel (a lesbian student at Yale), all of whom discovered that finding God was "bigger and better" than their sexual passions. Their lives testify that when we are persuaded by God's character of truth and moved by His gospel of love, we are finally ready to navigate the nitty-gritty questions of identity and orientation.

What to Expect in This Series: This sermon is a commitment to a holistic, five-week journey. In the coming weeks, the church will tackle:
* Imitating the God of love in our hospitality and mercy.
* Imitating the God of truth regarding specific passages in Genesis, Leviticus, and the New Testament.
* Practical questions regarding same-sex attraction, gender identity, and how the church should respond to the LGBTQ community today.
Join us as we commit to being here for the "whole thing," starting not with ourselves, but with God.


Each week, the communities of St. Peter Lutheran and The CORE in Appleton, Wisconsin, gather to explore faith, life, and scripture. This audio feed brings those weekly sermons directly to you, offering a consistent source of reflection and teaching grounded in Lutheran Christian tradition. You'll hear messages that connect ancient biblical wisdom to the realities of modern living, tackling topics from everyday relationships and personal struggles to the broader call to community and service. The voices from 922 Ministries-The CORE & St. Peter Lutheran aim to provide more than just information; they seek to foster a deeper understanding and a practical, resilient faith. Whether you're a long-time member, a spiritual seeker, or someone simply curious about a thoughtful perspective on Christianity, this podcast serves as an accessible way to engage with these teachings on your own schedule. It’s like having a regular, grounded conversation about what it means to live with purpose and hope, drawn directly from the heart of a Wisconsin ministry. Tune in for a straightforward, substantive addition to your weekly routine.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

922 Ministries - The CORE & St. Peter Lutheran
Podcast Episodes
Solving the Identity Crisis (Everything Isn’t Fine 2 - Pastor Mike) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:35
In a world of pop psychology, personality tests, and "Selfie culture," finding your true identity can feel like chasing a moving target. In this sermon, "Beyond Stuart Smalley: Three Biblical Affirmations for Mental Heal…
Sore Today, Strong Tomorrow (Everything Isn’t Fine 1 - Pastor Mike) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:17
Are you currently living out the "This is Fine" meme? In this sermon, "The Good Use of Stress: Finding Rest in Life's Fires," we dive into the reality of mental health—stress, anxiety, and depression—and why the goal of…
Why We Need More Wonder (Joy Fix 3 - Pastor Jared) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:28
In our information-saturated world, we have access to endless data yet struggle with fragile joy. The problem isn't needing more information—it's needing more amazement. God designed creation to reveal His glory and char…
God Wants You Happy (Joy Fix 3 - Pastor Mike) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:24
True happiness comes not from circumstances or possessions, but from recognizing God's presence in everyday life. The Bible teaches that lasting joy is found in knowing that God is great and present with us through Jesus…
Small Acts, Big Joy (Joy Fix 2 - Pastor Bill) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:29
Discover the secret to true happiness and lasting joy through the powerful parable of the Good Samaritan. This biblical story reveals why chasing happiness through self-focused living actually limits our capacity for rea…
Why are we so Unhappy? (Joy Fix 2 - Pastor Jared) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:57
Discover the secret to lasting happiness and fulfillment through biblical principles of service and joy. This message explores why our natural pursuit of happiness through achievements, possessions, and personal goals of…
Maximum Effort, Minimum Joy? (Joy Fix 1 - Pastor Michael) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:19
Discover why New Year resolutions and goal achievement fail to bring lasting happiness and where true joy is actually found. This message explores the research showing that despite having more resources than ever, depres…
The Happiness Trap (Joy Fix 1 - Pastor Jared) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:54
Are you pursuing happiness but still feeling restless? This message explores why our pursuit of fulfillment through relationships, career success, money, and achievements often leaves us unsatisfied. Discover the profoun…