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
12th Annual Q&A Sunday Part 3 - Pastor Mike [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:50
Faith naturally involves questions, and the Bible provides clear answers for life's biggest concerns. Whether someone can be saved at the last moment, how to handle difficult family relationships, what to look for in a m…
12th Annual Q&A Sunday Part 2 - Pastor Mike [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:24
Christians face complex questions about sharing faith, medical ethics, suffering, and relationships that don't have simple answers. When approaching non-believing friends, it's important to lower expectations and lead wi…
12th Annual Q&A Sunday Part 1 - Pastor Mike [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:58
Christians today face complex questions about technology, relationships, and faith that require biblical wisdom rather than simple answers. From navigating AI's opportunities and dangers to understanding biblical grounds…
Fail-Proof Resolutions (Gospel Christmas 4 - Pastor Bill) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:06
New Year resolutions fail 91% of the time, but there's a biblical approach that's actually fail-proof. This message explores Colossians 3:12 and reveals how to make lasting change from a foundation of grace rather than w…
From Homeless to Home (Christmas Day - Pastor Bill) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:21
Discover the true meaning of Christmas and why it represents the most generous act in human history. This powerful message explores what it really means that God chose to dwell with humanity, leaving His heavenly home to…
The Ultimate Problem Solver (Christmas Eve - Pastor Mike) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:47
Are you struggling with problems that feel impossible to solve? This message explores three fundamental human struggles that persist despite all our modern advances: present pain, past shame, and future fear. Learn how t…
God Uses Ordinary People (Christmas Eve - Pastor Jared) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:27
Discover the true meaning of Christmas beyond cozy traditions and holiday feelings. This powerful message explores how American Christmas celebrations, influenced by poems like Twas the Night Before Christmas, can distra…
Jesus Never Left You (Gospel Christmas 3 - Pastor Michael) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:21
Discover the profound truth about Jesus Christ's presence in our modern world and how it transforms our understanding of Christmas. This powerful message explores the universal human longing for connection and presence,…
Does Jesus Really Get You? (Gospel Christmas 2 - Pastor Mike) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:36
Are you ready to move beyond the sanitized Christmas card version of Jesus and discover who he really is according to Scripture? This powerful message reveals three life-changing truths about the real Jesus that will tra…