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
Are you part of the 23%? (Holy Habits 5 - Pastor Mike) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:16
Statistics show that thriving churches have more than twice the percentage of serving members compared to stagnant ones. This message explores why service isn't just about filling volunteer slots—it's essential spiritual…
What Makes Life Meaningful?  (Holy Habits 5 - Pastor Bill) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:35
Discover the surprising path to true happiness through the joy of service. While our culture constantly pushes us to consume more, have more, and focus on ourselves, Jesus offers a completely different approach to findin…
What is Your Money Saying? (Holy Habits 4 - Pastor Michael) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:37
This message explores how developing a strong faith requires both good 'diet' and proper 'exercise,' with generosity being the essential exercise that strengthens our spiritual muscles. Learn why many Christians struggle…
From Have-To to Get-To (Holy Habits 4 - Pastor Timothy) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:31
Discover the transformative power of joyful giving in this inspiring message on becoming a cheerful giver. Learn how to shift your perspective from seeing giving as an obligation to experiencing it as a joyful privilege.…
What's Under Your Floorboards? (Holy Habits 3 - Pastor Bill) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:34
Discover what it truly means to build your life and family on an unshakable foundation through the power of God's Word. This powerful message explores Jesus' famous teaching about building on rock versus sand and its pra…
Guarding your Heart in a Toxic World (Holy Habits 3 - Pastor Timothy) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:29
Week 3 of our Holy Habits series — Pastor Timothy pulls Psalm 1 apart and gives a very practical, very hopeful roadmap for growing in Christ instead of drifting into spiritual stagnation. This message names the sin of un…
The Power of Showing Up (Holy Habits 1 - Pastor Mike) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:23
The Power of Showing Up explores how consistent spiritual practices transform our lives. While habits like exercise and saving money shape our physical and financial well-being, church attendance profoundly impacts our s…
Is weekly worship really necessary? (Holy Habits 1 - Pastor Steve) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:47
Discover how to develop unshakable faith through the power of spiritual habits, particularly the transformative practice of gathering for worship. This message explores the fascinating parallel between prairie grass with…