Pastor Brad Bigney reveals why marriage stands apart from all other relationships. Learn how marriage as a covenant requires partners to “leave, cleave, and weave,” creating a one-of-a-kind connection that brings deep growth, loyalty, and joy over a lifetime. ___ Thanks for listening! Thrive would not be possible without the financial support of ou…

What would it look like if Jesus ran for President of The United States? What would He say at a campaign rally, at a debate or at a sit-down interview with CNN or FoxNews? During this five-week series we will take a look at what Jesus has to say about the issues we are facing today.Av Lead Pastor Brad Philbeck

This presentation was given for the Zion Lutheran Church Marriage Conference in Gwinner, ND on Nov. 16, 2024.Av Rev. Chris Brademeyer

The end of the world can be a terrifying prospect. The final judgement can cause worry. The destruction of all things in fire is not a pleasant thought. Should we worry about the end of the world? Should we fret about the final judgement? What is Christ going to say to us when He returns to judge the living and the dead? Find out in this sermon fro…

Golden calves, idols, are easy to see, aren't they? They would never sneak up on us or lead us astray. Except, they do this to Christians all the time. They're often not obvious to us, otherwise they would not be able to lead us astray. They often don't come in the guise of pagan statues, but instead, are more subtle and crafty. What are idols? How…

Human beings are a strange lot. On the one hand we have a very high opinion of ourselves; we seek to make our names known and great. We want monuments to our successes. On the other hand, we are prone to the worst of things: violence, greed, and even despair. What should we think of ourselves? Where should we go to get an accurate picture of human …

Pastor Brad Bigney explores why marriage isn’t just about happiness and shares why marriage is still a good gift from God. Uncover how embracing God’s design for marriage can transform your relationship. ___ Thanks for listening! Thrive would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Thrive w…

Pastor Brad Bigney unpacks how fasting can be a powerful tool for transforming your marriage. Learn why this often-overlooked practice sharpens spiritual clarity and deepens your connection with God and your spouse. ___ Thanks for listening! Thrive would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to supp…

It's almost election time. There is a lot of hot air from all over the political spectrum. Some political prophets are calling it the end of days. How many elections in a row have been described as the most important of our lives now? It is difficult to think through political issues, especially when so many of us just look at headlines. So what is…

Death is a problem that hounds all of us. But we need not fear it. Why is this? Because the Lord who has defeated death has claimed us in baptism, washed us clean in His blood, and has forgiven us of all our sins! Those who die in Christ live in Him! Want to know more? Find out in this sermon for All Saints Day from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oa…

In today's episode, we cover the topic of "Law and Gospel." What is the Law and what is the Gospel, and why does the Christian need to distinguish between these two doctrines? Furthermore, what happens if a church has the Law and no Gospel, or the Gospel with no Law? Does this doctrine actually matter in the church? Stick around as we unpack "Mt. S…

Is your marriage facing challenges? Many couples overlook the power of prayer in their marriage. Whether you’re dealing with everyday disagreements or major hurdles, prayer can be a valuable tool for your marriage. This week, Pastor Brad Bigney helps us understand the spiritual warfare that may be at play and how prayer can help create lasting chan…

Lutherans love to celebrate Reformation Day. Why do we do this? What is the Reformation about? Is this just a part of our heritage or is there something more important at work? What does all of this have to do with Jesus? Find out in this week's sermon from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND.Av Rev. Chris Brademeyer

What would it look like if Jesus ran for President of The United States? What would He say at a campaign rally, at a debate or at a sit-down interview with CNN or FoxNews? During this five-week series we will take a look at what Jesus has to say about the issues we are facing today.Av Lead Pastor Brad Philbeck

Are you investing in your marriage as much as you do in your personal wellness? As the U.S. leads the world in wellness spending, Pastor Brad Bigney is going to show us it’s time to reflect on what it takes to cultivate a thriving marriage that mirrors the relationship between Christ and His Church. ___ Thanks for listening! Thrive would not be pos…

The world would have us believe that we human beings are a cosmic accident, the result of a number of random events that with no purpose or direction led to us being here today. But what does this mean for us? Well it means that life has no inherent value. It means that there is no inherent purpose for us being here. It means that it becomes morall…

What would it look like if Jesus ran for President of The United States? What would He say at a campaign rally, at a debate or at a sit-down interview with CNN or FoxNews? During this five-week series we will take a look at what Jesus has to say about the issues we are facing today.Av Lead Pastor Brad Philbeck

Is Jesus the main reference point in your marriage? God’s vision for marriage is that Jesus is at the center of it. If marriage is to be a picture to the world of the relationship between Christ and the Church, what biblical steps can we implement to paint that picture? In this episode of Thrive, Pastor Brad Bigney is going to begin sharing practic…

Isaiah relates an invitation from God to drink. Why is this a thing that we need? If we are invited to drink, does that mean that we're thirsty? What does it mean to be thirsty? Find out in this sermon from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND!Av Rev. Chris Brademeyer

What would it look like if Jesus ran for President of The United States? What would He say at a campaign rally, at a debate or at a sit-down interview with CNN or FoxNews? During this five-week series we will take a look at what Jesus has to say about the issues we are facing today.Av Lead Pastor Brad Philbeck

Discover how understanding this divine design can transform your relationship from mere survival to true thriving. Pastor Brad Bigney discuss the importance of centering your marriage on Christ, the dangers of cultural influences, and practical steps for cultivating a Christ-centered partnership. ___ Thanks for listening! Thrive would not be possib…

Many people assume that there is a bridge that connects heaven and earth. Is this possible? If it is, what does connect earth and heaven? If these are connected, how should we act? And how do churches fit in all of this? Find out in this sermon from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND.Av Rev. Chris Brademeyer

What would it look like if Jesus ran for President of The United States? What would He say at a campaign rally, at a debate or at a sit-down interview with CNN or FoxNews? During this five-week series we will take a look at what Jesus has to say about the issues we are facing today.Av Lead Pastor Brad Philbeck

Angels captivate our imaginations. Images of them are commonly found as decor and in gift shops. How do we know about angels? What do they do? What exactly are they? Where do they come from? Found out in this week's sermon from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND!Av Rev. Chris Brademeyer

Pastor Brad Bigney dives into the purpose of marriage and how understanding God’s design can transform your relationship. Are you cruising along like a Corvette or stuck on the side of the road? ___ Thanks for listening! Thrive would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Thrive we would b…

On today's episode of 3 Padres and a Shepherd, we examine the topic of Christian Nationalism. If one is patriotic, are they a Christian Nationalist? Is a Christian Nationalist a white supremacist? Or, is a Christian Nationalist something else?Av Rev. Chris Brademeyer

Taking stock of one's own self is hard. It is hard because it can lead to uncomfortable discoveries about our character and behavior. It is hard because it can lead to unhelpful naval gazing. It can result in false-humility and a destructive assessment of one's state as a person. How should we do this task? When can it be helpful? When can it be ha…

It is amazing how masterfully Jesus Christ used questions to teach vital spiritual truths. Jesus never asked a question because He needed to know the answer. He used questions the way a surgeon uses a scalpel, to delicately cut into a new level of understanding. In this 12-part sermon series we will discover some of the most important questions Jes…

Death is the great constant in this life. It brings lots of questions and speculations. This is understandable. Death does disrupt and destroy. But what can we do about this? What does God think about this? Why does it happen? Find out in this week's sermon from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND!…

It is amazing how masterfully Jesus Christ used questions to teach vital spiritual truths. Jesus never asked a question because He needed to know the answer. He used questions the way a surgeon uses a scalpel, to delicately cut into a new level of understanding. In this 12-part sermon series we will discover some of the most important questions Jes…

We need things to live, and yet, things can be a great cause for concern and worry. Where does all that stuff come from that we need each day? Does God care about my daily needs? How can I know if God will provide for me each day? Find out in this week's sermon from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND.…

It is amazing how masterfully Jesus Christ used questions to teach vital spiritual truths. Jesus never asked a question because He needed to know the answer. He used questions the way a surgeon uses a scalpel, to delicately cut into a new level of understanding. In this 12-part sermon series we will discover some of the most important questions Jes…

It is a common idea that the intellect gets in the way of Christian faith. In America today, it is common to hear preaching that downplays wisdom and intellect in favor of emotions and being "childlike." And yet, the book of Proverbs commends us to be wise and to grow in wisdom. What is wisdom? Why should we have it? Where does it come from? How do…

It is amazing how masterfully Jesus Christ used questions to teach vital spiritual truths. Jesus never asked a question because He needed to know the answer. He used questions the way a surgeon uses a scalpel, to delicately cut into a new level of understanding. In this 12-part sermon series we will discover some of the most important questions Jes…

Oded isn't a prophet who gets much by way of recognition. He's a relatively minor character in the Bible. We don't know much about him. His greatest feat was standing up to the army of Israel after they brutally defeated their kinsfolk in Judah in a battle. Why did he do this? What did Israel do to bring the prophet to them? What attitude led to th…

It is amazing how masterfully Jesus Christ used questions to teach vital spiritual truths. Jesus never asked a question because He needed to know the answer. He used questions the way a surgeon uses a scalpel, to delicately cut into a new level of understanding. In this 12-part sermon series we will discover some of the most important questions Jes…

On today's episode of "3 Padres and a Shepherd," we examine the topic of 'depression, laziness, and acedia' But what is meant by this one rather obscure term: 'acedia?' Even though this term may be foreign to our ears, what it is - is very, very relevant to every Christian. So please stick around, and let's learn what this term means and how it aff…

This sermon was preached for the Funeral of Ruby Sonnenberg and is based on two readings she chose for the occassion: John 5:19-24 and Romans 6:1-11. To view her obituary go to https://www.dahlstromfuneralhome.com/obituary/ruby-sonnenberg.Av Rev. Chris Brademeyer

The Bible says that God loves us. It says that God is love. But if God is love, why do we see so many bad things? How can we claim that God cares when I've been hurt? This sermon from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND attempts to address these questions.Av Rev. Chris Brademeyer

This Sunday's sermon was preached by Rev. Arie Bertsch, the District President of the North Dakota District. Thanks to President Bertsch for preaching for us!Av Rev. Chris Brademeyer

It is amazing how masterfully Jesus Christ used questions to teach vital spiritual truths. Jesus never asked a question because He needed to know the answer. He used questions the way a surgeon uses a scalpel, to delicately cut into a new level of understanding. In this 12-part sermon series we will discover some of the most important questions Jes…

It is amazing how masterfully Jesus Christ used questions to teach vital spiritual truths. Jesus never asked a question because He needed to know the answer. He used questions the way a surgeon uses a scalpel, to delicately cut into a new level of understanding. In this 12-part sermon series we will discover some of the most important questions Jes…

Jeremiah has hard words for the people of God. It is no secret that people in the Church are thought of as hypocrites. Further, we seem to loose our minds every time some non-Christian mocks us, whether intentionally or otherwise. Why are we so focused on the sins of others? Where should our attention be? Why do Christians sometimes use faith as an…

Perfection is a strange concept. On the one hand, we all are attracted to it and many of us would make great sacrifices to have it some part of our lives. On the other hand, perfection is terrifying and unobtainable, so we do whatever we can to celebrate mediocrity. Why do we have a mixed relationship with perfection? Can we become perfect? Is ther…

It is amazing how masterfully Jesus Christ used questions to teach vital spiritual truths. Jesus never asked a question because He needed to know the answer. He used questions the way a surgeon uses a scalpel, to delicately cut into a new level of understanding. In this 12-part sermon series we will discover some of the most important questions Jes…

It is amazing how masterfully Jesus Christ used questions to teach vital spiritual truths. Jesus never asked a question because He needed to know the answer. He used questions the way a surgeon uses a scalpel, to delicately cut into a new level of understanding. In this 12-part sermon series we will discover some of the most important questions Jes…

Christians often take it for granted that they should trust their pastors. Jesus warns that there will be false teachers who come in the name of Christ who speak lies and mislead. How do we know if we should trust our pastor? Does he get a pass just because he says what is familiar to me? If I suspect that my pastor is teaching or preaching in erro…

It is amazing how masterfully Jesus Christ used questions to teach vital spiritual truths. Jesus never asked a question because He needed to know the answer. He used questions the way a surgeon uses a scalpel, to delicately cut into a new level of understanding. In this 12-part sermon series we will discover some of the most important questions Jes…

With the second anniversary of the United States Supreme Court ending constitutional protection for abortion, today we ask the question, "Life: Is It Really Sacred?" Indeed, is Life sacred, and if so, why? Everywhere we look, it seems as if we live in a dehumanizing world. Not much seems to be sacred anymore these days. And so, why should life be s…

Life is so familiar to us that we often take it for granted. How often do we give pause and contemplate the gift of life? How does life fit into God's design? What does God's gift of life mean for us and how we live each day? What about death, how does that fit into the Living God's plan for life? Find out in this week's sermon from St. John's Luth…