When Divisions are Necessary

Reverend Ralph Hough gives this message from Luke 12 49-53 where Jesus says this, " Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division". Jesus tells us when the truth is at stake there must be division. This message is a continuation from last weeks message titled "Faith Hall of Fame". If you did not see it look for it on the Ascension Lutheran Church Facebook page under "videos". As a final note on today's message consider this "division is necessary when human judgement falls and salvation hangs in the balance." When you judge God's word as stated in scripture can there be any compromise on the truth?

Faith Hall of Fame

Reverend Ralph Hough delivers message from the New Testament lesson Hebrews 11:1–16 where faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is visable now was made from nothing. This message is all about faith. In what are you putting your faith?

Raising the Next Generation

Reverend Ralph Hough delivers the dedication message for Ascension Christian School. This dedication is based on the Gospel lesson of Matthew 18:1-6 where we find the disciples asking Jesus “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven". Passing the Chirstian faith to this generation of children is one of the most important work one can do! Visit the Ascension Christian School website at https://christian.school

True Wealth for Godly results

Reverend Ralph Hough talks about the Gospel lesson from Luke 12:13-21 where an individual in the crowd that had gathered around Jesus said to Him "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Jesus also said “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” What is the most important in your life?

Teach Us To Pray

Reverend Ralph Hough delivers a message based on the Gospel lesson Luke 11:1-13 where one of Jesus's disciples asks Jesus to teach them to pray. Jesus said to them ,"When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ” Jesus also said "your Father in heaven will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” In your prayers do you ask for the Holy Spirit?

The Supremacy of Christ!

Reverened Ralph Hough delivers the message based on New Testament lesson from Colossians 1:15-22 where Saint Paul tells us through Jesus the heavens and earth were created. Also, Jesus's physical body through death and resurrection we are made holy in his sight. What blessing could be greater than eternal life.

Restored People Restore People

Reverend Ralph Hough speaks on Galatians 6:1-10 where we find St Paul telling each of us how to spiritually restore someone who has gone astray. Keeping one another from everlasting destruction is one of the greatest things you can do! (please note audio only)

Freedom in Christ

Reverend Ralph Hough delivers July 4 message today Sunday, July 7. This message is in three parts: first "Delivered and Made Free", second, "Living in Two Kingdoms", third "Resting to Work - Working to Rest". Give thanks you are free in Christ!

No Looking Back

Reverend Ralph Hough speaks on The Gospel lesson from Luke 9:51-62 where following Jesus is costly for some. In this lesson Jesus finds people who want to follow Him but have excuses why they can't commit right way to follow Him. Do you use excuses and reasons why you cannot follow Jesus.

Reverend Ralph Hough delivers the message titled "Telling What All God Has Done" based on the Gospel lesson of Luke 8:26-39. In this gospel lesson, Jesus liberates a man possessed by many demons. After he was freed of demons the man wanted to go with Jesus, but Jesus tells him to go home an tell how much God has done for him. Do you tell anyone what God has done for you?

Reverend Ralph Hough speaks on the Gospel lesson in John 8:48-59 where Jesus proclaims His divinity. Jesus states "before Abraham was born, I am!". The "I am" statement makes all the difference as to who Jesus is. Do you really know who Jesus is?

Reverend @Ralph Hough gives the Pentecost message titled ""When the Spirit Comes" based on John 14:23-27. Jesus says the Father will send the Counselor, the Holy Spirit in my name, He will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you. Do you hear the Holy Spirit calling you?

Reverend Ralph Hough gives this weeks message titled "To Be One in Christ" based on John 17:20-26. In this gospel lesson, Jesus prays for all believers be one in faith.

Reverend @Ralph Hough delivers the Message titled "When We Hear Christ Clearly" based on the gospel lesson John 16:23-33. In this lesson, Jesus prepares the disciples to share His ministry with the world. Jesus tells them in this world there will be trouble but in Him you will have peace. Are you listening to Jesus so He can prepare you?

Reverend Ralph Hough gives the Gospel lesson from John 13:31-35 where Jesus gives a new command "love one another as I have loved you".

Reverend Ralph Hough delivers the message titled "Why Follow Any Other!" based on the Gospel lesson John 10:22-30. In this lesson Jesus confronts the Pharisees in the temple where they demand to know "are you the Christ". Jesus tells them He is and His sheep (followers) listen to him. Jesus states "He offers enternal life to My sheep" and "no one can snatch my sheep from My hand". Who or what do you follow?

Reverend Ralph Hough delivers the message titled "Friends Share Jesus" based on the Gospel lesson John 2:1-17 where Jesus appears to the disciples for the 3rd time after He was raised from the dead. In this lesson Jesus asks Simon Peter, one of the disciples, "do you truly love me" Simon answered "you know I love you". Jesus ask this question two more times and Simon's last answer was "Lord you know all things, you know that I love you" Jesus said "feed my sheep". When we truly love Jesus we will share the saving Gospel message of Jesus Christ. Have you shared this message with anyone?

Reverend Ralph Hough post Easter Message titled "Believing is Receiving" based on the Gospel Lesson from John 20:19-31. In this lesson we find Jesus apearing to the disciples in a locked room and showing them His hands and side proving He had risen from the dead. A disciple, Thomas who was not there said he would not believe unless he could touch Jesus's wounds. A week later when all the disciples were gathered in a locked room Jesus once again apears to the disciples, this time Jesus tells Thomas to put his finger where the nails were and touch My side. Stop doubting and believe. When Thomas did this, his respone was "my Lord and my God". What does it take for you to believe? Also, after the Pastor Hough's message is a message from the Gideons International who give Bibles away at no cost to those who receive them in all parts of the world.

Reverend @Ralph Hough delivers Easter rmessage titled "Welcome Home" Based on the Gospel lesson of Mark 16:1-8. In this lesson we find the tomb where Jesus was buried is now open and a young man standing inside telling those who came early Sunday morning that Jesus is not here, He has risen! This means God raised Jesus from the dead, He has defeated death! Somday we will all face death and our home will be with Him. This is the good news of Easter!

Reverend Ralph Hough delivers Palm Sunday message titled "When Praises and Palms are not Enough" from the Gospel lesson John 12:12-19 where we find Jesus entering Jerusalem. With all the celebration of Jesus entering Jerusalem, it is hard to believe one week later He dies on the cross. If praises and palms are not enough, what is enough?

Reverend Ralph Hough discusses the New Testament Lesson Philippians 3:7-14 where Saint Paul compares all that he has a loss considering the greatness of knowing Christ. Paul is focused on heavenly goals that last forever not on "things of this world" that he considers rubbish. Paul wants to know Christ, to know the power of the resurrection, to know fellowship of His suffering, to become like Him even in His death. As Christians we must press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus. What are you doing to progress in faith toward Christ?

Reverend Ralph Hough discusses the Gospel lesson Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 where we find Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son. The parable is a father has two sons, one of them asked for his share of the estate. He set off for a distant country and squandered everthing and has to return home. His father welcomes him back, however the other son is put-out by the celebration. He could not accept his brother. This parable is about our heavenly Father's love for us even when we go astray, He will welcome us back. Those who attend church every Sunday and worked for years in the church are like the one son who stayed behind and worked. Are you willing to accept with celebration those who have gone astray and have hit rock bottom?

Reverend Ralph Hough talks about the Gospel lesson Luke 13:1-9 Where Jesus warns us that we will all perish unless we repent. There were eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them. Do you think they were more sinful than all the others living in Jerusalem? Jesus' answer: no they were not more sinful; however, you will perish if you do not repent of your sins. Does this mean we will not have bad things happen to us if we repent?

Reverend Ralph Hough talks about the New Testament lesson Philippinians 3:17-4:1 where Paul is telling the people of Philippi their citizenship is in heaven where from there they await a Savior. Enemies of the cross of Christ have set their minds on earthly things, their destiny is destruction. Where have you set your mind on the cross of Christ or on earthly things?

Reverend Ralph Hough discusses the Gospel lesson Luke 4:1-13 where Jesus is protected from satan in His time of temptation. Jesus spent 40 days in the desert with out food, satan tempted Him by saying if you are the son of God, tell this stone to become bread. Again satan tempted Jesus with wealth and property if He would worship satan. Satan tries one more time to tempt Jesus by proving He is the Son of God by falling from the highest point of the temple, God would not allow bodily injury to Him. Jesus resisted all temptations! We are tempted by satan and the world to doubt God's Word and to only achieve earthly things. We need to to be as Jesus was, filled with the Holy Spirt to resist temptation. Do you doubt that God would not allow you to be tempted more than you can withstand?

The End of the Law, the Beginning of Grace

Reverend Ralph Hough talks about the Gospel lesson Luke 9:28-36. This lesson is about the transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment of God's plan for saving us from our sins. We know that fulfillment is his death and resurrection which happend a short time later. Also, in this lesson during this encounter a voice came saying "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” Are you listening to Him?

Love Beyond Your Capacity

Reverend Ralph Hough talks about the Gospel lesson of Luke 5:27-38 where we find Jesus teaching that you love your enemies. Also, do not judge, and you will not be judged for the measure you use, it will be measured to you. When Jesus dies on the cross for your sins, he judgesd you innocent. Can you love and forgive those who hate you as He did, does this kind of mercy come naturally to humans?

No Easy Walk

Reverend Ralph Hough talks about the Gospel lesson Luke 6:17-26 where Jesus ministers to a great multitude. Jesus comforts some and condemns others. This is a tough lesson for all. Jesus says "Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man". Jesus also said "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets". Is following Jesus an easy walk in this world?

Fruitfully, Faithful Obedience

Reverend @Ralph Hough discusses the Gospel Lesson Luke 5:1-11 where we find the future disciples fishing all night and catching nothing. Jesus tells them to lower their nets and a miraculous catch of fish showup when they raised their nets. Jesus tells them "don't be afraid from now on you will catch men". This was the call of our Lord on the fishermans lives. What is the call of our Lord upon your life?