This Ash Wednesday sermon places the Church’s ancient practice of ashes within a biblical and historical frame, exploring the meaning of repentance, mortality, and the beginning of the Lenten journey. With Lutheran, confessional clarity, it proclaims Genesis 3:19—“you are dust, and to dust you shall return”—while leading hearers to the stronger word of the Gospel: Jesus Christ crucified and raised for sinners. Centered on the cross traced in ashes, the message highlights the purpose of the imposition as a bodily confession and a Christ-shaped proclamation.

In this episode, we take up the question of Christian healing as confession. Healing is often spoken of in terms of immediacy, measurable outcomes, or spiritual success. The Church, however, speaks more carefully—and more faithfully.

Drawing from the language of the Creed, especially the Third Article, this episode explores healing as God’s ongoing work of grace carried out by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel. Christian healing is real and present now, yet it remains incomplete in this life. The baptized live in the tension of the already and the not yet: forgiven, sanctified, and kept in the true faith, while still bearing weakness, suffering, and the cross.

This conversation resists both despair and triumphalism. It refuses to deny suffering, and it refuses to make healing a proof of faith or spiritual maturity. Instead, it locates hope where the Church has always placed it—not in human progress, but in Christ’s wounds, His resurrection, and the Spirit who faithfully sustains God’s people until the day when death itself is undone.

This episode is offered for pastors, caregivers, theologians, and all who live with chronic illness, mental health struggles, unanswered prayers, or long obedience under the cross. It speaks to those who don't need quick answers, but a sure and steady hope: “I believe in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.”

Healing begins now in Christ. Its fulfillment is still promised. And between those two truths, the Holy Spirit keeps us as God's beloved child.

In today’s first episode of The Gospel Rhythm Podcast, we hear the promise of Romans 8:1–2: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This brief devotional is for every burdened conscience and weary heart—proclaiming that your peace with God rests not on your feelings or performance, but on Christ’s finished work for you. We’ll close with a simple prayer, asking the Lord to keep you in the steady rhythm of His grace throughout the week.