Intrepid Hearts

09/06/2026

Serm: ''Are you a "Sovereign Citizen?" or a "Citizen of the Sovereign?"' (Rom. 13:1-7) 15th Sun. After Pentecost 2026

I begin by confronting our natural human resistance to submission—a sinful inclination born in early childhood where we desire to define right and wrong for ourselves. Against this rebellious nature, I proclaim the foundational truth of Romans 13:1–7 and the Fourth Commandment: God Himself has established earthly authorities in our homes, workplaces, communities, and governments for our good and order.

I address modern fringe ideologies, such as sovereign-citizen concepts and gnostic claims of "secret knowledge," clarifying that God operates in the open through His Word, the Sacraments, and the vocation of legitimate civil governance. While civil law governs outward conduct, it remains a gift from God to restrain evil and promote peace. Therefore, as Christians, we pay our taxes, honor those in office, and submit to lawful authority out of conscience and reverence for God. However, I emphasize that human authority is not absolute. When earthly powers demand that we disobey God's explicit commands, our higher duty requires us to faithfully stand with the apostles and say, "We must obey God rather than human beings," accepting any earthly consequences with courage.

Ultimately, I ground our obedience and endurance in the Gospel. The true root of all human rebellion traces back to the Fall, but Jesus Christ disarmed all earthly tyrannies and spiritual powers at the cross. Through His death and resurrection, He broke the power of sin, granting us an unshakeable kingdom and a grace that far surpasses any earthly rule.

08/30/2026

Sermon: "Love Without Pretence" (Romans 12:9–21) Fourteenth Sun. After Pentecost 2026.

This sermon on Romans 12:9–21 explores what it means for Christians to “let love be genuine”—a love without masks, hypocrisy, selfish ambition, or keeping score. Paul’s words expose how easily our love becomes self-centred, especially when we are dealing with difficult, ungrateful, or hurtful people. Yet Christian love is made concrete in the ordinary places of life: honouring others, serving faithfully in our vocations, praying through suffering, showing hospitality, rejoicing with others, weeping with those who weep, pursuing peace, forgiving, and even blessing our enemies. But the sermon ultimately refuses to leave us with a list of impossible commands; instead, the Law drives us to Christ, the One who perfectly loved His enemies, bore our evil on the cross, prayed for His persecutors, and overcame evil with good. Having received that genuine love through Christ, His Word, Baptism, and Holy Communion, Christians are freed to return to their ordinary vocations and love their neighbours—not to earn God's favour, but because in Christ they already have it.

08/30/2026

Incredible news! Glory be to God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ! 😀🥳❤️

On Saturday 29 August 2026, the LM-A Synodical Assembly voted unanimously to recognise altar-and-pulpit fellowship with the Lutheran Church Canada. Those present rose to sing the Common Doxology as a sign of our joy and thanksgiving to God for our common confession. LCC President-Elect David Haberstock witnessed the completion of the fellowship agreement signed by President Tim Teuscher at the LCC Convention of Synod earlier this year. We thank God for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Canada! https://www.facebook.com/lutheranchurchcanada

08/25/2026

Rejoice with me church! Asher Anishinabie was baptised into the One, Holy, Universal, Apostolic Church! We welcome him as our newest brother in Christ! And massive thank you to Xander and Mary you have promised to support and pray for him as his baptismal sponsors. All glory to Christ our Saviour! Evangelical Lutheran Church

08/23/2026

What a privilege this morning to have all these faithful servants present at Geelong!
God bless your week ahead as the LM-A Pastors attend Pastors Conference in Warrnambool 🙏🏽

08/20/2026

Sermon: “The Vocation of a Living Sacrifice”, Rom. 11:33–12:8. (Thirteenth Sun. After Pent. Midweek Holy Communion service preached at Epiphany lutheran Church in Thunder Bay, ON.)

08/16/2026

Sermon: "Has Christ's Church Failed?" Romans 11:1-10, Twelfth Sun. After Pentecost 2026.

In Romans 11:1–10 (11–32), St. Paul addresses the apparent failure of God’s promises in the face of Israel’s unbelief. The Church can often appear weak, diminished, or unsuccessful, leading Christians to wonder whether God’s purposes are failing. Through the example of Elijah, Paul reminds us that God’s people may be hidden from our sight, but never from God’s knowledge or care. There remains a remnant, “chosen by grace,” because the preservation of the Church depends not upon human strength, numbers, cultural influence, or faithfulness, but upon God’s gracious faithfulness to His promises.

The sermon therefore calls Christians away from both despair and pride. We must not despair when the Church appears weak, nor become arrogant when she appears strong, because the Church belongs to Christ and is sustained by Him. The theology of the cross teaches us that God often accomplishes His greatest works beneath what appears to be weakness and failure—the supreme example being Christ’s death on the cross.

This truth also provides comfort for the individual Christian. Instead of looking inward at the strength of our faith, our failures, or our worthiness, we are directed outward to Christ and His promises. The Lord continues to preserve His people through the Means of Grace: His Word, Baptism, and Holy Communion, where Christ gives Himself to sinners for our forgiveness.

Ultimately, Romans 11 teaches that the story of the Church is not about how impressive God’s people are, but how faithful God is. Christians may not see everything God is accomplishing, just as Elijah could not see the seven thousand. But they do not need to see everything; they need only hear and trust Christ’s promise. Christ has not failed, His promises have not failed, His grace has not failed, and therefore His Church will not fail.

08/02/2026

Hello All.

No sermons from me for two weeks. I’m on holidays. 😀🥳🍷

—Your servant—
Pastor Peter—

07/27/2026

Today was bitter sweet. Bitter because we said farewell to Jared and Daytona from our congregation. They are moving to Saint Catherine’s , ON. as Jared has been accepted to study and discern his calling towards the Office of the Ministry. Sweet because we rejoice in what we have received from Jared and Daytona in their time here as members of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. They are both so gifted and we rejoice with the Holy Spirit as we know they will bless the church wherever they go.

Jared and Daytona. May the Lord bless you and keep you now and always as you discern the call into formal ordained ministry in the Lutheran Church Canada and you have all our prayers and full support as you seek to serve the wider church wherever the Lord leads you.

—Pastor Peter and Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Thunder Bay, ON.

07/26/2026

Sermon: "Is God Really For Me?" Romans 8:28—39, Ninth Sun. After Pentecost 2026

This sermon on Romans 8:28–39 proclaims the certainty of God's saving work in Christ amid the uncertainties of human suffering. Beginning with the universal question, "Is God really for me?", the sermon contrasts the world's shallow optimism with Paul's objective confidence grounded in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through an exegetical and expository treatment of the text, it unfolds the "golden chain" of salvation—foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification—as an unbreakable work of God's grace from eternity to eternity. The sermon emphasises that the believer's assurance rests not in the strength of personal faith or decision, but in God's eternal purpose fulfilled in Christ.

The sermon further explores Paul's courtroom imagery and triumphant declaration that no accusation or condemnation can stand against those whom God has justified. Christ's atoning death, victorious resurrection, heavenly intercession, and sovereign reign provide the objective foundation for Christian confidence. Finally, Paul's climactic confession that nothing in all creation can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus is applied pastorally to the fears, doubts, and sufferings of daily life. The sermon concludes by directing hearers away from themselves to the external Means of Grace—God's Word, Holy Baptism, and the Lord's Supper—where Christ continually delivers the forgiveness, life, and salvation that guarantee the believer's security in Him.