Pastor Michael P. Walther Podcast https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com Sermons, Bible Studies, and other resources for Christians and pastors 

Confessional Lutheran (LCMS)

]]> Sun, 13 Sep 2026 19:40:20 -0500 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. Religion & Spirituality 1440 episodic michaelpwalther michaelpwalther No false https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/22521602/BackyardSun.jpg Pastor Michael P. Walther Podcast https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com 144 144 The Goal of Forgiveness Matthew 18:21-35 (Sermon) The Goal of Forgiveness Matthew 18:21-35 (Sermon) https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/the-goal-of-forgiveness-matthew-1821-35-sermon/ https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/the-goal-of-forgiveness-matthew-1821-35-sermon/#comments Sun, 13 Sep 2026 19:40:20 -0500 michaelpwalther.podbean.com/06b9e83f-2112-3671-856e-f2aa1cba0ffe Why Does God Forgive Sins? How Does God Forgive Sins? What Is the Goal of Forgiveness? 

One thing this sermon addresses is a new temptation and deception that the devil uses to keep people from repentance and forgiveness. That is to change the definition of "forgiveness" to "acceptance." These are not the same thing. 

]]> Why Does God Forgive Sins?
How Does God Forgive Sins?
What Is the Goal of Forgiveness? 

One thing this sermon addresses is a new temptation and deception that the devil uses to keep people from repentance and forgiveness. That is to change the definition of "forgiveness" to "acceptance." These are not the same thing. 

]]> michaelpwalther false No 1099 12 full A Christian Approach to the Problem of Crime (Sermon) A Christian Approach to the Problem of Crime (Sermon) https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/a-christian-approach-to-the-problem-of-crime-sermon/ https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/a-christian-approach-to-the-problem-of-crime-sermon/#comments Sun, 06 Sep 2026 16:25:22 -0500 michaelpwalther.podbean.com/38b897cd-ad5a-3c2c-a36f-29c19e50db3f Humanism has made the problem of crime worse. God uses governments to curb crime, often with harsh measures. This is God's approach in Romans 13.4. Prisons used to be called penitentiaries because they were meant to be places where men could reflect, repent, and find forgiveness and renewal. This is God's approach in Ezekiel 33.14. All sin is abominable to God because it has the potential to grow into great evil. God's grace in Christ is the only hope for all of us sinners and for all criminals. 

]]> Humanism has made the problem of crime worse. God uses governments to curb crime, often with harsh measures. This is God's approach in Romans 13.4. Prisons used to be called penitentiaries because they were meant to be places where men could reflect, repent, and find forgiveness and renewal. This is God's approach in Ezekiel 33.14. All sin is abominable to God because it has the potential to grow into great evil. God's grace in Christ is the only hope for all of us sinners and for all criminals. 

]]> michaelpwalther false No 624 11 full The Book of Life (Bible Study) The Book of Life (Bible Study) https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/the-book-of-life-bible-study/ https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/the-book-of-life-bible-study/#comments Thu, 03 Sep 2026 18:01:57 -0500 michaelpwalther.podbean.com/72527015-c38b-313f-aa9b-dabe6ae7290d The Book of Life gives us the assurance of our salvation. It shows us that our salvation is the work of God, not our own. Many people modify this teaching saying that we need to have "personal responsibility" to have assurance. But I show how this does not take the Bible at face value, and it actually undermines our assurance. Those who believe in Jesus have their names written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. Rejoice in that! 

]]> The Book of Life gives us the assurance of our salvation. It shows us that our salvation is the work of God, not our own. Many people modify this teaching saying that we need to have "personal responsibility" to have assurance. But I show how this does not take the Bible at face value, and it actually undermines our assurance. Those who believe in Jesus have their names written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. Rejoice in that! 

]]> michaelpwalther false No 1679 10 full Matthew 16:21-26 Cross Bearing to Conquer Evil (Sermon) Matthew 16:21-26 Cross Bearing to Conquer Evil (Sermon) https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/matthew-1621-26-cross-bearing-to-conquer-evil-sermon/ https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/matthew-1621-26-cross-bearing-to-conquer-evil-sermon/#comments Sun, 30 Aug 2026 14:50:16 -0500 michaelpwalther.podbean.com/67e08e82-7c39-3d4b-a3a5-53d4a5b7192f After Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus prophesied His crucifixion and resurrection. God would conquer evil through the sacrifice of love. God also calls us to conquer evil through our own cross bearing. 

Christians must bear at least three crosses in this life: The cross of repentance, the cross of the world's scorn, and the cross of Satan himself. 

God gives us the grace to bear them all. 

]]> After Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus prophesied His crucifixion and resurrection. God would conquer evil through the sacrifice of love. God also calls us to conquer evil through our own cross bearing. 

Christians must bear at least three crosses in this life: The cross of repentance, the cross of the world's scorn, and the cross of Satan himself. 

God gives us the grace to bear them all. 

]]> michaelpwalther false No 1352 9 full How to Help the Poor 3 (Bible Study) How to Help the Poor 3 (Bible Study) https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/how-to-help-the-poor-3-bible-study/ https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/how-to-help-the-poor-3-bible-study/#comments Thu, 27 Aug 2026 13:38:01 -0500 michaelpwalther.podbean.com/36784a46-e01c-384b-863f-0f70fe5b5a88 In this class we look at ways that churches and other organizations are helping the poor. The main point is that God wants us to help the poor both physically and spiritually. You can find the handout to this study at my blog Pastor Walther's Meditations: https://pastorwalther.blogspot.com/2026/08/how-to-help-poor-3.html

]]> In this class we look at ways that churches and other organizations are helping the poor. The main point is that God wants us to help the poor both physically and spiritually. You can find the handout to this study at my blog Pastor Walther's Meditations: https://pastorwalther.blogspot.com/2026/08/how-to-help-poor-3.html

]]> michaelpwalther false No 1218 8 full Renewing the Mind Romans 12:1-2 Renewing the Mind Romans 12:1-2 https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/renewing-the-mind-romans-121-2/ https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/renewing-the-mind-romans-121-2/#comments Sun, 23 Aug 2026 14:31:33 -0500 michaelpwalther.podbean.com/123cfef1-b7b3-306e-a067-dc3398ce5321 The mind is amazing! But it can be turned to evil or good. This sermon explains how our minds are transformed by God through His word.

1. Refuse to Be Conformed

2. Transformed by the Renewing of the Mind

3. Be a Living Sacrifice to Help Save

Sermon for August 23, 2026 Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mt. Olive, Illinois

]]> The mind is amazing! But it can be turned to evil or good. This sermon explains how our minds are transformed by God through His word.

1. Refuse to Be Conformed

2. Transformed by the Renewing of the Mind

3. Be a Living Sacrifice to Help Save

Sermon for August 23, 2026 Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mt. Olive, Illinois

]]> michaelpwalther false No 985 7 full How to Help the Poor 2 (Bible Study) How to Help the Poor 2 (Bible Study) https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/how-to-help-the-poor-2-bible-study/ https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/how-to-help-the-poor-2-bible-study/#comments Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:49:56 -0500 michaelpwalther.podbean.com/2d74ed29-4ab6-398d-88e1-b553a2db58df This is a three part Bible study. You can find the notes for this study on my blog: Pastor Walther's Meditations. This audio file is only the instruction part of the class. It does not cover the Q&A that followed. 

]]> This is a three part Bible study. You can find the notes for this study on my blog: Pastor Walther's Meditations. This audio file is only the instruction part of the class. It does not cover the Q&A that followed. 

]]> michaelpwalther false No 1721 6 full Yes, Lord, And the Crumbs? Matthew 15:22-28 (Sermon) Yes, Lord, And the Crumbs? Matthew 15:22-28 (Sermon) https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/yes-lord-and-the-crumbs-matthew-1522-28-sermon/ https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/yes-lord-and-the-crumbs-matthew-1522-28-sermon/#comments Sun, 16 Aug 2026 17:56:05 -0500 michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e1858784-2261-309e-a3cb-ac24c4a86592 Jesus tested the faith of the Canaanite woman three times. She held fast the promises of the Messiah which she knew. 

1. The Background 2. Jesus Is the True Messiah 3. The Messiah for All Nations and for You 4. Spiritual Wounds and Healing

]]> Jesus tested the faith of the Canaanite woman three times. She held fast the promises of the Messiah which she knew. 

1. The Background
2. Jesus Is the True Messiah
3. The Messiah for All Nations and for You
4. Spiritual Wounds and Healing

]]> michaelpwalther false No 829 5 full How to Help the Poor 1 (Bible Study) How to Help the Poor 1 (Bible Study) https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/how-to-help-the-poor-1-bible-study/ https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/how-to-help-the-poor-1-bible-study/#comments Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:42:18 -0500 michaelpwalther.podbean.com/8eba1bb2-f4b5-3bab-94dc-b64b6bccdfb4 This is a three part Bible study. You can find the notes for this study on my blog: Pastor Walther's Meditations. This audio file is only the instruction part of the class. It does not cover the Q&A that followed. 

]]> This is a three part Bible study. You can find the notes for this study on my blog: Pastor Walther's Meditations. This audio file is only the instruction part of the class. It does not cover the Q&A that followed. 

]]> michaelpwalther false No 878 4 full What Do we Do with Our Fear? Matthew 14.22-33 What Do we Do with Our Fear? Matthew 14.22-33 https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/what-do-we-do-with-our-fear-matthew-1422-33/ https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/what-do-we-do-with-our-fear-matthew-1422-33/#comments Sun, 09 Aug 2026 14:20:46 -0500 michaelpwalther.podbean.com/05e29011-b3e0-3e66-b2c4-cf68c7bfaf53 "No Fear" isn't just a slogan or a decal. It is a lifestyle of faith that prays "Lord, Save Me" in the face of fear. 

]]> "No Fear" isn't just a slogan or a decal. It is a lifestyle of faith that prays "Lord, Save Me" in the face of fear. 

]]> michaelpwalther false No 990 3 full Sermon: Romans 9.1-13 Hold Fast, Hold Forth (Election) Sermon: Romans 9.1-13 Hold Fast, Hold Forth (Election) https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/sermon-romans-91-13-hold-fast-hold-forth-election/ https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/sermon-romans-91-13-hold-fast-hold-forth-election/#comments Sun, 02 Aug 2026 13:57:26 -0500 michaelpwalther.podbean.com/64c90f40-7b92-3e53-a473-005b63062ba8 God’s promises of salvation in Jesus are amazing. Yet many people reject them - even most of Israel. Does this invalidate God’s word? Not at all. God’s election always stands, based not on works but on Him who calls. Christians hold fast to their salvation, and they will always hold forth God’s salvation to all the world. God is still calling! 

1. Israel is the beginning of God’s incarnation.

2. Israel and most of the world have rejected Christ.

3. Christians hold fast and hold forth as God continues to call. 

]]> God’s promises of salvation in Jesus are amazing. Yet many people reject them - even most of Israel. Does this invalidate God’s word? Not at all. God’s election always stands, based not on works but on Him who calls. Christians hold fast to their salvation, and they will always hold forth God’s salvation to all the world. God is still calling! 

1. Israel is the beginning of God’s incarnation.

2. Israel and most of the world have rejected Christ.

3. Christians hold fast and hold forth as God continues to call. 

]]> michaelpwalther false No 1054 2 full Mysteries of the Kingdom Matthew 13.10-17 Mysteries of the Kingdom Matthew 13.10-17 https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/mysteries-of-the-kingdom-matthew-1310-17/ https://michaelpwalther.podbean.com/e/mysteries-of-the-kingdom-matthew-1310-17/#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:06:02 -0500 michaelpwalther.podbean.com/b4f99e2d-b5b9-34c6-85fd-bd6fc19bab6e Main Teaching: God’s kingdom is the best kingdom of all. It is a kingdom of power, a kingdom of grace, and a kingdom of glory. There is no other kingdom like it. Believe in it. Live in it. Bring it to others.

  1. Why do we have kingdoms?
  2. How is God’s kingdom different from other kingdoms?
  3. How do Christians live in two kingdoms?

 

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mt. Olive, Illinois July 26, 2026

]]> Main Teaching: God’s kingdom is the best kingdom of all. It is a kingdom of power, a kingdom of grace, and a kingdom of glory. There is no other kingdom like it. Believe in it. Live in it. Bring it to others.

  1. Why do we have kingdoms?
  2. How is God’s kingdom different from other kingdoms?
  3. How do Christians live in two kingdoms?

 

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mt. Olive, Illinois July 26, 2026

]]> michaelpwalther false No 1111 1 full