Remembering Mercy Redeemer Lutheran Church - LCMS Charleston, WV December 29, 2019, First Sunday After Christmas Message presented by Rev. Frank C. Ruffatto Psalm 111 Isaiah 63:7-14 Galatians 4:4-6 Matthew 2:13-23 Ever hear of a “Praise Sandwich”? It’s a technique of offering criticism that’s intended to ‘soften the blow’ a bit. It’s a way to say things without being too blunt. It’s done by beginning and ending with something positive, sandwiching your critique between the two. We see a differen...
Dec 29, 2019
Arise and Shine: Eternal Light Redeemer Lutheran Church - LCMS Charleston, WV December 22, 2019, The Fourth Sunday of Advent Message presented by Rev. Frank C. Ruffatto Psalm 84:8-12 Daniel 12:1-3 1 Corinthians 15:42-49 Matthew 13:36-43 Coinciding with he Fourth Sunday of Advent. This episode of Redeemer’s Refuge and the fourth part in the Arise and Shine series, Eternal Light, is based on Daniel 12:3. At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there sh...
Dec 22, 2019
This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent. In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge — Arise and Shine: Healing Light, Pastor Frank delivers a message based on Malachi 4:1-6.
Dec 15, 2019
This Sunday is the Second Sunday of Advent. In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, Reflected Light, pastor Frank touches on Zechariah 9:14-17. On that day the Lord their God will save them, as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land. During Advent we remember the birth of Jesus, the Light of the world. We reflect his light in our daily lives.
Dec 08, 2019
In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, Pastor Frank talks about Isaiah 60:1 and the first week of Advent. Living in the light of Jesus, we prepare to celebrate his birth.Repenting of our sins, we put away the works of darkness and dress in the armor of light.
Dec 01, 2019
In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge , Pastor Frank discusses this week’s Gospel lesson. When Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” What if Jesus was right? Maybe it’s we who don’t’ know what we’re doing.
Nov 24, 2019
Our lives are complicated, and money is short There may even be times when you doubt God’s love because of what’s going on in your life and how things in this world perhaps seem so unjust. Tune in to this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge to hear what Malachi had to say about this and how his prophesy ties to Elijah and then Jesus and how that impacts us today.
Nov 17, 2019
In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, from the Old Testament reading from Exodus, we hear God call Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. “Who Am I?” is the key question and leads to some of the most profound discoveries in the Old Testament — also, some of the most profound realizations about ourselves.
Nov 10, 2019
You're invited to hear what might be a different perspective on what it means to be a "saint" and what Jesus was really saying in His "Sermon on the Mount," specifically the Beatitudes. Join us as Pastor Ruffatto opens up the scripture and looks at the actual grammatical meaning and context of "Blessed are..."
Nov 03, 2019
In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, we listen to what Jesus speaks to some Jews who had believed in Him. He tells them (and us) what it means to be one of His disciples. “If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples …” In other words, stay in it, stay with it, rest by it. Yet, Jesus is not merely saying, “Rest in what I say.” He is saying rest in Me and what I am doing for you. And we can rest in Him because Jesus is the Word we hear about in the beginning of John’s Gospel, the Word wit...
Oct 27, 2019
In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge we hear the Old Testament of story from Genesis of Jacob wrestling with a man all night, prevailing, be touched on the hip, and then given the name Israel by this man. What is this all about? Who is this mysterious wrestler? And what does it mean for us? The answers might not be what you are expecting. The answers are likely better than what you were expecting.
Oct 20, 2019
In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, Pastor Ruffatto discusses Paul’s second letter to Timothy, his assistant who suffers from a bit of timidity. Paul has finished the instruction of details he outlined in his first letter and is encouraging Timothy – and you and me – to fan this live flame-- the torch we carry for Jesus -- because others needed – others now need – to be connected to our heavenly Father through the Gospel of His son Jesus.
Oct 13, 2019
In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, Pastor Ruffatto discusses Paul’s second letter to Timothy, his assistant who suffers from a bit of timidity. Paul has finished the instruction of details he outlined in his first letter and is encouraging Timothy – and you and me – to fan this live flame-- the torch we carry for Jesus -- because others needed – others now need – to be connected to our heavenly Father through the Gospel of His son Jesus.
Oct 06, 2019
In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, Rev. Ruffatto connects the mention God’s provision and protection by way of angels in the Old Testament (as mentioned by Daniel) to the angels of the New Testament in Jude and Revelation. The chief angel whom God mentions is Michael, who is called an archangel in the New Testament. It is through the service of His archangel Michael and all the other holy angels that God cares for and protects his people.
Oct 01, 2019
Mission & Ministry: Salt & Light Redeemer Lutheran Church - LCMS Charleston, WV First aired September 22, 2019 15th Sunday after Pentecost Message presented by Rev. Frank C. Ruffatto Psalm 96:1-6 Isaiah 49: 1-6 Hebrews 10:19-25 Matthew 5:13-16 In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, Pastor Ruffatto unpacks Jesus’ illustrations of salt and light and what they mean to church congregations today. Christians are challenged to create a thirst for Jesus and to be the light of Truth in a dark wor...
Sep 23, 2019
In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge we pose the question: What does an Old Testament prophecy have to say to us today? From Sunday’s Old Testament lesson: “And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the Lord; I have spoken.” What does this mean for us today? We don’t live a pastoral, agrarian lifestyle. So, who is Ezekiel ta...
Sep 15, 2019
In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, we discuss Jesus’ difficult to hear teaching, , “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.” And that’s not all. He goes on to say, “any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple.” Not much “safe space” in His words, are there? But is that really the case? What does this mean? Could it be that there is more...
Sep 08, 2019
This episode of Redeemer’s Refuge is based on Proverbs 25: 2-10.
Sep 01, 2019
The Gospel of Peace brings division. In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge we learn Jesus gives us a peace that the world cannot give, a peace that passes all understanding. This is the peace between God and man. It’s a peace in believers’ hearts. It’s the peace of knowing that our sins are forgiven. Yet, some would like the Gospel to give world peace, a utopia on earth. But that will never happen. Because of sin, Jesus divides like nothing else – even more than politics! Some will believe, and s...
Aug 25, 2019
Division and Perfect Peace Redeemer Lutheran Church - LCMS Charleston, WV August 18, 2019 Sunday Worship 10th Sunday after Pentecost Message presented by Rev. Frank Ruffatto Psalm 119:81-88 Jeremiah 23:16-29 Hebrews 11:17-31; 12:1-3 Luke 12:49-53 The Gospel of Peace brings division. Jesus gives us a peace that the world cannot give, a peace that passes all understanding. This is the peace between God and man. It’s a peace in believers’ hearts. It’s the peace of knowing that our sins are forgiven...
Aug 18, 2019
Ex Nihilo Redeemer Lutheran Church - LCMS Charleston, WV Message presented by Rev. Frank Ruffatto The writer of Hebrews reminds us that God finds us in ‘nothingness.’ He tells us that the world was not created out of things that are seen. It was created out of nothing – ex nihilo . This nothingness is a perfect picture of the state we are in apart from God’s gracious activity in our lives. God Calls Us out of Nothing to Trust His Promises and Follow Him to the Promised Land. Ex Nihilo is based o...
Aug 04, 2019
In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, we don’t talk about money. The debt we’re talking about is the spiritual debt that sin loads onto our backs. In today’s text we are reminded of how our lives changed when Jesus paid the debt of our sin. This episode is based on these scriptures: Psalm 138 Genesis 18:20-33 Colossians 2:6-15 Luke 11:1-13
Jul 29, 2019
This message explores both Martha and Mary. as the Sinful saints they are. And delves into the idea that for such sinful saints came Jesus, preaching, teaching, catechizing. The one thing necessary Jesus emphasizes is always the Word of our Lord. The Word is always good and ready to give us Jesus and His words. A word of warning for anyone hostile in mind and doing evil deeds. A word of security for those needing strengthening in the battle against sin, their flesh, and the devil.
Jul 21, 2019
Paul writes that we have been delivered “from the domain of darkness.” ( Colossians 1:13) Eve’s sin and Adam’s fall have placed us in dire straits. The wages of our sin is death. We need rescuing. We need deliverance. “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” ( Romans 7:24) asks Paul. Only one can. Only one has. Jesus Christ it is. Given this Great News, what is our response what is the fruit borne from our rescue?
Jul 14, 2019
So why doesn’t God do something about this mess? Where is the power of God? Where is our hope and salvation? Is there any hope for the future? God has a better plan that the ways and means and plans of this world, even among us His people. Yes, He must punish sin. Yes, we must know the consequences. But feeling some of the darkness only helps us appreciate the light. Children of God: He Cares for Us! is based on these scriptures: Psalm 66:1-7 Isaiah 66:10-14 Galatians 6:1-10, 14-18 Luke 10:1-20...
Jul 07, 2019
Rejecting, Receiving, and Following Jesus focuses on Luke 9:51-62 and Jesus’ unsuccessful attempt to visit a village in Samaria. He was rejected because He was journeying to Jerusalem, and the Samaritans worship on Mount Gerizim, not in Jerusalem. They refused to receive Jesus. Rejecting, Receiving, and Following Jesus is based on these scriptures: Psalm 16 1 Kings 19:9b-21 Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Luke 9:51-62
Jun 30, 2019
This episode of Redeemer’s Refuge calls the listener to be Free to Live! Free to Tell! Pastor Ruffatto uses the story of Jesus and the demon-possessed man to illustrate how we are now free to tell others “See what Jesus has done… for me… for you… for everyone! Free to Live! Free to Tell! is based on these scriptures: Psalm 3 Isaiah 65:1-9 Galatians 3:23-4:7 Luke 8:26-39
Jun 23, 2019
Let Psalm 8 be the Lord’s invitation to a rich summer season when you get refreshed from both directions: from His creation and the merciful kindness He brings near to you in His Word. He is majestic in mercy! And, in fact, God’s vast creation makes His mercy toward us all the more majestic. Majestic in Mercy is based on these scriptures: Psalm 8; Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Acts 2:14a, 22-36; John 8:48-59
Jun 17, 2019
This episode of Redeemer’s Refuge: The World’s Greatest Counselor is based on the readings from the 3-Year lectionary (Year C) for The Day of Pentecost: Psalm 143 Genesis 11:1-9 Acts 2:1-21 John 14:23-31 Redeemer’s Refuge is a production of Redeemer Lutheran Church a LCMS church in Charleston, WV
Jun 17, 2019
The Easter Signs is based on the readings from the 3-Year lectionary (Year C) for the Sixth Sunday of Easter: Psalm 67 Acts 16:9-15 Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27 John 16:23-33
May 26, 2019
