Simple. Quiet. Present.
In a noisy and crowded world, we want to relearn together what it means to live simply – not out of renunciation, but out of longing. We create space – in our hearts, in our everyday lives, in our church – so that God’s voice can be heard, his love can be felt and his guidance can be recognised.
Jesus seeks out and saves people who are lost – regardless of what others think of them. His love is not only for those who already belong to him, but especially for those who are still far from him. As his followers, we are invited to share this attitude of heart: not to look upon others with envy or self-righteousness, but to rejoice wholeheartedly when people are found by Jesus. For our own story, too, is a story of how God…
The way we respond to life’s circumstances has a decisive influence on how our lives unfold. If we want to go through life victoriously, we must be guided by God’s truth. This gives us the strength to overcome the challenges of everyday life and to press on despite difficult circumstances. Two identical twin brothers grew up with an alcoholic father. When they were adults, the first brother was asked: „Why did you become an alcoholic yourself?“ He replied: „I couldn’t help it. My father was an alcoholic.“…
Jesus sees Zacchaeus – not simply the tax collector, the sinner or the outcast, but the person. He allows himself to be interrupted, stops in his tracks and gives him his full attention. This encounter transforms Zacchaeus and sets something in motion. We, too, are seen by Jesus. His presence changes our perspective: we no longer see people merely superficially, but truly perceive them. Those who know they are seen by Jesus learn to look closely themselves and to be present for others. When was the last time you felt seen by someone…
We often dwell on the past or the future in our thoughts, and in doing so miss out on the present. Jesus invites us to let go of the past, to receive forgiveness, and to entrust the future to God with confidence. Today is the day that God has given us. As Christians, it is not just a matter of living in the moment, but of living out of the presence of Jesus and his grace. Yesterday may lie behind me. Tomorrow may lie in God’s hands. Today, Jesus is here. Before…
God is present – even when we do not perceive his presence. At the burning bush, Moses realises that God sees the suffering of his people, hears their cries and knows their pain. In our everyday lives, too, «bushes» can draw our attention to God’s presence. And God’s name, «I Am», reminds us: we do not know what tomorrow will bring. But we can be certain of who will be there tomorrow. God is there. Our theme for the year is: Simple. Quiet. Present. Today we begin with the third…
The disciples are in the boat, and yet a storm breaks out which becomes life-threatening whilst Jesus sleeps. How is it possible, in the same situation, to have two such different perceptions and adopt such different attitudes? The text raises questions and provides answers. The key question is: Do we know Jesus? The starting point: «As evening fell, Jesus said to his disciples, »Let us cross to the other side of the lake.«’ Jesus was already in the boat. So the disciples dismissed the crowd and got into the boat with him…
Forgiveness begins with the courage to face the truth: hurts must be acknowledged and dealt with. Jesus challenges us to reach out to one another – both when others have wronged us and when we ourselves have been hurt. Forgiveness is not forgetting, nor is it trivialising the issue, nor does it automatically lead to reconciliation. It is a process and, at times, a conscious decision. Because Christ has forgiven us, we can let go, leave judgement to God and experience new freedom. This spring, we ran the course «Loving…’ at seetal chile.
Simplicity is not an end in itself, but helps us to honour God with our whole lives and to find our deepest longing in him. We may enjoy created things, but they can never provide the fulfilment for which we long – this we find in God alone. Galatians 5 shows the difference between a life governed by our own desires and a life shaped by the Holy Spirit. When Christ is at the centre, we can regard the things of this…
Clothing reveals something of our inner selves and of where we seek our worth and our identity. We often try to cover up our own insecurities and shame. God invites us not to define our worth by our outward appearance, but to receive our identity from him. Simplicity means: I do not need to prove who I am through my clothes. Today we come to the second sermon on simplicity. It is not about simplicity for its own sake, but rather it is meant to be a help in living with our whole…
Our words have power. They can build people up and encourage them, but they can just as easily hurt and discourage them. Often, through our words, we reveal more about ourselves than we realise – because our words come from our hearts. What we say reveals what matters to us, who we are and what we base our lives on. That is why it is worth taking a closer look: what fills our hearts – and how can our words be increasingly shaped by Jesus? On average, a person speaks…
The desert is a place to which God leads us – sometimes against our will, sometimes we seek it out deliberately. In the silence, inner voices become audible and spiritual warfare becomes apparent: disordered desires, the world and the devil try to lead us away from God. Jesus shows us how God’s truth exposes lies. Yet he is not merely our role model: Christ has won the battle for us. The desert leads us deeper into our encounter with God. A few years ago, a team of researchers from the University of…
Gethsemane shows us that true prayer does not begin with the right words, but with an open heart. Jesus shares his feelings, his desires and, ultimately, his trust with his Father. We, too, may tell God everything and place our will in his hands. Especially during the times of desolation in our lives, He does not leave us alone, but carries us as a father carries his child – step by step along the path of trust. In the last sermon, we saw that Jesus time and again…
God does not lead people into the wilderness to punish them, but to shape them. In his «classroom», we learn to trust him and to listen to his voice. Jesus walked this path himself and, through the Cross and the Resurrection, opened the way back into fellowship with God. He invites us to live today, even in the midst of the desert, as people of his garden. On 27 January 1956, Dr Martin Luther King sat alone in the middle of the night…
Peter betrayed Jesus, the disciples fled, and Jesus died. Although they experienced him as the Risen One, somehow he is no longer there. Does any of this still make sense? Resigned, the disciples fall back into their old ways in search of fulfilment. To no avail – then Jesus arrives. Part 1 – A relapse into old ways of life «Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They said to him, “We’ll go with you.” They went out and got into…’
Professional fishermen are washing their dirty nets on the shore. Despite their experience and skill, they have caught nothing. Then Jesus arrives. He gives them an impossible task, which leads to an unexpected success. In doing so, Jesus raises the question of what really matters in our lives, what truly brings fulfilment, and what really makes sense. Part 1. The background: «Now it happened that, as the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the Sea of Galilee and saw two boats at…
At the heart of this is the forgiveness of sins as the greatest miracle, because it restores the relationship between humankind and God. The story of the paralysed man makes it clear that Jesus has the authority to forgive sins and to lead people from death to life. The four men serve as an example of a faith that overcomes obstacles so that others may encounter Jesus. We are invited to be people who pray for others, bring them to Jesus and trust that he…
Deep within us lies a profound hunger for more. No matter what we try to use to satisfy this hunger, we never reach the point where it is enough. This hunger can only be satisfied through a personal encounter with the risen Jesus. Only then can we live in God’s supernatural peace. Does anyone remember one of those Snickers adverts? There’s a group of friends and an elderly, nagging woman or a monster that’s tearing everything to shreds. Then one of the friends takes a Snickers…
Jesus spent a great deal of time travelling on foot – and it was precisely whilst on the move that he created space for encounters with people and with God. The story of Emmaus highlights six steps that can also shape our spiritual lives: walking, conversation, reading the Bible, encountering God, a change of heart and mission. Anyone who consciously slows down and makes room for God can experience how Jesus walks alongside them, transforms their heart and gives them new perspectives on everyday life. When we think of Jesus’ habits, many things come to mind: praying, the…
At the heart of it all is the Kingdom of God as a message of hope, inviting people to live under the rule of Jesus. This hope transforms the daily lives of Jesus’ followers and offers a new perspective on guilt, suffering, justice and the future. That is why they are invited to share the good news with others in a credible, relationship-oriented and welcoming way, and to accompany them on their journey of faith. This morning I am speaking to you about Jesus’ habit of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. I must confess,…
Reading the Bible often stirs up mixed feelings – ranging from a guilty conscience to a genuine longing for more. Jesus himself was deeply rooted in the Word of God and invites us to encounter God in it and to allow ourselves to be shaped by him. It is not about performance, but about finding joy in it, immersing ourselves in it, reflecting on it and making space for God’s voice in our daily lives. At the same time, the Bible’s message challenges us to look at things honestly – so that it is not merely read, but lived out. During our discussion…
Jesus lived simply because his security lay not in possessions but in the Father. In a culture of ‘always more’, he invites us to let go of the ballast and learn contentment. It is not wealth that is the problem, but a heart that is attached to it. Those who let God be enough are freed from the pursuit of more and become free to be generous. Christian simplicity does not mean sacrifice, but trust, freedom and more space for God. When my son and I completed the first five stages of the…
It is often in the stillness that we experience God’s revelation as an almighty and loving God. In fellowship with him, we come to recognise more and more his greatness and power, and become aware of what he has given us in his love. The realisation of His power at our side, which we have through the New Covenant, gives us peace and strength. As a young man, I was very active – I went paragliding, rode a motorbike and enjoyed going to parties. At the same time, I played in two music groups…
The Sabbath is God’s gift of a sacred rhythm of work and rest. It reminds us that our value does not depend on performance, but on God’s grace. As a day of rest, joy and worship, it protects us from restlessness and inner enslavement. At the same time, the Sabbath points to the deeper rest that we can find in Christ – already today and one day in God’s eternal presence. There is an old parable about seven brothers. Six of them worked hard every day…
The sermon invites us to discover silence and solitude not as a duty, but as a gift from God. The examples of Jesus, Elijah and the persecuted Christian Amin make it clear that it is precisely in retreat and in silence that we often encounter God’s presence in a particularly profound way. In a noisy and hectic world, silence creates space to be healed, to hear God’s voice and to receive new strength for everyday life. Amin recently gave a talk about his experiences as a persecuted Christian in…
A decelerated lifestyle helps us to find true inner peace, grow spiritually and lead a life characterised by love and divine fruit. Jesus himself did not live a driven life, but took time for his Father and for people – even in seemingly urgent situations. His habits serve as a guide and «climbing aid». Slowing down does not happen by chance, but through consciously practised decisions and structures in everyday life. This creates space for God’s work and for genuine encounters. Berner is…
Luke 2:41–52 contains the only account of the youth of Jesus himself. The religiously independent «boy» travelled with his parents to Jerusalem for the Passover. To his parents» dismay, however, Jesus remains in Jerusalem after their departure and impresses the teachers there with his understanding and wise answers. After three days, his parents found him again and were outraged that he had simply left. For Jesus, however, it was clear: «You should have known that I was in the house of my…
In this service, Amin Afsharnaderi talks very personally about his life.
Our actions are driven by expectations. For Jesus, however, it is clear that only one thing is really important: to seek his closeness. He waits patiently for us. The more we seek his presence, the more we will realise how precious his closeness is. Malou will be a big sister in August and we are really looking forward to it. Damian and I come from large families and so it was our great wish that Malou would not grow up without siblings. However, my husband and I had very…
God has embedded his creation – including us humans – in a rhythm. If we pay attention to these cycles, we can strengthen our body, our memory, our emotions and our spirit. A life that brings forth life is not just activity or just rest, but a balanced interplay of both elements. We take Jesus as our role model: the most productive person in history always took time for regeneration. Rest and quiet time with God are productive, even if it…
Good Friday reveals the cross of Jesus as the place of decisive victory: guilt is forgiven, man is justified, reconciled with God and adopted into his family. Death loses its power, an eternal future is given and healing becomes possible. What happened there is personal – accepted in faith. In this way, the cross is transformed from a symbol of suffering into the source of hope, identity and new life. Today marks the 1993th anniversary of Good Friday. Calculations show that the crucifixion…
Jesus enters Jerusalem as the promised king – not with power and pomp, but humbly on a donkey, quite unlike what was expected. The people cheer him on, but do not recognise that his path does not lead to the throne, but to the cross. This area of tension shows how much human ideas can deviate from God’s plan. And yet this is precisely where the fulfilment of God’s promise and the salvation of the world begins. «[…] Praise be to God for the Son of David, blessed be …
People live from God’s word – but the decisive factor is how we listen. Jesus makes it clear: true hearing always leads to action. Those who receive God’s voice and live accordingly build their lives on a firm foundation. Those who only hear but do not act lose spiritual substance. That is why the following applies: hear, believe, do – this is how God’s work in our lives becomes visible. Emperor Frederick wanted to discover the common original language of all people. To discover this, he started a series of experiments. He wanted to observe how…
Recognising God’s voice is similar to recognising familiar voices: It takes relationship, experience and practice. God’s Spirit speaks to the spirit of man, but this message is filtered through personality, fears and desires. That is why impressions need to be tested – against the Bible, against the nature of Jesus and in dialogue with others. Mistakes are part of this. Spending time with God and getting to know his voice better and better is crucial. At the thanksgiving celebration, we pastors were challenged in the game «Wetten, dass…?» («Bet that…?») to recognise people based on their voice alone…
Hearing God’s voice begins in silence. Jesus lived from communion with the Father, and Moses found strength and orientation in the tent of meeting. We too need fixed times and places to encounter God, far away from distractions. God is not a silent God, but a speaking God – even his silence speaks. His voice is not recognised through technology, but through closeness. In silence we find peace, guidance and new strength. Jesus» actions were always completely focused on…
God not only hears, he also speaks. Even in the history of Israel, it became clear that God sees, hears and cares for his people. Through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, people today can hear God’s voice. The prerequisites for this are openness, silence and an obedient heart. God speaks in different ways – through the Bible, impressions or people. His speaking gives orientation, courage and inner certainty in life. The people of Israel experienced around 400 years of oppression and slavery in Egypt. During…
What if we fast – and God still says: Not like this? In Isaiah 58, God puts a big «if» in front – and combines it with powerful promises of light, healing and inner abundance. There is a fast that remains ineffective – and one that makes our lives blossom like a watered garden. The question is not whether we do without, but whether our heart is really in tune with God’s heart. Today we come to the fourth and final sermon in the series on fasting.…
Just as Jesus overcame temptations in the desert through renunciation and trust, our lives also need many no’s for the big yes to God. Possessions, popularity and power can become a substitute for God. In consciously chosen «desert times» – quiet, simple and present before God – we learn to trust anew. There we are inwardly renewed and able to resist temptation and live from God’s fullness. If an athlete wants to be victorious at the Olympics, it takes many no’s for…
Fasting and prayer have always been inseparable – especially when life begins to totter. The example of King Jehoshaphat shows how a man reacts to real fear and threat and consciously orientates himself towards God. His story shows how worries can be transformed into prayer and how genuine dependence on God opens up new perspectives. We are invited to combine fasting in a very practical way with a concrete life of prayer. Fasting and prayer always go hand in hand. It…
The goal is the Father Heart of God. That is our home. That is where our happiness lies. This father-heart and happiness can only be found in Jesus Christ. If you don’t have him, the path is blocked. Christ shows the way, provides orientation and is life. Our motto for the year is about recognising God. The first keyword is «simple». It really is simple: «Jesus said to him: «I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through…
In the biblical sense, fasting is a spiritual path of devotion that brings us forward in sanctification and ruthlessly exposes our self-centredness. It shows how strongly we are driven by the pleasure principle and by ourselves, and leads us precisely in this weakness to the liberating grace of Jesus Christ. Fasting not only changes our behaviour, but also our desires by refocusing us on God. The goal is not self-optimisation, but worship: a conscious renunciation that teaches us that the human being…
Fasting is an often unfamiliar but central spiritual exercise that Jesus requires of his followers. Jesus does not criticise fasting itself, but rather a hypocritical fast that is put on display, and invites us to a hidden, joyful fast that is completely focused on the Father. Biblical fasting means consciously abstaining from food in order to turn one’s whole body towards God and worship him. It is an expression of the attitude that Jesus is more important than even our most basic needs, and can be used as a spiritual way of…
The sermon invites us to become quiet in the midst of noise, performance and inner turmoil in order to hear God’s quiet words anew. Based on the biblical desert, it shows that solitude and silence are places of purification, of finding one’s identity and of encountering God. Those who create space for silence recognise God more deeply, are transformed inwardly and gain compassion and spiritual clarity for a fruitful ministry. Two people are walking through a busy street together. The noise of engines hangs in the air, voices overlap, footsteps echo…