✝ ELCA Lutheran Church in Dothan, ALhttps://triumphantcross.net/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/parable-of-the-tenants/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/parable-of-the-tenants/Cindy Manning's sermon on Matthew 21:33-46, the parable of the tenants, asks what kind of tenants we are in God's vineyard today.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-october-6-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-october-6-2026/This week: Fall Yard Sale prep and sale days, Pastor Kay leads worship Sunday, Council meets after fellowship, and Cindy Manning's sermon on the parable of the tenants.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/john-14-15-17-if-ye-love-me/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/john-14-15-17-if-ye-love-me/Thomas Tallis wrote 'If Ye Love Me' in the 1500s, setting John 14:15-17 for four voices. Singing the tenor part a cappella is as challenging as it is spiritually moving.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-october-1-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-october-1-2026/This week: Congregation Meeting and Fellowship Sunday after worship, Cindy Manning's sermon on Matthew 21, and prayers for our Fall Yard Sale preparation.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/fall-yard-sale-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/fall-yard-sale-2026/Shop our Fall Yard Sale in the Fellowship Hall — clothing, toys, and odds and ends. Friday Oct 9 noon–5pm and Saturday Oct 10 8am–noon.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/matthew-21-vineyard-always-open/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/matthew-21-vineyard-always-open/Cindy Manning's sermon on Matthew 21:23-32 — the parable of the two sons, Jesus' authority, and the grace that keeps the vineyard always open to us.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/lutheran-communion-real-presence/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/lutheran-communion-real-presence/Communion is grounded in Real Presence — Christ truly given in the bread and wine. One small word in the bulletin carries five centuries of theological history.Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-september-23-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-september-23-2026/This week: Sunday worship with a Fellowship, new posts on Lutheran communion theology and full communion churches in Dothan, and prayers for our congregation.Wed, 23 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/acts-7-30-34/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/acts-7-30-34/Stephen makes a case that God is everywhere, at all times, ever present. But he was not there to save himself, but to testify the presence of Jesus with God.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/churches-in-dothan/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/churches-in-dothan/The full communion churches in Dothan are Lutheran, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Methodist congregations united by a shared agreement recognizing each other's baptism and ministry.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/laborers-in-the-vineyard/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/laborers-in-the-vineyard/The laborers in the vineyard parable in Matthew 20 reveals a God whose grace cannot be earned or measured — and why that is the best news of all.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-september-17-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-september-17-2026/Here's your weekly look at Triumphant Cross Lutheran Church — Prayers for the Church Thursday evening, a Pancake Breakfast before worship Sunday, and prayers for our congregation and community.Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/matthew-18-21-35-unmerciful-servant/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/matthew-18-21-35-unmerciful-servant/A sermon on Matthew 18:21–35: why Jesus answered Peter's question about forgiveness with a parable about a debt no one can repay — and a King who cancels it.Sun, 13 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-september-10-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-september-10-2026/Howard Young leads worship this Sunday as we reflect on love, reconciliation, and what it means to lay down our lives for one another. Here is your weekly look at Triumphant Cross.Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/forgiveness-conflict-reconciliation/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/forgiveness-conflict-reconciliation/A sermon by Cindy Manning on Matthew 18:15–18, exploring Jesus's practical guidance for resolving conflict through forgiveness, love, and reconciliation.Sun, 06 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-september-3-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-september-3-2026/This week at Triumphant Cross: Prayers for the Church on Thursday, Sunday worship and potluck fellowship, and a new sermon post from Cindy Manning on Matthew 16 and Romans 12.Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/shape-of-your-cross/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/shape-of-your-cross/Cindy Manning's sermon on Matthew 16:21-28 and Romans 12:9-21 explores what it means to take up your cross daily—and how Paul's vision of Christian living shows us the way forward.Sun, 30 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/peters-confession/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/peters-confession/In Matthew 16, Jesus asks the question that cuts to the heart of faith: 'Who do you say that I am?' A reflection on Peter's confession and what it means for the church today.Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-august-26-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-august-26-2026/This week at Triumphant Cross: Sunday worship at 10:00 AM, a new sermon reflection on Peter's Confession, and prayers for our congregation and community.Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/canaanite-woman/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/canaanite-woman/Ms. Sissy's sermon on Matthew 15 follows the Canaanite woman, an outsider the disciples wanted to ignore, whose persistent faith Jesus commended above all.Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-august-20-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-august-20-2026/This week at Triumphant Cross: a new sermon reflection on the Canaanite woman, prayers for our congregation, and a word from 1 Corinthians for the week ahead.Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/jesus-walks-on-water/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/jesus-walks-on-water/Pastor Kay's Sunday sermon on Matthew 14 revealed a surprising truth: Jesus walking on water is not about the miracle — it's about faith.Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-august-12-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-august-12-2026/This week at Triumphant Cross: a backpack blessing, a sermon reflection on faith, and prayers for our congregation as we head into the week.Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/backpack-blessing/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/backpack-blessing/TCLC's annual backpack blessing sent student back to school this week with prayers for wisdom, learning, and safety.Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-august-6-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-august-6-2026/This week: Sunday School and Worship on August 9, Prayers for the Church on Thursday, and a new post on the Feeding of the Five Thousand.Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/feeding-of-the-5000/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/feeding-of-the-5000/A low-probability encounter with a British TV star and the miracle that fed five thousand share a common thread — some things must be experienced to be believed.Sun, 02 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/kingdom-of-god-parables/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/kingdom-of-god-parables/Bishop Strickland unpacks the kingdom of God parables in Matthew 13 — God's reign isn't something to wait for. It's already alive in each of us.Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-july-29-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-july-29-2026/This week: Ms. Sissy leads worship on August 2, Prayers for the Church on Thursday, and a new post on the kingdom of God parables from Bishop Strickland's sermon.Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/mustard-seed-parable/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/mustard-seed-parable/The parable of the mustard seed in Mark 4 is a promise disguised as a shrub — and anyone who's seen mustard take over a California hillside knows how seriously to take it.Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/parable-of-the-weeds/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/parable-of-the-weeds/In the parable of the weeds, Jesus reminds us that sorting the righteous from the wicked is God's work alone — and that we may be both at the same time.Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-july-22-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-july-22-2026/Bishop Kevin Strickland joins us for worship this Sunday, followed by a potluck in the Fellowship Hall. Plus two new reflections on this season's parables.Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/parable-of-the-sower/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/parable-of-the-sower/Pastor Kay's sermon on the parable of the sower asked a question worth sitting with: what kind of soil is your heart right now — and what does God do with it anyway?Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-july-14-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-july-14-2026/This week at Triumphant Cross: Prayers for the Church on Thursday, a P.E.O. Coffee Break on Saturday, worship Sunday at 10 AM, and a new blog post on the Parable of the Sower.Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/seo-for-churches/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/seo-for-churches/SEO for churches is reshaping discipleship. See how Triumphant Cross applied a simple FAQ strategy to get found in search and AI results.Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/easy-yoke-burden-light/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/easy-yoke-burden-light/In a rare moment of frustration, Jesus calls out those who rejected both him and John the Baptist—then offers every weary soul an easy yoke and light burden.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-july-6-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-july-6-2026/Worship with Pastor Kay this Sunday at 10 AM, Church Council meets at noon — plus two new reflections on the easy yoke and stewardship.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/stewardship-the-barn-as-god/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/stewardship-the-barn-as-god/Four sermons, three books of Scripture, one recurring diagnosis: the Rich Fool's sin wasn't that he worked hard or planned well — it's that he talked to himself instead of to God, and staked his soul on the size of his surplus. Here's the theological thread that runs through each message and where it leads.Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-june-30-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-june-30-2026/This week at Triumphant Cross: Prayers for the Church on Thursday, Sunday School and Worship on Sunday, plus Cindy Manning's sermon on the cup of cold water is now online.Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/cup-of-cold-water/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/cup-of-cold-water/A sermon by Cindy Manning on Matthew 10:40-42 — exploring discipleship, grace, and what it means to offer a cup of cold water to those around us.Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/supply-pastor-update/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/supply-pastor-update/Pastor Kay returns as supply pastor on July 12, and Bishop Kevin Strickland of the ELCA Southeastern Synod leads worship on July 26. Please keep them in your prayers.Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/take-up-your-cross/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/take-up-your-cross/Sunday's sermon explored why taking up your cross means more than inspiration — it means sacrifice, surrender, and the hard daily work of following Jesus.Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-june-22-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-june-22-2026/This week at Triumphant Cross: Pastor Kay returns July 12, Bishop Strickland visits July 26, and Sunday worship with potluck fellowship on June 28.Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/lords-prayer-doxology/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/lords-prayer-doxology/If you've ever prayed the Lord's Prayer at a Catholic service and kept going past 'deliver us from evil,' you've stumbled into one of Christianity's oldest liturgical differences — the doxology.Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/lords-prayer-small-catechism/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/lords-prayer-small-catechism/Martin Luther gave ordinary Christians a gift in 1529 — a plain, pastoral explanation of what we actually pray when we say the Lord's Prayer. Petition by petition, here is what he taught.Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/disciple-vs-apostle/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/disciple-vs-apostle/The difference between disciple and apostle is easy to miss — but Luke 6:12-19 makes it clear the Twelve were disciples first, then sent ones.Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/sanctification-spirit/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/sanctification-spirit/Sanctification by the Spirit means faith itself comes from God — not from our own striving. A reflection on 2 Thessalonians 2:13 and what Luther understood that changed everything.Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-june-16-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-june-16-2026/This week at Triumphant Cross: Prayers for the Church Thursday evening, Sunday worship June 21, and two new devotional posts on faith and discipleship.Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/memorial-checklist/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/memorial-checklist/Planning a memorial service while processing grief is incredibly heavy. It is a lot of logistics to balance when a family member is likely feeling emotionally exhausted. Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/jesus-eats-with-sinners/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/jesus-eats-with-sinners/When Jesus eats with sinners in Matthew 9, the religious crowd complains. Sissy Gifford asked us to sit with that discomfort — and then turned it around.Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-june-9-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-june-9-2026/This week at Triumphant Cross: WELCA Wednesday evening, Prayers for the Church Thursday, Sunday worship with a potluck fellowship and council meeting. Plus, a new blog reflection on Matthew 9.Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/john-17-deepest-desires/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/john-17-deepest-desires/John 17 gives us a rare window into the deepest desires of Christ — what Jesus prayed for His people the night before He died, and why it still matters.Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-john-17-deepest-desires/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-john-17-deepest-desires/On the night before He died, Jesus didn't pray for Himself first — He prayed for you. John 17 is one of Scripture's most intimate passages, a window into what Christ truly wants for His people. Howard Young unpacks what Luther called a 'warm and hearty prayer' — and what it means that God, not you, is the one doing the sanctifying. Check out this week's sermon from Triumphant Cross Lutheran!Sun, 17 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-may-5-2026/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/weekly-may-5-2026/This week at Triumphant Cross: worship Sunday at 10 AM, WELCA meeting Wednesday May 13, and a new reflection on Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life from John 14.Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/i-am-the-way/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/i-am-the-way/Jesus declared 'I am the way, the truth, and the life' to confused disciples on the night of his arrest. What does that mean for us today?Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/good-shepherd-sunday/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/good-shepherd-sunday/Mark Haynes led worship on Good Shepherd Sunday, showing how Jesus in John 10 is the answer to every false shepherd condemned by the prophets—and to a blind man left out in the cold.Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/teem-elca/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/teem-elca/Triumphant Cross is thrilled to announce that Cindy Manning has accepted a call to TEEM, the ELCA's pathway to ordination for emerging ministries.Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/breaking-bread-emmaus/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/breaking-bread-emmaus/When a wounded soldier said 'I smell bread,' it echoed the Road to Emmaus — and everything Lutherans believe about Christ's presence in Holy Communion.Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/community-outreach-wiregrass-211/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/community-outreach-wiregrass-211/A towel, a bar of soap, a toothbrush — sometimes the simplest things mean the most. TCLC's partnership with Wiregrass 211 is putting those necessities into the hands of neighbors in need.Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/ai-and-the-great-commission/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/ai-and-the-great-commission/The Great Commission calls us to make disciples of all nations. Today, that mission extends into the digital world — where AI assistants are searching on behalf of millions of curious people.Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-breath-for-your-bones/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-breath-for-your-bones/You can't jumpstart your own resurrection. Only the Breath of God can bring dry bones to life. Today, stop striving and start breathing in His grace. 🌬️🦴Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-a-global-grace/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-a-global-grace/The Gospel doesn't have borders. From every nation, the cry is the same: we need a Savior. And the answer is the same: in Christ, you are forgiven. 🌍✝️Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-light-for-the-lost-path/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-light-for-the-lost-path/We don't find our way to God; God carves a path to us. Even when we are blind to the way forward, His Promise is our light. Saved by Grace, led by Love. ✝️Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/kb/apostle-paul/https://triumphantcross.net/kb/apostle-paul/From Pharisee and persecutor to the church's greatest missionary — Paul's conversion, his transformation of early Christianity, and the theological tension his teaching created in the Gospel of Matthew.Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-interrupted-by-infinite-grace/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-interrupted-by-infinite-grace/Grace isn't a reward for the righteous; it's a rescue for the rebel. Like Saul on the road to Damascus, we are found by the One we weren't even looking for.Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-found-by-the-light/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-found-by-the-light/We don't find our way to the Light; the Light finds His way to us. In the story of the man born blind, we see that grace isn't a reward for sight—it's the gift that makes us see. 🕯️Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-light-pierces-the-dark/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-light-pierces-the-dark/We don't find the Light; the Light finds us. Today’s devotion reminds us that Grace isn't a reward for our efforts—it's God's rescue mission in Christ.Sat, 14 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-rest-for-weary-souls/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-rest-for-weary-souls/We are the sheep; He is the Shepherd. Psalm 23 reminds us that restoration isn't a DIY project—it's a gift of Grace. Stop running and rest in the Promise today. 🌿✨Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-forgiven-people-forgive-people/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-forgiven-people-forgive-people/Our kindness toward others isn't a down payment on God's love; it's a response to a debt Christ has already paid in full. Live today in the freedom of being already forgiven. 🕊️Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-thirst-ends-in-grace/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-thirst-ends-in-grace/Stop digging wells that run dry. 🏜️ Lent reminds us that we can’t save ourselves, but Christ stands ready with living water. It is by Grace alone that our thirst is quenched.Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-grace-drink-from-the-rock/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-grace-drink-from-the-rock/The same Rock that quenched the thirst of the Israelites in the desert follows you today. Our hope isn't in our ability to stay the course, but in Christ’s promise to never leave us. ✝️Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-love-anchored-in-truth/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-love-anchored-in-truth/Love isn’t a feeling we manufacture; it’s a response to the Grace we’ve already received. Standing firm in the Truth of the Word made flesh. ⚓️Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-grace-while-we-were-sinners/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-connected-word-grace-while-we-were-sinners/Lenten reminder: God didn't wait for us to 'clean up' before sending Jesus. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. It is grace, not our effort, that gives us peace. ✝️Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/kb/faith/https://triumphantcross.net/kb/faith/Faith is complete trust, confidence, or firm belief in a higher power.Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/kb/sola-gratia/https://triumphantcross.net/kb/sola-gratia/A deep dive into the concept that salvation is a 100% gift from God, requiring 0% human merit.Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/kb/transfiguration/https://triumphantcross.net/kb/transfiguration/Transfiguration refers to the immediate aftermath of Jesus’s divine revelation on the mountaintop to Peter, James, and JohnThu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/christ-is-here/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/christ-is-here/At that instant I fully embraced Christ. I was saved.Sun, 30 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/kb/maundy-thursday/https://triumphantcross.net/kb/maundy-thursday/Maundy Thursday is the day before Good Friday.Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-lords-prayer/https://triumphantcross.net/blog/the-lords-prayer/Did Jesus teach the same prayer twice? Compare the two Biblical versions of the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4) and discover the subtle but significant variations in the texts."Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/kb/word-of-god/https://triumphantcross.net/kb/word-of-god/The Word of God is either written or spoken scriptures, proclomation of the Gospel and Sacrements.Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-ebqgor6ihss/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-ebqgor6ihss/November 6, 2022 Sermon at Triumphant Cross Lutheran Church, Dothan AL https://triumphantcross.net This video from ...Sun, 08 Jan 2023 14:11:11 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-0n6seeurnb0/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-0n6seeurnb0/We live in a world that promises freedom but delivers new chains. The Gospel turns that upside down — Jesus doesn't offer a self-help program; He offers a rescue. Check out this week's sermon as Pastor Steve unpacks what it truly means to be set free by the grace of God.Tue, 20 Dec 2022 21:58:17 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-5pvhhk0sgrs/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-5pvhhk0sgrs/"God, be merciful to me, a sinner." It’s a prayer we say every Sunday, but do we believe it? Check out this week’s sermon review on how God meets us not in our "put-together" moments, but in our emptiness. Come as you are, leave justified by His grace. 🕊️Mon, 24 Oct 2022 14:51:08 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-sj1ixhevuz0/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-sj1ixhevuz0/Leadership often requires persistence, but spiritual growth requires a different kind of tenacity. In this review, we explore the 'boxing' metaphors in Jesus's parables and how prayer serves to transform the leader rather than the Provider. A deep dive into justice and faith.Fri, 21 Oct 2022 21:41:18 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-nj5_3aumst0/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-nj5_3aumst0/Have you ever felt too far gone to be used by God? Peter denied Jesus three times. Saul hunted Christians for sport. Yet the risen Christ sought them both out — not to lecture them, but to restore and commission them. Check out this week's sermon from Triumphant Cross Lutheran as we explore what Easter really means for people who have failed: not a second chance to do better, but a Savior who makes all things new.Wed, 19 Oct 2022 16:09:50 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-h3kfcqr8n00/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-h3kfcqr8n00/Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one came back to say thank you. Why does gratitude feel so rare — even when we've been given everything? Check out this week's sermon as we explore Luke 17 and what the grateful Samaritan shows us about faith, healing, and the grace that meets us in our deepest need.Mon, 10 Oct 2022 22:13:29 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-mc_jldc3vwg/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-mc_jldc3vwg/'Lord, increase our faith!' It's a prayer many of us have prayed — usually after we've felt our faith running dangerously low. But Jesus's answer may surprise you: it's not about the size of your faith, but about its source. Check out this week's sermon from Triumphant Cross Lutheran as Pastor Steve explores Luke 17, Habakkuk's cry from the ruins, and what it really means that the righteous live by faith — not by trying harder.Sun, 09 Oct 2022 13:35:51 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-hk7s0mof_4c/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-hk7s0mof_4c/The rich man has no other identity other than he's the rich man while Lazarus has a name. 📖 This powerful sermon from Triumphant Cross reminds us that God knows us intimately by name, not by our bank accounts. Let's move from hoarding our blessings to being conduits of God's grace.Mon, 26 Sep 2022 15:26:49 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-70ajd2huom/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-70ajd2huom/This Easter Sunday sermon reflects on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It explores the story of the women at the empty tomb, highlighting the shift from fear to joy. The central theme is that the resurrection is the foundation of Christian faith, offering hope, new life, and victory over death.Wed, 21 Sep 2022 14:08:55 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-bdxifbqwx-8/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-bdxifbqwx-8/'It is finished.' Three words spoken from the cross — and they change everything. Jesus didn't cry out in defeat; he declared a completion. The debt was paid. The sacrifice was made. Check out this Good Friday sermon from Triumphant Cross Lutheran as Pastor Steve meditates on Isaiah's Suffering Servant, the cry of Psalm 22, and the finished work of the cross that still stands between us and condemnation.Tue, 20 Sep 2022 23:11:42 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-p1fydejsq3u/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-p1fydejsq3u/What does a crooked manager have to teach us about following Jesus? More than you'd think. In one of the most puzzling parables in the Gospels, Jesus commends shrewdness — not dishonesty — and asks whether we are as intentional about eternal things as the world is about earthly ones. Check out this week's sermon from Triumphant Cross Lutheran as Pastor Steve unpacks Luke 16 and the surprising wisdom hidden in the parable of the dishonest manager.Mon, 19 Sep 2022 21:05:23 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-ysn7i2qvsm8/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-ysn7i2qvsm8/This video is a Maundy Thursday sermon that explores the deep theological connection between the Old Testament Passover and the New Testament Sacrament of Holy Communion, explaining how Jesus fulfilled the ancient sacrificial tradition.Sat, 17 Sep 2022 14:49:15 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-bc6npewecm0/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-bc6npewecm0/Did you know that the perfume Mary poured on Jesus probably stayed with Him through His trial and crucifixion? Every step He took toward the Cross carried the scent of devotion and the promise of life. Join us as we explore the 'sweet smell' of salvation. 🕊️✨Sat, 17 Sep 2022 13:27:08 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-ptuztxwoa0g/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-ptuztxwoa0g/The world writes off the 'lost cause,' but Jesus leaves the 99 to find the one. Grace isn’t about being found; it’s about being sought. ✝️Sun, 11 Sep 2022 19:21:44 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-c0vonlnjm9s/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-c0vonlnjm9s/Leadership is often defined by hierarchy and earned respect. But the Gospel presents a different model: a Father who abandons His dignity to run toward the broken. This week's sermon review explores Luke 15 and the radical nature of grace in our spiritual economy.Sun, 11 Sep 2022 11:53:46 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-xycaijbmvx4/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-xycaijbmvx4/Can you trust God when everything is falling apart? Pastor Steve explores the common struggle of doubt, the honest questions of Abram, and the profound truth that faith is an action that pulls you through uncertainty.Sat, 10 Sep 2022 17:39:53 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-w-btewub57c/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-w-btewub57c/Are you feeling 'in the wilderness' today? Remember that after the Jordan came the desert, but Jesus didn't go alone—and neither do you. Check out this sermon review on how our Savior defeated temptation to bridge the gap between us and God. ✝️📖"Sat, 10 Sep 2022 12:47:05 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-ws9j0rub2uy/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-ws9j0rub2uy/Are we ready to listen to the Jesus who descends from the glory of the mountain to the degradation of the valley? Today’s sermon review looks at the Transfiguration and the call to follow Christ toward Lent. 'This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to Him!' ✝️✨Sat, 10 Sep 2022 12:17:26 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-xrjz39byfpy/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-xrjz39byfpy/This sermon explores the challenging Christian mandate to love one's enemies, using the story of Joseph forgiving his brothers (Genesis 45) as a practical illustration of Jesus's teachings (Luke 6). This love is an act of will to do good, bless, and pray rather than an emotion. This counter-intuitive command is possible only by seeing God's larger purpose in difficult situations and relying on the power of Christ's own example of forgiveness.Fri, 09 Sep 2022 20:28:03 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-hf8yltir5qe/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-hf8yltir5qe/What if the people the world writes off are the ones God writes in? Jesus stood on a level plain in Luke 6 and turned every human assumption about blessing upside down — the poor are blessed, the hungry will be filled, and the rich already have their comfort. Check out this week's sermon from Triumphant Cross Lutheran as Howard Young unpacks what the Beatitudes reveal about the God whose grace runs toward need, not success.Fri, 09 Sep 2022 18:52:13 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-kvpkwpxrzzy/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-kvpkwpxrzzy/Are you tired of feeling like you're never 'enough'? 🕊️ This powerful sermon reminds us that in Christ, we are already fully known and fully loved. It’s not about what we do for God, but what He has already done for us.Fri, 09 Sep 2022 17:28:41 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-osjmtdrjozg/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-osjmtdrjozg/True peace isn't just the absence of conflict—it's the presence of Christ. 🕊️ Sometimes the Gospel divides us from the world to unite us with the Father. Is your peace a "Pax Romana" or the peace of the Cross?Fri, 09 Sep 2022 13:57:14 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-5hkth4dl9jy/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-5hkth4dl9jy/Fear not, little flock. 🐑 Sometimes the most offensive images in the Bible, like God coming as a thief, carry the most comfort. Watch as we explore why being robbed of our earthly idols is actually the beginning of our eternal inheritance.Thu, 08 Sep 2022 13:10:10 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-ky6o3pk74jc/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-ky6o3pk74jc/The man in Jesus's parable did everything right by the world's standards — he worked hard, planned carefully, and built for the future. But Jesus called him a fool. Why? Check out this week's sermon from Triumphant Cross Lutheran as Pastor Steve unpacks the Parable of the Rich Fool alongside Ecclesiastes and Colossians — and what it means to be 'rich toward God' instead of just rich.Wed, 07 Sep 2022 15:54:46 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-ov7lefwdcl4/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-ov7lefwdcl4/Are you wandering in a spiritual desert? 🌵 Whether you are a "Martha" running on fumes or an "Abraham" waiting for a miracle, remember: God’s promise to you in Baptism is the "better part" that won't be taken away.Tue, 06 Sep 2022 19:44:35 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-labenxacpfe/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-labenxacpfe/'Go away from me, Lord — I am a sinful man.' That was Peter's response when Jesus filled his nets beyond all expectation. And it's probably the most honest thing any of us could say in the presence of God. Check out this week's sermon from Triumphant Cross Lutheran as Pastor Steve explores Isaiah's 'Here am I, send me!' alongside Peter's call on the lake — and why grace always comes before the calling.Tue, 06 Sep 2022 16:14:41 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-1xlfvqv9h2e/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-1xlfvqv9h2e/The only difference between me and the guy at the corner bar is that I'm better at hiding my sins.Tue, 06 Sep 2022 13:21:41 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-4bozrrlfqaq/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-4bozrrlfqaq/Leadership in the Kingdom of God looks different than the corporate world. It’s not about immediate gratification or wants; it's about identifying the deepest needs of the soul and the community. This week's sermon review explores the Harder Right and the true cost of discipleship.Sun, 04 Sep 2022 20:18:06 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-0vk6udgg88g/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-0vk6udgg88g/This sermon, explores the themes from the Wedding at Cana (John 2) and Paul's letter on spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12). The core message centers on God's transformative power, His abundant and surprising grace, and the call for believers to use their diverse, Spirit-given gifts for the benefit of the community.Sun, 04 Sep 2022 19:49:58 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-fcbgi5zxsr4/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-fcbgi5zxsr4/Before Jesus preached a single sermon, healed a single person, or walked to the cross, God spoke over him: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.' That voice at the Jordan wasn't earned — it was given. Check out this week's sermon from Triumphant Cross Lutheran as Pastor Steve explores the Baptism of Our Lord and what it means that God has spoken the same declaration over you in your own baptism.Sun, 04 Sep 2022 19:25:10 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-ov5emi41u-s/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-ov5emi41u-s/When Jesus watched guests at a dinner party scramble for the best seats, he told two parables that turned every social instinct on its head. In God's Kingdom, the one who sits in the lowest place gets moved up — and the guest list looks nothing like the one you'd write yourself. Check out this sermon from Triumphant Cross Lutheran as Pastor Steve unpacks Luke 14 and what it means to live by the Kingdom's upside-down economy of honor and welcome.Sun, 04 Sep 2022 14:48:25 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-etope2hvirg/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-etope2hvirg/Was Mary's life easy? Far from it. From social scandal to the foot of the cross, her "blessing" was a journey of profound sacrifice. Check out this week's sermon review on how Mary, the first disciple, teaches us to trust God's grace when life doesn't make sense. ✝️Sun, 04 Sep 2022 14:19:29 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-1kzvgieera8/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-1kzvgieera8/Are you acting out of fear or out of love? John the Baptist’s message can sound scary, but it points us to something beautiful. Check out our review of Triumphant Cross Lutheran's sermon on how Jesus transforms our 'have-to' into a 'want-to.' 🕊️Sun, 04 Sep 2022 14:00:03 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-t3klszm0i/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-t3klszm0i/This video is a sermon delivered by Sissy Gifford. The sermon focuses on John the Baptist's role as the introducer of Jesus and contrasts his direct, repentant message with more modern, comforting preaching styles.Sat, 03 Sep 2022 18:09:52 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-vhtdfgnhsh8/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-vhtdfgnhsh8/Advent isn’t just about a baby in a manger; it’s about a King returning in the clouds. When the world feels like it’s shaking, don't look down in fear—look up! Your redemption is drawing near.Wed, 31 Aug 2022 18:58:01 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-udb_3h78qc4/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-udb_3h78qc4/Are you worried about the signs of the times? 🌍 Pastor Steve reminds us today that while buildings crumble and kingdoms fall, the Word of the Lord endures forever. We don't live in fear of the end; we live in the hope of the Resurrection! ⛪️❤️Sun, 28 Aug 2022 14:08:47 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-ecfcqyunl6y/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-ecfcqyunl6y/The rich gave from their surplus. The widow gave everything she had — her whole life. Jesus stopped, watched, and noticed. Check out this week's sermon from Triumphant Cross Lutheran as Pastor Steve unpacks what two small coins reveal not just about generosity, but about the God who sees the forgotten — and the sacrifice that makes all giving possible.Sat, 27 Aug 2022 15:52:58 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-k-yrehut_ky/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-k-yrehut_ky/October 31, 1517 — Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to a church door and changed the world. But the Reformation he sparked wasn't ultimately about Luther; it was about a truth he rediscovered in Scripture: we are justified freely, by grace, through faith in Christ alone. Check out this Reformation Sunday sermon from Triumphant Cross Lutheran as Pastor Steve unpacks John 8 and Romans 3 — and why the freedom Christ won is still the most radical news in the world.Tue, 02 Aug 2022 18:26:47 GMThttps://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-utgpgwokkyu/https://triumphantcross.net/sermons/sermon-utgpgwokkyu/Are we spiritually blind to what God is doing? 🧐 This week, we dive into the story of Bartimaeus. While others tried to quiet him, he cried out for the only thing that matters: Mercy. Watch how Jesus turns unclean outcasts into the clearest witnesses of His grace. ✝️📖Mon, 01 Aug 2022 21:35:13 GMT