Author: Rev. George Borghardt

Rev. Borghardt is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bossier City, LA. He is also the President of Higher Things, Inc.

The Baptism of Jesus and what it means to you – A Higher Things® Video Short

Post author By Rev. George Borghardt
Post date January 14, 2020

John knows that Jesus has no business getting in the water that day. John’s baptism was for repentance and Jesus had no sins to repent of. But Jesus counts Himself a sinner, for you. Jesus putting Himself where you are, even in a baptism He doesn’t personally need pleases the Father. This is how God is — He is for sinners. He is for you.

If you have questions or topics that you’d like discussed on Higher Things® Video Shorts, email them to support@higherthings.org or send a text to 936-647-3235. ► Subscribe to our channel to get notifications when we go live: https://dtbl.org/youtube. To support the work of Higher Things®, visit https://support.higherthings.org

Sorry about the technical issues today and yesterday!

HT Video Shorts

Thinking and living in the way of Law and Gospel – A Higher Things® Video Short

Post author By Rev. George Borghardt
Post date January 14, 2020

Our natural inclination is to do things in the way of the Law with lists of things we need to do and improve upon. While those are probably good things to do, they’re not going to save you or ultimately change your behavior. What causes real change is the Gospel, starting from the point that you have been forgiven and set free in Christ. Now…how are you going to live?

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Fun Word Friday: Does God smell your prayers? – A Higher Things® Video Short

Post author By Rev. George Borghardt
Post date January 14, 2020

Incense is used in worship in both the Old and New Testaments, historically in the church, and it will be in heaven. It’s not “Roman Catholic.” The prayers of the saints are symbolized in Scripture by the smoke of incense around God’s throne. Now, you may not like it…but that’s not the point. That’s a conversation for another day. It’s biblical and we are free to use it.

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Do you have to be baptized just like Jesus (immersion)? – A Higher Things® Video Short

Post author By Rev. George Borghardt
Post date January 14, 2020

Does a baptism only count if it’s by immersion, just like Jesus was? Well…what’s baptism about? If it’s about you fulfilling something that God requires of you to show your obedience and your dedication then it’s all about…you. It’ll never be enough. But if it’s about receiving forgiveness of sins in His Name with the water, then it’s the gift He’s promised in Scripture.

If you have questions or topics that you’d like discussed on Higher Things® Video Shorts, email them to support@higherthings.org or send text to 936-647-3235. ► Subscribe to our channel to get notifications when we go live: https://dtbl.org/youtube. To support the work of Higher Things®, visit https://support.higherthings.org

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Bible Study Thursday: You are not under the Law in Jesus – A Higher Things® Video Short

Post author By Rev. George Borghardt
Post date January 14, 2020

You shouldn’t just “do the right thing”. You have been set free to love others. Not to sin, but to be a force for good in your world. Not to justify yourself, not to save yourself, not to rattle off a list of things you’ve done to earn God’s favor. You have God’s favor already! You are forgiven! He now loves through you. You’re free in Christ to love and serve your neighbors.

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Wise Men Myths (When did they arrive?) – A Higher Things® Video Short

Post author By Rev. George Borghardt
Post date January 7, 2020

Today we sort out the myths from facts about the Wise Men. How many of them were there? Were they alone? What were they? When did they arrive? Should they be in the nativity scenes? Let’s sort out what we actually can know from pious stories that have developed over history.

When was Christmas? – HT Video Short – https://youtu.be/YOTPn4rG-G4

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Wise Men, a Star, and the One born king of the Jews – A Higher Things® Video Short

Post author By Rev. George Borghardt
Post date January 6, 2020

Happy Epiphany! Today we remember the arrival of the Magi to visit baby Jesus. They bring with them gifts that are foreshadow Christ and His life. Gold for a king, frankincense (incense) for a priest, and myrrh for His burial. He’s going to rule, He’s going to serve, and He’s going to die…for you.

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Fun Word Friday: Nunc dimittis – A Higher Things® Video Short

Post author By Rev. George Borghardt
Post date January 3, 2020

Everything in the liturgy is there for a reason. It’s not just laid out willy nilly or to emotionally manipulate the audience. The placement of the Nunc Dimittis after communion signals to you that, like Simeon, you’re ready for whatever comes your way, you’re even ready to die. Forgiveness is yours, eternal life is yours, salvation is yours.

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The Spirit fights us to keep us from doing what we want – A Higher Things® Video Short

Post author By Rev. George Borghardt
Post date January 2, 2020

Paul is clear. The sinful nature and the Spirit in you are constantly at war, fighting over what we want to do vs. what we don’t want to do. And we convince ourselves that we want to do all the right things, but that’s not what we want to do at all. What we really want to do is sin! That’s our fallen nature. The Spirit fights us to keep us from following those sinful desires.

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Jesus’ Circumcision – CUTTING EDGE THEOLOGY! – A Higher Things® Video Short

Post author By Rev. George Borghardt
Post date January 1, 2020

Jesus first shed His blood for us as a little baby. He had no need to be circumcised. Yet He keeps the Law, like every other male child of Israel. At just 8 days old, He sheds His precious blood for you. As you go into your new year, remember God has shed His blood for you, and that means anything is possible in the new year. This is going to be a great year!