Trinity 4 – 2024
JESUS’ EMOTIONS Dear fellow redeemed in Christ, who left nothing undone for our redemption: God accepted Abel’s offering because he offered it “by faith” in contrast to Cain’s offering. Cain became “very angry” at Abel, for no good reason. God then told him something about anger that we need to hear: “Why are you angry? … Sin lies at the door. Its desire is for you, but you should rule over it” (Gen 4:6-7). We have a hard time ruling our emotions. Often they rule us.…
Trinity 3 – 2024
GOD’S COMMAND TO WORSHIP HIM Dear fellow redeemed sinners, purchased with the precious blood of Jesus: When did God give commands about the Sabbath? You’d think it would be the 3rd commandment, “You shall keep the day of rest holy” – as some of us grew up learning it, “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.” But that’s in Exodus 20. Actually, it comes four chapters earlier, when God gave manna from heaven to feed the Israelites. At that time, God told Moses to…
Trinity 2 – 2-24
A GREAT SUPPER In the name of Jesus, fellow redeemed – forgiven – sinners: I bring you grace and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. God called Abraham, out of a false religion of worshipping idols, to go to the place where He would show Him. Abraham just went. It’s all of a sudden. Then in Genesis 18, as he’s living in Canaan, one day the God who called Abram, now appears in the form…
Trinity 1 – 2024
BEING FORGIVEN BY GOD IS A FIGHT, DON’T GIVE UP In the name of Jesus, fellow redeemed – forgiven – sinners: I bring you grace and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Remember the story of Jacob, how he wrestled with a man who turned out to be God? Jacob said: “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” And yet he had received the blessing, the birthright, previously, more than once. Yet he acted…
Trinity Sunday – 2024
Sermon: St. Mark 1:40-45 A COMPLETE PICTURE OF WHAT GOD IS LIKE Dear people loved by God in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit. Amen. In Isaiah 6, we are confronted with God’s glory. The prophet Isaiah is brought into the throne room of God and he sees God in His glory. He sees angels flying around God, singing “Holy” to the Father, “Holy” to the Son,…
Pentecost – 2024
Sermon: St. Mark 10:13-16 THE HOLY SPIRIT, BAPTISM, AND JESUS’ BLESSING Dear people loved by God in Christ: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. In Isaiah 32, God’s prophet addresses the women of Israel with a warning, out of love. This shows how important women are to God, how essential in His kingdom and for God’s plan. Three times in Isaiah 32, verses…
Easter 7 –
Sunday after Ascension
2024
Sermon: Ephesians 1:17, 20-23 JESUS SITS AT GOD’S RIGHT HAND: WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? Ephesians 1:17, 20-23. 17 The God of our Lord Jesus Christ … 20 raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under…
Easter 3 – 2024
Sermon: Mark
Easter 3- Good Shepherd Sunday 2024
Sermon: St. Mark 14:27-28; 1 Peter 5:1-5 A FAITHFUL SHEPHERD’S LEADING 1 Peter 5:1-5. The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but…
Easter 2 – Quasimodogeniti – 2024
Sermon: St. Mark 16:9-18 THE REST OF THE EASTER STORY IS JESUS TAKING AWAY DOUBTS Sermon Text, Mark 16:9-18. 9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not…