Category: Sermons

Hold God accountable to His promises

Christ and the Canaanite Woman by Jean François de Troy

“And He said, ‘Let me go, for the day breaks.’ But [Jacob] said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’”

Thus far our text. This text has always been one of fascination for me, and not just because of the mental picture of God and Jacob locked in a professional wrestling-style bout. Surely, there are a lot of “weird” things in the Old Testament. Balaam’s Donkey, Jonah and the Great Fish, Elisha and the she-bears, all of these seem quite strange at first glance. So also, with this story of Jacob who becomes Israel. How can anyone wrestle with God? …For more, click on the title above.

High Noon

Throughout this Lent we are looking at various Gentile Confessions of Christ. First stop: Jacob’s well in the village of Sychar. It’s high noon, the sixth hour. Jesus is hot, tired, and thirsty. The disciples went ahead to the town and get some food and so the only one there with Jesus is this Samaritan woman. And a conversation ensues…For more, click on the title above.

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Christ’s victories over temptations common to man

Temptation of Christ by Victor Bregeda

The First Sunday in, but not of, Lent begins this day in the Church as it has for centuries. That is, the faithful, you, continue to hear proclamations of Christ’s victories over temptations that occurred in a wilderness long ago. On Lent I, the Son of God’s besting humankind’s old evil foe is declared.
Out of that eternal reality, we are called again to remember that Jesus’ facing and victorying over temptation happened just before He began His earthly, incarnate, public ministry….Fore more, click on the title above.

Called by Jesus to turn one’s heart focus from self to God

Our sermon for this Ash Wednesday has been drawn forth from our inspired readings. In them, today, you are being called by Jesus to turn your heart focus from self to God. This day, we pray that your heart-thoughts would be guided by the following dynamically translated verse:
Where your treasure remains, there your heart remains. …for more, click on the title above.

Faith alone: Lessons from a blind man

Stained Glass #804 at fineartamerica.com

Everything—yes, everything—hinges and depends upon the Word of God in Christ. However, because that Word centers in His Cross, Christ’s Word remains a great Mystery, and even His disciples were blind to what it means and signifies—both for Him and for themselves—until it was revealed and explained by the Holy Spirit….For more, click on the title above.

Who is the sower?

Parable of the Sower by Nelly Bube

Conveniently, our dear Lord Jesus Christ has done some of the work for us this morning, in that He states the meaning of the parable plainly to His disciples and to you. The Parable of the Sower is quite well known, yet somehow the meaning of it gets muddled and confused, even though Jesus plainly says what it means. Let me elaborate on this….For more, click on the title above.

Jesus feeds His apostles

Reflection on John 21: 1-14 by John Reilly

Some suggested that John’s Gospel is like an Eastern Orthodox liturgy. It goes on and on and on. Chapter 20 has brought a perfect conclusion. But then, there is something more. The whole chapter 21 is like a sermon that does not know when to stop. There is just so much there that we can’t fit in, least of all the risen Lord. …For more, click on the title above

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Because I am a Christian, I am a Lutheran

Workers in the Vineyard by Nelly Bube

Septuagesima is so named because we Christians have entered the 70-day countdown that comes before the time, God-willing, when we will again celebrate the Highest, most Holy Feast in the Church Year, that of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus still asks all who hear of the “Laborers in the Vineyard:”
“Is it not proper for me to do that which I will with my things? Or does your eye remain evil because I AM good? Thus, they will be, the last ones first, and the first ones last.”
…For more, click on the title above.

Listen to Him!

While in the presence of God, our Father gave Moses the Ten
Commandments, and those commandments carried with them the implicit command to listen to them…
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