Sermon Text Luke 5:1-11 There are many in this world who think they are too smart to be a Christian. They know that it is necessary for Christians to believe in miracles: chiefly the miracle of the incarnation and the miracle of the resurrection; but also the many other miracles that took place during the…
Luke 1:39-56 – Visitation Quite often, important events look and feel like important events. They are witnessed by a lot of people, and they make a big impact on a lot of people. But sometimes, important events can go unnoticed by everyone except those few people who are participating in them. And maybe even those…
Presentation of the Augsburg Confession – Romans 10:4-11 Today is the anniversary of the presentation of the Augsburg Confession, which occurred on June 25th, 1530. This is a commemoration that does appear on Lutheran church calendars, even though it is seldom observed. Reformation Sunday – the Sunday closest to October 31st – marks the occasion…
Sermon Text: Ephesians 2:11-22 One of the unique features of the worldview of the ancient Hebrews was their belief in the unity of the human race. In contrast to the myths and legends of other ancient peoples, which seldom acknowledged a common humanity with rival nations, the Hebrews believed that all human beings, from all…
Sermon Text Luke 16:19
Acts 2:1-21 We have now passed through the first half of the church year, punctuated especially by the four chief festivals of Christ: Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, and Ascension. These festivals mark vitally important events in the earthly life of our Savior. Today – the Day of Pentecost – is the chief festival of the church…
John 15 A few minutes ago, we sang a well-known Lutheran hymn about the ascension of our Lord that begins with a prayer of thanksgiving that might – at first thought – seem to be expressing an odd and unexpected sentiment: “We thank Thee, Jesus, dearest Friend, That Thou didst into heaven ascend.” If a…
James 1:16-21 “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a…
Sermon Text: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Please hear with me a reading from the 13th chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, beginning at the 24th verse. Another parable [Jesus] put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his…