Genesis 3:1-21 The devil generally follows a certain well-rehearsed strategy in the spiritual warfare that he wages against the human race. He has not made any fundamental changes in his tactics since he started this war against humanity in the Garden of Eden millennia ago. The reason why Satan’s basic strategy has stayed the same,…
Jonah 3:1-10 The reading from the Book of Jonah that we heard a few minutes ago tells us that, after Jonah called the ruler and people of Nineveh to repentance for their sins, they did indeed repent. And their repentance was accompanied by certain outward actions that symbolized and underscored their humility before God, and…
1 Corinthians 12:31b–13:13 The thirteenth chapter of St. Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians – which we heard read a few minutes ago – is often called the Bible’s “Love Chapter.” And since the institution of marriage is – or is supposed to be – marked by love, and by two people being in love,…
Luke 8:4-15 Those who practice sorcery believe that the incantations they speak, in casting spells, have the power to produce the effect that they want. It is believed that if the sorcerer says the right words, in the right way, those words will make something happen. It doesn’t matter if the person or people who…
Septuagesima – Matthew 20:1-16 Most people believe in the existence of God. And most people who believe in the existence of God, also believe that God usually operates in certain predictable ways. If the basis for these beliefs is not the Holy Scriptures, however, then what people tend to fall back on – in forming…
Matthew 17:1-9 “It is good for us to be here.” These were the words of Peter, recorded in today’s Gospel from St. Matthew, as he spoke on behalf of himself, James, and John, on the mount of transfiguration. Of course, it could only be a good thing for them to be there, because the Lord…
Matthew 8:1-13 The ministry of Jesus was marked by many physical healings, which he performed for those who were sick, lame, blind, deaf, or even dead. Usually, when he healed someone, he spoke to and over that person, and also touched the person. St. Luke informs us of an earlier time when Jesus was in…
Sermon Text: John 2:1-11 If something is blessed by the presence and approval of Jesus, then that thing is – without a doubt – a good thing, to be enjoyed and celebrated. Weddings are good. Marriages are good. Families are good. Or at least, they are supposed to be good. But they are not always…
Psalm 92: 1-5 “Qui cantat, bis orat.” This Latin proverb translates roughly to “The one who sings, prays twice.” It was quoted by St. Augustine, by Martin Luther, and by a host of other Christian leaders and thinkers through the centuries: to emphasize the importance of singing, and of music in general, in the Christian…
Baptism of Our Lord – Matthew 3:13-17 In his baptism, Jesus became, in a very clear and decisive way, the friend and companion of sinners. The baptism that John the Baptist had been sent by the Lord to administer, and that Jesus also wished to receive, was a baptism for sinners. But of course, Jesus…