Reformation Day (October 30, 2011)
The Old Evil Foe is still on the prowl. In Jesus’ day the Evil One – that’s the
devil, by the way – was certainly active against God’s people. [Jesus said,]
“From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers
violence, and the violent take it by force.” John the Baptist preached the need
for us to repent – that is stop our sinful ways and turn to Jesus for
forgiveness of those sins and strength to live in His ways. Because he pointed
out sin, the Government arrested John, and soon enough they would kill him.
» More
Give to God what is His (October 16, 2011)
The Pharisees wanted the crowds to abandon Jesus. They wanted Him discredited
and humiliated. Time and time again they tried to outwit the Teacher. They
always failed.
» More
You and I are the chosen ones of God (October 2, 2011)
Alleluia, Brothers and Sisters! You and I are the chosen ones of God. We are
sinners who have been forgiven in the blood of Jesus. Our old selves died in
Baptism and we are raised as New Creations – changed! We act differently,
because we know we are in the presence of the Holy God.
» More
I
do, by the grace of God (September 25, 2011)
Today’s gospel reminds me of Eddie Haskel. Do any of you know Eddie Haskel? He
was a Character in a television show in the 1050s called Leave it to Beaver.
Eddie was the sneak who was always leading Beaver’s brother Wally into trouble.
» More
To live is Christ (September 18, 2011)
Paul writes the words of our epistle while he has been arrested for the crime of
preaching the gospel. How ironic that Paul preached freedom, freedom from the
guilt of sin by the power of Jesus’ blood shed on the cross for every person in
the world; freedom from the law because that forgiveness that saved us from
eternal hell is a gift – it is offered to us by God and is ours entirely and
without lacking anything, just by faith, by believing the promise and the gifts
it offers, and freedom from sin by the Holy Spirit Who makes us new in Christ
and Who raises within us the will to follow our Lord’s will, placing ourselves
in His hands for we know He is our savior.
» More
Our Savior tells us that there is no end to our forgiveness (September 11, 2011)
Ten years ago this morning I was getting ready for the day, watching the Today
show when they switched to coverage that some fool had crashed his plane into
one of the towers of the World Trade Center. As we listened to the reporter, a
second plane came into view and drove directly into the second tower. That event
– and collapse of the two buildings a little while later, along with the crashes
of two more jet liners profoundly changed things for us Americans – lots of
things.
» More
Who is the greatest in God's kingdom? (September 4, 2011)
The boxer Muhammed Ali once said, “I am the greatest!” People look up to those
whom they think are the greatest. That’s why there are fan clubs and celebrity
autographs. People want to meet the greatest. Some people even want to be the
greatest. Jesus’ disciples also get caught up in this worship of greatness. They
want to know which of God’s people are the greatest. They hope it’s them! Who is
greatest in God’s kingdom? Adam? Eve? Abraham? Sarah? Moses? Peter? Paul? The
virgin Mary? Watch what Jesus does. Jesus calls a toddler to come to Him.
» More
Humility now and glory after (August 28, 2011)
Our Gospel reveals two mindsets about what is appropriate in the Christian
Faith. One is right and one is wrong; one is from God and one is from the mind
of man. One way has at its center Jesus Christ and Him crucified; the other has
at its center earthly success and comfort. Jesus speaks first, describing His
path as first humility and suffering and then victory; of being humbled and then
being raised to glory.
» More
We don't pray enough (July 31, 2011)
We don’t pray enough. I mean it. We Christians simply don’t pray enough. We know
we should pray. Jesus does it and He tells us to do it too. There’s power in
prayer – or, to be more correct, there is power in the God you pray to. Praying
to the wall won’t help at all, but God, on the other hand, has limitless power.
He points to it in our Old Testament. There is nothing God cannot do, and He has
told us that He is inclined to hear our prayers and answer them with love.
» More
God says, "You are My special treasure." (July 24, 2011)
This week’s readings mesh wonderfully and each one helps us understand the
others correctly. Start with the great and comforting message in Deuteronomy.
God says to His people – and He still says it to you and me, “You are My special
treasure.” He didn’t choose you because you’re the greatest – the smartest,
best-looking or even the least sinful. Nope, God loves you because – well,
because He loves you. » More
Wheat and Tares (July 17, 2011)
In our Gospel lesson, Jesus says there are only two kinds of people: believers
and unbelievers. The good seed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ grows Christians.
The bad seed of Satan grows unrepentant unbelievers.
» More
God's perfect Word (July 10, 2011)
Do you see this? (shake the seeds) This is a package of seeds I found in our
kitchen cabinet the other day. The girls harvested them from some daisies a few
years back and saved them to plant, but the package slid behind a few things and
was forgotten, so, (shake the seeds) they’re still right here.
» More
Being
a Christian is a daily battle (July 3, 2011)
[St. Paul’s letter (epistle) to the Christian Church in Rome] is purest Gospel.
It is well worth a Christian’s time not only to memorize it word for word, but
also to occupy himself with it daily… It is impossible to read or meditate on
this letter too much… The more one deals with it, the more precious it becomes
and the better it tastes.” So says Martin Luther. (Luther’s Preface to Romans,
translated by Bro. Andrew Thornton OSB, copyright 1983 St. Anselm Abbey)
» More
Holy Trinity (June 19, 2011)
Every three years we read the creation account on Trinity Sunday, when we also
confess the Athanasian Creed, and every three years I dread it. It’s just so
looong! Now that’s not just a humorous story, it’s a confession of sin. The
reading and creed focus on the majesty and wonder of God. How can anyone be
bored by that? How shameful!
» More
"Life belongs to Me." (June 5, 2011)
One of this week’s events may have stirred your thoughts on some profound
issues. Jack Kavorkian died this week. For those of you too young to know that
name, Dr. Kavorkian was a supporter of allowing people to commit suicide if they
feel that their life has become unbearable.
» More
Ascension Day (June 2, 2011)
Ascension is one of the great festivals of the Church. The music is celebratory
and the mood is joyful. And then we read the account of Jesus’ Ascension and we
end with the Apostles standing bewildered and alone on the top of the mountain.
You can almost imagine them thinking, “Well, now what? Jesus is gone and we’re
stuck here.” They are very aware of the sin of the world. Remember the fear they
suffered before Jesus came to them after His Resurrection. They were encouraged
when He returned to them, but now He’s gone. Maybe a little of that fear came
back. Certainly the excitement of being with the Son of God has passed from
them. The Ascension may have left them feeling not elated, but deflated.
» More
We are chosen and holy (May 22, 2011)
Brothers and sisters, sometimes I feel as though my life isn’t really
accomplishing anything important. As though for every step forward I take one
back – sometimes two? I can get that feeling when I look at pastors who have
different gifts from my own, guys who are great preachers, or superb
administrators, guys who never forget anyone’s name, who are loved by everyone.
I look those pastors and then at my own failings – which are many – and which
many of you know – and I wonder what I’m doing in this black shirt.
» More
Be of Good Cheer (May 8, 2011)
Our Gospel is one of my favorite texts, but it has some very sad words in it.
The sad words are “we were hoping.” The men on the road were hoping that Jesus
was the one who was going to redeem Israel. They were hoping that, but not any
more. Their hopes had been dashed, shattered so completely that they left
Jerusalem in despair and disgrace.
» More
Not one of us deserves a place in Jesus’ salvation (April 24, 2011)
Most people probably think that today’s sermon is the easiest one I’ll preach
all year. After all, Easter is the high point of the Faith. Jesus has risen from
the dead – sin is defeated, death is destroyed, forgiveness and eternal life are
won for us sinners. Who couldn’t preach that sermon?
» More
Have you felt the brokenness of this world? (April 22, 2011)
Don’t push past tonight’s psalms too quickly. These words penetrate to the
deepest places of fear and sorrow in the human heart. These words come from the
anguished soul of the sinner. This speaker is crushed. He cries out to the only
hope, the only One with the power to help. “Have mercy on me, O God. God, I
can’t escape my sin. I try to ignore it – try to pretend it isn’t real, or that
it isn’t a big deal, but it is. And I know it. I have hidden my sin from others,
but I can’t forget. I know my sin, I feel it. In my heart, in my empty heart, I
feel the loneliness, the separation I have created. I can’t escape it.
Everywhere I turn I see my sin, I see its effects.”
» More
Hear the voice of Jesus for you and me (April 21, 2011)
Imagine the feel in the houses of the Israelites on the night of the Passover.
Death was out there – right outside the door. Maybe they could hear the wails of
mothers as they found their sons dead. What is in the hearts of those people
huddles in their slave quarters? Fear? Worry? After all, the only thing between
them and the death outside was the blood they had painted on the door – the
blood, and God’s promise that that blood, and the lamb meat they ate, would save
them. They trusted God, but still . . . what if it didn’t work.
» More
Behold your King (April 13, 2011)
Have you seen paintings of Jesus as He was mocked by the soldiers? At this point
His suffering has begun in earnest. He hasn’t slept in over 24 hours. For sure
He has been mistreated off and on throughout the night. But at this point He has
received His scourging from the Roman soldiers. The whipping has left Him
swollen and disfigured – barely recognizable.
» More
Have no fear, and come forth – to life (April 10, 2011)
Day by day death slowly swallows us up, like a snake swallowing an egg, until
finally we will one day disappear entirely into our own graves. It cannot be
stopped; every step in this world, every breath brings us closer to our grave.
Good diet and exercise can buy a few more days. Makeup and laser eye surgery can
cover the evidence for a little while, but the truth slaps us every time we
visit someone we love whose strength or mind is being robbed by age, or when we
sit helplessly, hearing the doctor tell us there is no hope and decisions must
be made, or when we gather in funeral homes and try to ignore the fact that the
casket isn’t empty.
» More
I
was blind but now I am not (April 3, 2011)
As Jesus walked along His way He saw a man who had been blind all his life. And
seeing the Man in His distress, Jesus has mercy and heals him. What does this
reveal to us? First, that Jesus, the man walking the dusty roads of Israel was
much more than just a man. His power to heal is unparalleled. As the blind man
remarks later in the reading, no one had ever seen one born blind healed. This
healing reveals that Jesus’ power is beyond anything the Israelites had ever
seen – and these are the people of Moses and Elijah and Elisha.
» More
Come and confess and receive the forgiveness of sins (March 30, 2011)
Tonight’s reading should be a caution to us regular church-goers. We see the
most religious people in town – and they are the most un-holy people imaginable.
No one in all of Jerusalem is as religious as the high priest and the chief
priests. These guys run the temple. They offer the sacrifices and enter the holy
place of God. The High Priest is even the only one who can enter the holy of
holies, where God’s Ark of the Covenant is, and live to tell about it. These men
make the pope look like he isn’t much involved in the church!
» More
He isn’t looking for righteous people (March 20, 2011)
Today the paraments are purple. The bare wreaths adorn the walls, reminiscent of
the crown of thorns that was forced on the brow of Jesus at His crucifixion.
This is Lent, and you know what that means. It means I’m REALLY gonna preach the
law to you this morning. I’ll make you feel so guilty about your sin – and so
afraid of God’s wrath — that you drop your sinful ways like a hot potato.
» More
He is here as the crucified One (March 6, 2011)
To understand our Old Testament Lesson we need to recall that Moses was sort of
the go-between for God and his people. When God’s holy glory first descended on
Mount Sinai and His powerful voice roared forth, the people asked that Moses
speak with God and then deliver His words to them. Now we see that when Moses
returned from time in God’s presence, the Glory of God shone from his face. The
encounter with holiness had a lasting effect on Moses, and people saw it – it
was evident to everyone.
» More
Part of repenting is leaving the sin behind (February 20, 2011)
“Please, please, let him preach on the epistle – or even on the Old Testament.
Please, please, don’t let Pastor preach on the Gospel.” I know that’s what a lot
of you are thinking. I know because that’s what I was thinking when I looked at
the texts. “Anger is murder and lust is adultery and divorce is always a sin?
Maybe I’ll just let Jesus do that preaching and I’ll preach about loving God, or
something else that won’t cause people to get angry with me.”
» More
We do glow with God’s glory (February 16, 2011)
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you
all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you
be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
» More
One Lord and Savior (January 30, 2011)
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you
all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you
be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
» More
He chose us, He loved us (January 16, 2011)
Suppose a woman meets a new man. This guy is kind, funny, caring, smart, gentle,
good-looking and rich. And soon enough she knows – he’s the one for her. The two
get married. Everything goes well for a while – maybe a year or two.
» More
He is the light of the world (January 9, 2011)
The magi traveled quite a distance to find the Christ. A good guess is about 800
miles! But the spiritual distance they covered is far greater. The Magi were
court magicians and sooth-sayers, probably from Babylon or Persia (modern day
Iraq and Iran). Their lives were spent trying to understand hidden things,
trying to uncover the secrets of creation. They gathered all the world’s wisdom
they could find.
» More
Jesus is not lost (January 2, 2011)
I once saw a bumper sticker that asked the question: “Have you found Jesus?” I
responded: “I didn’t know Jesus was lost!”
» More
Eve of the Name of Jesus (December 31, 2010)
Happy New Year! Every passing year brings us closer to that final day when
Christ will return to rescue us from all our sins, all our sorrows, all our
sadness and depression, all our sicknesses and even from our final enemy, death
itself.
» More
We Christians still sing Christmas hymns (December 26, 2010)
The presents are opened, wrapping paper is in the garbage and the songs are off
the radio. For the world around us the party is over. But we Christians still
sing Christmas hymns. In two weeks we celebrate Epiphany, the arrival of the
wise men. Our Christmas is different from the world because what the unbelieving
world celebrates is not really Christmas. What the unbelieving world calls
“Christmas” is only an orgy of buying and giving gifts, overeating,
overindulging and extra time off.
» More
In Thy light, I see! (December 24, 2010 - 11:00 p.m.)
Our nights are never completely dark. We have electric lights. But back in
Jesus’ time, there are no electric lights. On a cloudy night, the darkness is so
thick you can almost feel it. Let’s go: back to this holy night, back to those
Bethlehem hills. Let’s join the shepherds who are keeping watch.
» More
Kneel at His feet and lay down your burden and your sin (December 24, 2010
early)
The first verse of tonight’s first reading has been called the saddest verse in
the Bible. God had created human beings and they were His delight, and He was
theirs. When He would come to them in the perfect garden they would run to greet
Him. But now something was different. When they heard God coming, Adam and Eve
hid. That’s what sin does to us – it makes us afraid of God, makes us want to
hide.
» More
Repent and believe – the call of our Savior’s voice to you and to me (December
19, 2010)
There‘s a lot in our readings today about “calling.” In our gospel Joseph is
called and in the epistle Paul is called and the Roman Christians are called. A
call offers hope – it’s an invitation to something different. We are called to a
party or a new job. We are called to be parents or spouses. A call is, first and
foremost, a call to something.
» More
Repent! (December 5, 2010)
The first recorded word of John the Baptizer in the Gospel of Matthew is:
“Repent!” In His public ministry, the first recorded word of Jesus in the Gospel
of Matthew is “Repent!” What is repentance? Repentance is a change of mind, a
reverse direction, a new path. Repentance is sorrow and grief over what we have
done and a turning away from our proud self-centeredness. Repentance is a godly
desire to start to do what is good and right and pure.
» More
Days of Noah (November 28, 2010)
“But as the days of Noah were… so also will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
Jesus says the time of His coming will be like the time of Noah.
» More
Gratitude to our God from Whom all blessings flow (November 25, 2010)
Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks-giving: thanks-giving is a response of gratitude to
our God from Whom all blessings flow. However, we Christians, we who follow
Christ, we are not the only ones who celebrate Thanksgiving Day. The unbelieving
world around us also celebrates Thanksgiving Day, but unbelievers celebrate it
far differently than we do.
» More
Who is your king? (November 21, 2010)
Our gospel caught me by surprise when I first saw it. But then I remembered that
the Last Sunday of the Church Year is often called Christ, the King. And that’s
really the center of this reading.
» More
We swim in our Baptismal repentance and forgiveness (November 14, 2010)
Mayor Bing promised to tear down 10,000 vacant homes in Detroit. Yes. The old
and rotten must be torn down to make way for the new and clean. This is also
God’s promise for us. In Christ, our old and rotten sinful nature is torn down
to make way for the new and clean.
» More
Reformation (October
31, 2010)
Do you ever worry? Do you worry what might happen to you or your loved ones?
Worry is a lack of trust in Jesus Christ, but worry is just one of many sins.
What about our other sins? What about sins we keep on doing? What about sins we
committed long ago and still feel ashamed of?
» More
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain (October 24, 2010)
God said, “Where is your brother, Abel?” Cain thought he could lie to God. He
thought that since his murder of his brother took place away from all human eyes
that meant that no one knew about it, not even God. But things are never so
simple as that, are they? God knew where Abel was, just as He knew where Adam
and Eve were when they hid after their great sin. And God knows about your sin.
He knows what I have done. He sees it all.
» More
We sit here at Jesus’ feet and hear His Word (October 10, 2010)
Today we read about lepers, Samaritans and Galileans, three things we don’t
usually encounter in Detroit! But the spiritual realities that lie beneath the
details of this event -- we know those very well.
» More
Little ones/ faith/ forgive/ unprofitable servants (October 3, 2010)
Jimmy Hoffa, former union leader, disappeared in 1975. His body has never been
found. Many people have theories. Perhaps he was given cement overshoes and
dropped in the Detroit River.
» More
Beg from the One Who has enough righteousness to spare (September 26, 2010)
I’ll bet that most of you are like me – you’re a little uncomfortable around
beggars. It’s one thing to send money to an organization that feeds the hungry,
or to donate to our food pantry, but when you’re face to face with a beggar,
well, that’s another story.
» More
The unjust steward (September 19, 2010)
Our Gospel lesson is a very difficult parable. It deals with honor and dishonor.
The ancient world made a great distinction between the two. For example, the
honor of a master depended on the behavior of his servants. If his servants were
unjust, he was dishonored.
» More
Reconciled in Christ (September 5, 2010)
Our Epistle lesson is a letter of reconciliation that St. Paul writes to a man
named Philemon. St. Paul was responsible for first bringing Philemon to faith.
Being Christian in the Roman Empire can mean death but Philemon is fearless
about his faith. God gives him financial success, so he uses his money for God’s
glory. He opens his house for worship. Each weekend, Christians gather at
Philemon’s house for Divine Service.
» More
I
came to send fire on earth... (August 15, 2010)
In our Gospel lesson, Jesus says something that sounds very strange. Jesus says,
“I came to send fire on the earth…” What in the world does Jesus mean?
» More
Worry not! (August 8, 2010)
Worry is our enemy. In today’s Gospel lesson, Jesus goes nose to nose with our
depressing and debilitating enemy called worry. Jesus says, “Do not worry about
your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on.” Worry
is a lack of trust in God. Worry says God will not or cannot take care of us. We
know these thoughts are wrong but we still think them. Where does worry come
from? Worry comes from our sinful Old Nature. We inherited that desire to sin
from Adam himself. We were conceived and born as enemies of God, refusing to
obey Him or trust Him. Worry fears the future. Worry doubts God’s care for us.
Worry is sin. Guilt also produces worry. Like Adam and Eve in the garden, we sin
and then we feel guilty. Guilt makes us worry about the consequences of our
sins.
» More
Our Inheritance Through Jesus Christ (July 11, 2010)
What happens when God’s Word is proclaimed? Wet with the water of Baptism, you
hear these words “in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit.” The spirit of Satan is driven out of you and you become a child of God.
» More
Peace to this house (July 4, 2010)
What happens when God’s Word is proclaimed? Wet with the water of Baptism, you
hear these words “in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit.” The spirit of Satan is driven out of you and you become a child of God.
» More
Why doesn't he say something? (June 13, 2010)
Did you ever notice groups of two in God’s word? Cain and Abel, the Pharisee and
the tax collector, the wide and narrow path, the thief on one side of Jesus on
the cross and the thief on the other side, and today’s account of Simon the
Pharisee and the sinful woman.
» More
"Life and death" happens here on earth (June 6, 2010)
There’s a common phrase we all use: “life and death”. We say “life and death”
because that’s what happens here on earth.
» More
Happy Pentecost (May 23, 2010)
Happy Pentecost! “Pentecost” means “fifty”. Pentecost is 50 days after Easter.
Pentecost has been celebrated ever since Old Testament times. Fifty days after
Passover, the Israelites are to bring an offering of freshly harvested wheat to
the Lord, along with sin offerings and peace offerings.
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Their life in Christ is not concluding - it is just the beginning (May 16, 2010)
Have you ever considered today’s first reading from the perspective of Matthias?
Think about it. When he woke up that morning he had no idea how much his life
would be changed by the time he lay down his head.
» More
Where is Jesus' body? (May 13, 2010)
The Ascension is all about Jesus’ body, His flesh! In fact, the entire gospel
has been about the body of Jesus. His birth is about God getting a body, God
becoming a human being so that He can live the life, so that He can be the
perfect Man in our place, as our Substitute.
» More
Mother's Day (May 9, 2010)
See the Christ candle by the Baptismal font? It was first lit on Easter vigil,
when Christ arose. We are still celebrating those 40 days after Easter, while
the risen Christ was still on earth. Thursday, Ascension Day, this candle will
be extinguished in remembrance of Christ’s ascension back to heaven. After
Ascension, we light this candle again at funerals, because when a Christian
dies, that body will rise again, just as Christ did, and at baptisms, because in
Baptism, the risen Christ unites us with Himself and gives us a share in His
resurrection. We thank God for that first birth from our mothers so we can
praise the Holy Trinity for our second birth in the waters of our baptism.
» More
"Behold, I make all things new" (May 2, 2010)
In our gospel Jesus tells the disciples that they will experience a period of
deep sorrow, but with the promise that after the sadness will come great joy.
Today our confirmands experience the sorrow with public questioning and in two
weeks they will experience the joy of confirmation. -- If they pass!
» More
Our Good Shepherd tells us who we are and Who He is (April 25, 2010)
In our Gospel lesson, the Temple leaders come to Jesus and demand an answer, “If
You are the Christ, tell us plainly!” Jesus answers, “I told you, but you do not
believe.” Jesus has already made it plain to them that He is the Christ, the
Good Shepherd, Son of the living God, Savior of the world.
» More
Your conversion is a miracle of Christ (April 18, 2010)
The older I get the more I appreciate a magnifying glass. When I was a boy they
were mainly useful for trying to light things on fire using the sun’s rays. But
now that my sight isn’t what it once was, I understand what a wonderful gift the
magnifier is.
» More
"These words are written that you may believe..." (April 11, 2010)
“These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of
God, and that believing, you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31 NKJV)
» More
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! (April 4, 2010)
Sadly, not everyone joins us in this celebration. There are people in our world
who doubt the resurrection. When someone doubts the resurrection of Jesus
Christ, the best thing to do is to ask them this question: “Where’s the Body?”
» More
"Woman, why are you weeping?" (April 4, 2010 - sunrise)
There was great commotion among the followers of Jesus – they couldn’t find Him.
On Friday, just before the sun had set they laid His dead body in this tomb. He
had to be here, but He wasn’t. Mary Magdalene was flabbergasted. She had watched
Jesus die. She had seen Him buried and the stone rolled into place. He had to be
here. But He wasn’t.
» More
The light of Christ (April 3, 2010)
In Holy Scripture each new day begins, not at midnight, but at sunset. For
example, on the first day of Creation, God says, “there was evening and there
was morning, the first day.”
» More
Let there be light (April 2, 2010 - 7:00 p.m.)
“In the beginning . . . God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And
God saw the light, that it was good.” God’s first creative word was, “Let there
be light.” The created light was a physical manifestation of God’s glory and
goodness. The light guided and informed the body as God’s goodness informed the
soul of the perfect Adam and Eve.
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God so loved the world... (April 2, 2010 - 1:00 a.m.)
I talked to my mother on the phone the other day. She gave me an update on the
health of my cousin’s wife. Harriet has been trying to recover from cancerous
brain tumors for about a year. It has been painful and terrifying, and, after a
time of improvement, things are going very poorly now. Her husband reports that
she is beginning to lose track of things mentally, fading away in her mind. He
has asked God again and again and again to let him take her place. He loves her
that much; her suffering hurts him that much.
» More
Maundy Thursday (April 1, 2010)
Blood: it’s the stuff of life. Blood carries nutrients to all parts of the body.
The lungs might take in oxygen, but it’s the blood that carries oxygen to every
cell. Blood is life. Too much loss of blood means loss of life. God’s Word is
filled with blood – especially the loss of blood.
» More
Palm Sunday - Hail, Hosanna, Savior King!! (March 28, 2010)
What a great commotion was stirred when Jesus entered Jerusalem. There were
crowds of people around to greet Him. And why not? Imagine yourself in Jerusalem
that day. Whether you are a local or one of the thousands in town for the
Passover, your excitement level is already about 9 out of 10.
» More
The prodigal son (March 14, 2010)
Most of us are very familiar with the parable our Lord has told in today’s
Gospel. It seems clear that the Father in this parable is God, the Father of all
humanity. We are His children – sons, if you will. We are created to be members
of His household. The parable helps us understand some things about ourselves
and about God.
» More
Jerusalem, Jerusalem! (February 28, 2010)
We can almost feel Jesus’ love for His people in His anguished words,
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem!” He loves His people desperately, but they always reject
Him. When He sends prophets they stone them, and now they’re trying to scare Him
away. “Get out, and depart from here,” they say. Over and over God has reached
out to His beloved people and over and over they’ve rejected Him, and the result
is that they are left desolate.
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Why did the Transfiguration happen? (February 14, 2010)
Why did the Transfiguration happen? What was its purpose? Of course we can never
know all the reasons God does what He does – in fact sometimes we can’t
understand God’s decisions at all. But there is at least one important benefit
from this event.
» More
The gifts of God (February 7, 2010)
In today’s Epistle Paul gives instructions about miraculous spiritual gifts that
accompanied the Apostles’ preaching in the early days of the Church. You see,
some of the people in Corinth were given the gift of speaking in tongues, that
is, they received the miraculous ability to speak in languages they had never
learned.
» More
What were the names (January
17, 2010)
What were the names of the husband and wife at the wedding in Cana? We don’t
know because John never tells us. We don’t know how radiant the bride was and we
don’t see the nervousness and pride on the groom’s face.
» More
There's the Baptismal Font (January
10, 2010)
OThere’s the Baptismal font – front and center. Why not push it out of the way.
Wouldn’t it be easier to get to the communion rail?
» More
Our Gospel brings us to that
high point (January
3, 2010)
Our gospel brings us to that high point of the Epiphany events. The wise men
finally reach the Christ Child for Whom they have traveled so far. They approach
and fall to their knees to worship Him. Then they open their treasures and –.
» More
Glory be to God on high. (December 25, 2009)
Glory be to God on high, and on earth, peace, good will toward men!
Aaaahhhhhhhhhh! It is SO good to get our Gloria in Excelsis back! It’s been gone
for a month now, since we entered the Advent season. We were just beginning to
accept its absence, and now it’s back! Every time we came to that word “omitted”
in the bulletin there was a moment’s hesitation. It just didn’t feel right –
something was wrong, something was out of place.
» More
Every warrior's sandal... (Late Worship Service December 24, 2009)
Since the local stations began playing Christmas songs about 9 months ago – I
guess we have all heard that one that’s really a narrated poem. Santa Claus
stops at a house where a deployed soldier is staying. It’s pretty powerful, as
it reminds us of the men and women who are away from home tonight, away in
dangerous lands. They’re away from us at Christmas because they’re soldiers and
that’s their job.
» More
Jesus is the hinge of history (Advent Vespers December 20, 2009)
Jesus Christ is the hinge of history. All history falls before Christ was born
or after He was born: either B.C or A.D; either Before Christ or Anno Domini, in
the year of our Lord. Even a dating system that eliminates the Name of Christ
and uses the letters B.C.E “before the common era” and C.E. “common era” still
hinges on the birth of Jesus Christ as its nexus.
» More
God has repaired our broken souls (December 20, 2009)
Ever since the first sin, there has been a separation between God and His
people. Because our sinful selves would be destroyed in His holy presence, God
had come to the people through messengers. But each of these messengers promised
that one day God Himself would come to save mankind and to end the division by
paying for their sins – that He would repair their broken souls.
» More
Listen to God as He speaks (December 13, 2009)
I was wrong. Oh, I was trying to do the right thing; I was trying to preach the
right message, but that doesn’t change the fact that I was wrong. In my sermon
two weeks ago, I said this: “People [think they] can skip Communion [this week]
because they took it last week.” If you heard this, you might think if you do
not take Communion every time it is offered, you are sinning.
» More
The Master returns (November 22, 2009)
Today Jesus speaks about a master returning from a trip only to find his
servants sleeping. This is a parable of the Last Day, when Christ will return as
Judge. Those who are sleeping are people who are unprepared for that return,
those who have not been doing what He called them to do.
» More
Jesus tells us about the last days of this world (November 15, 2009)
This Sunday and the next are the last two Sundays in the Church year, before the
new year starts with the season of Advent. On these last two Sundays, Jesus
tells us about the last days of this world. On these last two Sundays, Jesus
prepares us for the end of all created things.
» More
Learning about Jesus (November 8, 2009)
The longer I do this job the more I learn about Jesus. From today’s Gospel we
discover that Jesus would have flunked math! Every kindergartener knows that a
lot is more than a little. But not Jesus! He says the woman who put less than a
penny into the collection put in more than the people who contributed a lot.
» More
All Saint's Day (November 1, 2009)
Happy All Saints’ Day! What is a saint? A saint is a person without sin. A saint
is a person who does everything perfectly, every time. Only people who are
saints will go to heaven. If you are without sin, you are a saint. So, what does
it take to be a saint? In our Gospel lesson, Jesus tells us.
» More
Reformation Day (October 25, 2009)
Maybe you don’t, but I love this time of year, because college football is my
favorite. I love the pageantry that surrounds the game -- the smell of food
grilling at tailgate parties – the crisp cool of fall in the air. Every team has
its traditions. Parents pass down stories of the Big House -- Bo Schembechler,
victories that still bring joy and losses that still bring pain. National
Championships from years past become real in the hearts of each generation of
fans – those are “our” championships – “our” teams.
» More
Let's imagine (October 18, 2009)
Let’s imagine. Imagine your country is invaded by foreign troops. Their soldiers
crush all rebellion. You are forced to pay high taxes to finance the occupying
army. Society is ripping apart. Politicians and many church leaders are corrupt.
Fornication, adultery, divorce and homosexuality are all over. You are afraid to
bring children into such an evil world.
» More
Today's Gospel is easy to misunderstand (October 11, 2009)
Today’s gospel is easy to misunderstand. Jesus seems to teach that this man can
get to heaven by his good works. But He’s not teaching that at all. St. Mark
records this event in the middle of a string of Jesus’ teachings about how
someone enters the kingdom of heaven. He’s already declared that the way to
heaven is to follow the little children who believe in Him – that is via
unquestioning faith. Next Jesus describes the suffering and death He will
undergo to save us, and then explains to the apostles that the kingdom is about
humility, not pride – it’s about receiving from God, not giving to Him.
» More
This sermon deals with a painful topic (October 4, 2009)
This sermon deals with a painful topic, a topic that, in some way, touches all
of us. This sermon deals with divorce. Listen to these strong words: “I hate
divorce!” These are not my words. These are God’s Words (Malachi 2:16 NIV). God
reserves His hatred for evil. Divorce is evil. We know divorce is evil. Just
look at all the pain and suffering it causes.
» More
How about that Epistle (September 27, 2009)
Wow! How about that epistle!? – “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your
miseries that are coming upon you.” Yikes – “weep and howl?” You can sure tell
in this passage that God hates rich people.
» More
Fear, Children, and Jesus (September 20, 2009)
“I don’t understand.” The doctor replied, “The test showed…” I was afraid to ask
what the doctor meant.
» More
God is a God of Language (September 13, 2009)
God is a God of language. He creates by speaking. He calls us to faith by His
Word. God is a God who speaks. So when He created Adam and Eve in His own image,
He created them to speak. God spoke to His newly created children and they spoke
back to Him.
» More
Jesus allows Himself to be caught (September 6, 2009)
Little Billy is three years old. He is running after his Daddy. Daddy is running
just slow enough so Billy can catch him. Billy grabs Daddy’s leg and
six-foot-three, 220 pound Daddy comes crashing to the ground.
» More
We can't ignore God's teaching (August 30, 2009)
In our Gospel Jesus is explaining why following ceremonies invented by the
Pharisees can’t make a person right with God. Last week He showed that the
commands of God are the only ones that matter, that our human ideas can’t be
used as additional requirements, or even replacements for God’s Word. We can’t
ignore God’s teaching against homosexuality, and we can’t add a teaching about
purgatory.
» More
Our Epistle lesson is about marriage (August 23, 2009)
Our bulletin cover has a picture of a wedding. Our Epistle lesson is about
marriage. We just sang a prayer for all married couples. Might this sermon be
about marriage? Yes, it might be!
» More
True wisdom is made visible in Christ Jesus (August 16, 2009)
Many people say the Bible is difficult to understand. Yes, some things in
Scripture are very deep and profound.
But much of God’s Word is simple and clear. Simply, we are sinners. Clearly,
Christ saves us from our sins. Knowing this is true wisdom. True wisdom is made
visible in Christ Jesus.
» More
Who here is tired? (August 9, 2009)
Who here is tired? Who here knows what it’s like to do your best and try and try
and still end up further from the goal than when you started?
» More
Who are these people who come to Jesus in today’s Gospel? (August 2, 2009)
Who are these people who come to Jesus in today’s Gospel? They were among the
crowd who received Jesus’ miraculous feeding in the wilderness. They followed
Him; where Jesus was, they wanted to be. At first glance we’d say the miracle
worked. The church was growing, people were happy. But we’d be wrong.
» More
Doubt and Faith (July 26, 2009)
Today’s Old Testament lesson happens right after Noah’s Flood. Is this a true
story? Many people doubt the Flood actually happened – but they refuse to be
skeptical of their own skepticism. Instead of trusting in God and His wisdom,
they trust in themselves.
» More
Oh for the days of miracles (July 19, 2009)
Oh for the days of miracles, to have been there when Jesus had compassion of the
Shepherd-less sheep. Oh to have heard His voice teaching many things, speaking
words of forgiveness and eternal life. Oh to have been there when Jesus stood in
the midst of hungry and lost people and fed them with a miracle; when the
apostles carried the blessed and holy food to the people. Oh to have seen Jesus,
to have received His bread. Oh that Jesus were MY Shepherd!
» More
The death of John the Baptist (July 12, 2009)
Imagine you are at a party. Important people are there, generals and government
officials; people whom it’s not good to offend. Drinks are flowing, perhaps a
little too freely. Live entertainment is offered. A young girl struts her stuff.
The men are thrilled. A rash promise is made. There’s fear of losing face. That
rash promise is kept. The guilty ones sin, but the innocent one dies. Welcome to
Herod’s bloody birthday bash.
» More
Preached at St. John Lutheran Church - Ray Township (July 12, 2009)
Imagine showing up for church and seeing that the sermon will be based on the
23rd Psalm. Most of us would be pleased with that. But then the pastor stands
and says, “The Lord is my Shepherd – what does this mean? Well, I’ve seen sheep
herded, so that helps us understand this Psalm, and Jesus’ claim to be the Good
Shepherd. Shepherds use dogs – or even trucks and helicopters. They scare the
sheep, chasing them where they are supposed to go. This tells us that Jesus
wants to use the Law of God to scare us – to force us into doing what God wants.
» More
Which rabbi is preaching this morning? (July 5, 2009)
“Which rabbi is preaching this morning? It’s Jesus? He’s back in town? I know;
he’s a ‘rabbi’ now, but we all know him. We’ve known Jesus since he was a child.
It’s only Jesus.”
» More
Just for a moment let’s think about Jairus (June 28, 2009)
Just for a moment let’s think about Jairus, the father in today’s Gospel. Put
yourself in his place. His daughter is very ill – “at the point of death.”
Imagine his fear and sorrow. And remember that he’s the synagogue ruler – an
important man in his town. He can get things done – but he can’t do anything for
his own daughter. Powerless. Hopeless. Crushed. His reality has made him a
beggar. There’s only one place to turn. He throws himself on the ground at
Jesus’ feet. “Please, help her. Please!” He looks with hope to Jesus – that’s
faith.
» More
Job was a righteous man (June 21, 2009)
Job was a righteous man. He loved God and tried to live the way God called him
to. He also knew he wasn’t perfect, but he trusted God to forgive his sins.
Then, everything fell apart for him. His children were killed and his wealth was
destroyed, but Job’s response was to worship God. He said, “Naked I came from my
mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has
taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Next Job’s health disappeared, and
Mrs. Job said he should curse God, but no way. Job said, “You speak as one of
the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not
accept adversity?” God’s Word commends Job, saying, “In all this Job did not sin
with his lips.”
» More
Why is God’s kingdom compared to a seed? (June 14, 2009)
Did you see that picture of a weed on your Bulletin cover? That is mustard. In
Jesus’ day mustard was considered a weed. Mustard grew all over. It crowded out
the other plants. Rabbis made a law against planting mustard in your own garden.
» More
This sermon was written for June 7, 2009, but was not preached. (June 7, 2009)
Brothers and sisters in Christ, especially our graduating class, grace and peace
to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This sermon is
especially directed toward our graduates, but everyone should listen carefully,
because it is really about every one of us.
» More
Pentecost has been called the Christian Church’s birthday (May 31, 2009)
Pentecost has been called the Christian Church’s birthday. Pentecost was
prophesied by the prophet Joel (chpt 2). Pentecost is what Christ told His
disciples to wait for. Pentecost is when the Holy Spirit gave Jesus’ disciples
power to preach the Gospel; the Good News of forgiveness by faith in Christ
Jesus.
» More
He prays for you and me (May 24, 2009)
In our Gospel Jesus prays for His Apostles, but also for everyone who will
believe as a result of their preaching – He prays for you and me. Among other
things, He asks God to protect us: “I do not pray that You should take them out
of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” And God has
answered Jesus’ prayer.
» More
Ascension (May 21, 2009)
A small boy sits in worship and tugs on his mother’s arm. “Mommy, they’re always
talking about Jesus. Where is He?” That’s a good question. Where is Jesus? On
Ascension Day Jesus ascended into heaven. Eyewitnesses saw Him ascend and a
cloud hid Him from their sight. So, where is Jesus right now? Scripture says
that Jesus is seated at the right Hand of God, His Father.
» More
Confirmation (May 17, 2009)
The day comes when the baby bird has to learn to fly on its own. All the
preparation, growth and learning are complete – it’s time for the bird to find
his or her own way in the world. Today is not that day!
» More
Mother's Day (May 10, 2009)
Happy Mothers’ Day! You, along with all of God’s people, have been brought here
by the Holy Spirit to hear Jesus’ Word. Do you need comfort and peace this
morning? Do you need strength and healing? Do you need guidance and direction?
Do you need some sanity? Do you need to escape fear?
» More
Good Shepherd (May 3, 2009)
Have you ever tried to describe yourself? It’s not easy. Jesus describes Himself
but Jesus’ description is different. Jesus says He is the Door, but He is not
like an earthly door. Earthly doors do not give us a better picture of Christ.
Instead, Christ is the Door that gives all earthly doors their meaning. Earthly
doors open for us a few good things. But Jesus the true Door, opens for us
everything that’s eternally good.
» More
This morning we peer into a locked room (April 26, 2009)
Sin This morning we peer into a locked room and are witness to an amazing and
beautiful reunion. Jesus has returned to His people, returned to them from the
grave. He had gone to death on the cross to face their sins and now He’s
returned to them with forgiveness and new life, new spiritual life for all of
them.
» More
What Does Confession and Absolution Mean? (April 19, 2009)
Sin is the problem. Sin is the ultimate cause of all our problems. Jesus' disciples run and hide that first Easter for two sinful reasons: they doubt God's Word and they are afraid. » More
Today Is About Jesus (April 12, 2009)
Sniff sniff – it smells good in here today – it's the lilies. Easter lilies smell fabulous. But this day is not about lilies. Our music is – well our music is always great – but today isn't about the music either. I see families here visiting from out of town and families together is very special, but that's not what this day is about, either. Not candy, not eggs. » More
Darkness Surrounded the Shepherds (April 11, 2009)
Easter Vigil - Darkness surrounded the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth – the darkness of night and the darkness of no hope. » More
Maundy Thursday (April 9, 2009)
This past Sunday we began a spiritual journey, traveling in our hearts with Jesus through the final week of His life. In our hearts we stood beside the road as He passed along atop the colt of a donkey. We cheered Him and called out Hosanna – "Save us!" We celebrated the arrival of our King, come to save us from our enemies. » More
Leading the Disciples to Jerusalem (March 29, 2009)
In our Gospel Jesus is leading the disciples to Jerusalem, and they're "amazed" and they're "afraid." But what's so amazing about that? Jesus and His disciples had gone to Jerusalem for the Passover every year of His ministry. What's different this year? » More
"I Thirst" (March 25, 2009)
The words we consider this evening were uttered very near the end of Jesus' earthly life. As His broken body hung on the cross, He said, simply, "I Thirst". » More
The Serpent in the Wilderness (March 22, 2009)
Look at the connection between our Old Testament and New Testament lessons. The Old Testament talks about a bronze snake and the New Testament talks about Jesus. » More
The Temple (March 15, 2009)
The temple is the house of God on earth. It's the place of God's presence – where He meets with His people. The whole place is designed to show that. Images
of angels are carved in the walls and gold covers the walls and even the floors. This is the earthly palace of the heavenly King. » More
Glory Through the Cross (March 8, 2009)
Jesus asks "Who am I?" Peter quickly answers, "You are the Christ!" Jesus strictly warns him to tell no one. Why? Because people misinterpret why Jesus came. They want the Christ to give them an earthly kingdom and make their lives wonderful. » More
Jesus is the Christ (March
9, 2009)
Jesus is the Christ. He is the Savior-King promised by God the Father. He is the Good Shepherd; follow Him to the House of the Lord! But when you follow Him you must carry your cross. » More
How can we trust God... (March 1, 2009)
How can we trust God when He seems to be saying one thing and doing another? How
can we trust God when He seems to be saying things that contradict one another?
» More
Ash Wednesday (February 25, 2009)
Everywhere we turn we see signs of tough times in the world around us -- our
soldiers are at war, economists are using the word depression, fear and
loneliness are common in many lives. Divorce rates continue to skyrocket and
homosexuality and pre-marital relations are not just accepted, they are
celebrated!
» More
Jesus in control (February 1, 2009)
In our Gospel we are given a front row seat for a confrontation between Jesus
and a demon. The confrontation takes place because the demon had taken control
of what God made, and now God had come to reclaim His creature. Despite the
demon’s misdirection and objection, Jesus calmly seizes control of the
situation: “Be quiet and come out of him.” Immediately the demon comes out.
God’s creation is reclaimed, and the miserable man is renewed and freed.
» More
Baptism of Christ (Jan. 11, 2009)
St. Mark gets to the point. St. Mark packs the Baptism of Jesus into three sentences. "It came to pass in those days, that Jesus came and was baptized by John in the Jordan." Why Baptism? What does Baptism do? Baptism washes away sin. Baptism unites us with the sinless Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. » More
Epiphany (Jan. 4, 2009)
Sometimes Christmas is called the season of light, and the bulbs on the tree and the flames on the candles help us to remember that name. The Christmas events are often set in the metaphor of light and darkness. On Christmas day we heard from St. John, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." » More
The Circumcision of Christ (Dec. 31, 2008)
Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day after His birth. That was no surprise – it happened to every Jewish boy. On the eighth day he was circumcised and he received his name. » More