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"Raised with Christ" (Colossians 3) |
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+ + + Easter Sunday + + + April, 2011 + + + |
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Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
What an amazing contrast there is between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. On Friday we focused on the crucifixion of our Lord and now we focus on the resurrection of our Savior. He was crucified for our transgression and raised to life for our justification. Previously, we emphasized the humiliation of the Christ by sinful humanity and now we emphasize the exaltation of the Christ by the Father. We have journeyed from death to life. Jesus was put to rest in the tomb and now He stands at God’s right hand. As the first man Adam came from the dust and was brought to life, the Second Adam Jesus gave up His life to be brought to the dust. Yet, once again, from the dust of the earth comes life as Jesus is the first fruits of the Resurrection.
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"Biblical Hope" (Romans 15) |
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+ + + 2nd Sunday in Advent + + + December 5, 2010 + + + |
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It’s that time of year again in which every day vocabulary is expanded to include the word “hope.” The word will be seen on decorations, greeting cards, and headlines. During last month’s season of elections, once again there was the buzz of hope for the future. During this season of gift purchasing, the economists hope that there is a lot of spending for the sake of the economy. During this season of college and professional football, fans are hoping that their favorite team will be number one. During this season of winter, skiers hope that we will have some snow. And of course we hope to be in our new building by the end of January.
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"Dressing for Action" (Romans 13) |
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+ + + 1st Sunday in Advent + + + November 28, 2010 + + + |
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Today marks the first Sunday in Advent and the beginning of the new church year. Once again, we reassess where we stand before God and where we are going. Our goal and destination is heaven. Thus, we ought to be on the move. Either we are walking toward this goal or walking away from it. Now is not the time to doze off. We are to remain awake recognizing that there is not much time left. As our epistle lesson puts it, “salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11, ESV) We have come a whole year closer to our end goal. We have come a week closer since the last time that we met together in this space. In fact, we have come about 30 minutes closer to our final salvation since we first arrived here on this day.
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"Remembering" (Malachi 3) |
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+ + + Last Sunday of the Church Year + + + November 21, 2010 + + + |
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On this day, we celebrate the gift that God gives to all of us in Holy Baptism. Through this sacrament the LORD sanctifies us and purifies us by the washing of water with the word as St. Paul teaches us in Ephesians chapter five. St. Paul also states that Jesus “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:14, ESV) The LORD Jesus makes us His disciples by baptizing and teaching us. The LORD promises that the one who walks in His ways is blessed.
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"The Sun of Righteousness" (Malachi 4) |
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+ + + 25th Sunday after Pentecost + + + November 14, 2010 + + + |
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After the return from Babylon, the Israelites rebuilt the Temple in the late 6th century B.C. About one hundred years later, the prophet Malachi rebuked the negligence of the priests and promised the coming of the Messiah. Malachi is the last of the writing prophets. He foretells the ministry of John the Baptizer who will prepare the way for the Messiah. After the ministry of Malachi, the people of God waited four hundred years for a prophet of God.
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"The Blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7) |
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+ + + All Saints Sunday + + + November 7, 2010 + + + |
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On this day, we are given a lesson in counting. Now as we look around, we can number those who are gathered here. We could easily count all the souls present. Yesterday, I was at a middle school and high school musical performance at Santa Fe High School gymnasium. There were quite a bit more people in that gathered space. Yet, I could still count them. I’ve been to a major league baseball stadium that seats over 30,000 people which is a much larger number, but still countable.
In today’s reading from Revelation, John writes saying, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages.” (Rev. 7:9, ESV) Just as God had promised Abraham, his descendants are more numerous than the stars in the heavens or the grains of sand on the seashore. These numbers include Jews and Gentiles. Because of our finite minds, we are not able to count all of the saints of God. On this day, we celebrate all the saints that have gone on before us and will continue after us. It is hard to even imagine all the saints. Yet, there is one man in the midst of all of humanity that grabs our attention. Jesus is at the center.
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"A Mighty Fortress is Our God" (Psalm 46) |
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+ + + Reformation Sunday + + + October 31, 2010 + + + |
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On this Sunday, we talk about truth and faith. It has become common place to talk about letting the truth set us free. But, one must ask, “What is that truth that sets us free?” Is it knowledge? What does it set us free from? Is it political oppression? It has also become common place to talk about faith. Back in the 1980’s, George Michael sang a song called “Faith.” The chorus rang out, “Cause I gotta have faith…faith…faith…” At face value, it would seem that we could sing along with George Michael. However, once we look at the lyrics we begin to realize that this song is about dating and having faith that someone else will show up for him. He is talking about faith in faith. The object of faith is faith itself. He is encouraging us just to have the substance of faith.
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"Two Men" (Luke 18) |
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+ + + 22nd Sunday after Pentecost + + + October 24, 2010 + + + |
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I don’t know about you, but I will be glad when all these political advertisements come to an end next month. I am tired of hearing about how this candidate is better then that candidate, because of all the bad things that the other candidate has done. Now I realize that is the way things are done in the secular world. But what about when such mud slinging happens in the church. What about when Christians go before God trying to gain His approval and vote.
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"All Scripture is Able to Make You Wise for Salvation" (2 Timothy 3) |
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+ + + 21st Sunday after Pentecost + + + October 17, 2010 + + + |
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Our gospel text ends with this question, “[W]hen the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8, ESV) The prompting of this question leads us to pray that the Father’s will would be done on earth as it is in heaven. We desire that the Father’s will would be done in our own lives and in the lives of many others.
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"The LORD's Hand Upon Us" (Ruth 1:1-19) |
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+ + + 20th Sunday after Pentecost + + + October 10, 2010 + + + |
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In our English Bibles, we find the book of Joshua located sequentially after the five books of Moses. In the book of Joshua the Holy Spirit teaches us about the securing of the Promise Land under the leadership of Joshua. In those days the people as a whole were faithful to the LORD their God who brought them out of Egypt. However, in the next book in order, we are told of the unfaithfulness of Israel at the death of Joshua. The book of Judges ends with this statement, "In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (Judges 21:25, ESV) The people of God had failed to listen to the word of God.
Click here for the complete sermon text. |
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"At the Appointed Time" (Habakkuk 1 and 2) |
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+ + + 19th Sunday after Pentecost + + + October 3, 2010 + + + |
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Yesterday, I was standing in line at a fast food restaurant waiting for my order. I waited and waited and waited. It didn’t seem very fast. Of course, I happened to be there at the wrong time, that is, at the same time all those other people were standing in line and all those cars were outside at the drive through. A few weeks ago, I was driving down to White Rock on the truck route and the traffic was stopped so that they could repave the road. I was sitting there watching cars in front of me getting out of line and turning around in order to head back to Los Alamos instead of waiting. Then of course there is our building project. We are still waiting for a permit in order to pour the concrete. In all these situations, we wonder how long is this going to take. Time matters when you have something better to do. Situations like these reveal the reality that we are not in control. We want things done our way. Likewise, we see how impatient we are by nature. We want things done in our own timing. Click here for the complete sermon text.
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"There's More to Life than Meets the Eye" (Luke 16) + + + 18th Sunday after Pentecost + + + September 26, 2010 + + + |
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We’ve been talking a lot about life lately. A few weeks ago we were discussing the meaning of life. We noted that some say Life is a game. We also noted that some say Life is a cereal. Again, I was actually referring to the cereal called Life. It claims to help promote healthy hearts. Now if you remember, there use to be a series of television commercials that tried to sell us Life. There were three kids sitting around a table who had never tried Life. Two of the kids conversed saying, “I’m not going to try it. You try it.” Then the suggestion was made to give it to Mikey who’ll eat anything. Shortly there after the kids said, “He likes it. He likes it.” Thus, if Mikey likes it, it has to be good. I want what Mikey likes. Now I need to go and get the Life that Mikey and his friends have. Here we have consumerism in its simplest form. I can buy Life in a box. For a small price, I can have the Life that other people have.
Click here for the complete sermon text. |
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"Paper Money" (Amos 8) + + + 17th Sunday after Pentecost + + + September 19, 2010 + + + |
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Two weeks ago, we talked about the meaning of life. And as you recall, we noted that some people say that life is a game. In that understanding, the one who ends up with the most money wins. Now I was actually alluding to the board game called Life? You know the game with the little plastic cars, the colorful spinner in the middle, and all that paper money. In that game, you move your little car around the board trying to collect as much money as possible. The other players around the board are not seen as your neighbors; rather, they are the competition. There is no helping the neighbor in the game of Life. In fact, it is to your advantage when something bad happens to them. In that game, you see marriage and the acquiring of children as an advantage only because they add up to more money in the end. Thus, a spouse and family are just plastic commodities that gain more paper money. It’s all about the play money that can only be used in the game of Life. Try and take that money to the grocery store and you will see that it is totally worthless. It only has value in that game.
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"The LORD Our Shepherd" (Ezekiel 34) + + + 16th Sunday after Pentecost + + + September 12, 2010 + + + |
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There is a television show called Animal Cops. In this series, camera crews follow investigators who are investigating cases of animal cruelty in cities such as Houston, Philadelphia, and Phoenix. The teams arrive at locations that are abandoned properties or small spaces that are overpopulated with animals. These trained professionals are looking out for the welfare of these animals. They are fighting for justice on behalf of mistreated cats, dogs, horses, hawks, tigers, chickens, and even some sheep. Their job consists of seizing the sick and rescuing the abused. These confiscated animals are brought to a SPCA shelter for rehabilitation. The goal of the shelter is to return wildlife to the wild and find someone to adopt the domesticated for continued care.
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"Life and Death" (Deuteronomy 30) + + + 15th Sunday after Pentecost + + + September 5, 2010 + + + |
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In today’s Old Testament text from Deuteronomy chapter thirty we hear these words, "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil." (Deuteronomy 30:15, ESV) And the text goes on to say, "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live," (Deuteronomy 30:19, ESV)
Click here for the complete sermon text. |
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"Acceptable Worship and Pleasing Sacrifices" (Hebrews 13) + + + 14th Sunday after Pentecost + + + August 29, 2010 + + + |
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One school year, we visited a friend attending Texas A & M in College Station. While on campus, she pointed out to us a certain plot of grass that was set apart from the rest. No one was allowed to walk on the grass. It was deemed unacceptable and it would not please the cadets. It was clear that I was not at liberty to determine what behavior and practice on that campus was deemed acceptable and pleasing. Now before you think that this was just some silly ritual followed on the campus to Texas A & M, note that we have the same type of ideas of what is acceptable and pleasing. We know that it would not be acceptable and pleasing to the county if a person were to ride a motor cycle on the golf course. We know that it would not be acceptable and pleasing if a person drove a car on to Sullivan football field at the high school. We know that it would not be acceptable and pleasing to park a big RV on your neighbor’s front lawn without asking permission. You can’t just go into someone else’s house and make up your own rules of etiquette.
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"Jesus at the Door" (Luke 13) + + + 13th Sunday after Pentecost + + + August 22, 2010 + + + |
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Last month, when we were in Texas, we stopped in San Antonio. Of course, we decided to go downtown and see the Alamo. First, we ate lunch in the shopping mall. Then, we meandered through the shops. Next, we got on the river boat ride for a relaxing cruise. Then, we went back into the shopping mall. Now we were ready to head to the Alamo. When we had arrived at the Alamo and to our surprise it was closed. We were unable to get into the Alamo. Visiting hours were over. We took our pictures outside of the Alamo so that we could remember the day we were locked outside of the Alamo. Now it didn’t matter that we desired to go into the Alamo. Once the door was shut, it was too late. We were stuck on the outside. I sure wish we would have bothered find out the operating hours. We will remember the Alamo a little bit differently than other people.
Click here for the complete sermon text. |
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"The LORD is Our Shield" (Genesis 15) + + + 11th Sunday after Pentecost + + + August 8, 2010 + + + |
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When I was a child I thought like a child. My heroes were the super heroes from the comic books. I can remember playing super heroes on the playground and pretending to fight evil. Spider-man could crawl on walls and shoot webs. Batman had a utility belt with more gadgets than a Swiss Army knife. Superman could fly and bend a steel beam with his bare hands. Captain America had a shield. Now a shield didn’t seem like a lot compared to the gifts that all the others had. Yet, Captain America boldly ran around with a patriotic shield.
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"Dying to Live" (Colossians 3) + + + 10th Sunday after Pentecost + + + August 1, 2010 + + + |
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The message of the gospel is not about us doing good works; rather, it is the message of the good work that God is doing to us as baptized believers. The Father “has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14, ESV) For this reason we do not do good things to earn favor with God. On the contrary, we receive the Father’s favor for the sake of Jesus Christ His Son. We do not gain salvation and eternal life by being morally upright. Instead, we are given the gift of salvation and eternal life on account of the merit of Jesus. He has purchased us with His precious blood. We belong to Him and thus we are beginning to act like Him. As He has loved us, we begin to love others. As He denied Himself we are learning to deny ourselves.
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"What a Friend We Have in Jesus" (Genesis 18) + + + 9th Sunday after Pentecost + + + July 25, 2010 + + + |
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In today’s Gospel lesson, our Lord Jesus Christ, teaches us to pray. From Him we learn to seek in order to find, to ask in order to receive, and to knock in order for the door to be opened to us. The Lord loves to hear the petitions of His people. The Lord loves to hear prayers that are prayed in faith. The Lord loves to hear persistent prayers. The Lord loves to hear the requests that are rooted in love for the neighbor.
Click here for the complete sermon text. |
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"Praying for Laborers" (Luke 10) + + + 6th Sunday after Pentecost + + + July 4, 2010 + + + |
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In today’s gospel text, Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Now, I don’t know much about growing up on a farm, but I do know about the significance of having more workers to get a job done. Just watch a group of ants working together to carry off a piece of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The more workers there are the easier it is to get the job done. Thus, Jesus teaches us to pray for more workers for the kingdom for Jesus wants to get the job done.
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"Walk by the Spirit" (Galatians 5) + + + 5th Sunday after Pentecost + + + June 27, 2010 + + + |
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In Galatians chapters three and four, we learn that in Christ we are all sons of God, we have been clothed with Christ in our baptisms and the Holy Spirit has been sent into our hearts crying, “Abba, Father!” As baptized believers, we have not received a counterfeit grace from God. The favor that God bestows upon us is true and has absolutely nothing to do with our behavior. God’s grace is underserved. If it were counterfeit, it would not truly be grace. It would only be grace in name. It would have strings attached to it. It would be like those offers we see on the television and in the magazines that offer you a free gift if you only pay the shipping and handling fees. We are saved by grace alone and there are no conditions attached.
Click here for the complete sermon text. |
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"Here am I" (Isaiah 65) + + + 4th Sunday after Pentecost + + + June 20, 2010 + + + |
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There are sixty-six chapters in the book of Isaiah. Throughout the book, Isaiah preaches repentance and forgiveness to the people of God. He exposes there false worship and calls them to faith in the One True God. He foretells their destruction which is a glimpse of the Final Judgment of all people. He reassures them of their restoration which is a glimpse of the consummation of the Kingdom of God at the end of time. He promises them the coming of the Messiah who will bring even the Gentiles into this Kingdom.
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"Christ Has Redeemed Us" (Galatians 3) + + + Third Sunday after Pentecost + + + June 13, 2010 + + + |
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On the one hand St. Paul says, “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse…” And then he goes on to state, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” (Galatians 3:10-14, ESV) It is as if he had said, “Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.” Either way you are cursed. All those who rely upon the works of the law… or …all those who do not do all the works of the law are cursed.
Click here for the complete sermon text. |
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"See Your Son Lives" (1 Kings 17:17-24) + + + Second Sunday after Pentecost + + + June 6, 2010 + + + |
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After the reign of Solomon, the kingdom was split into north and south. While the sons of David continued to reign on the throne in Judah, the throne in Israel was always up for grabs. It was usually taken by military might. When Omri took the throne in the north, he established Samaria as the capital. Like the northern kings before him, he promoted the false priesthood and the false worship at the false temples in Dan and Bethel. When he died, he was said to be the most evil of all the kings that preceded him. Not to be out down by his father, Ahab was even worse. Ahab’s claim to fame was the formal establishment of the worship of Baal in the kingdom.Click here for the complete sermon text.
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"The Blessed Trinity" (St. John 8:4859) + + + Holy Trinity + + + May 30, 2010 + + + |
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In today’s gospel text, Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” (John 8:51, ESV) And again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58, ESV) Jesus teaches that He is eternal God, Abraham saw Him, and that His words give eternal life. Now what kind of teaching is this? No body else can make such a bold claim!!! This is no ordinary man. There is something strikingly different about Jesus. Either He is wrong or He is right. There is no middle ground. Many have attempted to make the words of Jesus easier to swallow. Throughout the ages people have debated about who Jesus is and what Jesus has said. This debate has gone on outside of the church and within her walls.Click here for the complete sermon text.
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"Confirming the Faith" (St. John 14:23-31) + + + The Day of Pentecost + + + May 23, 2010 + + + |
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On this day, three of our beloved youth will be confirmed. They will publically confess their faith in Christ and their desire to remain in Him. As we witness this event it calls to mind our own confirmation vows and it points toward the future for those who have not yet arrived at this point in their lives. At this point, I must make it clear that confirmation is not graduation. Rather, it is the confirming of your lives as disciples. Throughout your lives you will meditate and contemplate upon the doctrine of the Apostles, but you will not graduate from it. We are in the process of being made into true disciples by being baptized and by continuing to be taught. As disciples, you are to continue to hear the word of God and ask “What does this mean?Click here for the complete sermon text.
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"Propeht, Priest, and King" (Ephesians 1:15-23) + + + The Ascension of our Lord + + + May 16, 2010 + + + |
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In the book of Genesis, we learn about the story of Joseph’s life. It was revealed to him by God that he would end up reigning over his brothers. When he shared this news with them, they did not want to hear it even if it came from God. So, they rejected him and sold him into slavery. Then they told their father Jacob that Joseph was dead. Yet, God promises to work for the good in all things for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Although Joseph’s brothers meant these actions for harm, God meant them for good. Unbeknownst to the people of Israel, Joseph ended up in Egypt, was freed from his prison, and ascended to the right hand of Pharaoh. In this position, he was able to help his own people in the day of their need. He was able to sustain them during the seven years of famine.Click here for the complete sermon text.
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"The Gospel in Philippi" (Acts 16:8-15) |
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+ + + Sixth Sunday in Easter + + + May 9, 2010 + + + |
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The One who overcame the world sent the Apostles out into the world. In today’s reading from the book of Acts, we continue to hear about the Early Church learning what it means that Christ is risen indeed. In chapter fifteen, the council at Jerusalem concludes that the doctrine of justification through faith alone is for the Gentiles also. Both Jews and Gentiles are declared righteous for Christ’s sake. In chapter sixteen, like Peter before him, Paul too has a vision from God directing the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles. Paul sees a man from Macedonia asking for help. In answering this call, the gospel spreads throughout Europe. A lot of things happen in chapter sixteen. At this point in the book of Acts, the attention is taken off of St. Peter and placed on the missionary work of St. Paul who is the Apostle to the Gentiles. He is laying the foundation for the spread of the Gospel to all nations. Click here for the complete sermon text.
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"Spirit Guided" (Acts 11:1-18) |
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+ + + Fifth Sunday in Easter + + + May 2, 2010 + + + |
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Jesus says, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth,” (John 16:12, ESV) This statement was given to the apostles before the resurrection. As the conversation went on, it was made clear that the apostles couldn’t bear what Jesus was telling them. They kept stumbling over His statement that in a little while they would not see Him and then again in a little while they would see Him. They weren’t quit getting it. From this passage we are taught how important it is to continue to hear the word of Jesus and grow in our understanding of it. It is the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth.Click here for the complete sermon text.
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"Sheperds and Sheep" (Acts 20:17-35) |
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+ + + Good Shepherd Sunday + + + April 25, 2010 + + + |
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The shepherd image is one the earliest depictions of Jesus that has been found. The shepherd is the image of the resurrection. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays His life down for His sheep. He does this on his own. He has the power to lay it down and the power to take it up again. The shepherd image teaches us who Christ is and what He has done for us.Click here for the complete sermon text.
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"Going Fishing" (John 21:1-14) |
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+ + + 3rd Sunday in Easter + + + April 18, 2010 + + + |
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Now when one reads about the miraculous catching of the 153 fish, there is a tendency to dwell upon the number of fish. Why was there 153? Why not 150 or 1,000? Why not two boats full with so many fish that they began to sink? Therefore, let us go ahead and dwell upon the number.Click here for the complete sermon text.
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"A New Heavens and A New Earth" (Isaiah 65:17-25) |
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+ + + Easter Sunday + + + April 4, 2010 + + + |
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Easter is so much more than a phrase found on a greeting card that says, “Happy Easter!” It’s as if you are wishing some one to have the feeling of happiness for one day out of the year. Such a phrase puts the celebration of Easter in the same category as the celebration of other days throughout the year. Happy New Year, Happy Mother’s Day, Happy Father’s Day, Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and Happy Birthday. What is the difference between one greeting that says, “Happy Birthday” and another card that says, “Happy Easter!” For this reason in the church, we learn to greet each other in this season by saying, “Christ is risen!” with the response, “He is risen indeed! Alleluia!”Click here for the complete sermon text.
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