The archive of the online Bible study of the book of Psalms is available here or as a YouTube playlist.
The archive of the online Bible study of the book of Acts is available here or as a YouTube playlist.
Epiphany A Cosmic, Political and Personal
Matthew 2:1-12 The story of the visit of the Magi may seem like child’s play as we think of children rearranging the figurines. Yet it is anything but child’s play. It is cosmic, political and most of all personal. Sermon Date: January 5, 2020
Advent 3A Be Patient
James 5:7-11 Patience is of two kinds. The kind we practice with one another and the kind we practice in relation to God. One mark of a Christian congregation is that we are patient with one another, not grumbling. It is important for us to show this kind of patience. The other is a patience of faith, as we wait for God to fulfill his promises in spite of the challenging circumstances we may face. We may think things ought to…
Advent 2A Prepare the Way
Matthew 3:1-12 At the beginning of the Church Year we are again reminded that our salvation begins with God coming to us. The story begins in the Old Testament with God’s promises, finds its fulfillment in the coming of Christ, and continues in our day through the work of the Spirit in Word and Sacrament. The key to receiving the kingdom, as John the Baptizer tells us, is repentance; contrition, faith and the fruit of repentance. Sermon Date: December 8,…
Advent 1A Stewardship; A Response to Advent
Stewardship might seem to be a strange theme for the season of Advent, but actually it is quite appropriate. God’s coming to us in the incarnation of Christ redeems our lives and our world. Giving these things back to God in faith then becomes pleasing to God. It is a joy to know that God uses our offerings to him for his purposes and ongoing work of redemption. Sermon Date: December 1, 2019
Last Sunday of the Church Year; Building on the Promises of God Part 15: God’s Promises Give Hope
The Last Sunday of the Church year reminds us that history is linear; there is a last day and God is moving history to that end. The promise of Christ’s return, along with all of his promises, gives us hope. We may be tempted to lose hope given the circumstances of our world. But in faith we build on the promises of God and are given hope. Sermon Date: November 24, 2019
Pentecost 23C Building on the Promises of God Part 14: Your redemption Is Drawing Near
Luke 21:5-28 It may seem rather strange to us the way that Jesus places violence and troubled times before our eyes with his words in Luke 21. They can be difficult to hear and we would rather dwell on positive themes. However, a closer look at the passage indicates that Jesus’ purpose is to help us so that we don’t get stuck in the scenes of violence but can see through them to our redemption that is drawing near. Sermon…
Pentecost 22C Building on the Promise of God Part 13: God Sympathizes with You
Hebrews 4:15-16 The Scriptures are very clear that the end times will be troubled times. A quick look around us at the events of the world confirms that. But Paul assures us that God is a God of comfort. And as Hebrews tells us that comfort comes at least in part because we have a high priest who can sympathize with us in our weaknesses. Sermon Date: November 10, 2019
All Saints C Building on the Promises of God Part 12: Joy Is Coming
Psalm 30:5 Psalm 30 reminds us that weeping may tarry for the night but joy comes in the morning. Nobody needs to teach us about weeping that tarries for the night. We have all experienced restless, even distressful nights. But God’s promise is that joy comes with the morning. That morning breaks as Jesus comes to us bringing his light. Sermon Date: November 3, 2019
Reformation C Sola Scriptura
John 8:31-36 The Reformation principle “by Scripture alone” traces its history back to the Leipzig Debate where Luther insisted that Scripture is the only norm for doctrine. Our text shows us that it is also the only norm for our lives and the very power of God for our salvation. Sermon Date: October 27, 2019
Pentecost 19C Building on the Promises of God Part 11: Justice Will Prevail
Luke 18:1-8 Somewhere along the line of our days we have all learned that life is not always fair. In fact, there is a whole lot of injustice in this world. We work for justice and God has given us government to help bring about greater justice among us. But sometimes it remains. As we say, “Life isn’t always fair.” In Luke 18 Jesus tells us a parable that helps us deal with the injustice we may experience. The parable…