From the Gospel of Luke 20: 9-19 - about the parable Jesus taught of 'things to come' - his death for the sins of man.
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From the Gospel of John 19:16-18.
The cross means different things to different people. For us Christians, it is the crown of our salvation, gleaming brightly with the news of how Christ loved us and washed us from our sins with his own blood. Perhaps it is more a term than a name. Yet we so often link the news of the cross with his name.
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From the Gospel of Luke 13:1-9
No doubt about Jesus being a king. Wise men came seeking the king of the Jews. Nathaniel called him "the King of Israel." Zachariah foretold his entry into Jerusalem as king on Palm Sunday.
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From the Gospel of John 18:37-38 - One of many wondrous names of Jesus.
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From the gospel of John 18:3-12
Another Name of Wonderous Love for Jesus: Immanuel.
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Behold Jesus' glory as he appear in his glorious, divine splendor.
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From the gospel Ephesians 3:8
Apostle Paul writes how 'lowly' and insignificant he is, yet Jesus gave him a gift - the gift to bring the gospel to the Gentiles.
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Being a Christian, a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ is "not easy". Still, we cannot grumble nor boast as we work, from our hearts to bring glory to him. It is spiritual work to do for his kingdom, work that was a consequence of Jesus's sacrifice for you and me...
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The account of Zaccheus, a very wealthy man, a Roman tax collector meeting Jesus, and coming to understand his true treasure in Christ.
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Sometimes we focus on preparing for the worst. We make sure we have flash lights and batteries and somewhere to go for shelter in a bad storm. We make sure we have auto insurance in case of an accident. Those things happen in an evil world and we don’t always have control. But our God does have control. And ultimately God has the very best in store for his children. That’s what this season of Advent is all about. Today begins the season of Advent. It’s a time to look ahead into the future, all the way to the day Jesus comes again. God has the very best in store for our future and he wants us to be prepared for it today.
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Where do you find your security? We’re tempted to seek it in a million things here. When in reality it is found in one, the One who rules with all authority, who released us from sin’s curse and will return in glory to bring us home. He will never be found false. His promises will never fail. So we can pray as John did at the end of the book of Revelation, ‘Come Lord Jesus’ (Rev. 22:20). And until he comes we will find our refuge strength and security in him, even in these last days.
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What if you had a special pair of glasses that would allow you to see things otherwise hidden? What if you had a special pair of glasses that would allow you to see into the future – to see what hasn’t happened yet? With the help of John the apostle, we do get to look ahead into the future, not with special glasses, but with the lens of God’s word. We get to see what is in store for God’s people, those who are his through faith in Christ. And what we see causes us to look forward to the day we will live beyond this world. It also helps us to see more clearly what is important in our lives today. As we live in the last days, we can live with joyful anticipation of what lies ahead.
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The biggest question you and I need to be able to answer in our future isn’t where I will go to college or whether I will pass the math test tomorrow. The biggest question isn’t whether I’ll keep my job and make the mortgage payment on time. The biggest question isn’t how I will fare as a citizen in the U.S. now that the election is over or where I will live when I retire. The biggest question is ‘Where will I be standing on Judgment Day? Will I be in the right line of people heading in the right direction? Will I hear the Judge say ‘Come’, or ‘Go away’? We’re already in the last days. So, how can we be confident as we face the Last Judgment?
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Any preacher who is starting his career is going to exercise great care in the content of his opening message. Do you wonder what Jesus preached about when he began his earthly ministry? We actually have a record of it in the Bible. His words were: 'Repent, for the kingdom of God is near' (Mt 4:17). Later, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told his disciples what they were to seek above all else in their lives: 'Seek first his [God’s] kingdom and his righteousness' (Mt 6:33). Jesus considered it to be of the utmost importance that people know about God’s kingdom, and that they be part of that kingdom. Therefore it is of the greatest importance for you and me as well. And it shouldn’t surprise us then that Jesus includes the kingdom of God in the Lord’s Prayer. He tells us to pray, 'Our Father in heaven, your kingdom come.'
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An athlete who plays on the school football or lacrosse team carries the team’s name on his or her uniform. A soldier in the army or air force represents the tradition and honor of that branch of military service. Every child, every son or daughter in a family needs to know they carry the family name. Their family’s reputation can be honored by the way they live their lives. It can honored by what they say. It could also be dishonored in the eyes of others. Even more importantly, God’s son and daughters, those who are members of the Holy Christian Church have his name on them. God set his name upon us at our baptism, the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. We carry that name. God even asks us to speak for him. Therefore, Jesus taught to pray that God’s name be kept sacred, or holy. He taught us to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.â€
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While we enjoy many modern communication methods, we can’t always be confident they will work. On vacation we may be out of range for cell phone service. A computer with a virus won’t work well. And if a thunderstorm knocks out electric power, our digital phones are nothing more than expensive paperweights. What a blessing that we don’t have those concerns when it comes to prayer, that is communicating with our God. What a blessing it is to be able to go to God in prayer and with confidence.
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We all want to feel satisfied, to have our appetites satiated, our needs met, and, of course, not just those of our stomachs. But the fact is, we don't always feel satisfied, do we? not even with all the "stuff" we have. It’s human nature to be eager to pile up all we can here on earth. We find it easy to look at what others are holding in their hands and say, “I need that too.” We could worry and wear ourselves out by feeling, "I don't have enough." But on the other hand when we let our thinking be shaped by God and his Word we will see that we can be satisfied. God does fill us with blessings for body and soul. This morning we gain a valuable lesson from our Lord Jesus as he fed the 5,000.
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What beautiful encouragement God gives us to care for others. Solomon once said that two are better than one, and three are better still. That's wise advice because if you look around you, you will see that everyone is carrying a burden. Some burdens are simple and some are complex. Some are irritating, while others are life-threatening. But we all have them. So what does the God of love, the God who is always concerned about his children, say to us? He tells us, "Carry each other's burdens."
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Anyone who thinks that troubles melt away when God brings him into his kingdom and that every day there will be sunshine and sweetness is mistaken. Following Christ is tough business. The pages of Christian history are filled with proof. Just ask Daniel, Mary, Peter or Paul. So, don’t be surprised when you find yourself facing trouble because of the name of Jesus. But know that the Lord has help for those who carry a cross for him. Rejoice and trust in God’s blessings that support you. And then continue to confess his name, the only name that can save souls.
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When it comes to life’s trials and troubles, we know there is no shortage of “bad stuff†that can happen, whether its financial disaster, a lingering illness, an important project or plan that falls apart, storms that injure and destroy, or accidents that put us on our backs. And Christians obviously aren’t immune to them. In fact the Bible says we must go through many hardships before we enter the kingdom of heaven. But we learn from Paul’s circumstances that God has help for those who bear those burdens. In fact, for those who are his children – whom God is keeping and protecting for himself and guiding on to heaven – God makes those burdens a blessing.
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One of the heaviest burdens we can find ourselves carrying is one we cannot see. It's the burden of guilt due to sin. Since it cannot be seen, we could be tempted to deny it, or laugh it off or excuse it away. But those actions don't get rid of it. Guilt hurts and harasses us. Our consciences cry out loudly when they recognize it. And we don't find peace while it is present. In fact we cannot be free from it until God removes it. Centuries ago a man named David discovered that. And in this amazing Psalm, Psalm51 he teaches us that God gives us freedom from the burden of guilt.
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There is a sense in which we Christians can say we will not accept death. That does not mean we deny that an elderly loved one will ever die. That does not mean we should behave recklessly or spend our money on the latest and greatest anti-aging pill advertised on the radio. But we do believe that Christ will undo death. The next time we attend the funeral of a child of God we can remember Jesus words:
talitha koum (Little girl, I say to you, get up!) When he returns at the last day, Jesus will command us to get up again! And his words are the words of the Lord of life. Do not be afraid. Just believe!
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Consider the WELS sub-site 'WhatAbout Jesus.com'. This site 'fields' questions people may have: 'Who created God?', 'What is God?', "Why is He not watching over me?". It is not uncommon for people to ask about God, through the centuries. Our curiosity is probably due to our built-in knowledge of God. But sometime, mere curiosity becomes a questioning of doubt about God's ways....
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We as God's children are to be productive. We are to 'bear fruit', that is, our good works in praise of Christ Jesus. To love, be patient, generous... It is not easy to bear fruit or to live as God wants us to. We only need to remember that Christ and the Holy Spirit are the only way by which we can bear fruit and stay the course...
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Sermon meditation (based on the Gospel lesson Genesis 28). Our 'connections' with each other are important. Physical connections often rely on tech are important. Relationship 'connections' are yet more important. But our connection with God is the most important. It is a matter of life and death....
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A sermon about 'letting go' and trusting God, fearing God, as did Abraham when God tested him to sacrifice his only son, Issac.
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Today's sermon centers on Jesus's transfiguration as witnessed by Peter, James and John on the high mountain that Jesus led them all to.
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