“Who Is the Real Jesus?” (Matthew 16:13-23) In Bible class on Sunday mornings, we just started a study based on the book, “Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?” In this book, the author discusses twelve false christs that are … Continue reading
Luke 11:14-28 Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it. These words sum up our Lord’s entire lesson. He teaches us by warning us as well as promising us a blessing. He begins by casting out … Continue reading
“The Lord’s Prayer in the Lord’s Passion” is the theme of the Lenten devotion that Steadfast Lutherans has put together this year. The following sermon addresses the Second Petition of the Lord’s Prayer. For further reflection, read The Large Catechism, … Continue reading
Ephesians 5:1-9 Christ suffered on our behalf, an offering and sacrifice to God as a sweet smelling aroma. This entails two things, which cannot be separated. First, Christ has suffered the judgment we deserved because of our sins. Second, Christ … Continue reading
Exodus 8:16-24 The finger of God both casts out demons as well as hardens hearts. The finger of God is another term for the Holy Spirit. The Ten Commandments were inscribed on tablets of stone with the finger of God … Continue reading
I have been writing little meditations on the front of my bulletins for the last few years. Each meditation concentrates specifically on one of the propers for each given Sunday in the historic lectionary. My goal is to have a … Continue reading
“Passion Prediction, Passion Production” (Mark 8:27-38; Romans 5:1-11) Most of you probably remember a movie a few years back called “The Passion of the Christ.” It was about Jesus’ suffering and death. That’s what the word “Passion’ means in that … Continue reading
Lambs at Pasture for Oculi — The Third Sunday of Lent and its Answer Key are now available for download. English Version English Answer Key The repetitive nature of Lambs at Pasture aids in familiarity and memorization of key passages. This is … Continue reading
“What is That to Us?” 2018 Lenten Midweek Sermon B February 21, 2018 Matthew 27:3-5 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and … Continue reading
Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. 2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on … Continue reading
“It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will sanctify my … Continue reading
Jesus lived a perfect human life. We know that. But it is easy to miss some of his practices. It might sound strange, but Jesus was pious. He had godly habits. By them, he lived joyously, even though He also … Continue reading
“Out of the Water, into the Wilderness” (Mark 1:9-15) Today is the First Sunday in Lent, which means that the Holy Gospel is an account of the temptation of our Lord. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record this episode that … Continue reading
Lambs at Pasture for Reminiscere — The Second Sunday of Lent and its Answer Key are now available for download. English Version English Answer Key The repetitive nature of Lambs at Pasture aids in familiarity and memorization of key passages. This is … Continue reading
The Baptism of our Lord (Quinquagesima Sunday) February 11, 2018 “Baptism and Righteousness” St. Matthew 3: 13-17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I … Continue reading
Every now and then, when there is an issue or concern in my life, the Holy Spirit uses the Word in its variety of forms and places of proclamation to repeatedly reveal the same truth over and again and call … Continue reading
Where did Ash Wednesday and Lent come from? Are they relics of paganism? No. They are not. The actual history is much more interesting and beneficial. Early Practice of Lent The ancient Church chose to keep a fast during the … Continue reading
“Hearts and Ashes” (Joel 2:12-19) Today is Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is a day for sending your love a box of candy and a Valentine’s card. Something like this: Roses are red, Violets are blue; Sugar is sweet, And so … Continue reading
“The Lord’s Prayer in the Lord’s Passion” is the theme of the Lenten devotion that Steadfast Lutherans has put together this year. The following sermon continues the theme of prayer, focusing on the importance of the “our” in the Our … Continue reading
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if … Continue reading
When the Lord made man, he made him with eyes that gaze outward from himself, that desire to see something and take it in. In short, the Lord made man to behold spectacles. As with every inclination with which we … Continue reading
“The Lord’s Prayer in the Lord’s Passion” is the theme of the Lenten devotion that Steadfast Lutherans has put together this year. The following sermon introduces the theme of prayer, preached on Quinquagesima (Luke 18:31-43), and largely influenced by The … Continue reading
Editor’s Note: There have been measures in the past few years to improve the candidate situation in the LCMS, but there is still much work to be done. As with most things, execution of efforts to care for men in … Continue reading
Editor’s Note: This “Call to Confess Christ” was submitted and captures the concerns I share over the pattern of statements that the LCMS has been making in the civic sphere along with other Christians and non-Christians. With this article Pastor … Continue reading
Over at the LCMS Blog there is a nice post explaining some of the changes going on in LCMS International Missions in Asia. A classmate of mine, Rev. Roy Askins serves over there and explained these changes for folks wanting … Continue reading