Who can know his sin? who can keep the Law?

Trinity 6 Good Shepherd 2004 Pass Rd, Biloxi, MS 39531 Draft Exodus 20:1–17; Romans 6:1–11; Matthew 5:17–26; Psalm 19   –     07/27/25 Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Jesus said, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and […]

Trinity 5 1 Kings 19:11–21; 1 Peter 3:8–15; Luke 5:1–11; Psalm 16 – 7/20/25 Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Much of today’s sermon was adapted from Rev. Stoeckhardt (Gospel Sermons, 295–299). When they had let down their nets as Jesus instructed, […]

Can the blind lead the blind?

Genesis 50:15–21; Romans 8:18–23; Luke 6:36–42; Ps 138 Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. In the 16th century, during the Reformation, the enemies of the Gospel used the second verse of our Gospel reading to support the idea that salvation comes because […]

What Kind of Soil Am I?

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 – What Kind of Soil Am I? Risen Savior Lutheran Church in McFarland, Wisconsin Pastor Nathan Berg   Just like last week, the Word of God before us describes the inner workings of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. And, just like last week, the context is key. Outwardly, Jesus’ ministry is […]

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

The Sermon for Matthew 11:25–30 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church; Hoopeston, IL Rev. James T. Batchelor   Just because you don’t believe it; that doesn’t mean that it isn’t true. I remember when President Kennedy was assassinated.  I first heard the news out on the school playground.  One of my fellow students came to tell me […]

I came not to bring peace, but a sword

The Sermon for Matthew 10:34–42 St Paul Lutheran Church, Manito, IL Rev. James T. Batchelor   In this morning’s Gospel, we heard Jesus say, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34) These words sound violently uncharacteristic for […]

Jesus sends the twelve apostles

The Sermon for Matthew 10:21–33 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church; Hoopeston, IL Rev. James T. Batchelor   From time to time, I have heard the preaching of what many would call prosperity theology – usually on television.  You are probably familiar with this theology as well.  Basically, the preacher tells you that God wants His people […]

Third Sunday after Pentecost

Rev. Alan Taylor St. John Lutheran Church Galveston, Texas Sun Matthew 9:35-10:8 In this morning’s Gospel reading Jesus sends His disciples out to proclaim the kingdom of heaven.  But He does so with a peculiar command.  “Go nowhere (He says) among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the […]

The Calling of Matthew

The Sermon for Matthew 9:9–13 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church; Hoopeston, IL Rev. James T. Batchelor No matter who you plan to vote for in the next election, there is one tactic that seems to come up in every political campaign.  Sooner or later one or more candidates will ask us to judge the other candidates […]

The Beginning

The Sermon for the Holy Trinity Genesis 1:1–2:4a;   Acts 2:14a, 22–36;  Matthew 28:16–20 St Paul Lutheran Church, Manito, IL Rev. James T. Batchelor   The festival that we celebrate on this day is very different from the other festivals of the Church Year.  The other festivals celebrate events.  Christmas is the birth of our Lord.  […]