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.  […]

The Day of Pentecost

The Day of Pentecost St. John Lutheran Church Galveston, Texas Rev. Alan Taylor Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen. Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his […]

I Cried Out to God for Help

The Sermon for the Seventh Sunday of Easter John 17:1–11 St Paul Lutheran Church, Manito, IL Rev. James T. Batchelor   Christ has risen!  He has risen, indeed!  Alleluia!   During the last half of the Easter Season, we have been listening to Jesus in the Upper Room just a few hours before Judas betrayed […]

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

Easter 6, series A Rev. Alan Taylor St. John Lutheran Church Galveston, Texas   Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen. It’s good to be here, isn’t it? The Church, God’s people are called precisely to be here, in God’s house, receiving His gifts, […]

Jesus the Way to the Father

Pastor Tim Zingale St.Olaf Lutheran Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501   Grace and peace to you from our Lord and risen Savior, Jesus who is the Christ. Amen Our text for this morning is a text that is used many times in a funeral sermon. It is a text that gives comfort to a grieving family […]

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

The Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Easter John 10:1–10 St Paul Lutheran Church, Manito, IL Rev. James T. Batchelor   Christ has risen!  He has risen, indeed!  Alleluia!  This morning we remember that the one who rose from the dead is our Good Shepherd.   In the time and place that Jesus first spoke […]

Jesus appears to Thomas

The Sermon for the Second Sunday of Easter John 20:19–31 Rev. James T. Batchelor   Christ has risen!  He has risen, indeed!  Alleluia!  Our Savior who once was dead now lives. The Gospel that we just heard begins with a time marker, “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week.” (John […]