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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 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 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 […]
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 […]