By Mark Duerr

09/24/26

14mins

Sacred Trash Pits and Holy Garbage

The Israelite God was different from all the other gods, thus, the worship of Yahweh differed from that of all other gods.

Steven Paulson

09/23/26

Psalm 15: Who Abides in God?

David finally found the truth that it was not his seed of kingship but the promise made to Abraham that made him holy. From that, David refused to be moved and wrote this Psalm by the necessity of the Spirit as the assurance of faith. The law never made a man holy, not even one as robust as David; yet faith did this great thing without lifting a finger.

Political Polarization and Cultural Christianity

John W. Hoyum

09/18/26

Political Polarization and Cultural Christianity

Today, the longing for cultural Christianity on both the left and the right hearkens back to an older version of Christendom that was a mixed blessing for the church in the western world. The cultural mediation of Christian views on created order has certainly benefitted the civilization we’ve inherited. But the gospel itself isn’t something that can be reduced to cultural mediation either. Instead, the gospel as a message stands apart from all human accomplishments and achievements, no matter how beneficial they might be.

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Sam P. Schuldheisz

01/14/19

Epiphany in Middle-earth

Each of these little epiphanies in Middle-earth are like the star the magi saw arise in the sky, a light that reflects and points to Jesus who is the Light of the world.

Jason Lane

01/13/19

Epistle: I Corinthians 12:1-11 (Epiphany 2: Series C)

This text teaches us about concepts found in the Third Article of the Creed; concerning the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, and the communion of the saints (or of holy things). I would suggest, along with your study of the text, a devotional study of the Large Catechism on the Third Article this week.

Peter Nafzger

01/13/19

Gospel: John 2:1-11 (Epiphany 2: Series C)

And there is Jesus to save the day. With a little prodding from His mother, and some help from obedient servants, He swoops in and solves the problem before anyone even knew it existed. That is what we are looking for from God, right? To swoop in. To save the day. These are good reasons to like this text, but they all miss the point.

Steven A. Hein

01/08/19

After Epiphany: The Rest of the Story

Epiphany teaches us that when God’s peace advances, spiritual warfare against the powers of darkness does not decline. It increases.

Jeffrey Pulse

01/07/19

Old Testament: Isaiah 43:1-7 (Epiphany 1: Series C)

The location of this text, its context, is quite interesting. Preceding this text is the very strong language of Isaiah 42 which is a judgement speech of Yahweh which proclaims a brutal rebuke of Israel which includes the destruction of the country of Judah, the city of Jerusalem and the Temple. But now, beginning in 43:1, we have what Reed Lessing calls “the oracles of assurance.”

Jeffrey Pulse

01/07/19

Old Testament: Isaiah 43:1-7 (Epiphany 1: Series C)

Jason Lane

01/07/19

Epistle: Romans 6:1-11 (Epiphany 1: Series C)

Having Romans 6 as the Epistle for the Baptism of our Lord, and paired with Luke’s account of Jesus’ baptism and Isaiah’s prophetically rich baptismal language in Isaiah 43, allows preaches to proclaim Romans 6 in a more appropriate liturgical context. It could only be better, were someone in your congregation to be baptized on this day. If that’s your situation, the sermon will almost write itself.

Wade Johnston

01/07/19

The Purpose of Epiphany

On Epiphany, we celebrate the day when men, made wise for salvation through the Word, met their righteousness.

Peter Nafzger

01/06/19

Gospel: Luke 3:15-22 (Epiphany 1: Series C)

The first Sunday after Epiphany is traditionally a time to think about the baptism of Jesus. It is common on this Sunday for preachers to make connections between Jesus’ baptism and our own. That seems like a natural move, for most sermons are directed primarily to the baptized.

Grant Klembara

01/04/19

The Birth of the Confessing Church

When bishops err we must not follow...We must obey God before man.

Cindy Koch

01/03/19

Our Identity Crisis

But the Creator of life and breath does not wait for Moses to identify with worthiness.

Scott Davis

01/02/19

The Lord's Table Is Not A Potluck

Have you ever invited someone over to your house? Most of us have either invited someone into our homes for supper.

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