1. “So loved,” then isn’t about how much but instead simply how.
  2. Zephaniah has given us something more visceral to help us understand the love of God: the sound of salvation.
  3. This week we will take a closer look at God's love in Scripture.
  4. This sermon was originally given at Luther Seminary chapel on May 20, 1986.
  5. We too are God’s baptized, beloved, blood-bought believers. And no one can ever take that away from us.
  6. Love is pointing to Jesus who said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
  7. We assert, we herald, the truth about God becoming King of the world in and through Jesus of Nazareth alone. It is our public announcement.
  8. The law had to have its way with the expert to bring him around (and back) to Abraham's response.
  9. The nefarious thing about idolatry is that just about anything can become your idol: career, family, fame, wealth, status, spouse, you name it, any good thing can become a ‘god-thing” with ease. 
  10. Maybe, just maybe, our goal for 2023 should not be to live more but to die more.
  11. Rejoice with Mary as she would rejoice with you. Be blessed, like her, with humility from God, so that you may serve joyfully and willingly wherever and in whatever role God has placed you.
  12. If Jesus shows up and you are a sinner, ‘tis more blessed to receive than to give