By Donavon Riley

01/21/26

13mins

Why Christian Tradition? Why Confession

Confession isn’t a detour in the liturgy. It’s the doorway.

When Religion Becomes Obsolete, Christ Does Not

Russ Lackey |

Mark Mattes

01/20/26

When Religion Becomes Obsolete, Christ Does Not

American religion did not become optional because the gospel failed. It became optional because religion slowly redefined itself around usefulness.

Bradley Gray

01/19/26

Behold the Lamb

The Passover wasn’t just Israel’s story; it’s ours.

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Donavon Riley

01/21/20

The Answer to All Our Questions About Salvation and Vocation

We confuse salvation and vocation in our quest to determine who is in control of our salvation.

Chad Bird

01/20/20

Friendship in the Old Testament: David and Jonathan

Jonathan saw in David a reflection of who he himself was. This recognition pulled him outside himself and bound him to another.

David Schmitt

01/20/20

Gospel: Matthew 4:12-25 (Epiphany 3: Series A)

This is the wonder which is present in the calling of the disciples. Not how they drop their nets to follow Jesus, but that Jesus does not need to go far to find disciples. He chooses the people He lives among.

Joel Fitzpatrick

01/15/20

Unity Like Beard Oil

We all long to be in a community of believers that gives us life and makes us feel loved and where we experience real, fruitful community. This comes as we announce the gospel to one another.

Chad Bird

01/15/20

Why Did God Add Fish to His Diet?

Throughout the Old Testament, the seas and fish were symbols of the Gentiles. When Jesus ate fish, and called fishermen, he showed us that the mission to the Gentiles was about to begin in earnest.

David Schmitt

01/13/20

Gospel: John 1:29-42 (Epiphany 2: Series A)

This is what makes the reading from John so frightening and yet so exciting. Notice how Jesus appears. Not in miracles, not in marvels, but in relationships.

David Schmitt

01/06/20

Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17 (The Baptism of Our Lord: Series A)

Jesus did not need to be baptized. But he did it. Why?

Joshua Miller

12/30/19

By Gracious Powers: Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Prayer for a New Year

The real power of his hymn comes from the fact that Bonhoeffer does not offer a rosy picture of life or any of the tropes so typical of cheap piety that tell us that everything is always right, that things happen for a reason, and that we should try to stay positive.

David Schmitt

12/30/19

Gospel: Luke 2:40-52 (Christmas 2: Series A)

God reveals Himself to us in Word and Sacrament but sometimes these revelations happen in unexpected ways.

Peter Nafzger

12/23/19

Gospel: Matthew 2:13-23 (Christmas 1: Series A)

On the other side of Christmas, we find (1) senseless suffering and (2) unstoppable salvation. A sermon on these verses should be honest about both.

Ken Sundet Jones

12/19/19

In Memory of Katharina von Bora, Part 2

In some measure, if Luther had any success during his last two decades, it happened because of the woman who’d insisted on him as her bridegroom.

Peter Nafzger

12/16/19

Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25 (Advent 4: Series A)

Unlike Luke, who provides most of the parts for the children’s program (the shepherds, the angel hosts, the innkeeper, and the animals), Matthew’s version is rated “M” for mature.

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