Epistle: Romans 3:19-28 (Reformation Sunday: Series A)
Justification matters so deeply. It is a matter of life and death, Heaven and Hell. It must be preached that way. Especially today.
Contributors
Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse (STM, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN) is Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology, director of Certification and Placement, and Director of Continuing Education at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN.
Craft of Preaching
Most Recent
Old Testament: Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 (Pentecost 21: Series A)
The LORD is the God of Israel and, therefore, Israel can walk in His paths with holiness and righteousness because His holiness is with them and on them.
Old Testament: Isaiah 45:1-7 (Pentecost 20: Series A)
Truly, God uses good and evil, believers and unbelievers, to accomplish His purposes.
Old Testament: Isaiah 25:6-9 (Pentecost 19: Series A)
From mountain to mountain, from meal to meal the LORD God points us to His banquet, already prepared; the marriage feast of the Lamb in His Kingdom which shall have no end!
Old Testament: Isaiah 5:1-7 (Pentecost 18: Series A)
The LORD is not yet finished with His vineyard.
Old Testament: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 (Pentecost 17: Series A)
God desires that all men might be saved. The problem, the stumbling block, does not lie with God. The problem is one of man’s heart and spirit.
Old Testament: Isaiah 55:6-9 (Pentecost 16: Series A)
God seeks us so we might find Him, but He does so in ways that do not always make sense to us.
Old Testament: Genesis 50:15-21 (Pentecost 15: Series A)
God is in control of history and He can even use evil and evil ones to accomplish His purposes.
Old Testament: Ezekiel 33:7-9 (Pentecost 14: Series A)
Who wants to be Ezekiel?” Any volunteers? Being a prophet of the LORD most high does not always come with a great job description!
Old Testament: Jeremiah 15:15-21 (Pentecost 13: Series A)
Jeremiah is saying, “LORD I am doing my job, why are You NOT doing Yours?”
Old Testament: Isaiah 51:1-6 (Pentecost 12: Series A)
Isaiah first reminds the people of who they are and then tells them why they are who they are; to bring the teachings and promises of the LORD to all people.
Old Testament: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 (Pentecost 11: Series A)
The scandal of this text for the Jewish people is the inclusion of all nations and peoples into the Holy House of the LORD.
Old Testament: Job 38:4-18 (Pentecost 10: Series A)
It is important to see how the LORD does NOT answer the questions Job and his friends have been wrestling with.
Old Testament: Isaiah 55:1-5 (Pentecost 9: Series A)
This food, already purchased and freely given in our pericope, is a foretaste of the feast to come as well; the marriage feast of the Lamb in His Kingdom which has no end.
Old Testament: Deuteronomy 7:6-9 (Pentecost 8: Series A)
To dwell with a Holy God in their camp, Israel lead holy lives. Anything standing in the way of and threatening this holy relationship must be avoided or eliminated.
Old Testament: Isaiah 44:6-8 (Pentecost 7: Series A)
If you do not know who your God is, you will not know what your idols are.
Old Testament: Isaiah 55:10-13 (Pentecost 6: Series A)
The message is clear and assuring—the Word of God does what it says it will do!
Old Testament: Zechariah 9:9-12 (Pentecost 5: Series A)
The people gathered in Jerusalem that day were making a bold statement of faith. They believed Jesus was the New David.
Old Testament: Jeremiah 28:5-9 (Pentecost 4: Series A)
As a prophet, Jeremiah only speaks the LORD’s words. Obviously, this is the difference between a true and false prophet.
Old Testament: Jeremiah 20:7-13 (Pentecost 2: Series A)
Jeremiah trusts the LORD to be faithful. He knows the LORD must answer, even though he is not certain how He will answer.
Old Testament: Exodus 19:2-8 (Pentecost 2: Series A)
In worship there is always the movement up which brings one closer to the holiness. The higher up you go, the closer to the presence of God and the closer to holiness.
Old Testament: Genesis 1:1-2:4a (Trinity Sunday: Series A)
Before the Fall the waters were one dimensional—they gave life. After the Fall, another dimension is added. The waters kill/drown and they give life. This becomes the New Testament language of Baptism.
Old Testament: Numbers 11:24-30 (Pentecost Sunday: Series A)
Of course it is the same Holy Spirit, but on this Day of Pentecost, it is important to explore the differences between the Old Testament Spirit and the New Testament Spirit.
Psalm: Psalm 68 (Easter 7: Series A)
Resurrection is victory. God shall arise! Christ has risen! However, this is not the sum of the LORD’s provision for the people.
New Testament: Acts 1:12-26 (Easter 7: Series A)
Why is there a need to replace Judas? The reason revolves around the number twelve.