Peter Nafzger

Our God-given faith, despite our lack of sight, has made us sons and daughters of light who walk in the light even during dark times.

God interrupts Peter, but not only to quiet him. He also directs Peter to listen to someone else.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus establishes a whole new standard for what it means to live as one of His people.

The followers of Jesus have a function to perform. When they do not perform it—that is, when they are not being themselves—the world suffers.

Our first mistake in thinking about the blessed life is we expect to experience it fully in this life.

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.

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.

There he sat, awaiting his executioner. John looked around at what God and His Messiah were not doing, and even the greatest among those born of woman had his doubts. “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

The problem is not that we are unrepentant. The problem is our contrition is too small.

In the middle of [Jesus'] eschatological discourse, as He answers the disciples’ question about the end of the age, Jesus ushers in Noah. But what does Noah have to do with Advent?

Faithful celebration of the Reformation is possible only for those who understand they have nothing. Whose incapability and insufficiency are obvious and owned. Who recognize their dependence on God for all things. In other words, Reformation is for children.

I suggest preaching a sermon that directs attention away from the main characters. Instead, highlight for your hearers (and proclaim loudly and clearly) the promise of Jesus in this text.

This text gives us only a glimpse, a preview, of God’s plan in Christ to restore his broken creation to its physical and social perfection.

Imagine what it would be like if, when people in our community thought about this congregation, the first thing that came to mind was how forgiving we are.

Luke does not tell us who asked it. But it’s a good question. “Lord, will those who are saved be few?”

Jesus is still in the business of dividing. He has come to divide us from our sinful thoughts and habits. He has come to divide us from false views of the world and distortions of His Word.

The Father knows our needs because he knows everything. This is a comforting thought, but only if He is gracious.

Jesus names what life does not consist of, and in doing so he gets to something near and dear to our hearts as Americans—our possessions.

When we pray, we should have in mind His name and His provision and His forgiveness. In other words, we ask God to do what God promises to do.

Like Mary, they (with you) are at Jesus’ feet to learn and hear from the Lord of all Creation. It is a privileged place to be if there ever was one!

When Jesus told the Parable of the Good Samaritan, He was not simply encouraging us to be good citizens. He was continuing a conversation which had begun with a serious question about salvation.

What does Jesus send these people to do? He sends them to speak peace.

Whether your hearers are lifelong church-goers or recent converts, following Jesus is not a casual pastime. It is not simply one more thing we do.

[This text] describes a journey to a foreign region where Jesus engages in a confrontational conversation with a legion of demons, performs a violent and scandalous exorcism, and leaves behind a community gripped by terror. Apparently, the only thing more frightening than a naked, graveyard-dwelling demoniac is this visitor from Nazareth who reigns over everything.

After teaching his disciples many things about himself, the world, and the things to come, Jesus concluded his last evening with his disciples in prayer to the Father. And he concluded his prayer with the words in this text. As the old saying goes, you can learn a lot about a man by listening in on his prayers.