Church Seasons

Timely Preaching: The Church Year

09/08/23

32 mins

By John T. Pless

The church year anchors preaching in God’s historical acts of salvation guarding both the preacher and the hearers from arid rationalism and egocentric flights inward.
Remembering the Dead: Preparing to Preach on All Saints Sunday

10/29/22

12 mins

By John T. Pless

We give thanks to the Lord for His victory over death and the grave both for those who are now with Him in glory and for ourselves even as we press forward in faithfulness awaiting the Day when our eyes will see Him.
Preaching Trinity Sunday

06/05/22

9 mins

By John T. Pless

The celebration of Trinity Sunday–the only church festival specifically dedicated to a doctrine–reminds us of the necessity of confessing that the one God exists in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Maundy Thursday Preaching

04/10/22

15 mins

By John T. Pless

On this Maundy Thursday, in particular, let the “for you” of Christ’s gifts dominate.
Bearing the Cross-A Sermon for Wednesday in Holy Week

04/10/22

8 mins

By John T. Pless

Simon carried the cross, but Jesus was carried by the cross to death.
Denied!-A Sermon for Tuesday in Holy Week

04/09/22

9 mins

By John T. Pless

Out there the instincts to protect yourself from embarrassment, ridicule, and rejection can easily overcome you as they did Peter. Our only hope is in Peter’s Lord.
Betrayed!-A Sermon for Monday in Holy Week

04/09/22

7 mins

By John T. Pless

Betrayed. It is a word which chills the soul and sickens the stomach. To be betrayed is to have a friend turn on you, treating you as an enemy.
A Little Help from Luther for Holy Week Preachers

04/03/22

11 mins

By John T. Pless

Passion Week preaching is not simply preaching about the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion but to announce to the world how through this single death, sins are answered for, and God is reconciled with humanity.
Preaching Law and Gospel: Repentance and Faith from the Penitential Psalms in Lent

03/13/22

32 mins

By John T. Pless

Luther recognized that in the penitential psalms, God gives us the words to cry out to Him in our distress, lament our sins, and confess trust in the promise of His righteousness in which alone is our sure and certain hope.
Epiphany: The Father Unwraps the Gift of His Son

01/16/22

11 mins

By John T. Pless

Jesus' cross is for dull shepherds and bright magi. It is for the whole world. It is for you.
Holy Scripture for the Advent Preacher: Part 1

12/14/21

21 mins

By John T. Pless

Lutheran theology begins not with God in His terrifying majesty but with God in the flesh, God crucified for sinners. Advent is about this trajectory.
Holy Scripture for the Advent Preacher: Part 2

12/14/21

24 mins

By John T. Pless

The Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles to put God’s Word into human language has guided and guarded their transmission in the course of human history preserving them for the sake of the Gospel.

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