Concordia Sermons

As man’s wickedness increases, God’s justice against sin is finally rendered in the form of a flood. But out of disaster emerges a man chosen by God to bring forth a new beginning – Noah. As “new creations” (2 Corinthians 5:17), we too are called to bring forth new beginnings in a world that is filled with sin.

The effects of Adam and Eve’s fall into sin quickly become apparent in the story of Cain and Abel. Hatred and death quickly have their way. But in the face of evil, God both exacts justice and gives grace. He forces Cain to wander the earth, but he also protects Cain’s life even though he has taken his brother’s life.

God’s good creation was quickly corrupted by a bad decision. If Genesis 1 describes the best of times, Genesis 3 ushers in the worst of times and sets up a tension for the rest of the book, for the rest of the Bible, and for all of history. We live in this tension, however, with hope, for God has promised to swallow up the worst of times in His Son.

How did all we see get here? This is the question that Genesis 1 answers. The great promise of this chapter, however, lies not in how everything got here, but in what everything that God created is: it is good.

So often, we think of heaven being a place that is far away. But the story of Jacob's encounter with a ladder that leads to heaven teaches us that heaven is not as far away as we think. Indeed, the promise of Scripture is that, on the Last Day, heaven will come to earth: "I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband' (Revelation 21:2). On Memorial Day weekend, we remember those who have given their lives in service to our country, but we also find our hope in the truth that their heaven is as close as our Savior, who will one day return for all who trust in Him.

When Nineveh repents, Jonah is angry. Jonah does not want God to show his enemies grace. Is there an enemy for whom you do not want God’s grace? God’s grace not only forgives us, it calls us to forgive others.

When Jonah finally makes it to Nineveh, he preaches a terrible sermon. There is no promise of grace. There is no reference to Scripture. There is only a declaration of judgment. But through Jonah’s terrible sermon, God works amazing conversion. Mothers can often feel as though their best efforts are inadequate. On Mother’s Day, we celebrate how even in our inadequacy, God’s faithfulness and work shines through.

When Jonah is in the belly of a big fish, he offers a prayer to God. But even though there are flashes of brilliance in his prayer, Jonah does not seem to understand the mission God has given him and how this mission will call upon him to act selflessly. Do you struggle with praying for what is right when you would rather pray for what is selfish?

Jonah may be running from God, but God is also running after him. God sends a storm after him. Though we may not like to think about it, there is a day of reckoning for sin. But though this day of reckoning may seem difficult, it is for our good.

The story of Jonah opens with the prophet running from God because He has called him to preach to a group of people he hates. Everyone has something that unsettles them. What causes you to run?

When the women go to the tomb on Easter, they are going to take care of Jesus. What they find out, however, is that Jesus already has everything taken care of by His resurrection. What in your life are you trying to – and unable to – take care of? The gospel shows us how Jesus takes care of everything that matters.

It is easy to become turned in ourselves – on our accomplishments, our importance, and our needs. Scripture calls us, however, to humble ourselves – to let go of our pride and get honest about our sin.

This world can be a hostile place for Christians. Yet, we are called to proclaim our faith boldly, even when persecution ensues. Choosing bravery over timidity is not easy, but it does give hope to our world!

There are a whole host of false beliefs into which our world buys. “All faiths lead the same God.” “God would never want me to be unhappy.” “What I desire is who I am.” James says that false teachings are dangerous. In this message, we confront some of our culture’s most prevalent false teachings and deconstruct them with the truth of Scripture.

In a world obsessed with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, it can be tempting to spend our lives on what is trivial rather than on what is meaningful. In a world where trivial information is being fired at us constantly, how can we minimize distractions and wholeheartedly devote ourselves to what really matters?

Everyone lies. Parents. Kids. Bosses. Coworkers. Politicians. It’s become accepted. And yet, as Christians, we are called to tell the truth. In a world where lying is accepted and expected, how can we be truth-tellers, even when telling the truth is difficult?

Paul calls Timothy his son. But He knows that Timothy is only his son in the faith because of the legacy of faith left to Timothy by his mother and grandmother. He encourages Timothy to fan into flame that faith. What legacy are we leaving for our children?

Moses and Aaron disobey God. As a discipline, they are not allowed to bring the children of Israel into the Promised Land. From God’s discipline of Moses, we can learn some lessons about disciplining our own children.

God gives to Abraham and Sarah that which seems impossible – a son. Every family, ultimately, is a gift of grace. God brings men and women together by grace and husbands and wives and God blesses couples with children out of His grace. In this way, we do not choose our family – God does. This is a reflection of the family we are in Christ. God, out of His grace, chooses us to be His children.

We are called to share what God has given us with others. When we share what we have, we not only share of ourselves, we share Christ in our actions!