Concordia Sermons

Jeremiah is commanded by God not to marry or have a family while Israel is living in Babylon. Other Israelites, however, can. For those who are alone during this coronavirus crisis, the feeling of loneliness can be exacerbated. How do we find community in isolation?

At a time when millions are losing their jobs, financial fear is on the rise! Poverty is nothing new. A widow in the town of Zarephath is so poor, she is down to her last meal before she starves to death. How do we trust in God’s provision, even when our resources seem scant?

In a survey from the University of Phoenix, 68% respondents said that they feel as though their lives are out of control because of this COVID-19 crisis. But what feels out of control to us is in Jesus’ perfect control. In John 6, Jesus takes an out-of-control crowd and blesses it. He can take our out-of-control lives and bless us, too.

Paul was a witness to the resurrected Jesus. But he not only saw the living Lord, he also heard about Him from others. He received the message of the resurrection and he passed it on. Even if we do not see the resurrected Jesus with our own eyes, we have still received the witness testimony of others. As John says at the end of His gospel: “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). Is this testimony enough for us to believe?

The seven last words of Jesus from the cross. John 19:14-16a; Luke 23:32-34 Luke 23:35-4 John 19:25-27 Matthew 27:45-46 John 19:28-29 John 19:30 Luke 23:44-46

What begins as an old Passover turns into a new meal. Just as Jesus fed His people with bread and rescued them with blood during the Passover, He still feeds His people with bread and rescues them by His blood, shed on the cross.

The crowd on Palm Sunday was looking for a king. What they got, however, was a servant. Jesus rode into Jerusalem not to rule over the people there, but to give His life for the people there – and all people everywhere.

Fear often arises because we feel as though something or someone is stronger than us and is out to get us. Daniel knows this feeling when he faces his adversaries in the Persian Empire. They want to destroy him, and almost do, when they get him thrown into a lions’ den. But Daniel’s God is stronger than any fear or foe – and He still is!

Peter utters three simple words to Jesus: “Lord, save me!” And Jesus does. When we are afraid and cry out to Jesus, Jesus hears and helps. Instead of worrying because of fear, we are called to pray – to cry out to God – in the midst of our fears.

When the Israelites move into the Promised Land, they fall into such terrible sin that God ultimately destroys their nation and carries them off into exile in Babylon. They feel like they have lost their nation and culture. Do you ever feel like you’re losing your nation and culture? Even if we do lose these things, what things still remain?

This past week was the Jewish festival of Purim, which is based in the book of Esther. Esther’s story is unique in that God is never mentioned in this biblical book. Nevertheless, He is working behind-the-scenes to help and save His people. He is with them. In a time like this, it can feel like God is absent. But He is not. He is working to help and save us. He is with us.

This past week was the Jewish festival of Purim, which is based in the book of Esther. Esther’s story is unique in that God is never mentioned in this biblical book. Nevertheless, He is working behind-the-scenes to help and save His people. He is with them. In a time like this, it can feel like God is absent. But He is not. He is working to help and save us. He is with us.

Struggles in life can quickly melt into the hopelessness of despair. Even the apostle Paul struggled with this feeling. But even in despair, his comfort was in Christ.

Adam and Eve fell into sin. Adam and Eve’s descendants spiraled into even deeper sin. So, God sends a flood to destroy the earth. Yet, in the flood, God rescues Noah and begins again! This flood, according to 1 Peter 3:21, points to baptism, where we begin again, too, after being born into sin.

Give Online Shame makes us want to conceal what we should be willing to reveal. Adam and Eve, when they fall into sin, are immediately ashamed and physically seek to cover ourselves. When we are tempted to hide, we must rest in the reality that we cannot hide from God, for He knows everything about us, and still loves us. Matthew 15:19 Genesis 3:1-6 Genesis 2:16-17 Genesis 3:7 Genesis 3:5 Romans 7:7 Jeremiah 6:15 Genesis 3:7 Genesis 2:25 Genesis 3:7 Genesis 3:8-9 Genesis 3:21 Romans 13:14 1 Corinthians 13:12

When Adam and Eve fall into sin in the Garden, they think this is the end of their relationship with God. Indeed, they even hide from God. But God makes a promise that what they think is the end is only the beginning of His plan of salvation when He says to the serpent who tempted them: And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel” (Genesis 3:15).

Give Online Anger is everywhere! But anger is also dangerous because it leads us to try to solve the problems with face by our own means instead of by God’s guidance. Moses, in his anger, disobeys God and it costs him dearly. What might your anger cost you? Matthew 15:19 Numbers 20:2-4 Numbers 20:6-8 Numbers 20:10 Numbers 20:11 Exodus 17:3-6 James 1:19 Exodus 34:6 Ephesians 4:26-27 Numbers 20:12 Genesis 4:5 Matthew 17:1-4

Packed calendars and piles of responsibilities can cause stressed hearts. The apostle Paul reminds us that even when we can’t change our circumstances, we can change our focus. We can focus on what brings us peace instead of what stresses us out. Philippians 4:4-8 Philippians 4:4 Psalm 30:5 Hebrews 12:2 Philippians 4:5 Matthew 10:17-19 Philippians 4:6 Matthew 26:39 Philippians 4:7 Philippians 4:8

News stories cause it. Politicians peddle in it. There is fear everywhere. When the Israelites wind up surrounded by an enemy force, they are terrified. But the prophet Elisha knows that no matter how much fear there may be around us, we have God with us – and His love can drive out our fear. Matthew 15:19 2 Kings 6:8-10 Deuteronomy 26:5 2 Kings 6:11-12 2 Kings 6:13-15 Deuteronomy 26:5 2 Kings 6:16-17 2 Kings 6:18-21 2 Kings 6:22-23 Proverbs 25:21 2 Kings 6:23 Matthew 26:52-53 Matthew 28:5 1 John 4:18

When writing to the church at Corinth, Paul assumes that there will be unbelievers in their midst and so encourages them to consider them. Do we consider those who have doubts and questions when we are worshiping each weekend? 1 Peter 3:15 1 Peter 3:13-14 1 Peter 4:10-11 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 1 Corinthians 14:23 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 Isaiah 1:16-18 John 4:28-30 1 Corinthians 15:3-4