Concordia Sermons

It is always difficult to share your faith with a family member who does not believe. As we seek to share God’s love with those who we love most, it is not just about our words, but about our lifestyles. 1 Peter 3:1-2 Ephesians 5:21 (NIV) 1 Peter 3:8-9 1 Peter 3:15-16 1 Peter 2:21-22

Matthew, also called Levi, works as a tax collector. Matthew also, after he is called by Jesus, shares Jesus with his fellow tax collectors. How can we share our faith around our office in appropriate ways? 1 Peter 4:8-9 Romans 12:13 Isaiah 58:7 Matthew 25:35-36 Luke 5:27-28 Luke 5:29 Colossians 2:6 Luke 5:30 Luke 5:31-32 James 5:16

When Abram is called by God to go to a place he does not know, he follows God’s prompting, and becomes a blessing to the whole world. God can often call us out of our comfort zones to share Him with people we do not know, but He does know – and love. Luke 22:27 Luke 18:31-33 Luke 10:25 Luke 10:26 Luke 10:27 Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Leviticus 19:18 Luke 10:28-29 Luke 10:34-35 Colossians 4:5-6 1 John 4:19 Luke 16:10 Ephesians 3:20, 21

When Abram is called by God to go to a place he does not know, he follows God’s prompting, and becomes a blessing to the whole world. God can often call us out of our comfort zones to share Him with people we do not know, but He does know – and love. Genesis 12:1-3 Joshua 24:2 Genesis 12:4 Genesis 12:2 Matthew 5:3, 8 Mark 2:15 (ESV) Matthew 23:27 Genesis 12:2 Matthew 5:11

Pastors Tucker and McIntosh answer your faith-related questions! 1. What is Meant by the Resurrection of Our Bodies? 2. What is Double Predestination? 3. Can Anyone Sit in the Front Row of Church? 4. How Do We Hear Jesus's Voice? 5. Can You Explain How the Old Testament is Filled with Harsh Things? 6. What is Jesus's Name? 7. How Can You Believe in Just One God? 8. How Can God Forgive Me if I Can't? 9. Is Confession at Church Enough? 10. Why Did Jesus Say "Tell No One"?

The idea that God would come to earth as a man was not a common Jewish expectation in the first century. Because of this, many Jews missed God’s arrival, simply because they would not look around them to see God’s work in Jesus among them. God is still at work in our world. Do we look around us to see His work?

What in life are you looking for? Fulfillment? Fun? Purpose? Hope? When Jesus’ parents were looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem, they could not find one. Yet, God’s plan was greater than their search. Perhaps God is answering what we’re looking for with something greater than what we’re looking for! Luke 2:7 (NKJV) Luke 2:8-10 (NKJV) Luke 2:10-11 (NKJV) Romans 15:7 (NIV) Luke 2:16 (NIV) Luke 2:19 (NIV)

After Jesus is born, Mary takes the time to reflect on all that has happened to her. Do you ever take the time to look into yourself and reflect on your experiences and how they have affected you and challenged you? Is there any internal struggle you need to confront?

When the shepherds look up to the heavens, they see an angel with good news. So often, we let a slow downward slide happen in our lives as we compromise our values and integrity, or we look only at the next crisis in front of us. At these moments, we need to look up to heaven to hear its message, call, and promises and to put things into perspective. Hebrews 12:2 Luke 2:8-9 Luke 2:10-11 Isaiah 6:5 Luke 2:12 Luke 2:13-15 Ephesians 4:29 Luke 2:8-9 John 1:14

When Gabriel appears to Mary, he turns her whole world upside down. He makes her question what she thought she knew – like the fact that a virgin cannot have a child! What things do we think we know that we too need to take a second look at? Things like: “There’s no way I can take a break.” “There’s no way that I can be generous during the holiday season.” “There’s no way that I can have faith in a God I cannot see.” Taking a look at our presuppositions may just lead to us to look at our lives differently! Hebrews 12:2 Luke 1:26-28 Luke 1:29 Luke 1:30-33 Luke 1:34 Luke 1:35, 37 Luke 1:30 Luke 1:37 2 Kings 5:17-19 Luke 1:32-33

As Christians, we are saved saints! Yet, we still struggle with sin. This is an ongoing tension we have inside of ourselves until we die. Living in this tension requires God’s forgiveness and grace! 1 John 1:5 John 8:12 Matthew 5:14 1 John 1:6-7 1 John 1:8 1 John 1:8-9 Psalm 32:3, 5 1 John 1:7 Matthew 18:15 Matthew 5:25-26 Numbers 5:7 Genesis 9:11 1 John 2:9 1 John 1:9

The kingdom of God came with Christ, but we do not feel or see its full effects. It is here now, but it is not yet fully realized. We see this tension come out especially clearly in the healing stories in the Gospels. Although Jesus heals some people, He does not heal all people. We see some amazing things now, but we are still waiting for the amazing things that are yet to come. Hebrews 11:1 1 Corinthians 1:7 (NIV) John 5:2-3, 5 John 5:6-9 1 Thessalonians 5:17 James 4:2 Galatians 6:2 Revelation 21:1, 3-4 Hebrews 12:1-3

There is a doctrine known as the hypostatic union in Christ. Simply put, there is only one Jesus, but this Jesus has two natures: He is God and He is man. Paul explains this well as he points to Jesus’ human characteristics, like His death on a cross, while also asserting His divinity, saying that the very fullness of God dwells in Christ. Mark 10:14 Matthew 25:40 Matthew 9:24 Colossians 1:15-20 Colossians 1:15 Colossians 1:16 Genesis 1:1 Colossians 1:19 Colossians 1:18 John 6:38 Matthew 28:12-13 1 Corinthians 15:6 Colossians 1:21-22 Hebrews 4:15 John 10:10 NLT Colossians 1:20

The doctrine of the Trinity says that there is only one God, yet He is three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. From the opening pages of Scripture we see all three persons present. God is creating. The Spirit is hovering. And Jesus is the Word who is spoken. Matthew 3:13 Matthew 3:5-8, 11 Matthew 3:14 1 Peter 2:22 Matthew 3:16-17 Matthew 28:19 Genesis 3:5 Philippians 2:3 John 17:21-22

Righteousness doesn’t come from our good works... it comes from Jesus’ work on the cross! Luke 18:9 Luke 18:10 Luke 18:11-12 Luke 18:13 Luke 18:14 Ephesians 2:8 James 2:13 Luke 18:14 John 1:14

Giving is not just about a portion of our lives, but about all of our lives. Jesus gave all of Himself to us. We, now are called to give all of ourselves to others. When we give of what God has given us, the impact on the lives of others can be huge. Acts 3:1-3 Acts 3:4-8 Genesis 32:26-28 Luke 18:3-5 James 4:2 Romans 8:26 Mark 14:27-31

Many people give out of guilt. The apostle Paul says we should give with joy! The only way we can do this is if we first realized just how joyfully generous God has been to us. When we see His joyful generosity, that encourages us to be joyfully generous ourselves. Psalm 116:12b Matthew 10:8 2 Corinthians 9:2-3 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 2 Corinthians 9:6 Malachi 1:8 Malachi 3:10 (NIV) 2 Corinthians 9:7 Matthew 6:21 2 Corinthians 9:8 Luke 6:38

Giving starts with God. He was the first giver in history when He gave Eve to Adam and Adam to Eve. From that original gift, we continually re-gift – we give of what God has first given us. Genesis 2:18-23 Genesis 1:14-17 (ESV) Genesis 1:4 Genesis 1:10 Genesis 1:12 Genesis 1:25 Genesis 1:31 Genesis 2:18 Genesis 2:21-22 Romans 13:7 Proverbs 21:20 (NIV) Deuteronomy 15:11 (ESV) 1 Corinthians 16:1 (NIV) Genesis 1:29 John 3:16 (NIV) Psalm 116:12 Matthew 10:8

Pastors Tucker and McIntosh answer your faith-related questions! 1. Is it a Sin to get a Tattoo? 2. Are Those Who Have Less, Less Blessed by God? 3. Do People Who Don't Believe in Jesus go to Heaven? 4. Is "Oh My God" Taking the Lord's Name in Vain? 5. Do Lutherans Believe in Re-baptism? 6. Can Those Who Commit Suicide go to Heaven?

Pastors Tucker and McIntosh answer your faith-related questions! 1. Do We Still Have to Tithe? 2. How Were People Saved Before Jesus Came? 3. What Does "Accepting Jesus as Your Savior" Mean? 4. How Does God Know Who We're Praying For? 5. What is the Role of Saints According to Lutherans? 6. Is it Crazy to Talk to Souls in Heaven? 7. Is Baptism of the Holy Spirit Different Than Water Baptism? 8. If God Already Knows What We're Thinking Why Should We Pray? 9. We Work and Get Results; Where Does God Come In? 10. If God is in Control, How Can I be Responsible for my Mistakes? 11. How Does the Church or God Support a Political Party that Enacts Laws Against the Bible?