Caught By Jesus

Psalm 148:1-14. What does it mean to praise the LORD and shout 'Hallelujah'? The reasons behind this praise tell us both why we praise the Lord (our motivation) and what we praise him for (the content). Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Parts: A. Who has created us. B. Who has raised up our Horn. Preached on February 15, 2015, for the Transfiguration of our Lord: The Last Sunday after Epiphany, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Hallelujah_-Praise-the-Lord_-Psalm148_1-14.html

Romans 8:28-30. God works all things for good. So often when we need that promise the most, those words sound empty. How can we live confident of this truth? God weaves together all things for good. Parts: A. For those who love him. B. To bring his people into glory. Preached on February 8, 2015, for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/God-Weaves-Together-All-Things-for-Good-Romans8_28-30.html

1 Corinthians 8:1-13. Knowledge of God's truth is good, important, and vital. But trying to use that knowledge without love is deadly. Love builds up. Parts: A. Love knows the true God. B. Love places others before our own rights. C. Love sees others as Christ sees them. Preached on February 1, 2015, for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Love-Builds-Up-1Corinthians8_1-13.html

Mark 1:14-20. What kind of fishing does Jesus call us to do? Not with bait and hook, but with a net, the gospel net. This good news of the kingdom draws people to Jesus. Parts: A. Believe the Good News with a repentant heart. B. Share the Good News to bring others near to Jesus. Preached on January 25, 2015, for the Third Sunday after Epiphany, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Good-News-of-the-Kingdom-Draws-People-to-Jesus-Mark1_14-20.html

John 1:43-51. What joy we see in Philip and Nathanael when they first meet Jesus! How can we recapture genuine joy in Jesus? Parts: A. Separation? B. Contemplation. Preached on January 18, 2015, for the Second Sunday after Epiphany, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Recapture-Genuine-Joy-in-Jesus-John1_43-51.html

Mark 1:4-11. Jesus substituted himself for us. Do we value just how much those words say? Let's revisit Jesus' baptism to see what it means that he is our Substitute and also to see the power our own baptism brings us as we face temptations. Parts: A. He came in for all sinners, even the worst. B. He makes us winners against the Adversary. Preached on January 11, 2015, for the First Sunday after Epiphany: The Baptism of our Lord, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Best-Substitute-Ever-Mark1_4-11.html

Matthew 2:1-12. Even the most familiar events from the Bible have much to teach us, if we take them to heart and practice them in our lives. What about the Magi? What wisdom can we learn from those wise men? Parts: A. Wisdom that confronts us. B. Wisdom that comforts us. C. Wisdom that compels us. Preached on January 4, 2015, for the Epiphany of our Lord, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Learn-Wisdom-from-the-Wise-Men-Matthew2_1-12.html

Psalm 111:1-10. What's on your new year's list? One word can summarize our goal and purpose in the year ahead as well as our greatest accomplishment of the past. That word directs us to praise the works of the Lord. Parts: A. By remembering what he's done. B. By following his precepts. Preached on December 28, 2014, for the First Sunday after Christmas, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Praise-the-Works-of-the-Lord-Psalm111_1-10.html

Genesis 3:17-20. Christmas takes us back to the beginning. For Christ came to undo the curse of sin that entered the world through Adam and Eve. Preached on December 25, 2014, for Christmas Day: Nine Lessons and Carols, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Curse-Is-Undone_-Genesis3_17-20.html

Luke 2:11. Does Xmas ex Christ out of Christmas? Or is there more too it? Preached on December 24, 2014, for Christmas Eve, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Xmas-Luke2_11.html

2 Samuel 7:8-16. So many things can keep us busy. Busyness can be good. Yet busyness can distract us from what God has done for us. Christmas is not about our doing, but about what God's love has done for us. Because of his love, our King stooped to our lowliness to build us into his temple. Marvel at the wonders of your King's love. Preached on December 21, 2014, for the Fourth Sunday in Advent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Marvel-at-the-Wonders-of-Your-King_s-Love-2Samuel7_8-16.html

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. What would be on God's Christmas list? He wants us to have joy, the joy that is found only in Christ Jesus. God's Christmas List: He Want You to Have Joy in Christ Jesus. Parts: A. As you pray continually. B. As you give thanks in all circumstances. Preached on December 14, 2014, for the Third Sunday in Advent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/God_s-Christmas-List_-He-Wants-You-to-Have-Joy-in-Christ-Jesus-1Thessalonians5_16-18.html

Isaiah 40:1-11. The word of our God brings comfort to our hearts so that we can speak these words of comfort to others. Parts: A. The Hero has come to end our hard service. B. He has paid for our sins. C. He shepherds us into doubly rich pastures. Preached on December 7, 2014, for the Second Sunday in Advent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Speak-Comfort-Isaiah40_1-11.html

Isaiah 63:16b, 17; 64:1-8. Why doesn't God just end it all? That cry of despair becomes very different as we keep our focus on Jesus and pray: Rend the heavens, O Lord! Parts: A. For you are our Redeemer. B. For you are our Hope. Preached on November 30, 2014, for the First Sunday in Advent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Rend-the-Heavens,-O-Lord-Isaiah63_16B,17;64_1-8.html

Matthew 6:9. What a marvel that Jesus teaches us to address the almighty, holy God as Father! How this moves our hearts to pray! Parts: A. Because of his compassionate love. B. Because of his heavenly power. Preached on November 26, 2014, for Thanksgiving Eve, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Thankful-Hearts-Pray-to-Our-Father-Matthew6_9.html

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 23, 24. Jesus, our divine King, shepherds us. Parts: A. With his searching love. B. With his lavish love. Preached on November 23, 2014, for the Last Sunday of End Times: Christ the King, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Jesus,-Our-Divine-King,-Shepherds-Us-Ezekiel34_11-16,23,24.html

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Christians do grieve. But there's something different about the grief and mourning that happens at the death of a faithful Christian. Why? Parts: A. Christ Jesus our Lord has died and risen. B. Christ Jesus our Lord will come again. Preached on November 16, 2014, for the Third Sunday of End Times: Saints Triumphant, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Why-Is-Christian-Mourning-Different_-1Thessalonians4_13-18.html

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. What did God do to bring us out of the darkness, so that in Christ we are now children of light? How does that change our view of Judgment Day and affect the way we live until then? Parts: A. In Christ, stand ready for Judgment Day. B. In Christ, stand alert every day armored with faith, love, and hope. Preached on November 9, 2014, for the Second Sunday of End Times: Last Judgment, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Dear-Christian,-You-Are-Now-a-Child-of-Light-1Thessalonians5_1-11.html

Matthew 10:16-23. We face the temptation to hide our faith so that we avoid the world's ridicule, but Jesus' words embolden us to be his witnesses. Parts: A. He takes the responsibility. B. He sends us the Spirit of our Father. C. He saves all who stand firm. Preached on November 2, 2014, for First Sunday of End Times: Reformation, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Jesus_-Words-Embolden-Us-To-Be-His-Witnesses-Matthew10_16-23.html

Matthew 21:33-43. God is love. God will judge. How can those two fit together? Jesus' parable of the vineyard brings them both into full view, showing that the Lord's love endures even in judgment. Parts: A. How extraordinary his love is! B. How worthy of our fruit his love is! Preached on October 26, 2014, for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Lord_s-Love-Endures-Even-in-Judgment-Matthew21_33-43.html