Caught By Jesus

Matthew 5:38-48. How remarkable is God the Father's love toward you and me! Let's see how that changes our hearts toward others, even towards our enemies. Parts: A. The Father's love for us while we were still his enemies. B. Our love for others while they're still our enemies. Preached on February 20, 2011, for the Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Love-That_s-out-of-This-World-Matthew5_38-48.html

Matthew 5:21-37. Jesus aims at our hearts as he exposes sins of anger, lust, and misusing God's name. Only his righteousness can cover us. And with the new heart his righteousness brings, we cherish genuine righteousness wanting our hearts and lives to match his. Parts: A. A righteousness pure from sinful anger. B. A righteousness pure from sinful lust. C. A righteousness pure from misusing God's name. Preached on February 13, 2011, for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Our-New-Heart-Cherishes-Genuine-Righteousness-Matthew5_21-37.html

Matthew 5:13-20. As Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount, he reminds us of our purpose as Christians and mentions his mission in coming to earth. Parts: A. Because Christ fulfilled his mission. B. In order to carry out my mission. Preached on February 6, 2011, for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Why-Am-I-a-Christian_-Matthew5_13-20.html

Daniel 3:13-27. How tempting to compromise the Christian faith to fit in with the world around us! How do we stand tall, trusting our God, despite the insults and ridicule? Parts: A. Serve him no matter how fearful the threats. B. We serve him trusting his merciful power. Preached on January 30, 2011, for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Serve-Only-the-God-Who-Can-Save-Daniel3_13-27.html

1 John 2:3-11. Our relationship with Jesus changes our relationship with one another. Parts: A. His word of truth calls for a response. B. His love shines out from us onto one another. Preached on January 23, 2011, for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Knowing-Jesus-Moves-Us-to-Love-1John2_3-11.html

Acts 13:38-48. What would it have been like to hear the Apostle Paul preach? Let's join those hearers in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch. Parts: A. A verdict for your faith's joy. B. A verdict that can pass on. Preached on January 16, 2011, for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/In-God_s-Courtroom-You_re-Forgiven-through-Jesus-Acts13_38-48.html

Matthew 3:13-17. What blessings your Baptism brought you! We see these blessings as we contemplate Jesus' Baptism. Parts: A. He carries your guilt. B. You share his status. Preached on January 9, 2011, for the First Sunday after the Epiphany -- The Baptism of our Lord, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Christ_s-Baptism-Is-Yours-Matthew3_13-17.html

Ephesians 1:3-6. As we enter a new year, God's choice from before all years began changes how we make our choices as we live this new year. Parts: A) God chose us in Christ. B) God chose us according to his good will. C) God chose us to live for us glory. Preached on January 2, 2011, for the Second Sunday after Christmas, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/God_s-Choice-Changes-our-Choices-Ephesians1_3-6.html

Galatians 4:5-7. What a marvelous family Jesus was born to bring us into! What a blessing to know God as our Father! Parts: A. Rejoice in your Father's plan. B. Call out by your Father's Spirit. C. Anticipate your Father's inheritance. Preached on December 26, 2010, for the First Sunday after Christmas, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Redeemed-by-the-Son-to-Be-Sons-Galatians4_5-7.html

John 1:1-5, 14, 16-18. Deadness ruled over us. See how the Christmas tree reminds us of him who brought us life and light. Preached on December 24, 2010, for christmas Eve, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy at http:///hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Remember-Him-Who-Is-Your-Life-and-Light-John1_1-5,14,16-18.html

Matthew 11:2-11. Christmas is so much more than a birth, even a miraculous birth. The name Immanuel reveals the mystery of Christmas. Parts: A. Because he's our God in the flesh, born of the virgin. B. Because he is our Jesus, come to save us. Preached on December 19, 2010, for the Fourth Sunday in Advent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at hhtp://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Why-Is-This-Baby-Immanuel_-Matthew1_18-25.html

Matthew 11:2-11. John the Baptist struggled. Was Jesus the One? Jesus leads us into God's Word to heal our hearts that struggle, just as he did for John. Parts: A. He fulfills the prophecies, so that we find healing in the Scriptures. B. He blesses us in his Word, so that we take it to heart. Preached on December 12, 2010, for the Third Sunday in Advent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Jesus-Is-the-One-Matthew11_2-11.html

Matthew 3:1-12. How do we prepare our hearts for Christmas? Let's listen to the messenger God sent to prepare the way. Parts: A. A heart horrified at my sin. B. A heart rejoicing in Christ's kingdom. C. A heart producing real fruit in my life. Preached on December 5, 2010, for the Second Sunday in Advent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Repentance_-It_s-Not-Just-Words_-It_s-a-Complete-Change-of-Heart-Matthew3_1-12.html

Matthew 24:37-44. We don't know when Jesus will return, so how can we be ready? How does the Holy Spirit keep our eyes on Jesus? Parts: A. Beware of the distractions of everyday life. B. Keep focusing on Jesus, no matter how well you know him. C. Guard against spiritually falling asleep. Preached on November 28, 2010, for the First Sunday in Advent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Watch-Continuously,-Ready-for-Jesus-Matthew24_37-44.html

Romans 5:1-5. Even in the midst of suffering we can sing: Now thank we all our God. Let's learn why we can rejoice in suffering. Parts: A. His verdict overrules our guilt. B. His training for us in troubles strengthens our hope. Preached on November 24, 2010, for Thanksgiving Eve, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Now-Thank-We-All-Our-God-Romans5_1-5.html

Revelation 22:1-5. The winter of this world bears down on us. But the scene of the life and light of heaven strengthens and encourages us. Cherish the heavenly scene. Parts: A. A life of radiant pureness. B. A life of resplendent purpose. Preached on November 21, 2010, for End Times: Saint's Triumphant, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print cop at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Life-Flows-from-the-Throne-of-the-Lamb-Revelation22_1-5.html

2 Thessalonians 1:5-10. What encouragement does God's judgment bring to me to live my faith despite the world's opposition? Parts: A. The world opposes your faith. B. God's judgment encourages your faith. Preached on November 7, 2010, for the 2nd Sunday of End Times: Last Judgment, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Face-the-World-Confident-of-God_s-Judgment-2Thessalonians1_5-10.html

Romans 3:19-28. How can I face the righteous Judge? God's convicts me. I'm guilty. But take heart. God has revealed a different righteousness apart from law, the righteousness that's through faith in Christ Jesus. Parts: A. Condemned by your works. B. A different righteousness revealed for you. C. True justice only in Christ's redemption. Preached on October 31, 2010, for the First Sunday of End Times: Reformation, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/You_re-Justified-Only-through-Faith-in-Christ-Alone-Romans3_19-28.html

Luke 18:1-8. The platitude, 'Just keep praying,' seldom helps us in our struggle to persist in prayer. What encourage does the parable of the unjust judge give? Preached on October 24, 2010, for the Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Keep-Praying-for-Justice-against-Your-Adversary-Luke18_1-8.html

Luke 17:11-19. Consider the ten lepers Jesus healed. What can we learn from them? How can we act like the one who returned? Parts: A. With our pleas for mercy. B. With our public thanks. Preached on October 17, 2010, for the Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Faith-Glorifies-Our-Merciful-Lord-Luke17_11-19.html