Caught By Jesus

Luke 17:1-10. The power of faith is in the promise. That truth helps us understand Jesus' words so that we learn to rebuke sin and forgive the repentant. Parts: A. The power to spiritual help others. B. The power that does not look inward. Preached on October 10, 2010, for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/What_s-the-Power-of-a-Mustard-Seed-Faith_-Luke17_1-10.html

Luke 16:19-31. The rich man and Lazarus had quite different lives and quite different deaths. What does this teach us about where to look for happiness? Parts: A. Beware the alternative. B. Find comfort in the promise. Preached on October 3, 2010, for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Angels-Carried-Him-to-Abraham_s-Side-Luke16_19-31.html

Luke 16:1-13. What's Jesus teaching us in the story of the dishonest manage? How do we use earthly wealth to gain friends? How can we be faithful with what God has entrusted to us? Preached on September 26, 2010, for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Manage-the-Earthly-with-Your-Eyes-on-Eternity-Luke16_1-13.html

Judges 7:1-8. Like he did for Gideon, the Lord often places us in situations that seem impossible. He trains us to give up on our own strength and trust in him alone, relying only on his promises, so that the credit goes to God. Preached on September 19, 2010, for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Credit-Goes-to-God-Judges7_1-8.html

Proverbs 9:8-12. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. What is the fear of the Lord? How does this play out in my life? Let's meditate on these words from Proverbs. Parts: A. Humbly receive the Lord's correction. B. Continue growing in wisdom all your life. Preached on September 12, 2010, for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Wisdom-Learns-in-Reverent-Fear-Proverbs9_8-12.html

Judges 6:3, 5, 11-16, 34-40. The Lord took timid Gideon and trained him to trust. How does the Lord train us to trust? Parts: A. He chooses the timid. B. He trains us with his promises. Preached on August 29, 2010, for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Lord-Trains-the-Timid-to-Trust-Judges6_3,5,11-16,34-40.html

Hebrews 12:4-13. Often we don't understand God's discipline. But take heart and struggle on. He is bringing you up as his dear child and has a wonderful goal in mind for you. Parts: A. His discipline reminds us of who we are. B. His discipline encourages us to struggle on. Preached on August 22, 2010, for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Our-Father_s-Discipline-Achieves-Eternal-Good-Hebrews12_4-13.html

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16. What alone gives your faith true certainty and real sureness? The Scriptures answer that question and hold before us the promise of a heavenly fatherland. What a hope for our faith to hold on to! Parts: A. God's word of promise does not fail. B. Our fatherland is ready. Preached on August 15, 2010, for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Faith-Awaits-With-Certainty-Hebrews11_1-3,8-16.html

Luke 12:13-21. Jesus' exposes the greed in our hearts. Only he can bring us the real riches that last, our heavenly inheritance. Parts: A. Greed robs you. B. Only God's barn endures. Preached on August 8, 2010, for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Enrich-your-Life-in-God-Luke12_13-21.html

Luke 11:1-13. How dare we call the holy God, Father! But that's what Jesus teaches us to do. Let's see why we can pray as a child calling out to our dear Father. Parts: A. Pray without embarrassment. B. Pray expecting the best. Preached on August 1, 2010, for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Pray-as-a-Child,-Calling-Out-to-Your-Dear-Father-Luke11_1-13.html

Colossians 1:21-23. Enemies of God. That's what we once were. How could justice be satisfied to reconcile us to God? How can we keep our new relationship with him? Parts: A. How severe our alienation was!. B. How costly his sacrifice!. C. How vital to stand firm on the Gospel!. Preached on July 25, 2010, for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Christ-Reconciled-You-to-Present-You-As-Holy-Colossians1_21-23.html

Luke 10:25-37. Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan exposes how much we have failed to love our neighbors, but Jesus' didn't fail. Only his perfect love can cover our failures and save us. Parts: A. I'm unable to justify myself. B. I've failed to love my enemy, but Jesus didn't. C. I've failed in sacrificial love, but Jesus didn't. D. I've failed in tireless love, but Jesus didn't. Preached on July 18, 2010, for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Have-I-Loved-My-Neighbor-As-Myself_-Luke10_25-37.html

Psalm 27:1, 13, 14. Waiting breeds impatience, worry, and even anger in us. How can we wait patiently? Take to heart these pictures from Psalm 27 that strengthen our hope in the Lord so that we can wait.Preached on July 14, 2010, for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN.

Luke 9:18-24. Wear the label 'Loser' proudly, when it comes by confessing Jesus and following him as you deny yourself and take up your cross. Parts: A. By confessing him with your words. B. By following him in your life. Preached on June 27, 2010, for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Be-a-Loser-for-Christ-Luke9_18-24.html

Revelation 5:1-6a. As John is shown heaven's throne, he sees the Lion of Judah as the slaughtered Lamb taking the scroll. How this truth drives out our worry! Parts: A. He is the slaughtered Lamb. B. He is the universal King. Preached on June 20, 2010, for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Lion-of-Judah-Reigns_-Revelation5_1-6A.html

Genesis 18:16-33. How can we call on the the Lord (Adonai) who reigns over all? Abraham teaches us about persistence in prayer. Parts: A. For he rules over all with justice. B. For he has redeemed you, his people. Preached on June 13, 2010, for the Third Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Plead-with-the-Lord,-Adonai-______,-with-Humble-Persistence-Genesis18_16-33.html

Genesis 17:1-5. All human strength fades, but our God is אל שדי, God Almighty. What hope and strength that name brings to us, just as it did to Abraham! Parts: A. A name that can terrify. B. A name that gives hope because of the covenant. C. A name that strengths us to live for him. Preached on June 6, 2010, for the Second Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/El-Shaddai-___-____-Can-Do-Anything-Genesis17_1-5.html

Numbers 6:22-27. In a world of broken promises, there's only one name for you to trust no matter what. The Lord (יהוה), our Triune God, is gracious and faithful. Parts: A. His name guarantees his blessing. B. Their actions fulfill it. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Yahweh_s-______-Blessing-Never-Breaks-Number6_22-27.html

Genesis 11:1-9. Where do you lie on the line between optimism and pessimism? What is the right balance? Let's see what we learn from the tower of Babel. Parts: A. The human spirit triumphs. Not! B. Like at Babel, so still today. C. The Holy Spirit centers us on Jesus and his cross. Preached on May 23, 2010, for Pentecost: The Coming of the Holy Spirit, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN." Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Human-Spirit-Fails,-But-the-Holy-Spirit-Prevails-Genesis11_1-9.html

Luke 24:44-53. Where are you headed? That's not only a question for high school seniors, but for each one of us. Parts: A. Only faith in Jesus' words leads heavenward. B. This faith confesses Jesus crucified and risen. C. This faith is a living, busy, active, powerful thing in us. Preached on May 16, 2010, for the Ascension of Our Lord - Graduate Sunday, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Jesus-Leads-Us-Heavenward-Luke24_44-53.html