Caught By Jesus

2 Corinthians 13:5-10. When Christ lives in our hearts, we live differently. Test yourself and see Christ in you. Parts: A. As you do what is good. B. As you work for the truth. C. As you build each other up. Preached on October 19, 2014, for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Test-Yourself-and-See-Christ-in-You-2Corinthians13_5-10.html

Jonah. The book of Jonah lets us see the Lord training Jonah to love the lost by seeing them through the Lord's eyes. Two other short devotions bassed on Matthew 9:35-38 and Romans 1:16. Preached on October 12, 2014, for mission Festival, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/See-the-Lost-through-the-Lord_s-Eyes-Jonah;Matthew9_35-38;Romans1_16.html

Psalm 103:1-22. How greatly the Lord desires to bring his good news of forgiveness deep into our soul! Let his message of forgiveness soak in as it changes you from the inside out. Parts: A. How great our need to ponder his forgiveness! B. How wonderful his pictures are! C. Our praise overflows as his forgiveness soaks in. Preached on October 5, 2014, for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Praise-the-Lord-As-His-Pictures-of-Forgiveness-Soak-In-Psalm103_1-22.html

Exodus 6:2-8. The Lord's faithfulness lifts us up out of despair and gives us the courage to serve. For he is the LORD, the faithful God who keeps his promises. Parts: A. His faithfulness brings hope. B. His faithfulness brings courage. Preached on September 14, 2014, for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-LORD_-Our-Faithful-God-Who-Keeps-His-Promises-Exodus6_2-8.html

Isaiah 56:1, 6-8. Do you feel like an outsider or an insider? The actions of others can leave us feeling excluded. But to the crushed heart comes the good news: The Lord gathers outsiders. Parts: A. How welcomed he wants us to feel! B. How his acceptance changes us! Preached on September 7, 2014, for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Lord-Gathers-Outsiders-Isaiah56_1,6-8.html

Exodus 14:10-31. Has God's help left us? How devastating that thought is! But no matter what trouble is bearing down on you, turn to the Lord. For the Lord's mercy delivers his people. Parts: A. Fear him as his dear child. B. Trust him, for he is your heavenly Father. Preached on August 31, 2014, for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Lord_s-Mighty-Mercy-Delivers-His-People-Exodus14_10-31.html

Matthew 14:13-21. Jesus trains us to trust in him even when we don't think we have the resources. He trains us to trust him even when we don't see the outcome. He trains our trust. Parts: A. To rely on him instead of our own abilities. B. To follow him even when we don’t understand the way. Preached on August 24, 2014, for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Jesus-Trains-Our-Trust-Matthew14_13-21.html

Matthew 13:44-52. So much of what this world offers glitters like great treasure, but only one treasure brings true happiness. God's kingdom is the only treasure worth having. Parts: A. It’s hidden and unique. B. It’s vital and inexhaustible. Preached on August 17, 2014, for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/God_s-Kingdom_-The-Only-Treasure-Worth-Having-Matthew13_44-52.html

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. How long, God? The evils in the world around us move us to ask that question. How long? But the Lord knows what he is doing. So wait for the harvest. Parts: A. God knows how to take care of his field. B. The weeds will burn. C. The wheat will shine. Preached on August 10, 2014, for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Wait-for-the-Harvest-Matthew13_24-30,36-43.html

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23. God's word works. Yet that seed produces different results. Examine your own heart so that you welcome his word with understanding and it produces a harvest. Preached on August 3, 2014, for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/God_s-Word-Produces-a-Harvest.-So-Welcome-It-with-Understanding-Matthew13_1-9,18-23.html

Romans 7:15-25. The sinful nature within us corrupts all that we do. What a struggle! We want to do good but we see our sinful nature corrupting even the best we do. That's the struggle the Christian fights throughout this earthly life. Only Jesus rescues us day after day. Parts: A. We fail to do the good we want. B. Who will rescue us? Preached on July 27, 2014, for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/How-the-Christian-Struggles-on-the-Inside_-Romans7_15-25.html

1 Chronicles 17:16-27. How should we prayer? The Scriptures give us many examples of prayer from the heart of believers. Today we turn to David’s prayer recorded in 1 Chronicles 17. His prayer marvels at the Lord's promise. Parts: A. “Who am I to receive such a promise?” B. “How wonderfully you have redeemed your people!” C. “Do as you promised, O Lord, so that you are glorified.” D. “Your promise has given me the courage to pray.” Preached on July 20, 2014, for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN.

Romans 5:12-15. How great our sin and wretchedness! But how much greater God's grace in Christ is! Oh, how grace overflows! Parts: A. This grace overflowed to all over whom death reigned. B. This grace overflowed only from the one man, Jesus Christ. Preached on July 13, 2014, for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Available in print at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Oh,-How-Grace-Overflows_-Romans5_12-15.html

Romans 5:6-11. God's love brings us real hope, for God's love assures us of salvation. Parts: A. Look at when Christ died for us. B. How could we doubt what his love will do for us. Preached on July 6, 2014, for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecsot (Independence Day), at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Available in print at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/God_s-Love-Assures-Us-of-Salvation-Romans5_6-11.html

1 Kings 22:10-14. How can we know what the truth is? Only God's Word stands firm. Parts: A. Undaunted by lies. B. Undiminished in truth. Preached on June 22, 2014, for the Second Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Available in print at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/God_s-Word-Stands-Firm-1Kings22_10-14.html

Genesis 1:1, 2, 26-28. The Triune God created mankind to have a relationship with him, but our sin destroyed it. Only Jesus could restore it. That's how much God desires fellowship with you. Preached on June 15, 2014, for The Fist Sunday after Pentecost: Holy Trinity, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Available in print at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Created-for-Fellowship-with-God-Genesis1_1,2,26-28.html

Acts 2:1-21. On that day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit began the harvest that goes out into all the world. No longer was the focus only on Israel, but now Jesus pours out his Spirit on all people. Parts: A. All the world is his field. B. The word is his seed. C. He makes it grow. Preached on June 8, 2014, for Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Available in print at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Holy-Spirit-Begins-the-Harvest-Acts2_1-21.html

1 Peter 5:6-11. Do the hardships of life stoop you over? Do the devil's growls disturb you? Watch Jesus ascend and believe that your mighty King strengthens you. Parts: A. To cast all your cares on him. B. To resist the lion. C. To anticipate the glory. Preached on June 1, 2014, for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Available in print at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Your-Mighty-King-Strengthens-You-1Peter5_6-11.html

Acts 17:22-31. The listeners in Athens had no Bible background. But Paul starts where they're at to bring them to where God wants them to be. For God wants all to know him. A. As the Lord of Creation. B. As the Giver of all that’s good. C. As the Savior-judge. Preached on May 25, 2014, for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Available in print at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/God-Wants-All-to-Know-Him-Acts17_22-31.html

John 14:1-6. How fearful to be lost! But look at who not only found you but also will come to take you home to the Father. Parts: A. For Jesus will return, just as he promised. B. Jesus alone is the true way to life with the Father. Preached on May 18, 2014, for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Available in print at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/_I-Will-Bring-You-Home_-John14_1-6.html