Caught By Jesus

Romans 15:4-13. So much discord among Christians, but Christ unites us. How can we get our hearts more in tune with Christ's unity? Preached on December 8, 2013, for the Second Sunday in Advent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Christ-Unites-Us-Romans15_4-13.html

Genesis 6:9-22. As we watch the water, we imitate Noah's faith. Let's think about what water to watch. Parts: A. Entrusting even the details to our Lord. B. Working faithfully in all he gives you to do. Preached on December 1, 2013, for the First Sunday of Advent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Watch-the-Water-Genesis6_9-22.html

Luke 15:11-32. The world knows only two paths in life. Both lead to hell. How can the Father's love welcome us? Preached on November 27, 2013, for Thanksgiving Eve, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Rejoice-in-the-Father_s-Welcome-Luke15_11-32.html

Genesis 49:8-12. The Lamb who was slain is the Lion of Judah who reigns. What a paradox! And just as it was for Jacob, Judah, and their descendants, so also what a paradox are the lives of each of us who follow this Lion! Preached on November 24, 2013, for The Last Sunday of End Times: Christ the King, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Lion-of-Judah-Reigns-Genesis49_8-12.html

Jeremiah 31:31-34. As faithful servants waiting for your Lord's return, be busy with the work he's given you to do. Pray, holding on to God's truth till the end. Parts: A. Give thanks for God's love. B. Seek the courage to do what's right. C. Plead for our Lord's word to spread. Preached on November 17, 2013, for the Third Sunday of End Times: Saints Triumphant, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Pray,-Holding-On-to-God_s-Truth-Till-the-End-2Thessalonians2_13-3_5.html

Jeremiah 26:1-6. Which direction are you headed in? How the Lord longs for us to be following him and not our own ways! So he calls out to us: Listen and turn before it's too late. Parts: A. How earnestly the Lord calls to you! B. How disastrous to ignore his words! Preached on November 10, 2013, for The Second Sunday of End Times: Last Judgment, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Listen-and-Turn-Before-It_s-Too-Late-Jeremiah26_1-6.html

Jeremiah 31:31-34. The law confronts us with conditions that we're powerless to measure up to. What hope is there? None, if we have to meet any condition at all. But the new covenant in the blood of Christ has no ifs, ands, or buts, - no conditions at all! Parts: A. How unlike the old! B. You have the Lord's word on it. Preached on November 3, 2013, for Reformation Sunday, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-New-Covenant_-No-Ifs,-Ands,-or-Buts-Jeremiah31_31-34.html

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18. How we look at death changes the way we live our lives. Like the Apostle Paul, live ready for your Lord. Parts: A. By striving in your service. B. By resting in his rescue. Preached on October 27, 2013, for the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Live-Ready-for-Your-Lord-2Timothy4_6-8,16-18.html

Daniel 7:13, 14. The victory has been won by none other than our Brother, Jesus Christ, who shares our human nature and yet is God over all. Stand firm with him against all who claim to teach the truth but do not. For the Son of Man reigns in victory. Parts: A. Worship your Brother, who reigns in forever. B. Stand firm with your King, who reigns over all. Preached on October 20, 2013, for the Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Son-of-Man-Reigns-in-Victory-Daniel7_13,14.html

Daniel 7:9, 10. Those who oppose God will not escape. His holy zeal will carry out justice. But what about us? What will Judgment Day bring? Parts: A. He brings sure justice against his adversaries. B. His brings surprising justice for his people. Preached on October 13, 2013, for the Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Ancient-of-Days-Convenes-His-Court-Daniel7_9,10.html

James 1:1-8. Faith looks at trials differently than our fallen minds do. For faith turns to the Lord for endurance and wisdom. Count your trials as opportunities for your faith. Parts: A. Opportunities for your faith to be trained to endure. B. Opportunities for your faith to pray for wisdom. Preached on September 29, 2013, for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Count-Your-Trials-as-Opportunities-for-Your-Faith-James1_1-8.html

Luke 14:25-33. When we count the cost, how could we ever follow Jesus? To follow him means to love him more than we love even our dearest family members. How can we live up to that kind of commitment? We can't. It's impossible for us. Give up on yourself. For when we have given up on ourselves, our hands are empty, ready to receive all that Jesus so freely and generously gives. Preached on September 8, 2013, for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Give-Up-on-Yourself-Luke14_25-33.html

Psalm 43:1-5. We walk in danger throughout this earthly life, but through Jesus we walk in hope as well, praising our God. For Jesus brings us the righteousness that stands before God so that we can praise him now and forever. Why does hope praise our God? Parts: A. Because his truth reveals his justice. B. Because his light leads us to his dwelling place. Preached on August 25, 2013, for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. (Part three of a three part sermon series based on Psalm 42-43: Why Are You Downcast, O My Soul. Hope in God.) Print copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Hope-Praises-our-God-Now-and-Forever-Psalm43_1-5.html

Psalm 42:6-11. As troubles sweep us down the river of life, we call out to the Lord, our God. His love bring us hope that gives him thanks no matter what's around the next bend. Hope calls out to the Lord. Parts: A. Hope pleads: “Why do your waves crash against me?” B. Hope gives thanks, praying: “Your love, O Lord, is my song.” Preached on August 18, 2013, for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. (Part two of a three part sermon series based on Psalm 42-43: Why Are You Downcast, O My Soul. Hope in God.) Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Hope-Calls-Out-to-the-Lord-Psalm42_6-11.html

Psalm 42:1-6a. God can seem so far away. We thirst for him. But the taunt 'Where is your God' drives our soul down all the more. Our hope thirsts for God. Only his word and sacraments satisfy that thirst, for they alone bring us our God. Parts: A. Enduring the taunt of others. B. Remembering the fellowship of God's people around God's word. Preached on August 11, 2013, for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. (Part one of a three part sermon series based on Psalm 42-43: Why Are You Downcast, O My Soul. Hope in God.) Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Hope-Thirsts-for-God-Psalm42_1-6A.html

Colossians 2:6-15. We want to be a positive influence on those around us. So we all the more need to keep walking with Jesus so that the rotting influences of the world don't corrupt us. Keep walking with Jesus. Parts: A. Rooted in the blessings of your Baptism. B. Built up to withstand the world's deceptions. Preached on August 4, 2013, for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Keep-Walking-with-Jesus-Colossians2_6-15.html

Colossians 1:9-14. So much information is at our finger tips today. But do we have any more knowledge? When God's word fills us with true spiritual knowledge, that knowledge changes our lives. Be filled with spiritual knowledge. Parts: A. Knowledge that brings wisdom and understanding. B. Knowledge that give thanks to the Father by the way we live. Preached on July 14, 2013, for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Be-Filled-with-Spiritual-Knowledge-Colossians1_9-14.html

1 Kings 19:14-18. 'Why bother?!' How easily that feeling of frustration and despair can flood over us, just as it did to Elijah! But our Lord assures us, so that our hope is confident that he reigns: Parts: A. He governs the nations. B. He preserves his people, his Church. Preached on June 30, 2013, for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Printable copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Our-Hope-Is-Confident-That-Our-Lord-Reigns-1Kings19_14-18.html

Luke 9:18-24. In the safety of our homes and churches, confessing Jesus isn't too hard. But are we prepared to confess who he is as we go out into the world? Now is the time to prepare ourselves, so that both our words and actions confess who Jesus is. Parts: A. The Christ, whom God sent. B. Your Savior, whom you follow. Preached on June 23, 2013, for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: Graduate Sunday, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Printable copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Confess-Who-Jesus-Is-Luke9_18-24.html

1 Corinthians 6:9-11. How the Lord changed us when he washed us clean in Baptism! Why would we want to return to the mud of unrighteousness and self-righteousness? You were washed clean. Parts: A. Don't forsake the inheritance you were reborn into. B. For in Christ you have a new verdict. Preached on June 16, 2013, for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Printable copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/You-Were-Washed-Clean-1Corinthians6_9-11.html