Caught By Jesus

Ephesians 1:3-14. So often we get caught up in working for things in this life and forget about what's truly good for our souls. Even the good things of this world eventually spoils. But Jesus points us to the approved soul food. Parts: A. Feast on the genuine food. B. Believe the heavenly seal. Preached on August 12, 2012, for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Approved-Soul-Food-John6_24-35.html

Ephesians 1:3-14. We make our choices based on the pros and cons of what we're choosing. How different God's choice is! He chose you not by looking at you but by looking at Christ. He elected you in Christ. Parts: A. Why did God choose me? -- It's all about Jesus. B. How do I know whether God chose me? Preached on July 22, 2012, for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/God-Elected-You-in-Christ-Ephesians1_3-14Niv84.html

Mark 4:35-41. All kinds of storms can strike us. But Jesus knows, first hand, what we go through. Go to him in prayer. Trust him rather than your own ability or the resources of others. For he is the mighty God and he cares for you. Pray: Jesus, save me from the storm. Preached on July 1, 2012, for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Printable copy a http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/_Jesus,-Save-Me-from-the-Storm_-Mark4_35-41.html

Colossians 1:3-8. When we picture God work in us as a plant growing, we see many spiritual blessings to give thank to the Father for. Parts: A. Epaphras. B. The Gospel. C. Faith, love, hope. Preached on June 24, 2012, for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Printable copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Give-Thanks-for-the-Father_s-Spiritual-Blessings-Colossians1_3-8.html

Revelation 20:1-6. Although many have misused the book of Revelation, the images Jesus gave John to record for us bring us comfort when we understand them correctly. Let's look passed the misinterpretations and see the pictures of comfort that come from Christ's triumph. Parts: A. Scripture interprets Scripture. B. Satan is restrained. C. Christ’s people reign. Preached on June 17, 2012, for the Third Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Printable copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Pictures-of-Comfort-because-of-Christ_s-Triumph-Revelation20_1-6.html

2 Corinthians 4:5-12. How frail and breakable our earthly life is! But the treasure of Jesus shatters our darkness and brings light to others through our struggles. Parts: A. A treasure that shatters our darkness. B. A treasure that enlightens others. Preached on June 10, 2012, for the Second Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Printable copy available at: http://Our-Lord_s-Treasure-Shines-Out-Through-Our-Struggles-2Corinthians4_5-12.html

John 3:1-17. Let's listen as Nicodemus shares with us how a visit with Jesus changed his life. Preached on June 3, 2012, for Pentecost 1: The Holy Trinity, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Printable copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/A-Night-That-Changed-My-Life-John3_1-17.html

John 15:9-17. Your Friend, your dearest Friend says to you: Love each other, as I have loved you. Let's take these words of Jesus to heart and put them into practice. For Jeus is: A. The Friend who laid down his life for you. B. The Friend Who Made the Fatherâs Plan Known to You. Preached on May 13, 2012, for the Sixth Sunday of Easter: Mother's Day, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Printable copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Love-Each-Other-Because-Jesus-Is-Your-Friend-John15_9-17.html

John 10:11-18. Jesus is no ordinary shepherd. He laid down his life for his sheep. See how much he cares. But what good is a dead shepherd? Parts: A. Better than a hireling. B. Better for all the sheep. C. Better because he lives. Preached on April 29, 2012, for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/What-Good-Is-a-Dead-Shepherd_-John10_11-18.html

John 20:19-23. 'No Jesus. No peace. Know Jesus. Know peace.' Might that pique someone's curiosity? How would you answer their questions, so that they come to know that only Jesus brings Easter peace? Parts: A. Who is Jesus?. B. What is this peace?. C. How can I know him?. Preached on April 15, 2012, for the Second Sunday of Easter, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Only-Jesus-Brings-Easter-Peace-John20_19-23.html

Luke 24:44-48. Jesus' Easter resurrection shattered the gloom of Good Friday. His life-giving light penetrated the darkness of our hearts giving us mission in life. How does he enable us to carry out the mission? What exactly is that mission? Let's think about those questions as Jesus sends out his disicples and us on our Easter mission. Parts: A. By opening our minds to understand his written word. B. To herald his words of repentance and forgiveness. Preached on April 22, 2012, for the Third Sunday of Easter, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Printable copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Jesus-Sends-Us-out-on-Our-Easter-Mission-Luke24_44-48.html

1 Corinthians 15:54-58. Death still comes, but it's sting is gone. For Jesus has risen. Preached on April 8, 2012, for Easter: The Resurrection of Our Lord, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Stinger_s-Gone_-1Corinthians15_54-58.html

Philippians 2:5-8. We can so easily take Christ's obedience for granted. But as we take time to contemplate his obedience, our love for what he did for us grows and that love moves us to imitate his attitude of humbleness. So contemplate Christ's obedience. Parts: A. Consider the heights which he came from. B. Consider the depths he went to. C. Consider how to imitate him. Preached on April 1, 2012, for the Sixth Sunday in Lent: Palm Sunday, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Contemplate-Christ_s-Obedience-Philippians2_5-8.html

Psalm 25:6-15. How great our sins! But the Lord's mercy is greater. Forgiven by God, we now want to walk according to his will, following his commands. Our forgiveness and our obedience depend on his mercy, so we pray: Remember your mercy, O Lord. Parts: A. For my sins are great, but your goodness is greater. B. For I want to walk with you in godly fear. Preached on March 18, 2012, for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Part two of a three part series. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Remember-Your-Mercy,-O-Lord-Psalm25_6-15.html

Psalm 25:1-5. Psalm 25 comes from deep within David's heart. Yet these are also words the Holy Spirit himself gave David to prayer. O what we can learn for our prayer life as we engrave these words on our heart! This begins a three week series on Psalm 25: Our Heartfelt Prayer. Today we pray with David: My Hope Waits for You, O My God. Parts: A. I lift up my soul to you in trust. B. Teach me your truth, O Savior. Preached on March 11, 2012, for the Third Sunday in Lent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/My-Hope-Waits-for-You,-O-My-God-Psalm25_1-5.html

Mark 8:31-38. Jesus promises his followers a cross. That doesn't sound like a blessing. But oh, how our crosses drive us to Christ as we deny our own power! So take up your cross. Parts: A. By denying yourself. B. So that you’re driven to Christ’s cross. Preached on March 4, 2012, for the Second Sunday in Lent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Take-Up-Your-Cross_-Mark8_31-38.html

Mark 1:12-15. The precious Gospel of Jesus Christ has brought us into the magnificent kingdom of our Lord and keeps us with him. God's kingdom is all about the Gospel. Parts: A. Penetrating our hearts. B. Protecting your soul. Preached on February 26, 2012, for the First Sunday in Lent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Kingdom-of-God_-It_s-All-about-the-Gospel-Mark1_12-15.html

Mark 1:40-42. May the Holy Spirit move our hearts with God’s promises so that in faith we plead with Jesus for all our needs, just as the man with leprosy did. Parts: A. Humbly submitting to his will. B. Firmly trusting his compassion. Preached on February 12, 2012, for the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Faith-Pleads-with-Jesus-for-All-Our-Needs-Mark1_40-42.html

Jonah 3:1-5,10. What comes to mind when you hear about Jonah? We have much more to ponder than we might have thought at first. For through Jonah we see the Lord's compassion again and again as he calls out. Parts: A. Hear his loving warning. B. Repent with your eyes on Jesus. C. Echo his call to others. Preached on February 5, 2012, for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Our-God-Calls-Out-with-Compassion-Jonah3_1-5,10.html

1 Samuel 3:1-10. The Lord called out to young Samuel. How does our Lord speak to us? What does he say? How do we listen as a servant? Parts: A. Listen first before busyness. B. Listen with willing readiness. Preached on January 22, 2012, for the Second Sunday after Epiphany, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Listen-as-a-Servant-1Samuel3_1-10.html