Caught By Jesus

Matthew 2:1, 2. Epiphany is so easily forgotten. Let's see how a star in the night sky can teach us about Epiphany and remind us of what Jesus came to do for us and for others. Parts: A. It breaks through the darkness. B. It shines for all to see. Preached on January 8, 2012, for the Epiphany of our Lord, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Recognize-the-Epiphany-Star-Matthew2_1,2.html

Acts 4:8-12. How much we needed to be rescued! Only this baby could save us. One week after his birth, as he is circumcised on the eighth day, he is given the name Jesus. Cherish that name. For what joy that name brings as we reflect on how he has helped us through the year now ended! What hope and courage in that name for the year we've entered! Parts: A. Rescued by his blood. B. Blessed by his resurrection. Preached on January 1, 2012, for New Year's Day: The Name of Jesus, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at file:///home/gregg/web/hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Jesus_-The-Only-Name-That-Saves-Acts4_8-12.html

Luke 1:26-38. How astounding the angel's words to Mary! She, a virgin, will give birth to the Son of God. He will reign on David's throne forever. This baby reigns for you. Parts: A. As foretold of old. B. As the Conqueror of all. Preached on December 18, 2011, for the Fourth Sunday in Advent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/This-Baby-Reigns-for-You-Luke1_26-38.html

Isaiah 61:1-3. “Keep Christ in Christmas.” We hear that slogan, but what does it mean? Let's listen as Christ Jesus himself speaks to us in words he had Isaiah, the prophet record. For keeping Christ in Christmas means believing his promise when he declares to you: “I’m anointed for you.” Parts: A. For you, who are the poor, brokenhearted that mourn. B. For you, to whom I bring the good news of liberty and joy. C. For you, whom the Lord has planted for his glory. Preached on December 11, 2011, for the Third Sunday in Advent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Christ-Jesus-Declares_-_I_m-Anointed-for-You_-Isaiah61_1-3.html

Luke 1:11-20. Zechariah was not prepared for the Lord to answer. Are we ready for the Lord to act on his promises? Do you have an Advent heart prepared for Christmas? Parts: A. A heart of prayer. B. A heart of penitence. C. A heart of praise. Preached on December 4, 2011, for the Second Sunday in Advent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/An-Advent-Heart-Is-Prepared-for-Christmas_-Lessons-from-Zechariah-Luke1_11-20.html

Genesis 6:1-3, 5-14a, 17-22. Trying to live our lives on autofocus will always give us the wrong focus. What can we learn from Noah to focus our watching, so that we are ready when Jesus returns? Parts: A. Our times are similar. B. Our faith is the same. Preached on November 27, 2011, for the First Sunday in Advent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Focus-Your-Watching,-Just-As-Noah-Did-Genesis6_1-3,5-14A,17-22.html

Psalm 136:1. 'O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.' We say these words from Psalm 136 so often at meal time. Let's think about them as we ponder what great mercy comes from the Lord, our God. Parts: A. Remember his goodness. B. Proclaim your thankfulness. Preached on November 23, 2011, for Thanksgiving Eve, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Printable copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/What-Mercy-Comes-from-the-LORD,-Our-God_-Psalm136_1.html

Matthew 27:27-31. What splendid pomp and circumstance at royal events! But how different our King! What can we say as we see him bloody and humiliated? What can we say as we behold our King? Parts: A. How grave my sin! B. How grand my ransom! C. How gracious my cross! Preached on November 20, 2011, for the Last Sunday of End Times: Christ the King, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Printable copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Behold-Your-King,-and-Say-_-Matthew27_27-31.html

Matthew 25:1-13. How do we keep genuine faith burning in our hearts so that we are ready for Jesus to return? Let's listen to Jesus' parable of the ten virgins awaiting the bridegroom, so that like the five wise ones we too are ready. Parts: A. How similar the outward appearance! B. How different the final outcomes! Preached on November 13, 2011, for end Times 3: Saints Triumphant, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Printable copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Keep-Genuine-Faith-Burning-Matthew25_1-13.html

Galatians 5:1-6. What chains do you where? The Apostle gives us a surprising answer. But beware of the chains that can look so beautiful, but are just as deadly. Parts: A. Cling to his righteousness in faith. B. Cling to his righteousness alone. Preached on October 30, 2011, for End Times 1: Reformation Sunday, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Printable copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Christ-Has-Set-You-Free,-So-Stand-Firm-Galatians5_1-6.html

Philippians 1:18-27. God's ways are just. Through the justice of the cross, he fervently seeks your salvation. He calls out to you and me: Repent and live. For he takes no pleasure in the death of anyone but rather that we be turned to him. Parts: A. Repentance confesses how just God’s way is. B. Repentance flourishes in a brand new heart. Preached on October 23, 2011, for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Printable copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Repent-and-Live-Ezekiel18_1-4,25-32.html

Philippians 1:18-27. What does it mean to live for Christ, to live in a way that magnifies him? Put into practice those words that the Apostle Paul lived by: For to Me to Live Is Christ Parts: A. Magnify Christ in adversity. B. Magnify Christ in worthy living. Preached on October 16, 2011, for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Printable copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/For-to-Me-to-Live-Is-Christ-Philippians1_18-27.html

Romans 14:5-9. What a motto for us Christians to live by: It's all for our Lord! Let's see how to put that into practice. Parts: A. Do all in thanks that honors him. B. Do all remembering you belong to him. Preached on October 9, 2011, for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Printable copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/It_s-All-for-Our-Lord-Romans14_5-9.html

Deuteronomy 6:4-9. We know how important Jesus' cross is for us. But do we appreciate how beneficial for us the crosses the Lord gives us are? Let's think about that as we contemplate: What if there were no cross .... Parts: A. For Christ?. B. For us?. Preached on September 25, 2011, for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Printable copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/What-if-there-were-no-cross-_-Matthew16_21-26.html

Deuteronomy 6:4-9. You know the One in whom you believe. He is the faithful Lord, your God, who keeps his saving promises. Let that faith show in your life. Wear it on your sleeve, so that your children and their children know how important faith is. Parts: A. In your heart know the One in whom you believe. B. In your lives pass your faith on to the next generation. Preached on September 11, 2011, for Education Sunday, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock (WELS), MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Wear-Your-Faith-on-Your-Sleeve-Deuteronomy6_4-9.html

Matthew 14:22-33. So many things can make our hearts quake. But your Savior comforts you, 'Take courage! I'm here,' he says. Hold on to that promise in faith. Parts: A. Faith's courage overcomes our fears. B. Faith's courage dares whatever our Lord commands. Preached on September 4, 2011, for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/_Take-Courage_-I_m-here_-Matthew14_22-33.html

Isaiah 55:1-5. What an invitation the Lord extends to us! What a feast at no cost! Come, feast on David's covenant. Parts: A. It’s the only food that fills. B. It’s food freely prepared for you. Preached on August 28, 2011, for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Come,-Feast-on-David_s-Covenant-Isaiah55_1-5.html

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all proclaim one and the same Gospel, namely, the Good News of Jesus our Savior from sin and death. Yet each one has a unique style and characteristic. Today we consider how John calls on us to believe the testimony of the Word made flesh. Parts: A. John the Apostle. B. The image of the eagle. Preached on August 14, 2011, for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/John_-Believe-the-Testimony-of-the-Word-made-Flesh-John.html

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all proclaim one and the same Gospel, namely, the Good News of Jesus our Savior from sin and death. Yet each one has a unique style and characteristic. Today we consider how Luke emphases how Jesus came to seek and to save the lost and lowly. Parts: A. Who is Luke?. B. The image of an ox. Preached on August 7, 2011, for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Luke_-Jesus-Came-to-Seek-and-to-Save-the-Lost-and-Lowly-Luke.html

Matthew. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all proclaim one and the same Gospel, namely, the Good News of Jesus our Savior from sin and death. Yet each one has a unique style and characteristic. Today we consider how Matthew emphasizes that Jesus is the Messiah for us all to follow. Parts: A. One Gospel. B. The image of the man. Preached on July 24, 2011, as the first in a four part series ont he Gospels, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Matthew_-Jesus-is-the-Messiah-for-Us-All-to-Follow-Matthew.html