Caught By Jesus

Matthew 10:24-33. We face many challenges as we confess Jesus with our words and actions. But the Father's great care for us gives us courage. So don't compromise your faith, rather couragously confess Christ. Parts: A. Expect cruel opposition. B. Count on the final outcome. Preached on July 17, 2011, for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Our-Father_s-Care-for-Us-Creates-Courageous-Confessing-from-us-Matthew10_24-33.html

Psalm 100:1-5. As we contemplate the goodness of our God, our hearts overflow in thanks, loudly confessing what his love and faithfulness has done for us. Parts: A. His love made us his people. B. His faithfulness keeps us as his sheep. Preached on July 10, 2011, for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Our-Thanks-Loudly-Confesses-the-Goodness-of-our-Lord-Psalm100.html

Jeremiah 29:7, 10-14. How easily we can swing from patriotic fervor on the Fourth of July to despair about our country's future. We find help in this letter the Lord had Jeremiah write to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. We learn why we pray for the country the Lord has placed us in. Parts: A. For he wants to bless you through your country. B. For he has an eternal future planned for you. Preached on July 3, 2011, for Independence Day (Fourth of July), at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Pray-for-the-Country-the-Lord-Has-Placed-You-in-Jeremiah29_7,10-14.html

Matthew 7:15-29. What is truth? As Jesus closes his Sermon on the Mount, he urges us to stand firm in faith that trusts only the truth his word reveals. That's how we practice his truth. Parts: A. Don't believe the false disguises. B. Build your faith and life on the sure foundation. Preached on June 26, 2011, for the Second Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/_Practice-My-Truth_-Matthew7_15-29.html

2 Corinthians 13:14. How greatly the Triune God blesses us! The Apostle Paul reminds us of this as he closes his second letter to the Christians in Corinth. Parts: A. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. B. The love of God. C. The fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Preached on June 19, 2011, for Pentecost 1: The Holy Trinity, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Blessed-with-Grace,-Love,-and-Fellowship-2Corinthians13_14.html

Psalm 51:10-12. Could we call the Holy Spirit our janitor? Consider how he cleaned the mess of sin in David's heart and how he cleans ours. Parts: A. To keep bringing the joy of forgiveness to you. B. To sustain a willing spirit within you. Preached on June 12, 2011, for Pentecost: The Coming of the Holy Spirit, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Holy-Spirit-Cleans-Your-Heart-Psalm51_10-12.html

Acts 1:1-14. Although we see him ascend, yet Jesus is truly with us. Believe the eyewitness testimony of the apostles. Share that testimony as you witness to others with your life and with your words. Parts: A. His apostles testified as eyewitness. B. We also testify because our Savior is with us. Preached on June 5, 2011, for the Seventh Sunday of Easter: The Ascension of our Lord, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Jesus-Leaves-Us-to-Be-with-Us,-so-that-We-Are-His-Witness-Acts1_1-14.html

Genesis 4:1-16. Many know the account of Cain and Abel. But let's not miss the Lord's mercy at work here. For that same mercy calls out to us. Parts: A. Don't abuse his mercy by letting sin crouch at your door. B. Humble yourself before your merciful Lord. Preached on May 29, 2011, for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Lord_s-Mercy-Calls-Out-despite-Cain_s-Refusals-Genesis4_1-16.html

1 Peter 2:4-10. What are you building on? Only Jesus brings life that lasts. He is the one, true, genuine, authentic Living Stone. He alone enables us to be what God wants us to be. For he calls you to be his own. Parts: A. His own livings stones through him alone. B. His own believing people, who hold him most precious. C. His own royal priests to declare his praises. Preached on May 22, 2011, for the Fifth Sunday of Easter: Graduate Sunday, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Living-Stone-Calls-You-to-Be-His-Own-1Peter2_4-10.html

Acts 6:1-9; 7:2, 51-60. What is the full life? Let's learn from what the Scriptures tell us about Stephen. He lived life to the full. Parts: A. Life full of the Holy Spirit. B. Life ready to fall asleep in Jesus. Preached on May 15, 2011, for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http:///hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Stephen-Lived-Life-to-the-Full-Acts6_1-9,7_2,51-60.html

1 Peter 1:17-21. What value God placed on you! He redeemed you with the blood of Christ. What a ransom! How that changes the way we live! Live as his redeemed, ransomed with the blood of Christ. Parts: A. In holy fear. B. In hopeful faith. Preached on May 8, 2011, for the Third Sunday of Easter: Confirmation Sunday, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Live-as-His-Redeemed-1Peter1_17-21.html

John 20:24-31. How often doubts attacks us! Faith fights doubts. God's written word gives faith the certainty and sureness to resist unbelief even though we don't understand God's ways. For the written word brings us our risen Savior. Preached on May 1, 2011, for the Second Sunday of Easter, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/His-Written-Word-Drives-Out-Our-Doubt-John20_24-31.html

Matthew 21:1-11. It all happened just as Jesus had said. What certainty that gives our faith! Hold on to your Redeemer's words; they will not fail you. What Easter joy, for it is just as Jesus said! He has risen indeed! Preached on April 24, 2011, for Easter: The Resurrection of our Lord, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/What-Easter-Joy,-For-It-Is-Just-As-Jesus-Said_-Matthew28_1-10.html

Matthew 21:1-11. How different our King is! Come listen to his gentle invitation. For he carried your burden of guilt in your place. He alone answers our cry: Please, save! Hosanna! Following him isn't a bunch of shoulds and shouldn'ts but joyful service honoring him who alone can save. Parts: Preached on April 17, 2011, for the Sixth Sunday in Lent: Palm Sunday, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Our-Gentle-King-Comes-to-Save-Matthew21_1-11.html

John 11:17-27, 38-44. Jesus came to battle death. That means more for us than just a home in heaven some day. Live each day in his victory with the boldness of faith. Parts: A. The LIFE pursues his mission against death's darkness. B. Our faith boldly lives the LIFE's victory, Jesus' victory. Preached on April 10, 2011, for the Fifth Sunday in Lent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Jesus,-the-LIFE,-Battles-Death-John11_17-27,38-44.html

Hosea 5:15-6:6. God's faithful love draws us to truly confess our guilt and unfaithfulness. Since he has so loved us, let us love him as a bride loves her husband. Parts: A. Not just right words and sacrifices. B. But earnestly seeking to know him and his love more and more. Preached on April 3, 2011, for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/How-the-Lord-Longs-for-Our-Repentant-Faithfulness_--Hosea5_15-6_6.html

John 9:1-7. The clouds of trouble can cast shadows of doubt on our hearts. But see Jesus shining. He has done the saving work the Father sent him to do. He has done it for you. Through his Word and Sacraments he has opened the eyes of your heart that were born blind. Now you see Jesus shine. Parts: A. His light penetrated our hearts. B. His light is reflected in our confession. Preached on March 27, 2011, for the Third Sunday in Lent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Jesus-Shines,-Doing-the-Work-the-Father-Sent-Him-to-Do-John9_1-7.html

Matthew 15:21-28. Christians struggle with the silence of unanswered prayers. How does our faith respond to that silence? Faith begs, clinging to Jesus' words alone. Parts: A. Faith humbly cries out for his mercy. B. Faith confidently rejoices in his crumbs. Preached on March 20, 2011, for the Second Sunday in Lent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN.

Genesis 3:1-15. How far Adam and Eve fell! And all of us with them, for he have inherited their fallen relationship. How faithful our God is! He promised the Offspring of the woman, our Snake-crusher. Parts: A. Satan's lie ruins all. B. The Lord's promise restores us. Preached on March 13, 2011, for the First Sunday in Lent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy available at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Lord_s-Faithfulness-Reverses-Our-Fallen-Relationship-Genesis3_1-15.html

2 Peter 1:16-21. Only the Bible, which is God's sure, inspired Word, convinces us that Jesus is our God and Savior. For the Bible is the word of the Holy Spirit. Only the Bible prepares us to see Jesus in his majesty and glory. Parts: A. It's the eyewitness testimony that the prophecies are fulfilled . B. It's the Word from God the Holy Spirit. C. It alone prepares you to see his majesty on that Day. Preached on March 6, 2011, for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany: The Transfiguration of our Lord, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. Print copy at http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Pay-Attention-to-the-Lamp-until-the-Day-Dawns-2Peter1_16-21.html