Caught By Jesus

Mark 9:30-37. What does it mean to be first when it comes to Christ's kingdom? Be first A. By pursuing excellence in your Christian life. B. By serving others in Jesus’ name. Preached on September 6, 2015, for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Be-First-Mark9_30-37.html

Mark 8:27-35. Who is Jesus Christ? Parts: A. He is the Cross-bearer. B. He is the Cross-sender. Preached on August 30, 2015, for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Who-Is-Jesus-Christ_-Mark8_27-35.html

Deuteronomy 5:12 and Mark 2:28. What kind of rest does Jesus bring and why do we need it? Parts: A. Rest in Christ’s wounds. B. Rest in Christ’s works. C. Rest in Christ's word. Preached on June 7, 2015, for the Second Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Rest-in-Christ-Deuteronomy5_12AndMark2_28.html

Isaiah 6:1-8. How far beyond us the holy God is! How could we ever enter his presence? Only the Triune God can bring us to himself. We tremble at his holiness. Preached on May 31, 2015, for the Festival of the Holy Trinity, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Tremble-at-God_s-Holiness-Isaiah6_1-8.html

Ezekiel 37:1-14. What a miracle the Holy Spirit has worked in the lives of God's people! He has brought life to our dry bones through the word of the Lord. Parts: A. His word brings the life-giving Spirit. B. His Word raises a vast army. Preached on May 24, 2015, for Pentecost: The Coming of the Holy Spirit, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-LORD_s-Word-Raises-Dry-Bones-Ezekiel37_1-14.html

Ephesians 4:7-16. Does the decline of Christianity trouble you? Is our ascended Lord still blessing his Church? How does our Head build up his body? Parts: A. By giving us those who speak his word. B. By anchoring us in his truth. Preached on May 17, 2015, for the Ascension of our Lord, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Christ-Builds-Up-His-Body-Ephesians4_7-16.html

1 John 4:13-21. How amazing God's love is! It even drives out our fear. Parts: A. So that we have courage to anticipate Judgment Day. B. So that we have courage to love our brothers and sisters. Preached on May 10, 2015, for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/God_s-Love-Drives-Out-Fear-1John4_13-21.html

Proverbs 3:5, 6. What does it mean to lean on the LORD? Parts: A. Let go of your own understanding. B. Know him as your Shepherd. Preached on May 3, 2015, for the Fifth Sunday of Easter: Confirmation, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/_Lean-on-Me_-_-the-LORD-Proverbs3_5,6.html

Acts 20:28-32. What give us true worth and value? Why does God count each of the sheep in his flock as precious? Parts: A. Purchased by his blood. B. Protected by his word. Preached on April 26, 2015, for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/How-Precious-Is-God_s-Flock_-Acts20_28-32.html

Luke 24:36-45. People have so much confidence in things that are uncertain and so little confidence in the One who never fails. How does Jesus cure our doubts? Preached on April 19, 2015, for the Third Sunday of Easter, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Jesus-Cures-Our-Doubts-Luke24_36-45.html

Acts 3:14, 15, 18, 19. How we like to ease our guilt by pretending it's not so bad! But our sin makes us guilty of the worst crime. Only Easter can erase your guilt. Parts: A. Confess the enormity of your sin. B. Believe the astounding plan of God’s grace. Preached on April 12, 2015, for the Second Sunday of Easter, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Easter-Erases-Your-Sins-Acts3_14,15,18,19.html

Isaiah 25:7-9. Many talk about a better place after death, but for most that's a deadly lie. Only Jesus has conquered death. He alone is the Way to a better place. Apart from him there's only hell. But through him we have everlasting victory. For Jesus alone has swallowed up death. Preached on April 5, 2015, for Easter: The Resurrection of our Lord, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Jesus-Has-Swallowed-Up-Death-Isaiah25_7-9.html

Luke 23:32, 33. Two criminals saw Jesus, but only one saw him as his own dear Savior from sin. Only one entered paradise. How do you see Jesus? Preached on April 3, 2015, for Good Friday, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Two-Criminals-Saw-Jesus-Luke23_32,33.html

1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Why does Jesus want us to come to the Lord's Supper often? Preached on April 2, 2015, for Maundy Thursday, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Come-Often-1Corinthians11_23-26.html

Mark 11:9. How blessed did Jesus actually look as he came into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? Would we have shouted out: 'Blessed is he!' Why do we shout that out today? Parts: A. Because he came to Jerusalem to become completely cursed for you. B. Because he comes to your heart to bring every spiritual blessing. Preached on March 29, 2015, for the Sixth Sunday in Lent: Palm Sunday, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Shout-Out_-_Blessed-Is-He__-Mark11_9.html

Hebrews 5:7-9. What did Jesus go through for us? How hard was it for him? We catch a glimpse of his suffering as we listen to him pray in Gethsemane. Then as he calls out from the cross: 'It is finsihed,' we know that he is our perfect Savior. Preached on March 22, 2015, for the Fifth Sunday in Lent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Here_s-the-Perfect-Savior-for-You-Hebrews5_7-9.html

Ephesians 2:4-10. We hear about 'grace' a lot. But do we know grace, truly know it? Do our hearts continuously exclaim: How great God's grace! Parts: A. His grace loves us despite what we were. B. His grace gives us life with Christ. C. His grace provides us with purpose. Preached on March 15, 2015, for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/How-Great-God_s-Grace_-Ephesians2_4-10.html

Exodus 20:1-3. Are the Ten Commandments a burden or a delight? When we rightly understand how much the commandments require, can we rejoice in them? Parts: A. A slave no more! B. A joy to serve! Preached on March 8, 2015, for the Third Sunday in Lent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Rejoice-in-God_s-Commandments-Exodus20_1-3.html

Genesis 28:10-17. What are you holding on to? God trained Jacob to hold on to his promises. He does the same for you and me, as he trains us for our heavenly home. Parts: A. He brings home to us our helplessness. B. He brings home to us his promises. Preached on March 1, 2015, for the Second Sunday in Lent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Lord-Trains-Us-for-Our-Heavenly-Home-Genesis28_10-17.html

Romans 8:31-39. Satan's accusations want to separate us from God. But Christ's love hugs us close. The troubles of life want to tear us away from him. But Christ's love hugs us close. Parts: A. Believe it despite the condemning accusations. B. Believe it despite overwhelming burdens. Preached on February 22, 2015, for the First Sunday in Lent, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Hancock, MN. Written copy available at: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Christ_s-Love-Hugs-Us-Close-Romans8_31-39.html