Sermons

We, by faith, are God’s “little children.”

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means!

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.

Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds

the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations

Because we cannot see beyond ourselves, the glory that lies in our future must be revealed to us.

With this parable, Jesus teaches what to expect when the Word of God goes out into this world.

n Baptism, the Lord Jesus Himself washes away our sins, raises us to new life in the faith, and sustains that faith as we journey through this earthly life. This is mercy, not condemnation.

It is the hatred of the world that brings forh the “sword,” not Jesus.

When we can’t find the words to pray as we should, Jesus gives us the perfect prayer. Everything we could ever need in this life is in the Lord’s prayer.

The words “Receive the Holy Spirit” show us that this is indeed a spiritual activity ruled by the Word of forgiveness. As priests of Christ Jesus, we rule by means of grace, mercy, and love.

Sacrifices are good when used according to God’s will. But God rebukes their abuse when our fallen human nature uses sacrifices to appease Him and to earn His blessings. Faith, not sacrifice, obtains the rich blessings of God.

Only God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bring us to everlasting life. God has made His name known to us and He makes himself known in a trinity of persons.

The significance of the “living waters”
is renewal. Spiritual renewal, for they
represent the work of the Holy Spirit.
Recall what Jesus said in the Gospel
Reading, He said, ““If anyone thirsts,
let him come to me and drink… ‘Out of
his heart will flow rivers of living
water.’

Those disciples watched Jesus ascend visibly until He went out of sight in the clouds. Where did He go? He did not merely go to heaven as many do. In heaven this man sat down at the right hand of God. From the right hand of God, Christ Jesus now rules all things. He rules over “angels, authorities, and powers [all which] have been subjected to him. This man governs all things in heaven and on earth.

Christians suffer in many ways for righteousness’ sake, the righteousness of forgiven sin. It is as the Apostle St. Paul says – the Gospel of Christ’s forgiveness is a stumbling block for many and foolishness for others.1 And so, we suffer ridicule, slander, etc. This being the reality Peter urges us to…

Be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks for a reason for
the hope that is in you.

The things which we learn from the Transfiguration confirm our destiny. They guarantee our safety in the arms of God. They create peace in our hearts, and whenever we review the Transfiguration, those events nourish and strengthen that faith and peace.

The good life, that is spiritual life, can be obtained only through Christ Jesus. There is no other door or path under the sun. Many imposters come promising to make life good, but they deliver only destruction. Jesus says, I Am the door. All who hear His voice flee those who would destroy life and they follow Jesus into the truly abundant life.

Jesus says,
“If you forgive the sins of any, they
are forgiven them.”
Jesus is the authority.

The Resurrection of our Lord. The greatest miracle in the bible.