Faith Comes By Hearing

In this episode of Faith Comes by Hearing , Dr. Larson explores the Lutheran doctrine of the Two Kingdoms, explaining that Christians live as dual citizens—members of both the earthly kingdom of government, vocations, and ordered society, and the spiritual kingdom of the Word, forgiveness, and the Gospel. Believers have the joy to serve faithfully in the world as ambassadors of Christ while keepin...

1 Corinthians 1:10–18 urges the church to be united in mind and judgment rather than divided by loyalty to pastors or parties. He defines the church not by its building or programs but by the gathering of God’s people around the Word and the Sacraments, confessed clearly through Scripture.   Information about The American Association of Lutheran Churches (TAALC) can be found at www.taalc.org

St. Paul is writing from prison to a beloved church beginning to crack. He addresses selfish ambition and empty glory not with a new demand but with a reminder of what has already been given: encouragement in Christ, comfort in love, and a shared life in the Spirit. For every Christian, it is an invitation to the freedom of true humility, grounded in the mind of Christ, who counted our interests a...

Death will come for every one of us, and the question that follows is as old as the grave itself: what happens then? Pastors hear it often because the heart cannot leave it alone. The world offers guesses, speculations and myth; Scripture offers a promise. In this episode, Dr. Larson traces the sure and certain word of Christ Jesus so that those who believe in His name may face that hour with conf...

God calls His people to refuse bitterness, flattery, and retaliation even when the world answers good with evil. This is not mere moral advice from the Scriptures but the shape of life that flows from Christ Jesus Himself, who embodied non-retaliation all the way to Calvary's Cross and rose again, so that those who lose their life for His sake find it in the One who repaid our evil with with...

In this sequel addressing the theology that the Christian is at the same time Saint and Sinner, Dr. Larson describes the Christian’s lifelong battle with the old Adam- the flesh. The Christian needs to move from self-improvement plans to relying on the promises of Baptism, the work of the Holy Spirit, daily repentance, and Christ Jesus' atoning sacrifice on Calvary's cross. Information a...

In this episode of Faith Comes by Hearing, Dr. Cary Larson contrasts the popular but false “theology of glory," the idea that faithful living obligates God to bless us with success and ease—with the true theology of the cross revealed in Scripture. God meets us not in our achievements but in suffering, Word, and Sacrament and rejecting self-focused religion and trusting the crucified and rise...

1 Peter 2:9–25 proclaims that every believer is part of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation—set apart not by personal perfection but by being clothed in Christ through baptism. The clear teaching of Scripture, distinguishes the priesthood of all believers from the pastoral office of Word and Sacrament, calls us to live as free people who proclaim Christ’s excellencies without fear...

When guilt weighs heavy and the conscience convicts, where do we turn? Not to self-justification. Not to denial. Not to despair. To the cross—and to the clear word of forgiveness spoken in Christ’s name. “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” (Psalm 32). Information about The American Association of Lutheran Churches (TAALC) can be found at www.taalc.org

1 Corinthians 11, proclaims the true bodily presence of Christ Jesus in, with, and under the bread and wine of the Sacrament of the Altar and the means by which forgiveness, life, and salvation are delivered. To receive Christ Jesus in His holy meal strengthens your faith amid spiritual warfare and grants the blessed assurance that nothing can separate you from the love of God. Information about T...

This episode of the Faith Comes by Hearing expounds the Lutheran understanding of baptism drawing on 1 Peter 3, Titus 3, Mark 16, and Romans 6, teaching that baptism delivers the forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and grants eternal life by uniting the baptized with Christ’s death and resurrection. Scripture underscores that salvation is pure gift received in water and Word, no...

In this episode Dr. Larson explores the riches of God's grace, reminding us through Ephesians 2 that we are saved by grace through faith as a free gift in Christ Jesus alone. Join us as we unpack this amazing grace, which is available to all, received by faith, and ours for eternity. Information about The American Association of Lutheran Churches (TAALC) can be found at www.taalc.org

Drawing richly from the Augsburg Confession Article Five -Of the Ministry, the stories of Moses and Peter, and the heart of pastoral vocation, Dr. Larson urges faithful preaching of the Word in season and out, with patience and love, for a church that desperately needs true shepherds. This moving message will inspire pastors, church leaders, and every believer who longs to see Christ at work in of...

In this episode of Faith Comes By Hearing, Dr. Larson explores the Lutheran teaching of simul justus et peccator —that Christians are simultaneously saints and sinners. Drawing from Romans 7, he candidly describes the daily struggle against sin, emphasizing that we cannot free ourselves, but are justified by God’s grace as a gift through faith in Christ’s atoning death and resurrection. Informatio...

This episode of Faith Comes By Hearing returns to the biblical fundamentals: the vital distinction between God’s Law (which shows our sin) and God’s Gospel (which reveals our Savior). No one is saved by following the Law! We are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone, and nothing can separate us from His love.  Information about The American Association of Lutheran Churches (TAALC) can be fo...

This episode explores the most vital question of all: Who is God?  Creation reveals the power of God but only the Holy Scriptures informs us about God, His true name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and His love for you. Scripture calls to move beyond vague ideas to a living faith in the true God who made us, saves us, and sustains us. Information about The American Association of Lutheran Churches (...

In this episode of Faith Comes By Hearing , Rev. Dr. Cary Larson explores Holy Scripture's divine inspiration, inerrancy, and supreme authority, centered fully on Christ Jesus, which encourages us to feast on Scripture as the perfect nourishment for the soul and the sure foundation for faith and life. Information about The American Association of Lutheran Churches (TAALC) can be found at www....

In this special episode of Faith Comes By Hearing, Dr. Larson addresses the Iowa community of Algona on this day that the country honors the fallen. Drawing on the words of Jesus, the Apostle Paul, and Martin Luther's 1526 treatise "Whether Soldiers, Too, Can Be Saved," this address calls us to remember the fallen not merely with sentiment, but with the kind of costly, daily gratitu...

In this special Pentecost episode of Faith Comes By Hearing, Dr. Larson explains why the Holy Spirit is so important in the daily life of every Christian. Discover how the same Spirit who gave the disciples courage and Christ’s peace is still at work today, helping us grow in faith, find courage, and draw closer to Jesus through Baptism, God’s Word, and Holy Communion. Information about The Americ...

In this episode of Faith Comes By Hearing, Dr. Larson reflects on the Ascension of our Lord, an often-overlooked but essential feast day of the church. We explore what it means that Christ Jesus has been exalted to the right hand of the Father while remaining powerfully present with His church through Word and Sacrament until He returns in glory. Information about The American Association of Luthe...

God is near to us. Dr. Cary Larson encourages you to find comfort in the promise that, even when our feelings fail or life feels overwhelming, the Holy Spirit gives us a conviction that is strong and steady, "tempered like fine steel." Through Word and Sacrament, the Holy Spirit helps us trust not in signs, miracles, or emotions, but in the promises that Christ Jesus has saved us from si...

Dr. Larson unpacks Jesus’ explosive claim “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” contrasting Christianity’s bold exclusive truth with the world’s fuzzy “all roads lead to God” illusion in this post-COVID America. Follow the risen Christ with courage through every fear and cultural storm, discover in Him the only path to forgiveness, vibrant life today, and eternal joy in the Father’s house. Info...

Like David before us, we are called to move from a small, restrictive view of Christ to one of awe and devotion, trusting that the Creator of the universe is personally and lovingly concerned with every detail of our lives. Whether life is flourishing or filled with hardship and loss, the Good Shepherd never leaves our side; walking with us through the darkest valleys, laying down His life so that...

Jesus' appearance to two disciples on the road to Emmaus highlights their despair due to misunderstanding Holy Scripture. Jesus clarifies that Old Testament prophecies required the Messiah's suffering for victory over sin. Christ Jesus calls His followers to rely solely upon God's Word and Sacraments for peace and an increased awareness of Christ's presence with his followers e...

Dr. Cary Larson explores the "Office of the Keys," examining how Jesus empowered his disciples to forgive sins through the Holy Spirit. Reflecting on Thomas’s journey from disbelief to a bold confession of faith, true forgiveness and restoration are gifts offered to all who repent through Christ’s enduring grace. Information about The American Association of Lutheran Churches (TAALC) can...