Grace Lutheran Church Columbus, Indiana

November 19, 2023 -- Rev. Gene Ernst

Sermon notes:   No second chance!   (Matthew 25:1-13) I.     How you welcome Him does not determine your salvation, it ________________ it (vv.2-12; Luke 8:17).  A.  The bridegroom represents Jesus (v.1; Mark 2:18-20; John 3:29; Ephesians 5:25-32).  B.  The __________________________ represent all those who claim Christ as Lord (2 Corinthians 11:2;...

Sermon notes:   Speaking like Jesus (Matthew 23:1-12) I.     The _____________________ were highly regarded as influencers in Jesus’ day (vv.2-3, 6-7; Matthew 5:20; 16:12; Luke 12:1).  A.  They went far beyond God’s Law, and often neglected ________________ (v.4; Matthew 27:4; Luke 18:9-14).  B.  They had come to ________________ the attention their pie...

Sermon notes:   Christ has you covered!   (Revelation 7:9-17) I.     Clothing ____________________:  A.  who you are; B.  how you see yourself.   II.    Clothing was invented ________________. A.  Nakedness and guiltiness require the same solution:  __________________. B.  We cannot _______________ ourselves nor ______...

Sermon notes:   Truth truly frees (John 8:31-32) I.     Verse 32 has been called the most __________ verse in the Bible.   II.    Christ’s audience heard verse 32 as an ____________. A.  Martin Luther defined sin as _______________________. B.  _____________, not Caesar, is the most despotic master.     III.   Freedom...

Sermon notes:   The whole world in His hands (Matthew 22:15-22) I.     God is _____________________________ (v.21). A.  “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (v.21). 1.  Caesar’s things = God’s ______________________ authority (civil government/enforce laws/maintain order). 2.  God’s things = God’s __...

Strange Guests ( a Unique 'Invitation') -- Matthew 22: 1-14 -- Rev. Ben Lorenz

October 8th -- Rev. Louis Vician

The Power of a Sent Life in the Solitude of Faith! -- Ester 4:12-14 -- Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz

Sermon notes:   Equal pay for unequal work: God’s stewardship examined (Matthew 19:29-20:16) I.     Would God’s “payroll practice” be illegal today? A.  The Equal Pay Act (1963). B.  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964). C.  Answer: _____________, but . . . .   II.    The problem is __________________ treatment (v.12).  A. ...

Sermon notes:   Managing God’s mercy  (Matthew 18:21-35) I.     Background. A.  ___________ is the refusal to give what one owes (v.30;  Matthew 6:12; Romans 13:7; 15:27; Ephesians 5:22,25; 6:1-2).  B.  To forgive is to _______________ someone from the retribution and retaliation they deserve (v.27). C.  The immediate context: forgiving person...

Sermon notes:   God’s strange work  (Matthew 16:21-28) I.     Any kingdom without a cross comes from the devil. A.  Saints can become ________________ (v.23a). B.  “Rocks” can become _______________________ (v.23a). C.  The two sources of opposition to God are Satan and ____________ (vv.23-24)! D.  We impose our own ___________________ onto God (v....

What do you think of Jesus?  (The question on which everything else in life depends (Matthew 16:13-20) ) I.     His identity must be _____________________________ (v.17; John 6:44; Small Catechism, Apostles’ Creed, Art. III).   II.    His identity _______________________________. A.  Peter’s (v.18; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 3:10-11; Revelation...

Faith sees past God's "No" all the way to God's "Yes" -- Matthew 15:21-28 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong

" Revelations in the Storm " -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Rev. Ben Lorenz

Sermon notes:   Jesus + nothing = everything (Matthew 14:13-21) I.     The Context: A.  __________________ foreshadows Christ’s passion (v.13a; Matthew 2:1-18), B.  In Matthew, miracles occur only after there is a reference to people __________________ Jesus (v.13b; Matthew 4:25; 8:1,10,23; 9:27; 12:15; 19:2; 20:29,34). C.  Jesus is moved (v.14).   II.&...

Sermon notes:   “Treasured!” (Matthew 13:44-46) I.     Your purchases reveal your ______________.   II.    _________ purchases reveal _______ priorities! A.  ______________ (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6-9; Isaiah 43:3-4).   B.  The Lord reveals Himself as our _____________-redeemer (Genesis 14:1-16; Ruth 3:9; Romans 8:29) . C.  The e...

Sermon notes:   Life is like an unweeded field  (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43) I.     Why the opposition to Jesus? A.  Not all ______________ is good (Matthew 13:4-7).   B.  Not all ______________ is good (v.25). 1.  Darnel is poisonous and resembles wheat. 2.  In literature, it symbolizes subversion and treachery.  C.  “Wherever the...

Sermon notes:   God’s “questionable” kingdom   (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23) I.     The Lord’s illogical generosity (vv.3-7) .   II.    Why are so many rejecting the Word of God?  A.  Christ comes in a Word that is _______________________, in a Word that men can contradict and shout down.  1.  The Word became flesh (John 1:14). 2.&nbs...

Sermon notes:   Rumblings of Judgment Day  (Matthew 11:25-30) I.     The Father’s “gracious” will (v.26): A.  Christ is ______________ from the “wise” (v.25; 1 Corinthians 1:27); B.  Christ is ______________ to “little children” (v.25; 1 Corinthians 1:28-29).   II.    How do we know this is the Father’s will? A.  Jesus alone ________...

Sermon notes:   Seize the cross (Matthew 10:34-42) I.     Christ divides us from _____________ (vv.34-37) A.  Charity begins at home.  So does ________________ for the sake of Christ. 1.  Jesus invades our family space, claiming to be the most important ____________ in our lives! 2.  Jesus brings peace with God, but not all receive His peace.  Oppo...

Sermon notes:   It’s dangerous to believe (Matthew 10:5a, 21-33)   I.     Jesus defines success as ___________________, even in His suffering (v.25).   II.    Your fears have no foundation.   A.  ___________ will not remain hidden (v.26; Luke 8:17).  B.  Men are not worthy of your fear; __________ alone is (v.28; Proverbs 2...

Sermon notes:   Compassion in action (Matthew 9:35-10:20) I.     Israel’s suffering (9:35-38).                                              &nbsp...

Sermon notes:   Sinners need a physician also (Matthew 9:9-13) I.     The healing ministry of Jesus (Matthew 9:1-8) is an illustration of His most important mission—healing ____________ broken by sin (vv.10-12).  A.  Forgiveness matters because of what it accomplishes—the restoration of _________________   (vv.9-12; Luke 15:11-24). B.  It is often those...

Sermon notes:   The whole world in His hands (Matthew 28:16-20) I.     Christians live between ____________ and doubt (v.17; Matthew 14:31).  A.  Jesus ________________our doubts (v.18). B.  Our doubts do not disqualify us from __________________ (v.19).   II.    “________________” is Matthew’s favorite noun to describe Jesus (v.18; Matth...