Living in Grace

What kind of "Jesus" is the world looking for? One that is going to make their life here on earth better with less problems and fill it with more good things? Is that the kind of "Jesus" you're also looking for? The blessed truth is that the real Jesus is not maybe what many want, but he's what we all need. This sermon based on John 12:20-33 was preached on the Fifth Sunday in Lent, March 21, 2021...

Why would God be so faithful to such an unfaithful people like the Israelites? Maybe a better question is, why would God be so faithful to such an unfaithful people like us? Because he's gracious, merciful, and desires that we reach the Promised Land of heaven. And he supplies every need along the way, including full and free forgiveness through Jesus for all our unfaithfulness. This sermon based...

Jesus cleansed the temple of all the filth that didn't belong there. We need Jesus to cleanse the temple of our bodies of all of their filth too and drive from our heart all that keeps up from true worship and total commitment to him. This sermon based on John 2:13-22 was preached on the Third Sunday in Lent, March 7, 2021, for a sermon series called "The Heart Matters."

The struggle with temptation is an every day battle that you know all too well, don't you? You often feel so weak and helpless to overcome those relentless attacks of Satan. But when you despair of your own efforts and look to our Savior and Substitute, there alone can you find not only forgiveness for your failings, but also strength for the struggle in the One who has overcome all sin and tempta...

We have experienced God's grace. We know the peace of forgiveness. We know of a loving God who is with us through this life. We have confidence for life after the grave. But so many in our world don't. We have the amazing privilege to share the grace of God that we are blessed to know. This sermon based on 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 was preached on February 14, 2021, The Transfiguration of our Lord, and...

What if your struggles in life had a silver lining? What if the trouble you went through in life was really for the benefit of others? How would that change your perspective of your struggles in this life? This sermon based on 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 was preached on February 7, 2021 and is the third in a four week series called "Reset."

We seek after all sorts of knowledge and wisdom in this world, much of which is useless, and at best, temporary. But God has a wisdom he desires for us to have and that he freely gives through his Spirit. As Christians, we hunger for this divine wisdom, for there we gain the mind of Christ. This sermon based on 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 was preached on January 31, 2021 and is the second in a four week...

It's important to regularly review the fundamentals in anything you do in life. And because the world and our sinful flesh continually are telling us that we have to make ourselves right with God and that life is about living for yourself, we need to be reminded of the fundamentals of Christianity too:  that we are right with God only by his grace, and, our lives in this world are not about u...

It's not opinion. It's not political. It's biblical. God's Word is very clear: life is his to give and his to end. Every life is valuable to God, and so every life is valuable to us. This sermon based on John 10:10b was preached on January 17, 2021, for Sanctity of Life Sunday. 

In your Baptism, you are united with Christ. Through him, the Father can proclaim about you that you are his dear child, you are loved, through Christ, with you he is well pleased! This sermon based on Mark 1:4-11 was preached on the Baptism of Our Lord, January 10, 2021, for the final sermon in a series called "God With Us."

The Magi were led by the light of the star to see Jesus. We are led by the light of the Word to see the star of our heart and life and eternity: Jesus. We long to follow that star of Jesus every day this New Year. This sermon based on Matthew 2:1-12 was preached on the Festival of the Epiphany of Our Lord, January 3, 2021.

As we go through this life, we want to know God is with us and that he cares for us. Christmas is our proof that is absolutely true. This sermon based on John 1:14 was preached on the Festival of the Nativity, December 25, 2020.

We hear God's promises. We know them. We even believe them. But like Mary asking the angel, we often say, "But how will this be?" The "how" we may not know. But the faithfulness and love of our Savior God assures us that not one word of his will fail. And so we pray along with Mary, "May your word to me be fulfilled!" This sermon based on Luke 1:26-38 was preached on the Fourth Sunday in Advent, D...

What's distracting you this time of year? All the preparations for the holidays? Or is it something deeper, like worry, materialism, or bitterness and anger? Whatever is distracting you, it's time to refocus on your Savior who came, and still comes through his Means of Grace, to give you blessings of peace, life and joy that only he can give. This sermon based on John 1:6-8, 19-28 was preached on...

Are you all prepared for Christmas yet? Not with all the outward preparations, but with inward preparation. This time is to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus and focus on WHO Christmas is really all about. This sermon was preached on the Second Sunday in Advent, December 6, 2020, for a sermon series called "Joyful Hope."

More important than being ready to celebrate again Jesus' first coming at Christmas is being ready for his second coming. Are you ready for that day? This sermon was preached on the First Sunday in Advent, November 29, 2020, for a sermon series called "Joyful Hope."

Even in a year like 2020, we have much to give thanks for. Our God meets all our needs for this life and the next. In this sermon for Thanksgiving based on Psalm 100 we are reminded that the LORD is good and so it is good to give thanks.

We have to deal with death and it's effects everyday. And death does not discriminate - every person is affected by it. We grieve our losses. But yet, as Christians, we grieve with hope. Because we believe in a Savior who lived and died and rose again to take away the sting of death and give us the promise of life after the grave. This truth brings our minds peace and gives our hearts hope as we t...

Are you ready? Are you ready for your last day on earth or The Last Day? Either could come at any time. God wants you to be ready and awake so that day will not take you by surprise. And he even has the means to make you ready. This sermon based on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 was preached on November 8, 2020, the second sermon in a four week series called, "Lord, Keep us to the End."

Jesus sends us out like sheep among wolves as we long to stand firm to the truths of His Word. But we don't go alone. This sermon based on Matthew 10:16-23 was preached on November 1, 2020, for the Commemoration of the Reformation of the Church and as the first sermon in a new four week series called, "Lord, Keep us to the End."

It's easy to begin to fret and worry about what will happen on November 3rd. As Christians, we keep a Kingdom perspective of life and eternity. By grace, we are in the Kingdom of God, where Christ reigns and rules our hearts and minds with his peace. In this Kingdom, Jesus gives what this world cannot. This sermon based on Luke 17:20-33 was preached on October 25, 2020, and is the final sermon in...

Our hope is not in who's elected, the promises they make, or the policies they pass. Our hope is in the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, the only who can, and does, remain faithful forever. This sermon based on Psalm 146 was preached on October 18, 2020, and is the fourth sermon in a five week series called "The Church and Politics."

As Christians, we can have different views on earthly, political matters where God has not directly spoken. We can do this and still love each other because first and foremost we are blood-bought souls of Christ, family together in Christ, and co-heirs of eternal life through Christ. This sermon based on 2 Timothy 2:22-26 was preached on October 11, 2020, and is the third sermon in a five week ser...

God calls on his people to pray for all those in authority over them. They need our prayers, as we desire to live our lives in peace and quietness and for the Gospel to continue to preached to all people. This sermon based on 1 Timothy 2:1-4 was preached on October 4, 2020, and is the second sermon in a five week series called "The Church and Politics."

God has established earthly government for our good. Yes, for our good.   This sermon based on Romans 13:1-7 was preached on September 27, 2020, and is the first sermon in a five week series called "The Church and Politics." We apologize for the audio quality, our wireless mic receiver died.