Salt + Light Sermons

Pentecost, May 24, 2026. Genesis 11:1-9 (EHV). A Tower of Pride: If we depend on our own strength, our strength will fail us. But if we depend on God’s strength, we’ll find that our weakness is more than compensated for by God’s power.

Easter 5, May 10, 2026. John 21:18-25 (EHV). Being a Christian means: Dying to self, and living to Christ. Offering real sacrifices, that glorify God. Being a Christian means running my own race.

Easter 4, May 3, 2026. John 21:15-17 (EHV). The Making of a Shepherd: With a combination of humbling rebuke and precious forgiveness, Jesus prepares Peter for a life of service to his Savior and to his Savior’s flock. (Guest Preacher, Mr. Phil Mayhew)

Easter 3, April 26, 2026. John 21:1-14. Jesus the Loving: Jesus appears to his disciples one morning at the Sea of Galilee. Clearly, he is alive, and powerful, but more than anything Jesus' actions show that he loves these fishermen.

Easter 2, April 19, 2026. In our sermon meditation today we imagine that Thomas could have been here to speak to us about what he saw on Easter Sunday, and the week after.

Easter 1, April 12, 2026. Luke 24:36-49 (EHV). When darkness surrounds, we light candles. When uncertainty threatens, and fear grips, we kindle again the truths of God's Word--and their light drives back our fears.

Resurrection Sunday (Easter). April 5, 2026. Romans 6:3-4, 9-11. Things get left behind for a lot of reasons. We get distracted. We don't need something anymore. It weighs us down. It doesn't fit with who we are anymore. At the tomb of Christ we find many things left behind--and an invitation to leave some things of our own.

Good Friday, April 3, 2026. Shall I not drink the cup my Father has given me? John 18:1-11 (EHV). Your cup is what is coming your way, be it good or bad. Before his crucifixion and death, Jesus looked into his cup, and it filled his soul with overwhelming grief and distress. It was actually our cup--but he wouldn't pass it down to us. Instead, he gives us his.

Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026. At Jesus' Feet: Once she sat at Jesus’ feet to listen, and to learn. Here, Mary, the sister of Lazarus understands, and brings a gift of thanks to the Savior of her soul—while there’s still time. And in this action she teaches us to be fearless, to bring extravagant gifts to our Savior, and to always be--at Jesus' feet.

Lent Wednesday 6, March 25, 2026. Matthew 27:45-46. The ability to speak to our heavenly Father at any time, in any place, about any thing--and to know that we are heard and will be answered in the best way possible–that is precious. But, the Bible reveals that there was a time when Jesus’ prayer fell on deaf ears.

Lent Sunday 5, March 22, 2026. An Attitude of Repentance. Smaller sermon meditations on the readings for this Sunday: Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 38, John 3:14-21, and Ephesians 2:4-10. Each one has something to do with the concept of repentance.

Lent Wednesday 4, March 11, 2026. Matthew 26:37-39, Luke 22:44. Ever wanted to know what others were thinking? Imagine if God granted that. It might be fun for a moment, but then it would turn into a curse. Sometimes NOT knowing what others think, or NOT knowing the future--is a tremendous blessing. But often, the bliss of not knowing was something Jesus did not have.

Lent Wednesday 5, March 18, 2026. 2 Corinthians 5:21. Our country isn't perfect, but liberty and justice still live here. But when we turn our thoughts to Jesus, to meditate on the hours that passed before his crucifixion, we cannot help but see that justice was something Jesus gave up, in order to be our Savior.

Immanuel Lutheran Tour Choir Service, March 15, 2026. Psalm 23. Troyal Mayhew is a college sophomore in the pre-theological program at Immanuel Lutheran College. Here he talks about sheep, and how we are like them. Most of all--we both need a Shepherd. Praise the LORD, for he has given us a GOOD one.

Lent Sunday 3. March 8, 2026. Jeremiah 26:1-15. Speak the Truth in Love: God's command is to speak his word of warning. Jeremiah's fate was to be condemned for speaking the truth. Our mission is the same--omit not a word.

Lent Wednesday 3. March 4, 2026. Hebrews 5:7-9. What Jesus Gave up for Lent: Control. It's impossible to think of someone more independent or in control than God. But when God the Son became human, that changed. Hebrews tells us that he "learned obedience from the things he suffered" (Hebrews 5:8 EHV). On the way to the cross he said--your will be done, Father. On the way from the cr...

Lent Sunday 2, March 1, 2026. Psalm 42. When Hopeless, I Will Hope in God: He has been, and will be, faithful. He uses his great power, for me. He listens to my open prayer.

Lent Wednesday 2. Feburary 25, 2026. Hebrews 4:14-16. What Jesus Gave up for Lent: Rest. Jesus often went without physical rest for the sake of his mission to save sinners. He preached and healed for long hours, and habitually rose early to reconnect with his Father in heaven--no doubt to pray for the sinners he had come to rescue. But he got some sleep from time to time. What he never got was res...

Lent Sunday 1. February 22, 2026. Hebrews 4:15-16. Jesus is Our Atmosphere: Each day we walk outside, unafraid of the sun. There’s something between us and its deadly radiation. Each day we can dwell in the presence of God, unafraid of his just and holy judgment. Someone stands between us and that wrath.

Lent Wednesday 1. February 18, 2026. John 13:33-35. What Jesus Gave up for Lent: Bride and Family. Jesus gave up a single, earthly bride and a short lifetime with a few children—to gain a huge family, and to be able to spend ETERNITY with that family in heaven.

Epiphany 6, February 15, 2026. God's Wisdom is Wiser than Human Wisdom. So don't change the gospel into what people want to hear. Don't think you can add to what Jesus did to redeem you. Just boast in the LORD, and how Christ covered our sins, set us apart, and bought us back for eternity with God.

Epiphany 5, February 8, 2026. A Famine of God's Word: When a blessing is abused long enough, God may take it away. Without the Word there is no life, but in Christ –there is eternal life.

Epiphany 4, February 1, 2026. Who will I be tomorrow? This sermon meditation was first presented at the "Whitewater Winter Camp" a retreat for high school and college students held in southern Minnesota. Our devotions and studies centered around the theme of "Called". What do I do today to impact who I will be tomorrow? How do I take responsibility for my own spiritual life?

Epiphany 3, January 25, 2026. God Calls Moses: Excuse #1. I'm not qualified--I'm coming with you. Excuse #2. I don't know enough--I'll give you the answers. Excuse #3. They won't believe me--I'll do miracles. Excuse #4. I can't speak well enough--I made your mouth. I'll give you the words. Excuse #5. Send someone else--No. I'm sending you.

Epiphany 2, January 18, 2026. The Year of the LORD's Favor: Six-hundred years before the birth of Christ, Isaiah sees ourSavior’s ministry. With words that belong to Christ, Isaiah describes his work and his effect: beauty, joy, and praise come from his people, and the LORD God is glorified.