Archives: Sermons

8-22-21 Trinity 12

August 22, 2021
Jesus didn’t sigh when He saw the deaf-mute’s miserable condition. We sigh in exasperation or weariness. We groan in pain or anguish. “Groan” is a better translation because it captures the emotion of Jesus’ response to the deaf-mute. Jesus did not sigh at the man’s predicament. He groaned in anguish. The deaf-mute’s condition pained Jesus. The corruption of sin had so marred this man that he couldn’t even hear or talk – he was excluded…

8-15-21 Trinity 11

August 15, 2021
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of…

8-8-21 Trinity 10

August 8, 2021
The Lord once promised Abraham that despite all the heaven-crying sins of Sodom, he would spare the city if only ten righteous people were there. He once sent Jonah to Nineveh, a city infamous for the cruelest atrocities, and when the city repented He spared both them and their cattle. He held back from destroying Jerusalem for hundreds of years, sending prophet after prophet to call them out of their unbelief, until finally the army…

8-1-21 Trinity 9

August 1, 2021
Dear God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Creator of all things, from whom come all that we are and all that we have, make us, your children, to be always thankful for your generosity to us. Fix our hearts on your kindness and so take away from us all stinginess and all greed and all worry about money. As you have given us all that we have, and have given up your greatest treasure,…

7-25-21 Trinity 8

July 25, 2021
Last night I had a nightmare that an enormous and very hungry mountain lion was coming after my children in the backyard. I of course was filled with dread and panic and did everything I could to save my children. Then I woke up. And I fell asleep again and had another dream. This time of a man who came by me and my family and insulted us for having so many children and was…

7-18-21 Trinity 7

July 18, 2021
There’s a particular Scripture passage that comes to mind when we think of the events of today’s Gospel reading, and it has come to mind for many people throughout the Church’s history. Here you have a great crowd that gathered to Jesus. They have been with Jesus for three days and their food supplies have run out. This hasn’t phased them. They’re still with Jesus, because they value his Word above everything else. They realize…

7-11-21 Trinity 6

July 11, 2021
God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. In pride the sinful man imagines that he is a competent judge of righteousness. Such an attitude allows a man to excuse his words said in anger, no matter how spiteful or cruel, because they were, by his judgement, just and fit the occasion and humbled whatever fool he had to deal with. But the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.…

7-4-21 Trinity 5

July 4, 2021
There’s a beautiful irony in our Gospel lesson, an irony that wonderfully pictures for us the Christian life. Peter, James, and John make their living, provide for themselves and their families, by catching and selling fish. And they’ve caught none. That’s a problem. Then Jesus comes and they catch so many that their boats begin to sink. So their prayers have been answered. Here’s wealth. Here’s earthly security. Here’s everything they need for house and…

6-27-21 Trinity 4

June 27, 2021
Dear Father in heaven, Fill your people with your Holy Spirit, that we may call on you as Father and adore the mercy you have shown us in Your Son. Grant us so to live every day of our lives by your mercy and so teach us to show mercy to others. Of ourselves we are but mean and selfish sinners, but by your mercy you have made us sons of the Most High. Make…

6-20-21 Trinity 3

June 20, 2021
God is merciful, and He deals with us in mercy. This is what Jesus teaches us with this set of parables. First, Jesus shows us that His Father loves us and is merciful, even though we are sinful. He does not want to hold a sinner’s transgression against him, but He desires to receive him back as a son. Second, Jesus shows us that every son of God must also be merciful to his brothers,…
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