What does God say about gossip?

From a “Buddy Christ” question that was addressed in a newsletter.       Dear buddy, what does God say about gossip? Another good question this month.  I love that you are willing to ask the tough questions.  I am going to get a little technical on you first, so that we can come to … [Read more…]

Jesus’ Baptism Is Important

  Old Testament   Isaiah 43:1-7 Psalm                   Psalm 29:1-11 New Testament  Acts 8:14-17 Gospel                  Luke 3:15-22   The story of Jesus’ baptism must be important.  It is one of few stories that are contained in all four gospels.  … [Read more…]

Be Still and Trust in the Lord

Due to a technical glitch, there is no audio or video of this sermon. Sunday, December 13, 2015  Advent Third Sunday of Advent Year C Old Testament Zephaniah 3:14–20 New Testament Philippians 4:4–7 Gospel Luke 3:7–18 John’s baptism is a break from how the Jews traditionally removed their sins.  Once a year, the Jews would … [Read more…]

Brokenness

Audio Version Sunday November 8, 2015 After Pentecost Proper 27 Year B Old Testament 1 Kings 17:8–16 New Testament Hebrews 9:24–28 Gospel Mark 12:38–44 The scriptures we have today are ones that can be easily misused against people.  It would be very easy to take both the 1 Kings text and the Mark text and … [Read more…]

Broken but made whole in Jesus

A note to the reader.  This is my first sermon at Calvary Lutheran, Minong WI. After just moving in, I was not  able to find my video camera or voice recorder.  However, it was found this week and future sermons will be recorded. Sunday, October 4, 2015 | After Pentecost Old Testament Genesis 2:18–24 New … [Read more…]

Following Self or Following Jesus

Audio Version Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16 Psalm 22:23–31 Romans 4:13–25 Mark 8:31–38 Control is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? When we are in control, we get to decide how things will be. We are no longer subject to the will of others. We decide when we want to get up, go to work or maybe not … [Read more…]

The Greatest Story Ever Told

Audio Version 1 Corinthians 9:16–23 Mark 1:29–39 Sickness, not being whole, comes in all forms. Our sins, keep us from being whole, as God intended. We cannot make ourselves whole. We are a broken people in need of healing. The greatest story every told, the gospel of Jesus Christ, tells us of how to be … [Read more…]

Death in Law – Life in Jesus

Sermon at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Cassville WI Audio Version Micah 3:4-12 Psalm 43:1-5 1 Thessalonians 2:9–13 Matthew 23:1–12 The Holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 23rd Chapter Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat (for us today this would be parallel to … [Read more…]

Environmental Stewardship: Being with / With being

This sermon was preached for a Stewardship Preaching class Audio Version Setting from Revised Common Lectionary New Years Day, ABC[1] Ecclesiastes 3:1–13 Psalm 8:1-9 Revelation 21:1–6a Matthew 25:31–46 Psalm 8 1     O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 2        Out of … [Read more…]

What If?

Audio Version Romans 7:15-25a Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 What if we follow Jesus, leave our families as He told others, and follow Him. What if we let the dead bury the dead?  There are so many “what ifs” that Jesus presents us.  Today’s reading in Matthew is no different.  What if we recognize the flute being … [Read more…]