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Sermon - Trinity I, 2026 - Luke 16:19-31

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Parable of Lazarus and the Story of Job , Erhard Altdorfer, circa 1520 Two Rich Men and Lazarus The rich men of this age who are lovers of money justify themselves by their earthly riches Jesus is the Rich Man who loves mankind, and justifies others by means His heavenly riches, namely His precious blood Lazarus, the poor sick beggar, is all who desire to be fed with the crumbs that fall from Jesus’ table. Earlier in Luke 16 Jesus famously says: “ You cannot serve God and mammon.” Then shortly before telling today’s parable of the rich man and Lazarus, He explains: “ The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. ” Thus, the issue of money and earthly wealth, and how we Christians are meant to treat our earthly riches, is most certainly at the forefront of today’s text. But today...
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Sermon - Exaudi 2026 - 1 Peter 4:7-14

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Gossip , Eugene de Blaas, 1903 Covering One-Anothers’ Faults Jesus not only overlooks our sins, but forgives them and covers us up We glorify Christ by forgiving one another, and covering up their shame Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! “ Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. ” Strife is all too common among us and it’s hard to get along with others. Some people are really mean, some are really annoying, and some people are both. Sometimes this comes out after just brief interactions, other times it’s with people you are around all the time. Perhaps this happens most often with those whom we love a lot. So today St. Peter instructs us: “ Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. ” When considering our sins and the sins of one another, it’s important for us to establish our love for one another in Christ. Jesus teaches us: “ Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ” St. Paul says: “ Wal...
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Sermon - Cantate 2026 - John 16:5-15

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Christ Taking Leave of the Apostles , Duccio di Buoninsegna 1308 The Spirit Guides us into the Truth The Spirit of Truth inspired the prophets and apostles to preach and write the scriptures The Spirit of Truth implants the Word into our hearts Alleluia! Christ is risen! How do you know the truth of Jesus’ teachings? This is confirmation Sunday today, so how do we know that the confirmands actually know the truth and believe the right things? How do we know that the Lutheran Church speaks the truth? How do we know that Christians, broadly speaking, even know that Jesus is real and that He is true God and true man and was crucified and risen for the forgiveness of our sins?  These are questions that the church has had to ask since the beginning of time. The devil questioned Adam and Eve if God actually said those things about the forbidden fruit. Korah rebelled against Moses asserting that the whole congregation is holy and therefore they shouldn’t trust that God is speaking through...
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Sermon - Misereicordias Domini 2026 - John 10:11-16

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Christ as the Good Shepherd, Lucas Cranach the Younger, 1540 Jesus is the Good Shepherd The sheep go astray through sin There are many false shepherds who lead the sheep astray and devour them Jesus finds His sheep and  gathers His sheep together and nourishes them by giving Himself to be devoured by them. We follow His example. Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! I love this Sunday when we get to hear Jesus say: “ I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. ” We sing some pretty delightful hymns on the 23rd Psalm, we think of all the Good Shepherd artwork, it’s just very comforting and pleasant. Who doesn’t want to meditate on our Lord carrying us who are weak and frail. It’s a very paternal image of a big strong Shepherd carrying us, perhaps reminiscent of our childhood and seeking refuge in the arms of our parents. But these texts are also quite humbling, because if Jesus is our Shepherd, then that makes us sheep. St. Peter sa...
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Sermon - Quasimodo Geniti 2026 - John 20:19-31

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Doubting Thomas , Peter Paul Rubens, 1615 Jesus Delivers His Peace through Pastors Those who took hold of the horns of the altar, where blood for them was shed,  pleaded for grace in their need. Thomas needed to take hold of the horns of the altar of Christ’s body, in order to find peace from His sins. Since we cannot take hold of Jesus’ wounds,  Jesus sent Pastors to speak in His stead and by His command, so that we may have peace. Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! In the Old Testament God had made a merciful allowance for accidental murderers, allowing them to flee to God for mercy by taking hold of the horns of the bronze altar outside of the tabernacle. The bronze altar stood directly outside of the holy place, and at this altar the sacrificial animals were burned up morning and evening, along with other sacrifices during the day. On the Day of Atonement the blood of the lamb would be placed onto the horns of the altar. So those horns for Israel were...
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