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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June 24th, 2022 - Emmetsburg Newspaper Article 7/7/22

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The SCOTUS finally overturned Roe v Wade, correcting a horrific error. It is with joy that we Christians give thanks to God for this momentous decision! This is only the first step, since abortion is still legal in a majority of US states, including Iowa. Nevertheless, this is a step in the right direction and a victory for life in our nation. The lie of abortion has harmed millions, killing children, hurting mothers, and teaching us that a person’s value is determined by their abilities. As Christians we confess that it is wrong to kill babies.

God wonderfully knits all children together in their mothers’ wombs. Every life is valuable to God since He authored each life. God even took on our human flesh when Jesus was conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary. Jesus in the womb makes it clear that all lives are valuable: mothers, fathers, elderly, children, newborns, embryos, zygotes, and blastocysts! Christ took on our flesh in order to die upon the cross in our stead, and so led us out of death to LIFE eternal when He rose from the dead.

Some claim that Christians don’t care about mothers, but that’s simply not true. Christians around the country support pregnancy centers, diaper and clothing drives, adoption services, and parenting classes. We love women and children. If you’ve had an abortion, we love you too. God’s grace is yours in Christ Jesus who shed His blood so that you may be forgiven and find peace and hope in the resurrection. If you’re ever experiencing a surprise pregnancy or having difficulties providing for your family, we won’t judge you, we won’t offer to kill your unborn baby, we will only offer you support, assistance, and most importantly: Christ.

Lord have mercy upon us.

Rev. John Henry Koopman

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