Tag Archives: Lent

Sermons

Tenebrae Vespers (John 19:1–42)

April 14, 2017
Immanuel Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO

A Meditation on the Cross and Crucified

INI + AMEN.

The cross. The cross. There’s nothing but the cross: offensive, yet beautiful. Offensive to the perishing but beautiful to the saved. The cross—not just the cross.

The Crucified. Him—He’s the true weight of the cross. He’s the true offense—God naked, bleeding, dying, dead. Who wants such a King? Who wants such a God? Could He not save Himself? Could He not call down 12 Legions of angels? Could He not come down from that cross? Yes, then what of you?

You. Yes, you. He does it for you. He’s your King. You don’t choose and elect a King. He is your King. He created from nothing and stops at nothing to save you. He knitted you together and gives up His seamless robe for you. He raises up and brings down nations and is sentenced to death by one of them: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” What joy! What wonder! What mystery! Your King, Your God, bleeds and dies. No expense too great. No cost too High. “His Holy, precious blood”? “His innocent suffering and death”? We thank you, Jesus, for what you did for us upon the cross. Continue reading →

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Sermons

Chief Service (Heb 4:14–16; 5:7–9)

April 14, 2017
Bethlehem Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO

INI + AMEN.

((5. Oops!: Do you struggle with sin?))

Do you struggle with sin? Are there sins that you just can’t beat? It’s like they sneak up on you, right? You think you’ve got them licked, and then they happen…again. Like, without even knowing how or why, you’re on the other side again. “How did I end up here, again?” you say.

But most of the time, we only give lip service to being sinners. Now, none of us would be so bold as to say we aren’t sinners. But we separate “sinner” from “the sin” so much that it’s almost impossible to think of actual sins we’ve done. Continue reading →

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Sermons

Holy Thursday (Jn 13:1–15, 34–35)

April 13, 2017
Immanuel Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO

INI + AMEN.

Love. That’s what the Christian faith is all about: love toward God (that’s faith) and love toward those around you. Love—true love. Not what the world peddles as love. Love isn’t chemistry. It’s not physical attraction. But love is “the kind of thing that money just can’t buy.”

Love. Jesus’ love. It’s otherworldly love. Out of His great love for you and other sinners,” “He purchased and won you from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death.”

That’s Jesus’ love. He makes the first move. What’s the song? “Love came down at Christmas.” But that’s only half the story. We’re in the thick of the story now. Lent. Holy Week. Holy Thursday. Jesus. Love. Body and Blood. This is the point.

JESUS’ LOVE IS LIVED AND DELIVERED. Continue reading →

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Sermons

Holy Wednesday (1 Ki 17:8–16)

April 12, 2017
Bethlehem Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO

INI + AMEN.

So, what’s left to talk about? We’ve confessed what the Sacrament of the Altar is, where that’s written, what are the benefits of the eating and drinking, how can bodily eating and drinking do such great things, and who receives this sacrament worthily. We’ve confessed all these things over the past few weeks. They’re good to confess, and it’s even helpful and a blessing to know by heart. So, what’s left?

Now, there could be a mishmash of things. Lots of different teachings on the Lord’s Supper—that either begin with the Lord’s Supper or end there. That’d be a great bible class, but not necessarily a good sermon—not one I’d want to listen to, anyway.

It all comes down to what Jesus says and gives. It’s all His Word and Gift, we simply receive and confess. We see this in His Supper, and the widow of Zarephath and Elijah saw it, too. When it comes to Jesus’ body and blood in the Supper, it all boils down to this point:

THE LORD JESUS ALWAYS ACTS ACCORDING TO HIS WORD. Continue reading →

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Sermons

Palmarum (Mt 21:1–9)

April 9, 2017
Bethlehem Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO
Immanuel Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO

INI + AMEN.

“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna!” Not, “Alleluia!” No Easter praises today. The crosses are still covered. No “Glory bes.” Just, “Hosanna!” “Save us!”

Salvation: That’s why He’s come. Advent is fulfilled. Today’s reading is the same as the first Sunday in Advent. The prophecy’s fulfilled: “Look, your King is coming to you: gentle and mounted on a donkey.” Adventus: He comes. He comes to save.

They gather round; they cry out, “Save us, now!” “Save us now, Jesus! Save us, YAHWEH who saves.” That’s what Jesus means: YAHWEH saves. “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of Yahweh!” Continue reading →

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Sermons

1 Samuel 21:1–7

April 5, 2017
Bethlehem Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO

Who receives this sacrament worthily? (LSB 327)

Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”

But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, for the words “for you” require all hearts to believe.

INI + AMEN. Continue reading →

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Sermons

Judica (Jn 8:46–59)

April 2, 2017
Bethlehem Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO
Immanuel Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO

INI + AMEN.

Who’s JESUS? It’s a question many people want to answer. People come up with all sorts of answers, and they’re usually based on their own preconceived ideas. Most of the time, people don’t want to listen to what JESUS has to say about Himself. Now, in the Gospel of John, JESUS is really clear about who He is. He says the same things in the other Gospels, but Matthew, Mark, and Luke have JESUS being more subtle. But in John, JESUS lets the cat out of the bag.

And there’s one thing you get from what JESUS says, there’s one thing He can’t be: a great moral teacher. That’s not JESUS—not the JESUS of the Gospels, anyway. You can either believe what He has to say, but if you don’t, there’s only two options for who JESUS: He’s either crazy, or He’s a liar. If He’s either of those, then He can’t be a great moral teacher.

So, who does JESUS claim to be? Well, from our Gospel text this morning, we’re confronted by what JESUS clearly says about Himself. JESUS confronts us with this:

JESUS, THE GREAT I AM, HONORS THE FATHER AND KEEPS HIS WORD. Continue reading →

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