Sermon for the Last Sunday of the Church Year. The Scripture readings are Isaiah 65:17-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; and Matthew 25:1-13.

This world is ending. Good riddance. You have Christ. Your redemption is secure and your eternity certain. Stay awake. Keep eagerly looking for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Sermon for Trinity 24. The Scripture readings are Isaiah 51:9-16; Colossians 1:9-14; and Matthew 9:18-26.

Jesus has defeated sin, death, and the devil comes to touch you and drive away all your uncleanness and death with His purity and life. He comes to you who still live in the domain of darkness to transfer you into His eternal kingdom (Col. 1:13).

Sermon for Trinity 23. The Scripture readings are Proverbs 8:11-22; Philippians 3:17-21; Matthew 22:15-22.

Your driver’s license might say “Minnesota,” and your passport “United States of America.” But, Christian, you are not home here. You have a better home. Remember the glory that is yours because you are, right now, a citizen of the kingdom of heaven.

Sermon for All Saints' Day (Observed). The Scripture readings are Revelation 7:9-17; 1 John 3:1-3; and Matthew 5:1-12.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus lets you know that things are going to be difficult in this life. People will persecute you when you do righteous things. But Christ wants you to endure all of that with rejoicing because He will pay you. And He will pay you well.

Sermon for Reformation Sunday. The Scripture readings are Revelation 14:6-7; Romans 3:19-28; and John 8:31-36.

Christian, you are simultaneously sons of God and slaves to sin. It isn’t your obedience, consistency, or the fact that you feel bad about being a sinner that sets you free. Jesus, the Son, sets you free and makes you free.

Sermon for Trinity 20. The Scripture readings are Isaiah 55:1-9; Ephesians 5:15-21; and Matthew 22:1-14.

When we look at the state of this world, we are tempted to think that God doesn’t care, but we are wrong. God is King. He rules and reigns over all things. God is being patient. He wants as many as possible at His feast; He wants His banquet to be filled.

Sermon for Trnity 19. The Scripture readings are Genesis 28:10-17; Ephesians 4:17-28; and Matthew 9:1-8.

Dear saints, you stand before God righteous, holy, and blameless. Live that way. Continue to be truth-tellers, beat back your anger, and be generous. God has put off your old man and put on the new Man, Christ.

Sermon for Trinity 18. The Scripture readings are Deuteronomy 10:12-21; 1 Corinthians 1:4-9; and Matthew 22:34-46.

Your Savior’s love for you was fully shaped by the Ten Commandments. His vocation was to be the Savior because that was your need. He was gifted with everything necessary to be the Savior. And loved you by taking your sin to the cross.

Sermon for Trinity 17. The Scripture readings are Esther 4:7-16; Ephesians 4:1-6; and Luke 14:1-11.

Use your brain, but have the confidence to love your neighbor in a way that seems risky because God loves you. And He loves it when you step out in faith to love and serve your neighbor.

Sermon for Trinity 16. The Scripture readings are 1 Kings 17:17-24; Ephesians 3:13-21; and Luke 7:11-17.

Jesus knows how to get out of the grave, and He is your Good Shepherd who visits you and says to you who sit in and among death, “Arise. Get up.” Then, He leads you to life now and life eternal.