Cross of Christ Lutheran Church - Liverpool, NY (WELS)

It’s nonsensical what Paul says about us. He says in all things God works for the good of those who love him. He asks, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” He says, “In all these things we are more than conquerors,” And he also says, “For your sake, we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

When you think of what people need, or what you need, you typically start with a list like: air, food, water, housing, clothes, human connection. Rarely do people add to this list spiritual needs. Our spiritual needs are even more important than the physical ones.

You have a treasure of incalculable value. Don’t lose it. Do everything you can to keep it!

Waking up to watch the sunrise—priceless. But what does that mean?

What does success look like? In business, success is making money and growing your business. In sales, it’s making the sale. In teaching, it’s having students learn and pass the class. Success is something you measure with quantifiable goals and tests. What does success look like in God’s kingdom?

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” For 250 years our nation has enjoyed the blessing of those rights and ideas. There’s no guarantee we will spend the rest of our lives enjoying the same blessings our forefathers did.

If I were to die tonight, use this as the text for my funeral sermon. It’s got everything a pastor could ask for. Paul communicates the urgency of the pastor’s job and what’s at stake. It’s the heart of a pastor’s role. And it’s got all the comfort and hope I could want, for myself, for my family, and for all of you.

All of the greatest leaders in the church are at their best when they’re demonstrating selfless compassion. Their at their greatest when they’re copying the humble, selfless love of Christ. The greatest leader of the Christian church is Jesus.

We’re sinners. But here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.