That’s what real forgiveness is. It doesn’t take count. It doesn’t expire. It doesn’t come in different sizes. It doesn’t stop after seven times, and it doesn’t stop after seventy-seven times. How could we ever refuse to forgive when God has been so generous to us? Forgiveness isn’t just an act, but it’s an attitude. We were “in sin.” As baptized children of God our whole life is a life of repentance. And renewed by the Holy Spirit, with hearts cleansed from sin, so too from us flows forgiveness without limit.

It’s the mighty Word of God at work in us, the word that proclaims that proclaims that by Jesus’ death our sins are forgiven, and that by his resurrection we have new life. It’s the word that takes root in our hearts and leads us to stand tall in the light of God’s glory with the joy of his righteousness. It’s that word in our lives that bears fruit for this life and for eternal life.

Sermon on Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23 by Pastor Seth Georgson

Sermon on Matthew 11:25–30 by Vicar Matthew Thiel

In your baptism you have a new life. A life free from sin. A life to live before God, loving him above all things, not for fear of punishment, but in the peace of forgiveness and salvation, given to you freely by God. In their last minutes of this life, knowing the heaven that awaited them, the first Lutheran martyrs, Hendrik Voes and Johann van Esschen, sang praises to God their Savior. We will see them at the resurrection. May God grant us such a faith, a faith to say, “I am at peace. Death, what can you do to me? I already died. I’ve been baptized into Christ, into his death, into his life.”

Sermon on Romans 6:1b–11 by Pastor Seth Georgson

Sermon on Romans 3:21-25a, 27-28 by guest preacher Pastor James Witt

They crucified him there with the criminals, one on his right and the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” ... When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished!” Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” When he had said this, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Jesus suffered and died not because of the cruelty of man, but because of his love for sinners, even us. By his passion (suffering), we have the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Join Pastor Georgson during the season of Lent as we read through a five-part Passion History that weaves together the four Gospel accounts of St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John from the Evangelical Heritage Version.

Pilate said to them, “Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews? What should I do with Jesus, who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Crucify him!” ... Then they led him away to crucify him. Jesus was carrying his own cross.

Jesus suffered and died not because of the cruelty of man, but because of his love for sinners, even us. By his passion (suffering), we have the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Join Pastor Georgson this week as we read through a five-part Passion History that weaves together the four Gospel accounts of St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John from the Evangelical Heritage Version.

Then the high priest said to him, “I place you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God!” Jesus said to him, “It is as you have said. But I tell you, soon you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Jesus suffered and died not because of the cruelty of man, but because of his love for sinners, even us. By his passion (suffering), we have the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Join Pastor Georgson during the season of Lent as we read through a five-part Passion History that weaves together the four Gospel accounts of St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John from the Evangelical Heritage Version.

He  withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed,  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless,  not my will, but yours be done.” ... An angel from heaven appeared to  him and strengthened him.

Jesus suffered and died not because of the cruelty of man, but  because  of his love for sinners, even us. By his passion (suffering),  we have  the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Join Pastor  Georgson during the season of Lent as we read through a five-part Passion History that  weaves together  the four Gospel accounts of St. Matthew, St. Mark, St.  Luke, and St.  John from the Evangelical Heritage Version.

Jesus suffered and died not because of the cruelty of man, but because  of his love for sinners, even us. By his passion (suffering), we have  the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Join Pastor Georgson during the season of Lent as we read through a five-part Passion History that weaves together  the four Gospel accounts of St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St.  John from the Evangelical Heritage Version.