Advent devotion based on Luke 1:5-25, preached at Mt Olive in Lincoln, NE on December 3, 2025.

Find out more at mtolivelincoln.org

Our King Will Carry Out His Agenda

Sermon preached by Pastor Julius Buelow at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE on November 30, 2025 for the first Sunday of Advent. More info at mtolivelincoln.org

Takeaways:

• Politicians and leaders disappoint
• The kings in David's line were no different...until Jesus
• Jesus had a different agenda: he would bring righteousness TO his people
• Jesus is OUR righteousness
• Jesus delivers his righteousness to us throughout the church year through the means of grace

Text: Jeremiah 23:5-8

5Listen, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, who will reign wisely as king and establish justice and righteousness on earth. 6In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will dwell securely. This is his name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness. 7So, mark my words, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when it will no longer be said, “As surely as the Lord lives who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,” 8but, “as surely as the Lord lives who brought up the descendants of the house of Israel and led them out of a land in the north and from all the countries where I had driven them.” Then they will dwell in their own land.

Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version (Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Publishing House, 2019), Je 23:5–8.

A Sobering Moment before the Heavenly Wedding

Sermon preached by Pastor Julius Buelow at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE on November 23, 2025 for the Last Sunday of the church year. More info at mtolivelincoln.org

Takeaways:

• Be prepared for the end!
• When Jesus comes, it's too late to get ready!
• Be prepared through faith and a faithful life
• Remember the chief concern of life, and the celebration we're looking forward to

Text: Matthew 25:1-13

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take any oil with them; 4 but the wise took oil in their containers with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, ‘No, there may not be enough for us and for you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they were away buying oil, the bridegroom came. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. 11 Later, the other virgins also came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, let us in.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Amen I tell you: I do not know you.’ 13 Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

What To Do When You're in the Place of God

Sermon preached by Pastor Julius Buelow at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE on November 16, 2025 for Trinity 22. More info at mtolivelincoln.org

Takeaways:

• God is a forgiving God!
• Knowing God's place as the one who forgives me, a sinner, and the one who rules over all evil for good, helps me emulate him
• Who in your life is walking on eggshells around you? Go above and beyond to show them that their sins are forgiven.

Text: Genesis 50:15-21

15When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and will pay us back in full for all of the evil that we did to him.”

16They sent the following message to Joseph: “Before he died your father commanded us, 17‘You are to tell Joseph, “Please forgive the offense of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.” ’ Now, please forgive the offense of the servants of the God of your father.”

Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

18His brothers also came and fell down in front of him, and they said, “See now, we are your servants.”

19Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring this to pass and to keep many people alive, as it is this day. 21Now therefore, do not be afraid. I will nourish you and your little ones.” He comforted them and spoke to them in a kind way.

Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version (Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Publishing House, 2019), Ge 50:15–21.

Don't Leave This Sword in the Attic

Sermon preached by Pastor Julius Buelow at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE on November 9, 2025 for Trinity 21. More info at mtolivelincoln.org

AI Summary Takeaways:

• When facing challenges, recognize the true source of conflict.
• Relationships can be tested, but understanding the enemy helps.
• Frustration with others often stems from spiritual battles.
• Faith plays a crucial role in navigating difficult times.
• God empowers you to face spiritual warfare with the right equipment.
• The equipment God gives us is the same equipment Jesus wore as he defeated the Devil for us.

Text: Ephesians 6:10-17

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand against the schemes of the Devil. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13For this reason, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to take a stand on the evil day and, after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand, then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness fastened in place, 15and with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace tied to your feet like sandals. 16At all times hold up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. 17Also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version (Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Publishing House, 2019), Eph 6:10–17.

How Much Better Is Heaven than Earth?

Sermon preached by Pastor Julius Buelow at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE on November 2, 2025 for All Saints' Day. More info at mtolivelincoln.org

AI Summary takeaways:

• All Saints' Day reminds us of the saints--all believers in Jesus--who have gone before us.
• Heaven is described as a place of joy and celebration.
• The blood of the Lamb cleanses us from sin.
• Communion connects us to our loved ones in heaven.
• Heaven is ten times better than earth.
• God's promises provide hope and comfort in tribulation.

• Every tear will be wiped away in heaven.

Text: Revelation 7:9-17

9After these things I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing in front of the throne and of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and with palm branches in their hands. 10They called out with a loud voice and said:

Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from the Lamb.

11All the angels stood around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures. They fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, 12saying:

Amen. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen.

13One of the elders spoke to me and said, “These people dressed in white robes, who are they and where did they come from?”

And I answered him, “Sir, you know.”

14And he said to me:

These are the ones who are coming out of the great tribulation.

They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15Because of this they are in front of the throne of God,

and they serve him day and night in his temple.

He who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.

16They will never be hungry or thirsty ever again.

The sun will never beat upon them, nor will any scorching heat,

17for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd.

He will lead them to springs of living water.

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version (Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Publishing House, 2019), Re 7:9–17.

The New Covenant Changes the Heart

Sermon preached by Pastor Julius Buelow at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE on October 26, 2025 for Reformation. More info at mtolivelincoln.org

Give Thanks for 175 Years of Grace

Sermon preached by Pastor Julius Buelow at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE on October 19, 2025 for Trinity 18 and the 175th Anniversary of the WELS. More info at mtolivelincoln.org

Text: 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

4 I always thank my God for you because of the grace of God given to you in Christ Jesus. 5 You were enriched in him in every way, in all your speaking and all your knowledge, 6 because the testimony about Christ was established in you. 7 As a result you do not lack any gift as you eagerly wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also keep you strong until the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

When Death Takes Your Breath Away

Sermon preached by Pastor Julius Buelow at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE on October 4, 2025 for Trinity 16. More info at mtolivelincoln.org

keywords: faith, death, comfort, God's love,intercession, resurrection, eternal life, grief, hope, Christian life

summary: This conversation explores the profound themesof faith, comfort in death, and the promise of resurrection. It emphasizes how believers can find solace in God's love amidst suffering and the importance of intercession during times of grief. The discussion culminates in the assuranceof eternal life and the hope that comes from Jesus' resurrection.Text: 1 Kings 17:17-24

17After these events, the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. The illness became worse until he stopped breathing. 18Then she said to Elijah, “What is the issue between us, man of God? Have you come to remind me of my sins and to kill my son?” 19He said to her, “Bring your son to me.” Then he took him and carried him to the upstairs room where he was living, and he laid him on his bed. 20Then he cried out to the Lord, “O Lord, my God, have you sent tragedy on this woman with whom I am staying by killing her son?” 21Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times, and he cried out to the Lord, “O Lord, my God, let this boy’s soul return to his body!” 22The Lord listened to Elijah’s voice, and the boy’s soul returned to his body, and he came to life. 23Then Elijah took the boy and brought him down to the house from his upstairs room, and he gave him to his mother. Elijah said, “See, your son is alive!” 24The woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is true.”

Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version (Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Publishing House, 2019), 1 Ki 17:17–24.

Don't worry! (Even if you have anxiety!)

Sermon preached by Pastor Julius Buelow at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE on September 28, 2025 for Trinity 15. More info at mtolivelincoln.org

Theme: Don't Worry!

Text: Matthew 6:24-34

24“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon.

25“For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds of the air. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

27“Which of you can add a single moment to his lifespan by worrying? 28Why do you worry about clothing? Consider how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin, 29but I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will he not clothe you even more, you of little faith?

31“So do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32For the unbelievers chase after all these things. Certainly your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version (Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Publishing House, 2019), Mt 6:24–34.