Preaching The Text

In today's episode of Preaching the Text we talk again about the distinction between law and gospel. Christ comes not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. And in fulfilling the law, he puts in it in its proper place as the thing that keeps order in the world. But only through the gospel promise does true righteousness come.

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Craft of Preaching

In this episode of Preaching the Text, we discuss the beatitudes – what Luther once described as the devil's favorite text of scripture to distort. We learn how to preach the beatitudes by dividing law and gospel so that hearers will receive a promise from Christ.

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Craft of Preaching

In this episode of Preaching the Text, we talk about Matthew's account of the beginning of Christ's ministry, especially his first sermon. He also calls his disciples here, and we also talk a bit about what discipleship – following Jesus – really means.

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Craft of Preaching

In this episode of Preaching the Text, we explore John's ministry of pointing to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. From John's ministry, we learn not only the difference between law and gospel – the ministries of Moses and Christ – but also the purpose of preaching, which is to give Christ and his death to our hearers.

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Craft of Preaching

In this episode of Preaching the Text, we discuss Christ's baptism by John in the Jordan River. Here we learn how Christ enters into his ministry by taking sin upon himself and receiving a promise from the Father. Christ takes our sins and proclaims that same promise to us in our own baptisms.

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Craft of Preaching

This episode explores Matthew's account of the wise men visiting Herod having seen the star signaling the birth of Christ. They come to Bethlehem and present their gifts to Christ. Dr. Paulson shows how Luther preached this text: to indicate how the wise men are the first of the gentiles to be drawn to Christ. The ministry of Jesus isn't only to the Israelites, but to the entire world.

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Craft of Preaching

In this episode of Preaching the Text, Steve Paulson and John Hoyum discuss Matthew's account of the slaughter of infant boys by Herod at Bethlehem, along with the flight of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus to Egypt. We learn about Joseph's faithfulness to his family and his protection of the infant Christ. All this points toward the faithfulness of God in supplying a messiah, and the way that evil is finally overcome.

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Craft of Preaching

Today we learn of the mystery of Christ become flesh. Our normal inclination is to think of God beyond our comprehension in holy majesty – too far above for us to imagine. The truth of Christmas is that God has not only looked upon us graciously, but has sent God the Son into our flesh to take our sin and be our savior. With John, we learn how it is we are to become witnesses of this truth and share the news of Christ in the flesh with others.

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Craft of Preaching

On this episode of preaching the text we study Matthew's story of Christ's conception and birth. We learn that Joseph finds his righteousness in the promise of God that Mary's son is not a disgrace to them, but will be the savior who takes away the sins of his people.

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Craft of Preaching

Today we talk about John's imprisonment and his doubts about Christ as the messiah. We learn about how Christ sends preachers to John to reassure him about the truth of the gospel. We also learn how all preachers overcome their doubts and hand over the goods of Christ crucified.

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1517 Podcasts

Craft of Preaching