St James Lutheran Church: Sermons and Worship

Most people think that being the light and salt of the world means doing what's right, following the rules. It was certainly what the Pharisees thought. In fact they loved rules so much they made up even more rules. But Jesus says our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees. How can you be better than the people who are the best? We'll learn what real righteousness is about as we contemplate the Jesus who doesn't abolish the rules but fulfills them.

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor John Lukomski; Reader: William Ellington

#sermon #gospel #timeofChristmas #Epiphany #righteousness #law #Pharisees #light #salts #fulfillment #Matthew5 #JohnLukomski

In 1 Corinthians 1:18–31, the Apostle Paul presents a striking paradox: the "foolishness" of the Cross is actually the ultimate power and wisdom of God. As it is noted in this message, we are incapable of reaching God through our own intellectual striving or moral effort; He must reveal Himself to us. To the natural mind, a crucified Savior is an absurdity—a stumbling block to some and folly to others. Yet, it is through this very "foolishness" that God dismantles human pride, choosing the lowly and despised things of the world to demonstrate that our salvation rests entirely on His grace, not our own merit.

By centering our faith on Christ crucified, we move from a "theology of glory" that seeks God in worldly power and success to a "theology of the cross" that finds Him in suffering and humility. God deliberately bypasses the world’s standards of wisdom and strength to ensure that no human being can boast in His presence. Instead, our identity, righteousness, and sanctification are found solely in Christ Jesus. In this divine exchange, what the world mocks as weakness is revealed to be the very power that saves us.

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor George Gude; Reader: William Ellington

#sermon #gospel #timeofChristmas #Epiphany #Christcrucified #solagratia #gracealone #divinerevelation #humanwisdomvs.God’spower #1Corinthians1 #GeorgeGude

In this message based on Matthew 4:23, we confront a difficult truth about our human nature: we do not naturally gravitate toward God. Left to ourselves, we are prone to drift away, wandering from the light of His truth and the peace of His presence. Recognizing our inability to bridge this gap on our own, Jesus stepped into our history to do what we could not. He came to actively turn us back to the Father, launching a ministry defined by three distinct pillars: preaching the Good News of the kingdom, teaching the truth of God’s Word, and healing the brokenness of a fallen world.

However, the ministry of Jesus was not a finished historical event; it was a divine beginning. Today, that same work of Preaching, Teaching, and Healing continues through the Church, which is the Body of Christ on earth. As we gathered around Word and Sacrament, we see that Jesus is still actively calling the lost, instructing the faithful, and binding up the wounds of the hurting. Through the mission of the congregation, the same Christ who walked through Galilee continues to reach out to us today, drawing us out of our drift and back into the grace of His eternal kingdom.

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Michael Walther

#sermon #gospel #timeofChristmas #Epiphany #restoration #Galilee #synagogue #repentance #preaching #teaching #healing #Jesus #church #Matthew4 #MichaelWalther

What are you seeking today? Whether you are a lifelong believer or someone just beginning to ask questions, Jesus meets you exactly where you are with a divine appointment. In this sermon on John 1:35-45, we look at the first disciples—men like Andrew, Peter, and Philip—who were searching for a Savior but found much more than they expected. We tackle the common misconception that we are the ones who "find" Jesus. In reality, the Gospel shows us that Jesus is the one who seeks and finds the lost, enabling us to follow Him through His Word and the promises made to us in our Baptism.

The comfort of the Christian faith is that our salvation does not depend on our "I" statements—what I did or how hard I tried—but on God’s "You" statement: "You are Mine." When the weight of trying to earn God's favor is replaced by the peace of His finished work, it changes how we see the world. We move from being seekers to being witnesses, realizing that our identity is rooted in a Savior who has already claimed us as His own.

When we are found by Christ, the natural result is "divine multiplication." Just as Andrew immediately ran to find his brother and Philip sought out Nathanael, we are called to invite others to "come and see." Through personal stories of faith shared in carpools and family gatherings, this message encourages us to look for the opportunities God provides to share the Good News. Join us as we celebrate the God who was never lost, but who searched the world to find us.

Liturgist and Preacher: Rev. Tony Boos; Reader: William Ellington

#sermon #gospel #timeofChristmas #Epiphany #follow #seek #sought #found #lambofGod #grace #divineinitiative #monergism #baptismalpromise #redemption #election #followingJesus #divineappointment #seekingvs.beingfound #John1 #TonyBoos

We dive into the transformative power of Romans 6:3–5. Every journey has a beginning and an end, and for the believer, that journey leads us back to the cross. We explore the profound truth that to be baptized into Christ is to be united with Him in His death—a necessary end that paves the way for a miraculous new beginning.

However, our story does not end at the grave. Just as we share in His death, we are also promised a share in His resurrection. Through faith, baptism links us to the eternal life that only God can provide, turning a moment of surrender into a lifetime of triumph. This victory is not a distant hope but a daily reality, empowering us to walk in the "newness of life" every single day.

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Bill Engfehr; Reader: Nic Schatte

#sermon #gospel #timeofChristmas #Epiphany #Baptism #death #life #Jesus #resurrection #newnessoflife #unionwithChrist #identityinChrist #sanctification #transformation #Romans6 #BillEngfehr

In this message, we reflect on the beautiful truth that the story of Christmas was never meant to be a private event. Drawing from Matthew 2:1-2, we follow the journey of the Magi—travelers from the distant East who were guided by a miraculous light to the feet of the baby Jesus. Their arrival serves as a powerful reminder that the Gospel is a global invitation, reaching across cultures and borders to reveal the Savior to all of humanity. This "Epiphany" marks the moment Jesus was made known to the world, proving that God’s light shines for everyone who is willing to seek Him.

The Magi didn't come empty-handed; they brought symbolic gifts that recognized Jesus’ divine roles as Prophet, Priest, and King. Just as the star led these wise men to worship, we are called to be led by that same light into a life of devotion. Our response to Christ mirrors theirs: we come to the manger to worship and adore Him, and then we "go" into the world to share the news of what we have found. Join us as we explore how the light of Christ continues to guide us today.

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Bill Engfehr; Reader: William Ellington

#sermon #gospel #timeofChristmas #Christmas #star #Jesus #Magi #Epiphany #wisemen #lightoftheworld #Bethlehem #prophecy #sovereignty #Matthew2 #BillEngfehr

The Christmas season often glows with warmth and peace, yet the Gospel of Matthew reminds us of a chilling shadow cast over the manger: the murderous rage of King Herod. We will review "The Holy Innocents," the young boys of Bethlehem who became the first martyrs for Christ. Their story forces us to confront the "Problem of Evil" head-on, asking why an all-powerful God allows such profound suffering to touch the innocent.

We often desire perfect peace while simultaneously tolerating the very sin that destroys it. However, Scripture teaches us that suffering and sin are inextricably linked; the former will only truly vanish when the latter is finally put to death.

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Michael Walther; Reader: Joe Rathert

#sermon #gospel #timeofChristmas #Christmas #problemofevil #Bethlehem #Herod #Christ #cross #judgmentday #Matthew2 #MichaelWalther

True or False: God tells us we should be afraid? What are the first words usually from an angel or messenger of God? Don't be afraid! We will see why some of the characters of the true story of Christmas had every right to be afraid. At the same time, we have reasons to fear as well. But, Jesus comes to change our hearts from fear to peace! Merry Christmas!

Liturgist and Preacher: Rev. Tony Boos

#sermon #gospel #timeofChristmas #Christmas #fear #afraid #peace #Jesus #Luke2 #TonyBoos

You know the story of Christmas well—the manger, the shepherds, and the lack of room in the inn. In fact, you likely didn't come tonight simply to be taught the facts of Christ's birth. So, why are we here? The answer is found in the message of the angels on that first holy night. We gather not just to remember a historical event, but to hear once more the life-altering announcement that changed the course of eternity.

Based on Luke 2:7, we see the humble beginnings of the Savior who had "no place to stay." Yet, this lack of room was the beginning of God making a room for us in His kingdom. We come to hear the message of the angel because it is the announcement of our rescue. The baby in the manger cannot be separated from the man on the cross; the story of Christmas is inextricably linked to the story of Easter.

The real gift of Christmas isn't found under a tree or in a familiar retelling of a childhood story. It is the gift of a Savior who came to dwell in our broken world to rescue us from sin and death. Tonight, we receive the greatest gift imaginable: God’s own Son, born for you, to be your Savior and your King.

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Bill Engfehr

#sermon #gospel #timeofChristmas #Christmas #angels #gift #savior #theChristchild #incarnation #Jesus'birth #salvationhistory #angelicproclamation #mangerandcross #rescue #thewordmadeflesh #Luke2 #BillEngfehr

"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet..." (Matthew 1:22)

In this message, we reflect on the profound mystery of the Incarnation through the eyes of Joseph. When God’s plan veered sharply from the life Joseph and Mary had envisioned, an angelic promise brought clarity to the chaos: Emmanuel, God with us. Just as Joseph was called to trust God’s Word over his circumstances, we are invited to see how God has already come to us in the person of His Son, Jesus.

Join us as we explore the historical context of Joseph’s dream and the eternal comfort we find in the fulfillment of Isaiah’s ancient prophecy. Whether your life is going according to plan or feels uncertain, we find our peace in the Savior who is with us now and always.

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Bill Engfehr; Reader: William Ellington

#sermon #gospel #timeofChristmas #advent #Emmanuel #Joseph #angel #savior #Christianmarriage #faithinuncertainty #Matthew1 #BillEngfehr