Sermon on 2 Samuel 22:26-34 (Psalm 18:25-33), for the 9th Sunday after Trinity, about how God is merciful, blameless, and pure, and wants us to reflect these qualities in our life, and why God appears "torturous" to the crooked. How does this fit into David's own life? How did he make his way "crooked" and find God to be "torturous"? How does God rescue us from crooked paths and crooked hearts? Who is, and where can you find a "blameless man" or "upright hero?"  

Sermon on Matthew 7:15-23, for the 8th Sunday after Trinity, about false prophets and their deceptions. How does this piece of the Sermon on the Mount fit into the bigger picture, as the "exit" of the sermon? What are the dangers and pitfalls that surround discipleship? How does a false prophet reveal himself? How do disciples learn to know the true Christ, so as not to be taken in by frauds and imposters? Who will enter the kingdom of heaven, and how? 

Sermon on Genesis 2:7-17, for the 7th Sunday after Trinity, about the creation of Adam, who we are as humans, and what God's original good purposes were for mankind. What image do we bear now? (1 Corinthians 15). What does this passage foreshadow about the Fall into sin? What's the passage illustrate about work? Stewardship? How does the knowledge of evil affect us? What is significant about how it did not affect Jesus? How will we bear the "image of the man of heaven?"

Sermon on the Ten Commandments, for the 6th Sunday after Trinity, 1 Year Lectionary, about how disobeying the commandments goes against our own interest. But what is our greatest problem when we have broken them? What "house" did Israel leave, before God gave them the Ten Commandments? What "house" did God intend for them to live in? Who is the "Father of the house", and how does He grant entry or reentry? What is the relationship of Jesus to the Ten Commandments, and the relation of the Christian towards the commandments, both before and after salvation? 

I have also written a hymn for the Ten Commandments that is a paraphrase of the Small Catechism. It can be sung to a variety of tunes on the meter 87 87 D

God the Lord brought you from Egypt

Text: paraphrase of the Small Catechism by Joshua V. Schneider

Meter: 87 87 D

Suggested Tune: Joyous Light, LSB 932

1. God the Lord brought you from Egypt

• From the land of slavery

1. Never take God’s Name but lightly

• Teaching falsely, lies or hate

1. Always keep the Sabbath holy,

• ‘Tis a day of peace and rest,

1. Honor father and your mother,

• Anger and despise them not

1. God’s Word says: “You shall not murder”

• Life is good, a precious gift

1. You shall not commit adultery,

• Lead a chaste and decent life,

1. God’s Word says: “You shall not ste—al”

• Any neighbor’s property

1. Bear no witness ‘gainst your neighbor,

• Using tongue to lash or lie

1. God’s Word says, “You shall not covet”

• That means want it sinfully.

1. God the Lord says, “I am jealous”;

• Punish those who disobey,

1. I confess, Lord, I have broken

• Your most holy, just commands.

1. Jesus Christ obeyed and honored

• Every law of God for us.

Sermon on Luke 5:1-11, for the 5th Sunday after Trinity (1 Yr. Lectionary), about the call of Peter, the miracle catch of fish, the call to discipleship, and Peter's unworthiness. How does Jesus come to us in our sin? What use does He have for our gifts? Why does He ask for our help? How do we react like Peter to the Lord's commands? 

I also have composed a hymn to accompany this passage, printed below:

Into a Net that Christ Prepares

Text: Joshua V. Schneider

Meter: CM (86 86)

Melody: MCKEE (LSB 653 In Christ there is No East or West)

Into a Net that Christ Prepares

A world of sinners swim

His Gospel promises He shares

And whole, encircles them.

Though nets may strain, they will not break

His church, it firm shall stand,

For this confession it shall make:

“Christ is Living God and Man!”

Before His holiness we cry:

“Have mercy, Lord, on me!”

And on our knees hear His reply,

“From all your sins be free!”

“Caught live for purposes my own,

Gifts I bestow on you;

Are to be used as I have shown,

Serve them as I have you.”

Beholding Christ with unveiled face,

His image we will take;

Drawn on our service He will trace,

To live for other’s sake.

Into the world the Gospel casts

The joy of Christ’s new life!

Releases us from dreadful blasts,

Of sin and bitter strife.

God’s kingdom prospers by His grace

We’re sent by His command

Catch men and women, every race

Drawn by His nail-marked hand.

Sermon on Luke 6:36-42, for the 4th Sunday after Trinity, about Jesus' teaching on mercy and forgiveness, and how we are not to judge or condemn. What does the parable about the blind man and the log and the speck mean? What is the hypocrisy we are so prone to? How do we become merciful after the example of our Father and Jesus our Teacher? What is the positive side of our responsibility to help restore and lead others away from sin? How is this different from judging or condemning? 

Sermon on Luke 1:39-45, the Visitation (1 Year Lectionary), about the visit of the pregnant Virgin Mary to the pregnant Elizabeth, and the joy and the movement of the Holy Spirit that occurred on that encounter. What does this teach us about preborn infants and their relation to the Holy Spirit? What does it show about the presence of Jesus, as it relates to faith, the Spirit, and joy? In both the people in the story, and in us today? What is the core essence of faith? When do humans become "spiritual vessels", capable of receiving the Holy Spirit and His action upon us? 

A Sermon on Psalm 119:46 & Psalm 46:1-3, 7, which is the Introit for the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession (June 25, 1530). This is a sermon about confessing God's Word and Truth before kings, as the German princes boldly did, and how confession and unity in the church comes from a deep confidence in and love for God's Word. A brief history of the presentation, and reflection on how they were living out the confidence in God and His Word that is expressed in these Psalm verses. How radical was their trust in God? What did the princes have in common with many before them who confessed the faith at risk to their lives and safety? What is the foundation of the Christian church, and what does that mean over against it's enemies? 

Sermon on 1 John 4:16-21, for the 1st Sunday after Trinity (1 Year lectionary), by guest preacher Pastor Stephen Becker of Greenhaven Lutheran Church, Sacramento, CA. A sermon about what it means that God is Love, and His command for us to love one another as He loves us. What is the nature of love? Is it an attitude or feeling? What does it require of us? 

Sermon on Isaiah 6:1-7, for Trinity Sunday, 1 Year Lectionary, about Isaiah's terrifying encounter with the Holiness of the Living God, and how God mercifully intervened to atone for the sins of Isaiah. What existential crisis faced Isaiah, Israel, and faces us? How does God resolve this, in light of His holiness? What does the image of fire relate to us concerning God's holiness?