This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on November 16, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.

Sermon Text: Matthew 24:37-44 (NKJV)

"But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 "and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 "Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 "But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Theme: Ready or Not, He Comes

As we come to the end of the Trinity season, our attention shifts to the Lord's promise to return on the Last Day. That will will be a day of both judgment and mercy. Jesus tells us that He is coming again and that this sinful world will be destroyed, and that He will create a new heavens and earth. On that day, believers and unbelievers will be separated. Believers will receive the kingdom  (Heaven) which Jesus has won for them by His death, but unbelievers will receive what all sinners deserve - eternal judgment in hell. 

For this reason our God tells us to be ready for that day. James writes: "You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!" (James 5:8-9)

Knowing that we have an eternal kingdom, we are to live our lives in faith and godliness: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." (Titus 2:11-14)

This hymn is a beautiful poetic description of the glory of heaven, and a reminder of the evil world the LORD desires to deliver us from. It also serves as a reminder to be faithful and sober as we await and prepare for His return.

Verse 4 is a wonderful summary of the hymn in its entirety:

Join us as we are reminded of the the Lord's promise to return to deliver us from this evil world through His work on the cross and as we encourage one another to strive, in our Christian lives, to enter His glory! May it be so, by God's grace, for each of us! 

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Hymn of the Day

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on November 9, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.

Sermon Text: Psalm 3:1-13 (NKJV)

«A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.»

LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. 2 Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah 3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. 4 I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. 5  I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around. 7  Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You  have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. 8  Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. 

Theme: He Will Come to Judge

As we near the end of the Trinity season our thoughts move to the end of the world in our worship services, and the confidence that the Christian has to stand before the Judge of the world on that day. We can only stand with confidence if we stand on Jesus because of His blood and His perfect life. Nothing else in this life can offer the sinner what is needed to be confident of forgiveness, and eternal life. 

The English hymnwriter, Edward Mote, puts this to words in this hymn. The chorus is based on Jesus' words in Matthew 7:24-27: “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” 

In addition to this verse, Mote also weaves in thoughts from other Bible verses that point to Jesus as our Confidence on the Last Day. These verses include: 

What a comfort it is to know that the life and death of Jesus is our reason we can have confidence on the last day! May the LORD bless your worship this weekend!

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Hymn of the Day

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on November 2, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.

Sermon Text: Hebrews 12:1-3 (NKJV)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 

Theme: The Saints Look to Jesus

This weekend we will be celebrating "All Saints" weekend. The Christian Church has, for centuries, focused on the Holy Christian Church on November 1st. This includes both the saints whom the LORD has called out of this world as well as the saints who continue to fight the good fight of faith in this present life. We will be looking at both aspects of the Holy Christian Church in our worship this weekend.

Hymn 463 is a beautiful description of the Holy Christian Church through both the Church Triumphant and the Church Militant. The believers (saints) who have gone before us, leave an example for us in who are fighting the battle today. Their faith is an encouragement to us in both their victories and in their suffering.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:12: "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

The hymnwriter described the unity of all believers in Christ by faith when he writes: 

O blest communion, fellowship divine,

David states in Psalm 22:4-5: "Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed." This is our confidence as well. We too can trust in the LORD, and be certain of the victory that Jesus has won for us. That is why Paul could encourage young Timothy: "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:3).

We are engaged in a great battle as Christians. At times the fight is fierce and at times it feels like it will never end. "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Worship with us this weekend as the LORD assures us of the victory HE has won for His saints through Jesus, and as we are encouraged for remaining faithful, true and bold in the faith of faith! 

Devotion

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Common Christian Q&A

Hymn of the Day

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on October 26, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.

Sermon Text: Habakkuk 2:1-4 (NKJV)

I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected. 2 Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. 4 "Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.

Theme: Watching, Writing, and Waiting by Faith

1. Watch for the LORD's Word

2. Write His Vision Plain

3. Wait for His Promises