Mediocre Lutheran Preaching

Jesus is preparing His disciples for the reality that He will die. But we're living on the other side of the resurrection, so how does this lesson apply to our lives today? Give this sermon a listen to find out more about what was going through the minds of the disciples that night and what Jesus has to teach us.

The Epistle of James is often seen as one devoid of Jesus Christ and the Gospel. It's not true. James does an excellent job of preaching the Law, and our world desperately needs to hear it. So, listen to this "Epistle of Straw" and hear God's Word for you today.

How can you have hope in the midst of despair? Somehow, in the middle of everything falling apart, Jeremiah gives us these words of hope in Jesus Christ. These words are for you, too, even in the midst of your despair, in the midst of your suffering. So give this sermon a listen to hear about this hope of Jesus Christ for you.

We've heard the 23rd Psalm many times, but have we ever stopped and thought about what David is saying? This bulky sermon explores the depths of Psalm 23, so give this favorite Psalm some of your time today.

The world likes to think that there are multiple versions of the truth, but there is only THE truth. There is no my truth or your truth. But how does that work? Give this sermon a listen to explore this more thoroughly. Oh, and apologies for the cough; I'm getting over a cold.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia! Death has been swallowed up by Jesus Christ. But what does that mean? What does a world without death look like? How can we look forward to such a world? Give this sermon a listen to find our more about it as we work through 1 Corinthians 15:51-57

Jesus is just a teacher, or so the world would have you believe. But the Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus suffered on the cross for you, died, and rose again on the third day. Is it a big deal if you don't believe that? Or does it change everything? Give this sermon a listen to explore that idea through the lens of 1 Corinthians 15:12 - 25.

Sermon for the Vigil of Easter that ties the resurrection of Jesus in with the reading of the 3 young men in the fiery furnace. How do these two things go together? What do we have to learn from them? Listen to hear the encouragement of the story. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!

Death isn't natural, and the death of God should be impossible. Yet the world treats death as the natural order. And on Good Friday, God died. So what happened that day? Give this sermon a listen to dive further into the Passion of Jesus Christ according to the Gospel of John.

Maundy Thursday was such a busy day. What all happened that day? Why does it matter that Jesus washed the disciples' feet before the meal? What does that have to do with the Last Supper, or with the Lord's Supper? Give this sermon a listen to find out more.

Today is the Sunday of the Passion and Palm Sunday. But the Epistle lesson touches on the humiliation of Jesus. What does this entail? Is it more than just the cross? Give this short homily a listen to find out more.

Genesis 22 is a fantastic story about Abraham's faith. But what about Isaac? Was Isaac's faith lacking in this story, or do we see a father and son together on this journey of faith in this world? Give this sermon a listen to find out more.

A day of rest for Jesus, but it sets in motion the events that lead directly to Jesus' death for mankind on the cross. So what happened? What happened at the meal at the house of Simon the Leper? Give this sermon a listen to find out more.

Isaiah seems to have knowledge of future events like someone who lived through them. But what events does Isaiah see? What events does he show us? Does this even matter to us today? Give this super-sized sermon a listen to find out more.

A controversial teaching of Jesus on Holy Tuesday on the Mount of Olives. What did He teach? What is controversial about it? Is it still something we need to know about today? Give it a listen to find out more.

God tells us through David in Psalm 4 to be angry and don't sin. But how can we do that? There's so much in this world to be angry about. Well, take a look at this Psalm through the lens of David's life and see what God has to tell us.

What happened on Holy Monday? What if I told you that what happens doesn't seem fair at first glance? Well, you'd probably think that Jesus' opponents weren't known for being fair. But that's not it, it's something that Jesus did. Well, He has to be fair, right? Or does He? Give this sermon a listen to find out more about it.

Sexual Immorality is a problem in our society. And St. Paul warns us that it isn't God's Will for our life that we indulge in it. Hear what God has to say about it in our sermon for today on 1st Thessalonians 4:1-7

We're beginning our Lenten Midweek journey. We're going to spend these Wednesday evening services on the days leading up to Maundy Thursday. Our journey begins with Palm Sunday, so give this one a listen to hear the events of that day and why they matter to us today.

As we begin our Lenten season, we start with the story of Jesus temptation. How did Jesus endure this temptation? Was it just because He is God? Or was it something more? And does this story have anything to teach us. Give this sermon a listen to find out more.

Psalm 51 is a favorite Psalm, but do you remember the dark truth that surrounds it? Do you remember what sin David needed to repent of when he wrote it? And does this Psalm apply to our lives today? Give this sermon a listen to find out more as we begin our Lenten journey this year.

The most important thing that ever happened in the world is Jesus Christ and His death on the Cross. And Jesus had His eyes set on that cross from the transfiguration. But what happens when a blind man comes across His path and cries out for mercy? Listen to this sermon to hear the full story and find out what it means for you.

Isaiah 55:10-11 has always been a source of great comfort to me. I've always heard God's reminder in it that I'm not in charge of everything, that He's got a plan that's bigger than I could ever dream of. So, join with me in this sermon, as we explore these verses even deeper, and see the great comfort that God has to give us.

The People of Israel demand water from Moses, and God told Moses to strike a rock. But St. Paul tells us more about that rock in 1st Corinthians 10. So what does this episode in Exodus 17 reveal to us about Jesus? Listen to find out more.

What is the transfiguration? Why did Jesus give this vision to these disciples? What lesson can we take from it? Give this sermon a listen if you're interested.

Sermon for the Winkel (circuit meeting) of LCMS pastors in SE Kansas. The text was the Gospel lesson appointed for Sunday's festival day, the feast of the Confession of St. Peter. If you think your pastor needs some encouragement, pass this along to him. If you think your pastor's wife or children need some encouragment, there's some in there for them too.

January 18th is one of the dates for the festival of the Confession of St. Peter. But why would a Lutheran church want to celebrate this day? Isn't this something that the Romans say gives them the right to say who is and who isn't in the church? Or is there something more to the confession of St. Peter? Give this sermon a listen to find out more.

What do you think John the Baptist thought when Jesus came up to him and asked to be baptized? Today's sermon really explores what this request by Jesus means, and how it applies still to our lives today. If you're interested in it, give this sermon a listen.

Who was it who visited Jesus on that first Epiphany all those years ago? Were they wise kings from the East? Or were they something else? Why does it matter who they were? This plus-sized sermon explores that, and a little bit of why Bethlehem as well. Give it a listen if you are curious about any of this.

This year was a rough year. But even in the middle of pain and suffering, Jesus is still with us. Paul tells us that nothing can separate us from Jesus, and that's a truth we can take with us through the next year and every year until Jesus comes back. Give this sermon a listen to hear more about it.

On December 28th, the Church remembers the massacre of the Holy Innocents. Those poor children whose only crime was being a two-year-old boy or younger living in the region of Bethlehem. So what happened in those days? Why did those children have to die? Why do we dwell on such an evil act? Give this sermon a listen and you'll find out the answers to those questions.

Merry Christmas. Today's sermon delves into the mystery of John 1:1-14. John ties so many things together in these verses, but if we don't pay attention, it's easy to miss them. So what is he doing with these verses? What is he confessing about Jesus Christ? Why is this the Christmas Day Gospel? Give this sermon a listen if you are curious about any of these things.

It's Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas! But this isnt' the end of the story. It's not over on the silent night in Bethlehem. So what happened next? Why did Jesus have to be born, in a stable of all places? What does this mean for us today? Give this sermon a listen if you're curious about any of these questions.

What does it mean that John is preparing the way of the Lord? Is this something that he was able to finish and it's done once and for all? Or is it something else? Give this sermon a listen to find out more.

Silent Night was the hymn for our study this evening. And if you stop and think about the lyrics, they don't seem to make a lot of sense. At least, if you only think about that night in Bethlehem and don't compare it to the day when Jesus comes back again. Listen to this sermon to find out more about what I mean.

John the Baptist was the greatest prophet to arise, yet he was only human. And being human, he was not without human weakness, including doubts while he was imprisoned. But doubt is not unbelief, and Jesus uses these doubts to not only make John's faith stronger, but strengthens our faith by His response. So what does Jesus say? Give this sermon a listen to find out more.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing is a song that gives us the pure words of Scripture set to song. What do those Scriptures say? What do they tell us about ourselves and about Jesus? Give this sermon a listen to find out more.

Is the news of the last day a comfort or a terror? It depends on if you're burning or if you've been healed. So, what will the rays of the sun of righteousness do to you on the last day? Do you know? Give this sermon a listen to find out more.

Why is "Joy to the World" a Christmas hymn? Where are the mangers and the sheep and the snow? If you're curious, give this sermon a listen that tackles the themes of "Joy to the World" and uses it to show us Jesus who is coming again.

A brief homily on Jeremiah 23:7-8 that reminds us about the nature of Advent: Jesus is coming back, and we're looking forward to it. Come quickly, Lord Jesus, Amen.

Why is the ethnicity of the Leper in the story of Luke 17 so important? Why did Jesus mention it specifically? How does it show us the mercy and love of Jesus? Give this sermon a listen to find out more.

When someone mentions heaven, what do you think about? Do you think about a bunch of angels sitting around on the clouds? What if I told you that isn't described in the Bible at all? So what does the Scriptures teach about our lives in eternity? Give this sermon a listen to find out more.

Psalm 116 is a wonderful Psalm, but it seems to have a verse or two that are in a bit of discord with the verses around it. Is it because God's Word is flawed, or is the flaw in our own understanding of it? Give this sermon a listen to find out more about it.

St. Paul talks about the armor of God. But what does he mean by that? What sort of armor is he talking about? Why would Christians need armor? Give this sermon a listen to find out the answer to these questions if you're curious.

For all the saints who from their labors rest,who Thee by faith before the world confessed;Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.Alleluia, Alleluia!This hymn of All Saints sets the tone for the message this morning. Who are the saints? Why do we remember them? How does Jesus fit into this? Give this sermon a listen to find out more.

The reformation was a blessing to the church, but the work for it isn't done. It's not that Luther didn't go far enough, rather it's that human beings are constantly straying from God's Word. So we constantly need to repent and come back to God's Word. But the world doesn't want reformation, it wants revolution. What's the difference? Why does it matter? Give this sermon a listen to find out more.

David writes Psalm 34 at a difficult time in his life, when he is on the run and hiding in enemy territory. But if David didn't tell you that, you might not have known it from the Psalm itself. So what does David have to say in this Psalm, and what might we learn from it? Give this sermon a listen to find out more.

Jesus heals a man with dropsy, but is it legal for Him to do so? That is the question that Jesus poses to the lawyers and Pharisees, and then he gives a lesson on one of the proverbs of Solomon. But how does any of this apply to our lives? What is Jesus trying to teach even us? Give this sermon a listen to find out more.

Jesus raises the son of the widow of Nain. But what does that matter to us now? What does that teach us about Jesus? What clues does this give us about our own resurrections? Give this sermon a listen to find out more if you're curious.

Psalm 146 is a wonderful song of praise to our Lord. But it's more than just some song with forgettable lyrics. It's the Word of God for His people, the people who wrote it and the people who still read it today. So what does this Psalm have to teach us? What can we meditate on as we think about this Psalm? Does any of this have to do with Jesus Christ? Give this a listen to find the answer to these questions and maybe a few more.