Sermons

What is preaching? St. Paul writes in Romans: “Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14-15)

Therefore our Lutheran Confessions state: “It is also taught among us that one holy Christian church will be and remain forever. This is the assembly of all believers among whom the Gospel is preached in its purity and the holy sacraments are administered according to the Gospel.” (Augsburg Confession VII:1-3)

There are 257 posts filed in Sermons (this is page 35 of 86).

Easter Monday ’12 – Acts 10:34-41; Luke 24:13-35

Acts 10:34-41; Luke 24:13-35

“God raised Him on the third day!” When St. Peter is preaching in house of Cornelius, the centurion, he now knows that the Gospel is for all who would believe, Jew and Gentile alike. Yet, even when preaching to the Gentile, he preaches the cross from the prophets to prepare for the resurrection of Jesus. All New Testament sermons are Easter sermons. “You put Him to death, but God raised Him on the third day!”

St. Peter and the rest of the Apostolic band bear witness to the resurrection. They saw and believed not because they saw Him walk out of the tomb but because He appeared and ate and drank with Him. Their eyes were focused to see Him and to learn from Him, as He opened the Scriptures to them and revealed Himself to them in the breaking of the bread.

So it is for us. We are witnesses, with eyes focused by prophets and cross, to recognized the resurrection Lord as he eats and drinks with us, both now and into eternity. Easter is not about a dead man rising but about the Christ resurrecting. The Lamb of God has anointed us with His blood and the angel of death passes over our house. Easter isn’t about bunnies, eggs, feasts, and flowers. Its the festival of Christ’s destruction of death by His death. And now we are partakers in His life, too. We are His friends, His beloved. We have life—the Word of life, the water of life, and blood of life. This is Easter and the best gift.

(Based on the postil from Linedmann’s “The Sermon and the Propers” for Easter Sunday)

Easter Dawn ’12 – John 20:1-18

Resurrection. Much depends on the resurrection both for the present and into eternity. Not only is it useful and good but also to God’s praise and glory. Therefore we should pay attention, listen, and thank God for His Son’s glorious resurrection. There can never be too much of this good thing. Indeed, Christian preaching is Jesus without ceasing—his death and justification for you. Let us consider both the events of His resurrection and its benefit for you. Continue reading →