Romans 11:1-2, 29-36

A sermon for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

The first eight chapters of Paul’s letter to the Romans set out in logical form how salvation works. Then in Romans 9-11 Paul uses the Jewish people as a case study, an example of how salvation works.

In our text for today, Paul reaches the pinnacle, that is, having wrestled with the Jewish question, he can do no other than stand in awe, as he says in Romans 11:20: “So do not become proud, but stand in awe.”

Paul’s case study presents the problem: Why have the Jewish people not followed their Messiah? How is it possible they do not believe? God’s promises do not fail. His covenants with the Jews have not changed. Why then do they not confess Jesus as Lord? What do we say about this?

What follows as Paul wrestles with the question is daring and challenging. Just watch what he does.

Select here to read more or here for a pdf version.

Read More

Kings 19:9-18; Matthew 14:22-33

A Sermon for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

The Old Testament text for today comes right after the contest between Elijah and the priests of Baal. In that contest the Lord had sent fire from heaven that had consumed not only the meat from the sacrifice, but also the altar, that is, the wood and the stones and even the water. It was a great victory, and yet nothing happened. Elijah was depressed. In the text for today the story continues.

Select here to read more or here for a pdf version.

Read More

Matthew 14:13-21

A Sermon for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

A few years ago, a survey was taken of what Lutherans today believe. This survey revealed that 56% of confirmed Lutherans hold that the main thing that God wants is that you live a good life. 60% hold that the gospel is mainly about rules for how to live a good life. 67% of Lutherans hold that one can be saved in all religions, and 66% hold that one is not necessarily saved by Jesus alone.

Contrast that with what is said in Romans 8:31-39 (from last week). In these verses Paul is summarizing the whole business of what he has said in chapters 1-8. He writes: “What shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us: He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all [good] things with him?” (Romans 8:31-33)

Select here to read more or here for a pdf version.

Read More

Romans 8:26-39

A Sermon for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

I recently received a brochure advertising a Lutheran retreat on prayer. The brochure says the retreat will include prayers for many things, for peace in the Middle East, for the renewal of the church, and the like. There’s something good here. They even appeal to our Lutheran heritage and say: “We realize in evangelism it is the Holy Spirit who calls and gathers us so we will begin with calling on the Holy Spirit to make this happen.”

But then at the end of the brochure there’s a description of what prayer is. It says it’s a two-fold process of talking and listening. We bring everything to God by talking to him, and we are to listen and to know what he’s answered by looking in Scripture, by talking with others, and it says sometimes God’s answer comes even through the thoughts and dreams that he gives us.

Select here to read more or here for a pdf version.

Read More

Romans 8:12-25

A Sermon for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Sometimes we have a mountain top experience, and everything is beautiful, and we say with Browning in his famous little poem: “God’s in his heaven, and all is right with the world.”

What a wonderful world. We have that sense sometimes, as we look at this magnificent creation, and we say that tells us something about God.

That has been traditionally summed up in what are called the five proofs for God. (It goes back to Aquinas.) It’s useful for us Christians to know about these. They are like games that lead you astray. No need to caught in them. They don’t really work.

Select here to read more or here for a pdf version.

Read More