Therefore, let us look not to the world’s enticements nor listen to the lies of those who live for them. Our Lord’s return is certain and imminent and is to serve as an encouragement to living faithfully for him. Until then, some will still obsess on when he will return, while others will live as if he never will.
Category Archives: Sermons
Hope in Those (These) Days
“For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed” (1 Cor. 15:52), conformed in glory to the image of our Lord. Until that day in these days, let us encourage one another with the Word of Christ, for it will never pass away.
When the Temple Falls
Do not be deceived: We have but one Savior. He resides in us through the presence of his Spirit and guides us by his ordinary means of Word, sacrament and prayer. And when he returns, there will be no question about it. The question is: What is your hope? The question is: Where is your rest? The question is: Who will you follow?
When the End Begins
Brothers and sisters, stop living in fear and start praying for souls. Stop consuming all that bad news and start sharing the Good News. Stop critiquing your neighbors’ politics and start telling them about Christ’s kingdom. Because, we have not yet reached the end, so look and “see that the fields are white for harvest” (John 4:35).
When God Dwells
Through faith in Christ, Jew and Gentile alike are united into one holy temple, built living stone upon living stone. And it is in Christ alone that we are “built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit” (Eph. 2:14-22).
Christless Religion
For the gospel has come to us, carried from Jerusalem to the world. Therefore, let us guard against the Christless religion of the scribes and Pharisees, looking by faith to Christ our Savior, to be conformed to his image, as we are cleansed by his blood, finding our true identity in Christ alone.
Humility Exalted
In Christ’s church, he gifts and uses those called to his service but never for their glory. It is not without significance that even the title “minister” is derived from the word meaning “servant.” For, in the body of Christ, we are all called to serve in Christ: “There is one body and one Spirit…one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Eph. 4:4-6).
Christ the King
Despite his sinless perfection, he was falsely accused, illegally tried, and executed on a Roman instrument of tortuous death. Yet, it was his heavenly Father’s will that he die, for in death he took upon himself the just penalty for our sin.
Love in Christ
Our love then is a God-glorifying response to his love. Though we do not love God and others perfectly, our love for God and others reveals that we are his child (1 John 4:7). By his grace, the Spirit of Christ in us enables us to love, progressively perfecting our love for God and others and preparing us for an eternity of perfect love.
A Marriage Made in Heaven
We who are Christ’s bride await the final consummation of our union with Christ, a marriage made in heaven. In earthly marriage, we enjoy partnership. But in the new creation, we will enjoy eternal union with him.
Planter, Pastor, Preacher 