Trinity Lutheran Church Sermons

Palmarum 2025. ”Who killed Jesus?”

Lent 5 Midweek. From Profane to Holy: Behold the Lamb.

The episode delves into the profound symbolism and significance of sacrifice in religious history, highlighting Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement in ancient Israel. It paints a vivid picture of the high priest's daunting task, emphasizing the importance of blood as a symbol of atonement and forgiveness.

The narrative bridges the gap from Old Testament rituals to the New Testament, introducing Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice. The episode explores how Jesus embodies the roles of both sacrificial lamb and scapegoat, fulfilling the ancient prophecies and redefining the path to redemption for all humanity.

Listeners are invited to understand the depth of Jesus' sacrifice, recognizing how it brings a new perspective on holiness and redemption, not merely covering sin but transforming believers from within.

Judica 2025. "Vindicate Me, O God: Christ's Sacrificial Love and Righteousness"

Explore righteousness and justification in this episode. As Christians we cry for vindication in face accusations and seek God's intervention. Discover how Jesus Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial love offer us salvation and righteousness through faith.

Reflect on Christ's active and passive obedience, which fulfilled the law we couldn't keep and paid the debt we could not pay, granting us the gift of righteousness. Understand the significance of living a life shaped by this received righteousness, freeing us to love, serve, and forgive in Christ's name.

Join us in understanding the transformative power of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection as our guide and solace amidst trials, granting us the assurance of justification and divine vindication.

Lent 4 Midweek. From Death to Life

In this thought-provoking sermon, explore the paradox Jesus presents in John 12: life through death. Beginning with the story of Jonah, who found redemption from the depths of the sea, this message unpacks how his experience foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. Discover how death, once an end, becomes a beginning through Jesus' burial and resurrection, bringing hope, renewal, and eternal life to all believers. With references to Ephesians and the promises of baptism, learn how Christians are reborn in Christ, overcoming the grave and living anew. Walk in the light, anchored in the assurance of salvation and the certainty of a future resurrection. Amen.

Laetare 2025: Finding Joy in Our Weariness

In this episode, we pause in the midst of our Lenten journey to explore the profound call to rejoice, even amidst weariness. As winter lingers and life's demands weigh heavily, we find solace in the abundant grace of Christ's eternal kingdom. Through the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, we are reminded that Jesus meets us not with burdens but with joy and abundance.

We delve into the scene from John 6, where a weary multitude is fed by Jesus, demonstrating how he sees our needs and meets them with compassion. This echoes our own journey through Lent, where the physical and spiritual hunger is met by Christ's provision. We discover that our joy is rooted in Christ's finished work, transcending the trials of Lent and life's pressures.

Join us as we reflect on the shift from weariness to joy, from emptiness to abundance, and find strength in the shared community of faith. Rejoice, for our King has come to feed us, turning our mourning into gladness and filling us with lasting joy that carries us through to the dawn of resurrection.

Lent 3 Midweek. True Freedom: Breaking the Chains of Sin

In this powerful episode, we explore the real meaning of freedom as opposed to the popular belief of living without restrictions. Jesus challenges the notion by emphasizing that true freedom is liberation from sin, a concept often misunderstood by believers and non-believers alike. Through the retelling of Biblical narratives and teachings, we delve into the slavery of sin and the redemptive power of Christ's sacrifice. Freedom in Christ isn't the absence of struggle, but the promise of victory through it, as Jesus walks with us every step of the way.

Join us in uncovering the truth of redemption through the lens of scripture, where freedom is not just a release from bondage but an invitation into sonship and everlasting belonging. Learn how to fight the ongoing spiritual battle with the promise of Christ’s presence and the assurance of ultimate victory.

Oculi 2025. "Eyes on Jesus amid Demonic Forces."

The Christian life unfolds on a battlefield, where demonic forces challenge your faith daily. As temptations and doubts loom, Oculi Sunday reminds us of our true protector — the Lord, whose strength plucks us from evil's snare. Through biblical tales of faith and fortitude, such as David's triumph over Goliath and Hezekiah's deliverance from Assyria, this episode highlights how God's right hand delivers us from our adversaries. Discover how Jesus, having defeated Satan through his crucifixion, ensures that we are more than conquerors in this spiritual warfare. Let this message inspire you to keep your eyes fixed on Christ, as our victories are found in His victorious wounds and abiding presence.

Lent 2 Midweek. From Enmity to Peace. "The Prodigal's Return: A Journey of Reconciliation"

In this heartfelt sermon, we explore the parable of the prodigal son from Luke chapter 15, illustrating the profound themes of sin, reconciliation, and God's abounding grace. The narrative draws parallels to Romans chapter 5 and Genesis chapter 3, emphasizing humanity's inherited brokenness and God's unwavering promise of peace to those lost in enmity.

Through the poignant stories of broken families and strained relationships, we see our shared experience of separation and pride, yet find solace in the Father's forgiving embrace. This episode reveals how God's love surpasses our understanding, offering unconditional reconciliation through Christ's sacrifice and inviting us to return home to His open arms.

Join us as we delve into how grace reconciles and restores, challenging us to be peacemakers and sons of God, embracing His infinite love and sharing forgiveness as we journey together in faith.

Reminiscere 2025. Sanctification: Beyond Moral Checklists and Warm Fuzzies

In this episode, we delve into the transformative concept of sanctification, exploring its true meaning beyond common misconceptions. Our discussion is centered on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7, where Paul redefines sanctification as an active work of God, urging believers to strive for holiness while battling sin and spiritual complacency. We examine how sanctification is not about earning God's favor but living out His will daily, fighting against sin and temptation with the aid of the Holy Spirit.

We tackle the specific sin of porneia, drawing parallels between ancient Thessalonica and today's world, where sexual sins threaten our spiritual identity. Through scripture and sacrament, we learn to resist these temptations, guided by the Holy Spirit in our journey towards spiritual growth.

Additionally, we reflect on biblical examples, such as Jacob's wrestling with God and the faith of the Canaanite woman, illustrating sanctification as a struggle of faith. We are called to persist in seeking God's grace, embracing the challenges of sanctification as a path to deeper faith and holiness.

Join us as we unpack the complexities of sanctification, encouraging steadfast faith and further commitment to living as God's holy people amidst life's trials.

Lent Midweek 1: From Guilt to Innocence. Grace-Filled Verdict of the Adulterous Woman

In this episode, which befins a few seconds into the sermon, we explore a powerful encounter between Jesus and an adulterous woman, shedding light on themes of sin, grace, and redemption. Caught in the act and facing a death sentence, the woman's accusers are left speechless by Jesus’ profound words, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." As the tension dissipates, only Jesus remains, offering her not condemnation, but grace.

Witness the profound collision of divine justice and grace as Jesus reframes the law, challenging the self-righteousness of the accusers. This narrative illustrates the transformative power of being justified by grace through faith, rather than by one's own righteousness. Jesus, the embodiment of sinless justice, carries the burden of sin for humanity, enlightening listeners on the true essence of Lent.

Delve into the implications of living in freedom and renewed life through grace, as Christ takes the verdict of sin upon himself. This compelling story invites listeners to reflect deeply on the themes of mercy, repentance, and the call to live as those who've been set free by divine love.