Trinity Lutheran Church Sermons

Trinity 13. The Good Samaritan and the Eternal Comfort of Christ

Grace, mercy, and peace be yours from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Today, we gather to remember and give thanks for the life of our dear sister in Christ, Connie. While we confront the sobering reality of death, we do so with the hope and promise of the resurrection, secured for us by Christ.

In this episode, we delve into the parable of the Good Samaritan from the Gospel of Luke, revealing the depth of Jesus' mercy and love. The parable illustrates how Christ, our Good Samaritan, stoops down to save us in our brokenness and sin, just as He did for Connie.

We explore how Christ's love transcends human boundaries, offering us healing, forgiveness, and the assurance of eternal life. Through His word and sacraments, He provides ongoing care and comfort, both in life and in death.

As we remember Connie, we are reminded of the steadfast and immovable love of Christ, who promises a resurrection to all His saints. Join us as we find comfort in the knowledge that Christ's love and mercy extend to us all, now and forever. Amen.

Trinity 12, 2024. Empowered to Speak: God's Gift of Speech

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. Today, the Holy Spirit reminds us of his gift of speech. Our ability to speak, confess, praise, and proclaim his truth is a gift empowered and guided by God himself. As we meditate on this gift together, we'll see throughout the Scriptures how God has used the mouths of his people, often despite our inadequacies, to fulfill his purposes. And in the discovery of their voices, we shall find our own.

We begin with Moses, who doubted his eloquence, yet God reassured him, saying, "Who has made man's mouth? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak." Similarly, Isaiah’s experience shows us that before we can speak for God, we must be purified by him. The psalmist sings, "The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times." It is a beautiful, purifying, and glorious thing to read, sing, and declare God's word.

Consider Balaam, a prophet hired to curse Israel, yet God intervened, even opening the mouth of Balaam's donkey to rebuke him. Despite Balaam's misguided intentions, God took control of his speech to accomplish his purposes. Balaam couldn't curse but only bless Israel. This story reminds us that God's will cannot be thwarted by human intentions or societal commands.

Peter, who once denied Jesus out of fear, boldly proclaimed Christ’s gospel at Pentecost, leading to the baptism of about 3,000 souls. His reliance on the scriptures and the truth of Christ's death and resurrection gave power to his message. John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus, provides us a model for how our speech should always direct others to Christ. When he saw Jesus, he declared, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."

Mary, the mother of our Lord, provides a powerful example of rejoicing in the Lord. Her Magnificat shows us the natural response of a heart overwhelmed by God's grace. Similarly, Zechariah and Simeon lifted their voices in songs of praise when they witnessed God's salvation. David's psalms drove away evil spirits from King Saul, demonstrating the power of song in proclaiming God's truth.

The Eighth Commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor," highlights the responsibility we have in controlling our tongues and using our speech truthfully. St. Paul urges us to speak life-giving words that align with Scripture. By adhering to sound doctrine, our words become instruments of God's grace, bringing light and hope to those around us.

Reflecting on these biblical examples, we see that God purifies, empowers, and purposes our speech. From Moses to St. Paul, each was called to speak by the power of God made perfect in weakness. Jesus' words on the cross carried profound significance, declaring love, victory, and trust in God. He says to you today, "You are forgiven," and it is so. He puts his Spirit within you to cry out in words too deep for human ears, giving you the words to proclaim, "Christ crucified for me."

This week, reflect on how you are using your words. Are they bringing glory to God? Are they pointing others to Christ? Are they seasoned with grace and truth? In your family, workplace, and community, ensure your speech consistently proceeds from Christ. Though you cannot do it alone, God can and does. Let us now beg him to cleanse our hearts, purify our speech, and empower us to speak his word of life, truth, and grace for the benefit of our neighbor and the glory of God.

Trinity 11. The Humility That Exalts.

Grace, mercy, and peace be yours from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. In this episode, we explore a recurring theme in the Scriptures: the humbling of the proud and the exaltation of the humble.

Through a series of five compelling examples, we delve into the stories of Cain and Abel, the Tower of Babel, Haman and Mordecai, King Saul and David, and ultimately, Jesus Christ. Each narrative showcases how pride leads to downfall, while humility brings exaltation.

We reflect on the profound lessons these stories offer and how they culminate in the ultimate act of humility and exaltation in the life of Jesus Christ. Join us as we uncover the timeless truth that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Let this message inspire you to live with humility, recognizing our need for God's mercy and trusting in His grace. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Trinity 10. The Zealous Love of Our Warrior King

The Zealous Love of Our Warrior King

Brethren, warriors of the Lord, the daily Christian life is a battleground. We are called to rise, stand firm, and march forward in the zeal of our Lord. When Jesus approached Jerusalem, He wept over the city for rejecting the true path to peace. He foretold its destruction and, with righteous anger, cleansed the temple, declaring it a house of prayer.

Jesus' actions echo the prophet Jeremiah's call for genuine repentance and amendment of ways. His anger was righteous, opposing the corruption sin brings. Our Lord's love is fierce, confronting sin and providing the way of escape. This depiction of Jesus as a warrior is affirmed throughout Scripture, revealing His fiery love that consumes our enemies.

Jesus' triumph over sin, death, and the devil was accomplished on the cross. His resurrection secured forgiveness, righteousness, and reconciliation with God forever. Today, He commands all to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, living a life of continual repentance and faith.

As temples of the Holy Spirit, we must examine ourselves, rooting out sin and living justly, showing mercy, and walking humbly with God. Christ's zealous love calls us to true repentance and holiness, preparing us for His return to judge the living and the dead. Let us march on in the righteous victory of our warrior King, keeping our bodies as true temples of worship, justice, and mercy.

Lord, keep us steadfast in Your word. Glory be to Thee, O Christ. Amen.

Trinity 9. Faithful Stewardship

Today, the Holy Spirit places before our eyes our Savior Jesus Christ, presenting him as the good and faithful steward of his heavenly Father's possessions. Jesus orders and orients everything rightly for our good, using them to gain us forever.

Consider our Lord: He left the glory of his heavenly throne to become man for us, endured all human experiences, performed miracles, and ultimately went to the cross. He laid down everything for us, and God has given him all authority in heaven and on earth, proving it by raising him from the dead.

Jesus calls us to repent, leave our idolatry, and believe in him for the forgiveness of our sins. By faith, God imputes Jesus' righteousness to us, giving us a new identity as Christians. We are called to manage our talents, time, and treasures faithfully, not for selfish gain, but for the glory of God and the benefit of our neighbor.

We are entrusted with the care of our families, support of our church, and love of our community. This involves providing for physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, participating in worship, and engaging in acts of kindness, generosity, hospitality, and service.

Jesus, our ultimate steward, assures us that he is always with us, empowering us through his spirit to fulfill our callings. Let us strive to be faithful stewards, reflecting his love and grace in all that we do, until the day we hear his voice welcoming us into our eternal dwellings.

And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, keep and guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Jerry Gerlach's Funeral Sermon

Trinity 8. Beware of False Prophets: A Call for Discernment

Beloved in Christ, today's sermon focuses on the stern warning from our Savior, Jesus Christ, in his Sermon on the Mount. He cautions us against false prophets who disguise themselves as part of God's flock but inwardly seek to devour it. We are called to be discerning, using the spirit of discernment given by Christ to expose and rid ourselves of these deceptive teachers, thereby persevering in true faith until the end of the age.

Christ's vivid imagery of false prophets as ravenous wolves in sheep's clothing serves as a stark reminder of their danger. Their outward holiness and use of familiar buzzwords mask their perversion of God's word, leading to profound spiritual destruction. Jesus teaches that we can discern the true nature of these prophets by their fruits, much like trees are known by their fruit. A good tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.

The episode delves into a biblical example involving the false prophet Hananiah, who contradicted God's true prophet, Jeremiah. Hananiah's false assurance misled the people, but Jeremiah's prophecy proved true, highlighting the dire consequences for those who proclaim falsehood in God's name. This serves as a warning for modern believers to remain vigilant and discerning.

The sermon also addresses contemporary false teachings, particularly those of the Seventh-day Adventists and their prophetess Ellen White. Her teachings, including the concept of Christ's "investigative judgment" in 1844, are shown to contradict the Bible and the completed redemptive work of Christ on the cross. The focus is on the importance of adhering to the liberating truth of the gospel, which is not about bondage to the law but freedom in Christ.

The episode concludes with a call for vigilance and discernment among God's people, emphasizing the responsibility of pastors and the congregation to uphold sound doctrine and moral integrity. A heartfelt prayer is offered for the preservation and flourishing of the church, its leaders, and its members.

Trinity 7 2024. Man Plans but God Provides

In this powerful and dense sermon, the preacher delves into the deep hunger for spiritual nourishment and the importance of trusting in God's providence. Drawing from the miracle of Jesus feeding the 4,000 with seven loaves and a few fish, the message underscores that God delights in providing for His children, even in the most challenging times.

The sermon takes a controversial turn, addressing seven critical societal issues where humanity often tries to take matters into its own hands. These include abortion, euthanasia, marriage and sexuality, gender identity, education, freedom of religion and conscience, and environmental concerns. Through each topic, the preacher emphasizes the need to uphold God's divine order and trust in His ultimate sovereignty.

Ultimately, the message is a call to resist placing trust in created things and to rely wholly on the Creator. It is a reminder that Jesus Christ, who miraculously provided for thousands, continues to nourish and sustain us. The sermon concludes with a powerful affirmation of faith in Christ's eternal provision and love, urging the congregation to trust in His faithfulness and providence.

Trinity 4. Embracing Mercy: A Call to True Christian Living

In this enlightening episode, we delve into Christ's message of mercy, emphasizing the importance of extending the same grace to others that we have received from our Heavenly Father. Using the Pharisees as a cautionary example, we explore the dangers of outward religiosity without true inward transformation.

The sermon challenges us to examine our own lives, urging us to forgive those who repent and to avoid harboring grudges. It underscores the profound truth that withholding forgiveness from others is akin to denying Christ's sacrifice for ourselves.

Furthermore, the episode highlights the role of true Christians in community-building, encouraging active participation in local governance, service, and fellowship. By living out God's word and fostering genuine Christian culture, we can bring about positive change in our neighborhoods and beyond.

Join us as we reflect on the power of forgiveness, the call to serve, and the blessings that come from living a life of true Christian love and mercy.

Embracing Fatherhood and Faith: Lessons from VBS

On this special Father's Day, we honor the role of fathers, drawing inspiration from the Bible. We delve into the Greek term "pater," meaning father, and "patria," meaning family, emphasizing that families are incomplete without fathers. We explore the significance of fathers in reflecting God's love, forgiving sins, and guiding their children.

This episode also recaps a vibrant Vacation Bible School (VBS) week, where children learned about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. Each day, the story of their journey paralleled our own struggles and triumphs through faith in Jesus Christ. From the bondage in Egypt to the miraculous Red Sea crossing, and from manna in the wilderness to the bronze serpent, the kids discovered profound biblical truths.

We conclude with reflections on the importance of the cross, both as a symbol in our church and as the essence of our faith. Through Christ crucified, we find forgiveness, healing, and eternal life. Join us as we celebrate the joy of faith and the pivotal role of fathers in our spiritual journey.