Month: January 2017

The Kingdom of Heaven is Yours

Text: Matthew 5:1-12
Occasion: The 100^th Anniversary of St. Paul, Wood River, IL
Date: Epiphany IV + 1/29/17

For one hundred years God’s Word has sounded forth from the pulpit of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wood River, Illinois and generations of God’s people have believed and lived that Word, and have been given that new life God gives to those who repent and believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. First there is the preaching then the hearing, repenting, the living and believing.

I rejoice today with you that I was privileged to preach God’s Word here and live in the God-given fellowship of this congregation from 1983 to 1991 (the 77^th-86^th anniversary years), and that I can celebrate with you today this significant 100^th anniversary. Continue reading “The Kingdom of Heaven is Yours”

Text: Matthew 4:12-25
Date: Epiphany III + 1/22/17

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. The Kingdom is coming because the King has come. This was the proclamation of John the Baptist. Now he was arrested and out of the picture. By Jesus’ baptism with the Holy Spirit John and the world know that this is the Son of God our Savior. And by Jesus’ baptism now you have been captured in your baptism to saving faith. So now what? Continue reading “Thy Kingdom Come: The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand”

Text: John 1:29-42a
Date: Epiphany II + 1/22/17

Thy Kingdom Come. The coming of the kingdom means and requires the coming of the King. But whereas “the kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer” the King Himself comes with the help and assistance of others. He comes in the flesh as the Son of Mary. He comes to you by means of others preaching the Word of God. So now at the beginning of His earthly ministry He comes by means of the one sent to prepare His way, by the revelation given to John the Baptist. John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that THIS IS THE SON OF GOD!” Continue reading “Thy Kingdom Come: A Man Who Ranks Before Me”

Text: Matthew 3:13-17
Date: Baptism of Our Lord + Epiphany I + 1/8/17

God’s kingdom, His rule of grace, comes to us in the sacrament of Holy Baptism. There we are buried or identified with the blessed death of our Lord for the forgiveness of our sins. There we receive the forgiveness of our sins, faith to believe in the forgiveness of our sins and adoption as sons and daughters in the family of God’s redeemed, restored, renewed creation. We are baptized for the forgiveness of sins. Continue reading “Thy Kingdom Come: He Comes, the King Anointed”