Sermon for August 25, 2013

Sermon for Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Aug. 25, 2013

Proper 16, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wallis, Texas

Sermon Text:  Luke 13:22-30

Sermon Theme:   “Enter Through the Narrow Door!”

(Sources:  Brokhof, Series C, Workbook; Emphasis Online Illustrations; original ideas)

 

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Several years ago, people in a town along the Texas Gulf Coast were warned of an approaching hurricane and told to leave their homes and the locality.  Most people believed the weather bureau, and, on their advice, left the area.  Others, however, refused to heed the warnings and decided to remain.  Among those who refused to leave were two groups of people.

One group simply made light of the warnings and prepared a big party with eating, drinking, and entertainment, pretending like nothing was happening.  The other group recognized the danger but felt God would protect them if they prayed, so they gathered in their local church to demonstrate their faith in the power of  prayer.  The hurricane hit the town with a tremendous force and both groups perished!

In our sermon text for today, Jesus exhorts us to have the narrow-door type of faith; otherwise, He doesn’t know where we are coming from.  Sometimes our views on faith are distorted.  We must realize that our faith can be strengthened by the knowledge and intelligence of others.  Yes, the knowledge and intelligence of others.

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Sermon for August 18, 2013

Sermon for Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Aug. 18, 2013

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wallis, Texas

Sermon Text:  Jeremiah 23:23-29

Sermon Theme:  “The Fire and the Hammer”

(Sources:  Emphasis online Illustrations; Brokhof, Series C, Workbook; original ideas; “His Powerful Word” – Hammer and Fire  by Edward Frey.)

 Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Many years ago, a little friend of one of my daughters was standing in the middle of the living room, holding his hands over his eyes.  “What are you doing?” I asked.

“I’m hiding,” he told me with great conviction.

“But I can see you,” I said firmly.

“You can?”  he asked with a cry of disappointment.

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Sermon for Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Aug. 11, 2013

Sermon for Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Aug. 11, 2013

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wallis, Texas

Sermon Text:  Luke 12:22-34

Sermon Theme:  “Is It Really Worth Worrying about?”

 (Sources:  Emphasis Online Commentary; Emphasis Online Illustrations; original ideas; Brokhof, Series C, Workbook; Nelson’s 3-in-1)

 Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 All of us worry, don’t we?  It’s part of life.

When G. K. Chesterton was once asked by a reporter, “If you were a preacher, and you could only give one sermon, what would it be about?,” he immediately replied, “I’d preach about worry!”  He knew what it was to be human.  Worry motivates a lot of our actions.  And, my gosh, what we sometimes worry about! Continue reading

Sermon for Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, August 4, 2013

Sermon for Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, August 4, 2013

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wallis, Texas

Sermon Text:  Luke 12:13-21

Sermon Theme:  “Too Much Stuff!”

 

(Sources:  Brokhof, Series C, Workbook; Emphasis online Commentary; Emphasis online Illustrations; personal examples)

 Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Due to a plumbing problem, our house was flooded over three months ago.  We still have not had needed repairs made, nor any of the ruined flooring replaced.  Why?  Because we have too much stuff!  We are in the process of giving or throwing away half of it and finding storage space for the rest.  Continue reading

Sermon for Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, July 28, 2013

Sermon for Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, July 28, 2013

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wallis, Texas

Sermon Text:  Luke 11:1-13

Sermon Theme:  “A Lesson on Prayer”

(Sources:  Emphasis online Commentary; Emphasis online Illustrations; original ideas; Brokhof Series C Preaching Workbook)

 

Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Two rather disreputable looking men were shipwrecked on a deserted island.  Frustrated by their situation, one man began to pray, “Dear Lord, I know that I haven’t been a very good person.  In the past I have lied, cheated, and hurt people with my behavior.  I drink, smoke, swear and gamble.  But God, if you get us out of this mess, you’ll see a changed man.  I’ll . . . “  Continue reading