29 Jan 2023 -- Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

Christ Lutheran Church & School

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29 Jan 2023 -- Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

The Savior's Sermon -- Trust in God's Strength

January 29, 2023 • Pastor Greg Stenzel

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Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with a series of blessings. “Blessed are...” Jesus says again and again. In the Latin Vulgate, these all begin with the word “beati” which translates as “blessed” or “happy.” Thus, this sermon portion is often called “The Beatitudes.” It had to give Jesus’ listeners pause. For what Jesus calls blessed, the world never would. The world praises the strong and the self-sufficient. Jesus calls blessed what others would see as weak or stupid. But, like any good preacher, Jesus is trying to drive home one crucial point. The weaker you are, the more ready you are to rely on God’s strength. The more difficult your present circumstances, the likelier you are to yearn for future reward.

All the readings for today teach this truth. We have no real strength or wisdom of our own. But we don’t need it because God’s strength is enough to give the kingdom of heaven to the humble and poor in spirit.

4th Sunday in Lent Divine Service

March 19, 2023 • Pastor Greg Stenzel • John 9:34–41, Isaiah 42:14–21, Ephesians 5:8–14, John 9:1–7, John 9:13–17

We know that unbelief will have consequences in the future—eternal separation from God. But unbelief also has consequences now. It makes you blind, in a sense. The unbeliever is unable to see the world as it is. That which is harmful, the unbeliever considers reasonable; that which is good, he considers meaningless. The unbeliever cannot see the danger that lurks behind temptation. He cannot see the blessing contained in God’s Word. The unbeliever cannot see the tragic fate in his future and certainly cannot see the Savior. The Old Testament said that restoration of sight to the blind was one of the works of the Messiah. In his ministry, Jesus healed those who were physically blind. But even if our eyes work just fine, we still need Jesus to give us spiritual vision. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” Christ shines his light into our darkened eyes so we might see him and live. Jesus meets our greatest needs. He provides sight for the spiritually blind.

19 Feb 2023 -- Transfiguration Sunday

February 19, 2023 • Pastor Greg Stenzel • Matthew 17:1–9, Exodus 24:9–18, 2 Peter 1:16–21

Throughout his ministry, Jesus said remarkable things and did extraordinary things. Yet, he looked like an ordinary man. The prophet said, “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2). This would all change one day atop a high mountain. There, Jesus gave his disciples—gave his Church—a glimpse of the glory he set aside to be our Savior. And the voice of the Father thundered from the heavens, just as it did at Jesus’ baptism, announcing Jesus’ true identity to the world—the glorious Son of God. And so the Transfiguration of our Lord serves as a one-week bridge between the season of Epiphany, where Jesus is revealed as the true Son of God, and the season of Lent, where we witness what the Son of God came to do. On the Mount of Glory, St. Peter declared, “It is good for us to be here.” Indeed! For here we see the God of Majestic Glory, who became a man to suffer and die for us, just as Moses and the Prophets had foretold. Oh, how much this glorious God loves us!

12 Feb 2023 -- Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

February 12, 2023 • Pastor Greg Stenzel • 2 Samuel 11:1–17, 2 Samuel 11:26–27, 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12, Matthew 5:21–37

Part three of three on the Sermon on the Mount After examining our lives, we can only despair over our lack of holiness. So, the Gospel Acclamation reminds us to flee to Christ, who loves us despite our failures and who sacrificed himself for unholy people. Secure in his grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit, each day, we strive to live the holy lives to which we have been called.