Sermons
Messages from God's Word
Second Sunday of Easter
April 7, 2024 • Pastor Paul Becker • John 20:21–23
To demonstrate that with God all things are possible, Jesus sends us into the world as He was sent, with divine peace, with the Holy Spirit and with the forgiveness of sins. 1. We are sent into the world with divine peace a. Not a false peace that “heals the wound of My people lightly” b. The Prince of Peace makes us peacemakers in a strife-torn world 2. We are sent into the world with the Holy Spirit, the Comforter a. By saturating in the means of grace, not of ourselves b. By appreciating the fruits and gifts of the Spirit 3. We are sent into the world with the forgiveness of sins a. Daily in the Lord’s Prayer / Luther’s evening prayer b. For our enemies and persecutors, bless those who curse
Palm Sunday
March 24, 2024 • Pastor Paul Becker • Philippians 2:7–8
As Jesus emptied and humbled Himself, becoming like us in every way except sin, He resisted the devil’s pride, breaking the power of death on the cross. 1. Jesus emptied and humbled Himself for us a. He did not cling to His divine privileges b. He manifests the power of humility 2. Jesus became like us in every way except sin a. The joys and sorrows, trials and temptations b. Being subject to suffering and death 3. Jesus resisted the devil’s pride / broke the power of death a. God resists the proud/gives grace to the humble b. He who keeps My Word shall not see death forever
Fifth Sunday in Lent
March 17, 2024 • Pastor Paul Becker
In both His teaching and saving action, Jesus shows that following the ways of this world leads to strife and senseless suffering while He alone leads us on the path of life where we find fullness of joy and freedom from fear. 1. Their “great ones” exercise authority over them a. We still strive for positions of power and influence b. The world knows only how to profit at another’s expense 2. Christ calls us to contrast with the ways of this age a. Yet it shall not be so among you b. Success comes through serving others 3. Christ leads us on the path of life to fullness of joy a. The Son of Man came to give His life for us b. In His life we find joy and freedom from fear
Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 10, 2024 • Pastor Paul Becker • John 3:14–15
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Despite our incessant impatience with God and His ways, He not only convicts us of our sin but provides the antidote for the venomous serpent by looking at the Son of Man lifted up on the cross. 1. We are incessantly impatient with God and His ways a. Israel’s history of rebellion and unbelief b. How ironic our impatience with God and each other! 2. Fiery serpents come not to punish but to convict us of our sin a. The wages of sin is not only death but desire denied b. We confess the calamity is our own doing 3. In lifting up His Son, God provides the antidote to evil a. The mysterious divine necessity of the Cross b. By grace, saving faith delivers us from death to life eternal
Third Sunday in Lent
March 3, 2024 • Pastor Paul Becker • Exodus 20:1–2
We are able to confess and respond to the one, true God because He not only speaks words of life and truth but also desires to be in relationship with His children and rescues us by powerful act of deliverance. 1. The one, true God speaks words of life and truth a. Through His creation, conscience and Scripture b. You have the words of eternal life! 2. One, true God desires to be in relationship with His children a. As a father pities His children b. I come to You, dear Father...at Your command and promises 3. The one, true God rescues us by powerful acts of deliverance a. Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods b. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD
First Sunday in Lent
February 18, 2024 • Pastor Paul Becker • Genesis 22:12
1. God designs tests and trials of our faith a. Abraham’s “Anfechtung” (temptation, affliction. trial, tribulation). b. God calls every believer to remain steadfast / endure 2. True fear of God produces the obedience of faith a. Obedience of faith surrenders to God b. He leads the humble in what is right / teaches them 3. By not refusing His only Son, God blesses all nations a. In Jesus, we possess the gate of our enemies b. Blessed to know the Way, the Truth, the Life
Transfiguration Sunday
February 11, 2024 • Pastor Paul Becker • 2 Corinthians 3:16–18
As the Holy Spirit continually works faith in those who hear the Good News, veils are taken away, and we experience the glorious freedom of God’s children who are being changed through our relationship with Him. 1. As the Spirit works, veils are taken away a. We see the Law and Prophets point to Christ b. We see the treasure in earthen vessels 2. As the Spirit works, glorious freedom is found a. Freedom from fear b. Freedom to love and serve God in our neighbors 3. As the Spirit works, we see ever-increasing glory a. Ever-increasing Love and Truth b. Ever-increasing communion of saints
Fifth Sunday in Epiphany
February 4, 2024 • Pastor Paul Becker • Mark 1:35
As great numbers of people are drawn to Jesus for healing and deliverance, He shares the secret of His ministry by seeking solace and strength apart from the distractions of this world in close communion with the Father and the Holy Spirit. 1. Jesus freely shares His life in healing and deliverance a. Overflowing compassion of the Anointed One b. Finding our healing and deliverance in God alone 2. Jesus seeks solace and strength in communion with God a. In a deserted place apart from distractions b. In close communion with the Father and Holy Spirit 3. Jesus’ plan arises out of His perfect obedience a. Never swayed by praise or prejudice of the people b. Preaching where Christ was previously unknown
Fourth Sunday in Epiphany
January 28, 2024 • Pastor Paul Becker • Mark 1:27
While our experience of what we call spiritual warfare, that is, conflict with dark, demonic spirits may cause our hearts to fear, even as Christ commands them we find confidence to stand in Jesus’ authority and dispel them with His Light and Life. 1. Our experience of conflict with dark, demonic spirits causes fear • Why could we not cast him out? (Mark 9:17-29) • Ananias sent to the man who did many evil things (Acts 9) 2. Jesus commands even the unclean spirits • Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (I John 3:8) • Jesus will rule the nations with a rod of iron (Rev.19) 3. We find confidence to stand in Jesus’ authority, dispel demons • In My Name they will drive out demons (Mark 16) • Though devils all the world should fill….we tremble not
Third Sunday in Epiphany
January 21, 2024 • Pastor Paul Becker • Mark 1:16–18
Leaving our nets behind, lest they become idols and snares, we discover the joyful freedom of God’s children welcoming those who like us are caught in the nets of grace. 1. Nets are left behind lest they become idols • Old things, familiar ways, comfortable habits • Temporal, earthly security 2. Nets are left behind lest they ensnare and trip our feet • Lack of moderation, dissipation, cares of life • The snare is broken, and we have escaped 3. Nets are left behind in exchange for something better • Follow Jesus, catch people together • Making and mending the Kingdom nets
Second Sunday in Epiphany
January 14, 2024 • Pastor Paul Becker • John 1:43–44
As Jesus calls disciples, He removes all doubt about His identity by appealing to the Teachings of Moses and the Prophets, the context of His human life among us, and the personal experience of a life changing encounter with the Son of God. 1. We find Jesus in the Teachings of Moses and the Prophets • The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet • Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My chosen one 2. We find Jesus in the context of His human life among us • He came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth • Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother Mary? 3. We find Jesus in a personal encounter with the Son of God • Everyone invited to a personal, life-changing experience • You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!
The Baptism of Jesus
January 7, 2024 • Pastor Paul Becker • Mark 1:8–11
In the Baptism of our Lord Jesus we not only see the Sinless One taking on Himself our sins but also the empowering Spirit and the Father’s blessing freely given to us in Christ. 1. In Jesus’ Baptism, the Sinless One takes on our sin • He bore the sin of many, as Isaiah foretold • A death/resurrection like His sets us free from sin 2. In Jesus’ Baptism, the empowering Spirit descends • The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; Isaiah 61 • The touch/anointing of the Spirit gives new life 3. In Jesus’ Baptism, the Father’s blessing received • Jesus serves under a heaven splitting open • We serve under our Father’s blessing of kindness