Forgiveness Cancels Paybacks

Sermon Text: Matthew 25:13Jesus is coming. Are you ready for His coming again? While it is important to know Jesus, it is more important that Jesus knows you.

Zacchaeus, the wealthy tax collector, climbed a sycamore tree just hoping to catch a glimpse of Jesus. But Jesus saw him first — calling him down, staying at his house, and bringing salvation to a sinner. On this All Saints’ Day, rejoice that Jesus spots you too, wherever you are, and makes sinners His saints.

Sermon Text: Romans 3:19-28Nine years ago, at the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, this phrase was used to accurately capture the essence of the Reformation: “It’s still about Jesus.” In the nine years since, this has not changed! Celebrating Reformation Sunday is not an invitation to brag about our heritage or ethnicity; it is a time to hear the clear Word of God and to rejoice. It is still about Jesus!

Sermon Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10The life of a Christian can be challenging. The apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonian Christians with these words, “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV). May Paul’s words be an encouragement to us.

Sermon Text: Matthew 22:2In Holy Baptism, God clothed you in the wedding garment of Christ’s righteousness and gave you a seat at His table at the Great Wedding Feast. That table is set with His Word and His Supper. The feast is ready. Come to the table of the Lord and receive the free forgiveness, life, and salvation Christ has won for you.

Sermon Text: Matthew 21:33-46The church belongs to Jesus Christ, not us! He alone builds, sustains, and blesses His church through the saving gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. Because we are His people by grace, we are freed and empowered to joyfully serve as Christ’s presence in the world.

Sermon Text: Psalm 25:7The sins of our youth and all of our past sins can rise up to haunt us. But the Good News of Jesus our Savior gives us comfort, reassurance, and the strength to move forward in life as mature Christians.

Sermon Text: Matthew 20:15 We want things to be fair. I want what I deserve, but God does not work that way. Thanks be to God that He is not fair but generous.

Sermon Text: Genesis 50:15-21The account of Joseph forgiving his brothers appears to be so nice and neat. We read it and marvel at the grace Joseph extends to his (at one time) ruthless brothers. But then we are confronted with the truth that we are also called to forgive like Joseph. How can we? We begin to discover the answer when we examine the “payback.”

Sermon Text: Ezekiel 33:7-9God’s Word is of love, forgiveness, and restoration. It is also a Word of correction and discipline. Ezekiel, the prophet, spoke this Word of God to Israel. God entrusts His Word to us so that we, too, may share His Word so all may know His love and forgiveness and that we are restored to Him for all eternity.