The First Sunday in Advent
December 1, 2019

Isaiah 62:10-12
Hear the Advent Cry - ”Your Saviour Comes!”

1) Prepare your heart to meet Him.
* Build a highway to your heart through daily repentance. Rally to the Gospel banner. Jesus rescued us from sin and earned our eternal life!

2) Receive the blessings He brings.
* The Advent cry gives us faith, hope and love. To whom will you proclaim the Advent cry, “Your Saviour Comes?”

Last Sunday of End Time – Christ the King
November 24, 2019

Colossians 1:13-20
Crown Him Lord of All!

1) Crown Jesus Lord – our Creator and Preserver!
a. He is true God and true man in one divine person.
b. His powerful Word gives us faith and courage.
* Be faithful to the point of death – to receiver the crown of life (Revelation 2:10)!

2) Crown Jesus Lord – Our Redeemer and Savior.
a. He rescued us from Satan's kingdom of darkness.
b. He redeemed (bought us back) us with the price of His blood.
* Jesus switches the “name tags” that identify our sin and names us God's redeemed children! Thank Jesus your King for His Word; Take Christ with you into the new church year and praise Him – Lord of all!

The 3rd Sunday of End Time – Saints Triumphant
November 17, 2019

2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5
May the Lord Direct Your Hearts into God's Love and Christ's Perseverance!

1) Continue in God's love in Christ.
a. From the beginning of our lives, we were dead in sin.
b. From God's eternal beginning, He chose to save us.
c. Hold on to the teachings of God's Word!
* Despite widespread attacks on the Word and people turning from the Word, trust the Lord's promises. He will protect and strengthen us by the gospel in Word and Sacrament – to continue in Christ's love!

2) Thankfully live for Christ.
a. The Lord gives us eternal encouragement and good hope.
b. We say “thank you” to the Lord with our words and deeds.
c. Pray that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly.
* As we await the final day of glory, may the Lord lift our souls above the storm clouds of this life – and give us His love and perseverance!

The Second Sunday of End Time – Last Judgment
November 10, 2019

2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

First Sunday of End Time – Reformation Sunday
November 3, 2019

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
Reformation Christian – Return to the Word!

1) God's Word makes us wise for salvation through faith in Christ.
a. All Scripture is God-breathed.
b. God's Word reveals Law and Gospel.
c. God's Word makes us wise for salvation through faith.
* By the Gospel in Word and Sacrament the Holy Spirit makes and keeps us alive in faith.

2) God's Word guides us as we live by faith in Christ.
a. Scriptures guide every generation.
b. Know the Scriptures “from infancy.”
c. Know the Scriptures as we gladly hear it preached.
* Look what will happen when we return to the Word as Reformation Christians!

The 20th Sunday after Pentecost
October 27, 2019

2 Peter 1:3
Relying on the Survival Kit

1)Protected in the Short Term.
2) Saved in the Long Term.

The 19th Sunday after Pentecost
October 20, 2019

1 Timothy 6:6-16
Godliness with Contentment Is Great Gain

1) Loving the things of this world is loss.
a. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
b. God gives us our property to manage for Him.
c. If a man will not work he shall not eat (2 Thess. 3:10)
d. Learn from the lesson of the rich man and Lazarus.
* The Love of money leads to so many other sins and problems. It ultimately leads to eternal ruin in hell.

2) Loving the Lord Jesus is eternal gain.
a. Christ's poverty gained eternal life (2 Cor. 8:9).
b. Fight the Good Fight of faith!
c. Live the life of faith!
* What good would it be to gain the world, but lose our souls (Mark 8:36)? Therefore, be content.

Thanksgiving
October 13, 2019

When You Pray, Say, “Thanks”!
1 Timothy 2:1-8

1) Thank the Lord when you pray for peace.
a. Praying expresses our faith the Lord meets all our needs.
b. In hardship we still have reason for rejoicing in the Lord.
c. We pray for everyone.
d. We pray for rulers – so we may live peaceful lives.
* The Lord extends His rule of grace even when wicked rulers are in power. Thank the Lord for the peace we have as we worship and carry out the kingdom work the Lord entrusted to us.

2) Thank the Lord when you pray for the salvation of others.
a. God wants all to be saved.
b. Thank the Lord He blesses us and others by His gospel.
* Offer your prayers of thanksgiving; Offer your life in thanksgiving.

The 17th Sunday after Pentecost
October 6, 2019

1 Timothy 1:12-17
I Was Shown Mercy!

1) I was shown mercy despite my opposition to Christ.
a. Paul had opposed Christ and persecuted his believers.
b. Paul was shown mercy.
c. In our sinfulness we too opposed Christ.
d. We are shown mercy!
* Jesus came to us in baptism and comes to us now and in Word and Sacrament. He shows us God's mercy!

2) I was shown mercy and now I serve Christ.
a. Jesus called Paul to serve as His ambassador.
b. Jesus has chosen us as His ambassadors today.
* Gladly hear and lean God's promises, and trust you were shown mercy. Christ Jesus came into the wold to save sinners!

The 16th Sunday after Pentecost
September 29, 2019

Luke 14:25-27
Test Your Discipleship – Are You Bearing Your Cross?

1) Every Disciple will bear a cross.
a. Jesus bore His cross.
b. We bear our cross.
* Real crosses aren't just earthly suffering, but suffering for faith in Christ.

2) The Lord gives us strength to bear our cross.
a. One example - “hating” the family.
b. Examples from early Christians.
* We face pressure due to our faith in Jesus. With His strength, bear your cross!

The 15th Sunday after Pentecost
September 22, 2019

Philippians 2:3-5
The Humble Acceptance of Serving Others

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

The 14th Sunday after Pentecost
September 15, 2019

John 13:34-35
Test Your Discipleship – Do You Obey Jesus' New Command?

1) Jesus' command to love is new in power.
a. It is a new command - “Love as Jesus Loves you.”
b. How sad is a world without this love!
c. Jesus acted in love to give Himself for our sins.
* Sink the roots of your faith deeply into Christ's love as you hear and believe His holy Gospel. Then you will have His new power to love!

2) Jesus' command to love is new in purpose.
a. Our life has a new purpose - “I love as Jesus loves me!”
b. Brotherly love of the first Christians is an example for us.
c. People will know we're Jesus' disciples when we love one another as He loves us.
* We'll pass through this world only once. Any good you can do now to show love for your brothers do it now!

The 13th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday 8, 2019

John 8:31-32
Test Your Discipleship – Are You Remaining in God's Word?

1) Remain in God's Word to be a disciple.
a. Jesus can look into hearts to see a genuine disciple.
b. Genuine disciples remain in His Word.
* Doubt and confusion can overshadow us. We need to hear the Word since faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ.

2) Remain in the Word, for it is truth and sets you free.
a. What is His truth?
b. It sets us free!
* Some turn from the Word and are enslaved again by unbelief. Test your discipleship. Are you really Jesus' disciple? Continue in His Word and be free.

The 12th Sunday after Pentecost
September 1, 2019

Ephesians 6:10-24
Be Strong in the Lord!

1) The Prince of Peace has given us victory over the Enemy.
2) Put on the full armor of God.
3) Pray in the Spirit.
4) Rest your soul in Word and Sacrament here at Mountain View.

The 11th Sunday after Pentecost
August 25, 2019

Ephesians 5:21-6:9
Live Your Relationships under Christ

1) Christians – submit to one another.
a. Christ loves and cares for us.
b. We care for one another.

2) Husbands and wives – love and submit.
a. Husbands love their wives wives as Christ loves the church.
b. Wives submit to their husbands as the church submits to Christ.

3) Parents and children – train and obey.
a. Children obey their parents as Jesus' representatives.
b. Fathers (parents) train their children in Christ's instruction.

4) Workers and employers – work for Jesus, consider their welfare.
a. We aren't serving a boss/teacher. We're serving Jesus.
b. We are responsible for how we treat/train those under us.
* No government or social agency can do what we can do when we live our relationships under Christ!

The 10th Sunday after Pentecost
August 18, 2019

Ephesians 5:1-20
Live as Children of Light

1) Imitate your Heavenly Father.
a. He's not abusive. Suffering and death result from sin.
b. He is love and gave His Son as our Saviour from sin!
2) Repent of and flee sins that imitate the world.
a. Don't be deceived by empty words about sexual sins.
b. Don't be deceived by empty words about greed.
* When we fall into sin by imitating the world, return in repentant faith to your heavenly Father, who loves and forgives!

3) Live as children of light.
a. Live in the light of God's Word.
b. Be filled with the Spirit – through Word and Sacrament.
c. Praise and thank the Lord in worship and in your life.
* “Declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 1:9).

The 9th Sunday of Pentecost
August 11, 2019

Ephesians 4:17-32
Take Off the Old Self and Put on the New!

1) Why do we need a change of “clothes”?
a. Our old self would live as an unbeliever.
b. Our old self would give itself to sinful indulgence.
* When unbelievers give themselves over to sensuality, God turns them over to their sin as punishment. What a relief to know Jesus rescued us from our sins!

2) How do we talk off the old and put on the new?
a. Until we're in heaven we'll daily struggle with sin.
b. By the Holy Spirit's power we repent and believe in Jesus for forgiveness of sin and new life.
* How do we live as new people through faith in Christ? We speak truthfully; share with those in need; build others up; and forgive just as in Christ God forgave us.

The 8th Sunday after Pentecost
August 4, 2019

Ephesians 4:1-16
Live a Life Worthy of Your Calling

1) In our personal lives.
2) In our life together in Christ's Church.
3) Using our gifts to serve Christ in His Church.
4) Growing to maturity in Christ.
5) Every one of us functioning to keep growing in faith and life.

The 7th Sunday after Pentecost
July 28, 2019

Ephesians 3:1-21
The Mystery and Meaning of Faith

1) We could never have discovered God's plan to save us.
a. We assume we're not too bad!
b. We never would have known we're saved by trusting Jesus!
* We also never would have expected God to make our salvation known by ordinary men, extraordinarily inspired by the Holy Spirit!

2) Look what our faith means!
a. We who would have been pagans are saved!
b. Jesus Christ is in us and a part of our daily living.
* Jesus stretched out His arms on the cross and said, “I love you this much!” Now, we say, “Here, because of the grace of God, go I!”

The 6th Sunday after Pentecost
July 21, 2019

Ephesians 2:11-22
One in Christ

1) The Lord doesn't set us apart because we're better.
a. God's covenant with Abraham set him apart from others.
b. God's covenant with Israel set them apart from others.
* By the time Jesus came into the world, tragically so many people thought they were set apart because they were better!

2) The Lord Sets us apart so we can belong to Him!
a. God set Israel apart so they wouldn't lose their faith.
b. God sets us apart so nothing harms our faith in Him.

3) The Lord sets us apart to bring us together as one in Christ.
a. God sent His son as Savior of all.
b. Jesus broke down the division between nationalities.
c. God brings every believer into unity in Christ.
* Building our faith on the solid foundation of Christ's Word, we are “living stones” in God's dwelling – united to serve Him!

The 5th Sunday after Pentecost
July 14, 2019

Ephesians 2:1:10
Power for a New You!

1) Why do we need a new life?
a. We were by nature dead in sins.
b. What did we deserve? God's wrath.
* Wrath is God's justice in action. He can't ignore sin, nor coexist with it. But still He loves the world – He loves you! He sent His Son to win forgiveness so we're object of His love!

2) In grace God gave us a new life.
a. God in love (agape – seeking our welfare.) and grace (God's love we don't deserve) made us alive with Christ!
b. In His eternal plan – we're already enjoying heaven!
* We can't earn or pay for this new life. We have been saved (rescued) through faith. Now we live as God's workmanship, crated to do good works in love for Jesus!