Transfiguration Sunday
February 23, 2020

2 Peter 1:16-21
We Have the Word – More Certain!

1) Certain through eye-witness testimony.
a. We may have doubts about our Saviour?
b. The apostles were eye-witnesses of His glory! (They saw it on the Mount and proclaimed it in their Ministry)
* Our faith is based on historical fact – God's son lived, died, rose, and returned to heaven to give us eternal life!

2) Certain through the Holy Spirit's inspiration.
a. Sin's darkness overshadows our lives.
b. God's Word shines the light of Jesus.
* After seeing Jesus' glory in worship, we must go down from this mountaintop back to life, following the light of God's Word- made more certain!

6th Sunday after Epiphany
February 16, 2020

1 Corinthians 2:6-13
Do You Know God's Secret Wisdom?

1) It's a secret – because only He can reveal it.
a. Worldly wisdom leaks to self-righteousness or despair.
b. God's secret wisdom reveals our Saviour Jesus!

2) It's a secret – because God has revealed it by His Spirit.
a. Things we see will all pass away.
b. Unseen things the Spirit reveals last forever.
* Continuing to know, trust, and proclaim God's secret wisdom, inspired by the Holy Spirit, brings blessings to us and many others through our missions!

5th Sunday after Epiphany
February 9, 2020

1 Corinthians 2:1-5
On what will you base your faith? God's Power or Human Wisdom?

1) Human wisdom cannot grasp the truths of eternal life.
a. Paul came in weakness and trembling to preach the gospel.
b. We cannot rest our faith on human wisdom.
* No human wisdom, can grasp the mystery of God's revelation for our salvation.

2) God's power – the message of Christ crucified – gives us life!
a. The Holy Spirit works through the power of the Word of God.
b. Knowing “Christ Crucified” is wisdom for eternal life.
* “Worldliness is what any particular culture does to make sin look normal and righteousness look strange.” Base your faith on God's power, not human wisdom!

4th Sunday after Epiphany
February 2, 2020

1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Let Him who Boasts Boast in the Lord

1) No one may boast since we're saved by grace.
a. We readily admit our sin.
b. We trust God's “foolishness” for our salvation.
* All human boasting is in vain. Every good gift comes from God.

2) When we do boast, we boast in the Lord.
a. Blessed are the “poor in spirit”.
b. We joyfully boast of the Lord, His wisdom, and His salvation.
* You may have no prominence in this world's system, but the Lord has chosen you. You are the salt and light of the world!

3rd Sunday after Epiphany
January 26, 2020

1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Promote Peace in Christ's Church

1) Be United in the Gospel Truth
a. Unity in only a few things. No, be perfectly united.
b. Unity is based on God's Word.
* Can we simply agree to disagree? (See John 10:35, John 17:17, Matthew 24:35). God wants us united in mind and thought on the basis of Scriptures. Only Christ's true Gospel can give us eternal life and guide us through our lives.

2) Be United in Proclaiming the Gospel.
a. The Corinthians split as they boasted on their teachers.
b. Christ, however, is not divided.
* What's the problem when we're tempted to split over non-biblical matters? (Our sinful nature). What's the solution? (The cross of Christ). Let's “make the church together” focused on Christ and His cross!

Second Sunday after Epiphany
January 19, 2020

1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Confused about Identity?

1) Why do we have an “identity crisis?”
a. The world suggests we're just animals.
b. God reveals He created humans in His image.
c. The fall into sin destroyed our identity in God's image.
* Why can't we find our identity on our own? Sin has separated us from God who loves us and longs for us to know who we really are!

2) What is our new identity in Christ?
a. Who are we? We're saints, cleansed of sin through Jesus.
b. Why are we here? To serve Jesus in faith and love.
c. Where are we going? To be with Jesus in heaven.
* The devil, the world, and our flesh try to destroy our new identity, but God is faithful – through the Word and Sacrament, He will keep us blameless and in fellowship with His son Jesus!

First Sunday after Epiphany
January 12, 2020

The Lord Cares for His Children!
Exodus 2:1-10

1) Thank God through faith in Jesus you are His child.
a. God cared for His child Moses.
b. God showed Jesus is His eternal Son our Saviour.
The Lord adopted us. Giving us faith in Jesus by the Gospel in Word and Sacrament. Appreciate this miracle!

2) Take up the task of caring for His little children.
a. God used Moses' parents to provide His care for Moses.
b. God uses us as His representatives to care for His children.
* Children are a sacred blessing and trust. Within our family and our congregation we have opportunity to show God's love and care for them.

Epiphany Celebration
January 5, 2020

Jeremiah 31:15-17
There Is Hope for Your Future

1) Because the Lord lovingly chastens us.
a. Rachel was weeping for her captive children.
b. Rachel wept again when Herod murdered.
* Why doesn't God prevent all evil? His Word assures us He disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12).

2) Because God will accomplish His will to save us.
a. The Lord dried Rachel's tears after Babylonian captivity.
b. The Lord's promises of life dried the parents tears in Bethlehem.
* When you suffer, trust in the God of your salvation!

Sunday after Christmas
December 29, 2019

Micah 5:2-5
From Bethlehem, from Eternity God Gives His Gift

1) God's eternal Son came into time at Bethlehem.
2) God's eternal Son came to be our Shepherd, King, and peace.

Christmas Day
December 25, 2019

Isaiah 9:6-7
What's in a Name?

To Us a Child is Born!
His Name Is; Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Christmas Eve
December 24, 2019, 7PM

Isaiah 8:20-9:2
Afraid of the Dark?
A Light Has Dawned!

4th Sunday of Advent
December 22, 2019

Isaiah 12:1-6
The Day Has Come – Rejoice!

1) Joyfully trust in the God of your salvation!
a. God was justly angry with us.
b. Jesus turned away God's anger.
* We dying creatures in a dying world have this hope – We joyfully trust in the God of our salvation!

2) Joyfully grow in faith in the God of your salvation.
a. Jesus alone satisfies our spiritual thirst.
b. Draw the water of salvation from the Gospel.
* Show your joy in worship and in living to proclaim Jesus!

3rd Sunday in Advent
December 15, 2019

Jeremiah 23:5-6
Behold, a Branch is Growing!

1) The Branch is the Son of David and the Son of God.
2) The Branch is King and Saviour of All.

2nd Sunday in Advent
December 8, 2019

Daniel 4:1-4
Fear Not! Your King Is Coming!

1) Before He comes, it will be a time of trouble.
a. Daniel prophesied a time of trouble for Israel.
b. Enemy invasion in 168 BC fulfilled the prophecy.
c. Israel's trouble foreshadowed great distress at the end.
* “Signs of the end times” are being fulfilled today - outside and inside the Christian Church.

2) Fear not – When He comes, it will be a time of triumph!
a. The Lord's arch angel, Michael, would work God's victory.
b. The Lord's Son, Jesus, accomplished our eternal victory!
* By God's grace, we who have been made “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” will shine forever. Let this hope inspire you to seek Christ's kingdom first - for yourself – and for others.

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?”