Second Sunday in Advent Service
What joy it brings to our hearts, then, that our Lord who comes again, comes as the Master who serves the servants. So that you could be considered the perfect steward—and rewarded as such, He came to be considered the most wicked one.
First Sunday in Advent Service
Christ’s merit is all-sufficient. What else could we need if we have Him? He has answered our accuser with the merit of His perfect righteousness. He became for you the one who transgressed God’s Law, who made Himself unfit for the kingdom (He took it from you and suffered for it Himself). He made Himself the one God had no right to accept, who’d failed in His requirements, who’d fallen short.
Last Sunday Service
You are under that training that leads to eternal life. It is none other than the declaration: Jesus died for your sins and rose to life again. Your sins are no longer held against you. You will rise to be with Him in His eternal kingdom. That is the oil that lights the lamp that leads to Christ. You have it. No matter how long the wait, at the Bridegroom’s call you will rise with everything you need to be with Him.
Third Last Sunday Service
Fix your eyes on this Savior, Jesus. As you watch and struggle, know that the outcome is set: you have the victory over anything that happens to you in this world, and over the guilt that burdens you. He has seen to it for you. He invites you to keep bringing your burdens to Him. He has paid every debt. You are forgiven in Him.
Reformation Service
“If you hold to my teaching…the truth will set you free.” That’s what Jesus says in our text. In studying the Psalms, Luther learned that God is not merely an angry judge who wants to punish people for their sins, but rather a merciful God who wants to give people His righteousness. In studying Paul’s letter to the Romans, Luther found that salvation is by God’s grace alone through faith in Christ. God gives us faith through His Word and in baptism. He preserves that faith in us as we receive the Lord’s Supper.
Trinity 22 Service
God hears your heartfelt confession of sin, your pleading in the Name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness. He hears and He forgives. That’s Who He is. You plead in the Name of the one Who was punished as the greatest tyrant—the world’s most unmerciful person, so that your story plays out as if it were that imagined one we talked about earlier, the one in which the servant has mercy on his debtor—forgiving him, freeing him. It’s as if you’ve always done it perfectly. Nothing is held against you. The Law is no longer an issue; you are under the perfect grace of God. He’s the One Who made you His own in Baptism, held you close to Himself all these years as you have heard His Word here, received His Supper.
Trinity 21 Service
Christ’s Word is sure. Even as He said to the official in our text, “Go; your son will live” so He says to you this morning, Go in peace; I am with you always, your sins are forgiven, your every need is met, there is no danger from which God cannot protect you. Jesus was punished as the world’s greatest doubter of God’s love, and forgiveness, and faithfulness—taking your sins upon Himself, and trading you His perfect righteousness. Before God, it’s as if you have never doubted His Word. You stand before Him forgiven of every sin.