Sermons from Grace/Bethel

In the midst of the troubled times of the last days Paul reminds us to keep pointing our children in the right direction, to Jesus and the the Scriptures.

At his baptism Jesus identified with us. He fulfilled all righteousness. He kept God's law as our perfect substitute.

The Magi from the East set an example of what it means to be truly wise - They watched for the signs God gave, they acted in faith, worshiped the infant Jesus as their King and Savior, Gave gifts fit for a King, and obeyed the Lord's instructions not to return to Herod.

The words of the blessing given in Numbers 6 are not just a pious wish. Through them God himself puts his name on us and WILL bless us.

God sent Jesus into the world at just the right time to redeem the world. He sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts at just the right time so that we would be considered heirs with him of eternal life.

God rolled up his sleeves and provided salvation for the world in Jesus.

God loves us. Christmas proves it. He gave his Son to save a world who didn't deserve to be saved.

Joseph was a righteous man. When the Bible calls someone righteous it means that they trust in the one true God and his promise of a Savior. Like Abraham, righteousness is credited to a person through faith. Those who are righteous through faith show that righteousness in their lives, as Joseph did. 

Jesus is the Key of Knowledge. He warns us about things that distract us, or keep us from seeing him as the one who reveals God to us.

Did John have doubts about Jesus? Whether he did, or his disciples did, John knew what to do with doubt. He went to Jesus and Jesus removed doubts by pointing him to the prophecies of Scripture he was fulfilling.

God, the God of Hope, provides hope for that hopeless because he is always faithful to his promises. Most importantly he kept his promise to send a the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ.

The only way to be truly enlightened is by the Holy Spirit working through the word of God.

Just as Noah did we need to prepare an ark for our family. We do this by making sure everyone in our family knows that Jesus is their ark, their only hope of salvation when the last day comes.

The Psalmist prays for God's blessings so that, through us, his salvation my be known to all.

Jesus or victorious King gives us a glorious eternal kingdom.

God pictures for us what it will be like to live in the new heaven and the new earth.

At home with Jesus you are perfectly safe for all eternity.

Jesus left heaven to save us so that we could call him our brother.

God's law is truth but it can't sett you free  because you break it. Only he Son can set you free by his life and death in your place, and his glorious resurrection from the dead. He has set you free from sin, death and Satan  so that you can serve the Lord without fear and your neighbor in love.

Psalm 2 describes what Jesus faced as the Pharisees and Sadducees tried to trap him with difficult questions. When they were finished he asked them a question that made it clear that the Christ was to be both the son of David and the Son of God. Jesus is true God and true man, just  who he needed to be in order to save us. Always take refuge in him.

There is no sacrifice we can make to pay for sin. The only sacrifice that paid for sin was the sacrifice that Jesus made in our place. As we acknowledge our guilt and look to Jesus for forgiveness we will be moved to do what is just and love mercy.

Paul prays with freedom and confidence that we would be strengthened by the Spirit, know the greatness of God's love for us, and be filled with all the fullness of God.

Jesus tells us not to worry and gives us excellent reasons not to - God cares for birds and flowers and we are worth much more than they. Paul reminds us that God sacrificed Jesus to save us and if he did that, why wouldn't he provide for our lesser needs? Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath learned from experience what it means to put God first, trust him and he will provide.

Christians need constant renewal to be enabled to take off the old and put on the new.

The parable of the Good Samaritan tells us that everyone is our neighbor, even our enemy.  Leviticus 19 give us practical examples of how we can show love for our neighbor.

We confess that Jesus does everything well. Because he did he was able to win our eternal salvation. But how often don't we contradict our confession by doing the opposite of what Jesus commands as these people in the Decapolis did?

Paul was a sinner saved by grace. We are just like him, sinners saved by grace in Jesus.

Earthly things can't bring lasting peace. Only forgiveness and the promise of eternal peace in Jesus can bring lasting peace. Earthly Jerusalem was supposed to be a place of peace but it has never lived up to it's name. We look forward to the New Jerusalem, the heavenly one, where there is perfect peace.

"Known by Their Fruit" Test the fruit of a teacher's doctrine. If it agrees with God's word it is good fruit, if it doesn't agree with God's word it is rotten, poisonous fruit. Test the fruit your produce. If the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Such fruit comes as we daily remember our baptism, crucifying our sinful nature by daily contrition and repentance, and rejoicing that, through baptism, God has united us with Jesus in his live and death.

Abraham and Lot experienced consequences for their sinful and selfish choices. But in the midst of those consequences they experienced God's Grace. God's grace to Abraham moved him to be gracious to others.

God is merciful to us who are ungrateful and wicked. While we were still sinners Christ died for us. Having experienced his mercy to us we are moved to be merciful to others.

Be alert and always watching because Satan is like a lion ready to pounce when you are distracted. Trust God's promise to to help, to lift you up when you are humbles, to strengthen and support you no matter what.

God invites us to feast on his word and sacrament, and in his eternal kingdom. Don't ignore or take his invitation for granted.

Focus on what's important - The Lord and his word.

There is no one like our God - One divine being yet three distinct persons.

The Holy Spirit provided everything the disciples needed to preach law and gospel. He does the same for us today.

Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to be our coach and prepare us to witness about him and to suffer for him.

Our hearts need not be sad or troubled. Jesus is preparing a place for us and we will see him again.

Jesus is our Great High Priest.

Pure Religion - Beliefs and values based on God's word alone. Putting those values and beliefs into action out of gratitude for all God has done for you in Jesus.

Memory and Hope.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gave his life for the sheep. Therefore, we lack nothing now and have eternal life.

Only Jesus can give us the peace we need - the peace that comes from knowing he is alive and that our sins are forgiven.

Keep on remembering Jesus, true man, descended from David, and true God, risen from the dead. This is the gospel of our salvation that enables us to face  tomorrow and removes all our fears.

It is finished. Every prophecy of Scripture concerning the Messiah has been fulfilled. The work the Father gave Jesus has been accomplished. There's nothing left for us to do or suffer. Thank you Jesus! 

The Lord Is I AM

Sermon presented at Grace Lutheran Church, Seward NE on April 4, 2019 by Pastor Timothy Kemnitz

God shows that he can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine, most importantly, by sacrificing Jesus so that we could have forgiveness and eternal life.

Jesus lets us know neither He nor Satan are divided. In fact, you can't be neutral about Jesus. You are either with him or against him. 

Lenten Sermon by Pastor Ray Beckmann

Great Faith: Jesus tested the faith of the Canaanite woman so that we would be able to see the great faith she had in her heart. Great faith rests on Jesus alone for help and salvation, and shows itself when tested.

Pastor Fred Berger's sermon from week two of Lent

Jesus defeats the Devil for us 

Jesus is the "I AM", the one true God, the one who offered himself to protect his disciples, to suffer and die to pay for our sins.

The Transfiguration  of Jesus  makes us certain; certain that Jesus is true God, our Savior; certain that the Scriptures are the very word of God; and therefore certain that we have eternal life in Jesus.

God is Merciful and Just. Paul shows how that applies in our lives by the example of Israel in the wilderness, and the fact that he works hard to control his sinful nature so that he doesn't abuse God's mercy and end up being lost.

Even in hopeless situations Jesus asks "Why are you afraid?" He has power over wind, wave and water. Has power even over death. He has rescued you from the most hopeless situation of all - the punishment you deserve for your sins.

The Centurion from Capernaum showed proper humility and great faith. God's law gives us proper humility. Knowing who Jesus is, what he has done, and promised us gives us confident faith.

God gives every Christian gifts. Paul encourages us to use whatever gift God has given us in humble service to him and our neighbor.

Jesus' purpose as Messiah was to proclaim the good news he came to win. Our purpose from God is to be like an oak tree that displays God's glory.

At his Baptism Jesus showed his willingness to take our place, to fulfill all righteousness for us. He added his righteousness to Baptism so that it has the power to wash away all our unrighteousness.

God was at work across the miles and through the ages to help the Wise Men get to know Jesus, and frustrating the evil of Herod. He is still at work through out History making sure we know Jesus and frustrating evil in our day with the goal of bringing us to eternal life with him.

The Gift of Jesus reveals hearts - brings for a reaction of joy or opposition.

Seven Words Full of Meaning: Time, Son, Born, Redemption, Adoption, Heirs, Abba.

Amid all the darkness around us and in us, Jesus alone provides the light we need.

God demonstrates his love by sending  his Son into a dangerous world to save us.

Know your final destiny. In Jesus, it's heaven.

Rejoice in the Lord Always.

Jesus comes bring the gift of Hope. The first Sunday in the Season of Advent.

Thanksgiving Sermon - Don't Forget the Lord Your God

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 "Know What Will Happen on the Last Day.

First in the series - Be Prepared for the Last Day - Know the Signs.

Sermon for All Saint's Day - The Souls of believers never die, they go to live and reign with Jesus.