Our Saviors Sermons
By Michael Lilienthal
Sermons recorded at the Divine Services of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Albert Lea, MN.
Confirmation Examination Exhortation
6/4/22 Confirmation Examination Exhortation - Hebrews 12:2
05:58
June 04, 2022
The Lord Gives Help in Weakness - Sermon written by U.V. Koren
04/24/23 Sermon - John 20:19-31
11:48
April 24, 2022
The Holy Spirit
In Jesus’ name. This is Pastor Michael Lilienthal of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. Together, let us meditate on and wrestle with God’s Word:
John 15:26: “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”
The Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Holy Trinity, proceeds from the Father and the Son. It is as though the Father and the Son together breathed out the Holy Spirit. But again, this is an eternal act, outside time, so the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all equal to one another.
But the Spirit is distinct. The Father sends him, and so does the Son. But there are two common questions about the Holy Spirit: first, Is he really God, or is he a creature?
In Acts 5:3, 4, St. Peter told Ananias that he had lied to the Holy Spirit, and explained that he had therefore lied to God. The Holy Spirit is God.
And second: Is the Holy Spirit a Person, or just some impersonal divine force?
In his first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul explains that the Holy Spirit has deep, divine knowledge, as well as a personal will and choice. We already saw that he can be lied to. And he may also be grieved. These are things that can only be said of a Person, not a force.
This Holy Spirit brings the Son’s holiness to you. In the inspired and perfect Word of God, the Holy Scriptures, and in the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion, the Holy Spirit’s power comes to give faith and life in Jesus.
Amen. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, forevermore. Amen.
02:35
February 18, 2022
The Father and the Son
In Jesus’ name. This is Pastor Michael Lilienthal of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. Together, let us meditate on and wrestle with God’s Word:
John 10:30: “I and the Father are one.”
God is so far above us that we cannot comprehend him. We simply repeat, like children, what he reveals to us about himself. Beyond what he says, we are silent.
When we speak of the three Persons of the Godhead, we repeat Scripture. The first Person is called “Father,” and the second Person is “Son.” Their relationship is revealed to us in those terms, that the Son is the only begotten of the Father, who resides in the bosom of his Father. He is also called the Word.
But we have to be careful: this doesn’t mean the Son is inferior to the Father. The Father begat his Son in eternity, outside of time. Our language simply can’t get closer to the mystery than that. The Father and Son know one another; the Father loves the Son and the Son honors the Father. The Father sent the Son to win salvation according to his plan, to suffer and die and rise again, and the Son returned to the Father, bringing us with him. But the Father and Son are one being. The Father is in the Son and the Son is in the Father, so that whoever sees the Son sees the Father.
In his Word, we have seen the Son. He took our flesh to give us his glory. So we have the Father’s own eternal life and love.
Amen. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, forevermore. Amen.
02:15
February 17, 2022
Three Persons
In Jesus’ name. This is Pastor Michael Lilienthal of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. Together, let us meditate on and wrestle with God’s Word:
Matthew 28:19: “…in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
God is one God and three Persons. What does “person” mean?
The Persons of God are not members of some council. They’re not parts that together constitute the divine being. The Persons are individual centers of self-consciousness and self-determination. In Scripture the Father and Son and Holy Spirit speak to one another and about one another as distinct.
Jesus spoke the words of Baptism’s Sacrament, including the names of all three Persons. At his own Baptism, all three Persons were manifest: the Son on the banks of the river, the Father speaking from heaven, and the Holy Spirit as a dove.
The Father is not the Son. The Son is not the Holy Spirit. But they are perfectly one in essence. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. And there is one God.
This is a mystery that we hold by faith, and in which we see that the whole Godhead is at work for our salvation. The Father sent his Son, the Son became Man and died for our sins, and the Son sent the Holy Spirit to create faith in our hearts, so that we are tied to his eternal life, which he gives us by his grace through his Word and Sacraments.
Amen. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, forevermore. Amen.
02:11
February 16, 2022
One God
In Jesus’ name. This is Pastor Michael Lilienthal of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. Together, let us meditate on and wrestle with God’s Word:
1 Corinthians 8:4-6: “Therefore…we know that…‘There is no God but one.’ For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords’—yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.”
God is one. His essence is not made up of component parts, and there are no other gods beside him.
This is a truth that requires constant reminding. As Israel danced around a golden calf, we find our fears focused on dangers as though God were not in control, our love toward the things of this world, as though the Creator of them all couldn’t give all we need, our trust in passing things, as though the eternal God would not preserve us for eternity.
If the truth of God’s oneness is not rooted deeply in our hearts, controlling all our thoughts and actions, then we are idol-worshipers. Withholding any part from him is building an idol against him.
Our God knows the weakness of our flesh, and for this purpose he became one of us. Here is the mystery: the Father did not become Man or suffer, nor did the Holy Spirit, but the Son of God became man, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He rose from the dead and is our intercessor before God, having paid for all our sins. God is one of us, and in him our human flesh is granted power, glory, and divine life.
Amen. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, forevermore. Amen.
02:27
February 15, 2022
God Is One
In Jesus’ name. This is Pastor Michael Lilienthal of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. Together, let us meditate on and wrestle with God’s Word:
Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”
From the ages, God’s people have known he is exactly one God. In the ancient Christian Creeds, however, we confess faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As one of those creeds says, though, “And yet there are not three gods, but one God.” We agree with the ancient Christians. We’re not going to try to come up with some new faith, but hold to the same faith which the church has held from the beginning and for which it will fight to the end.
But it’s not something I can explain, and I’m not going to try. Instead, it’s something that has to be believed. To believe that God is the Father, uncreated and unbegotten, and the Son, uncreated and begotten of the Father, and the Holy Spirit, uncreated and unbegotten but proceeding from Father and Son, but all is also only one God, is an object of our faith. God has revealed this truth about himself, and we trust him.
Not only do we believe in God’s Triune existence, but we believe all things that he has said about himself: that he is the Maker of all things, that he is eternal, spirit, omnipotent, wise, and good. We do see that he is good. Our limited natures, our sins themselves, cannot shake him in his unassailable goodness. And in Jesus, the Son of God made flesh, he brings that goodness, forgiveness and eternal life, to us.
Amen. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, forevermore. Amen.
02:12
February 14, 2022
Epiphany Sermon - Offer the King Your Treasures
01/06/22 Epiphany Sermon - Matthew 2:1-12
17:06
January 07, 2022
Jesus Reaches Out to Gather Us with His Word
12/26/21 Sermon, Feast of St. Stephen, Martyr - Matthew 23:34-39
20:08
December 26, 2021
The Angels Announce the Savior's Birth
12/24/21 Christmas Eve Sermon - Luke 2:1-14
19:16
December 24, 2021
Angels of Advent - The Angel of the LORD: God's Life Replaces Our Death
12/15/21 Midweek Advent Sermon: Genesis 22:9-14
17:02
December 15, 2021
Angels of Advent - The Cherubim: Angels of God's Throne
12/8/21 Midweek Advent Sermon - Psalm 80:1-3
17:32
December 08, 2021
Angels of Advent - Gabriel: The Angel of God's Strength
12/1/21 Midweek Advent 1 sermon, Luke 1:8-14, 18-20, 26-38
18:58
December 01, 2021
BLC Chapel 11/23/21
Recast from https://blc.edu/campus-life/spiritual-life/chapelcast/2021-11-23_1968/
14:48
November 29, 2021
This Is the Day the Lord Has Made
11/22/21 Funeral Sermon - Arnie Tuttle; Psalm 118:24
15:15
November 22, 2021
The Beatitudes, Part 2
Matthew 5:7-12: “Blessed are the merciful, because they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. In fact, that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Jesus’ saints have been forgiven much, and so filled with faith are willing to show mercy and forgiveness to others.
Believers have pure hearts, not because we have never done anything wrong, or even because we have fixed all that by having a really strong faith. Instead, our consciences are clean or pure because they have been washed in the blood of Jesus through his Word and his Baptism and his Holy Supper.
The children of God imitate Jesus by making peace—not merely a worldly peace, but the peace we have with God because of Jesus’ sacrifice. It is the peace of forgiveness.
Persecution must be suffered by Christians. Lies and complaints will be lodged against you because the world is on the Devil’s side. But Jesus repeats this promise, so that you can have comfort in the face of persecution. The saints of God have always been persecuted this way, and those holy men and women and children have gone into heaven ahead of you, where they wait to rejoice with you in the inheritance you share, because you are made by God into his saints, his children.
02:10
October 29, 2021
The Beatitudes, Part 1
Matthew 5:3-6: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, because they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be filled.”
The poor in spirit are those who don’t lay their confidence on wealth or possessions, or take pride in their great abilities or prestige. Instead, we have nothing to call our own, not even our great spirituality! Nevertheless, as a blessing, Jesus gives us the kingdom of heaven.
Those who mourn are those with trouble-filled lives. The Christian life will not have only good days, singing and skipping and jumping. We will also have trouble and agony, and we will be made keenly aware of our sin, and of the effects of sin in our life and in the world. But Jesus gives us comfort.
The gentle or meek have no ability to avenge themselves. Lambs among wolves, where the world will take full advantage of them. But to those who are beaten so low, Jesus gifts the whole earth.
The saints of Jesus are hungry and thirsty for righteousness. They have given up on their own efforts to be good, and instead they see that Jesus gives that righteousness through his Word and Sacraments. Such powerful things incur the wrath of the Devil and the world and their own sinful flesh, but in the cross, Jesus satisfies our desperate need for his holiness, making us saints and children of God.
01:58
October 28, 2021
Pure Gospel
Galatians 3:10-14: “In fact, those who rely on the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the book of the law.’ Clearly no one is declared righteous before God by the law, because ‘The righteous will live by faith.’ The law does not say ‘by faith.’ Instead it says, ‘The one who does these things will live by them.’ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. As it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.’ He redeemed us in order that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that we would receive the promised Spirit through faith.”
The Gospel is nothing but the proclamation of good news, a good preaching of Christ, how the Lord Christ came forth from God the Father to help all people in body and soul, temporally and eternally. The Law commands, compels, and forces. But the Gospel commands nothing, forces nothing, but rather attracts with kindness and beauty to Christ through the most loving promises. Sometimes, however, it seems to us as though the Gospel is commanding something. Like in the Beatitudes, it seems like it’s telling us, “You have to be poor in spirit, meek, merciful, and so on.” But no, the Gospel only writes about Christ. In Jesus’ mercy, he made the blind see, made the paralyzed able to walk, made the dead alive. In his mercy, he also makes blind souls see the truth of God’s Word, so that we know where our salvation is found. All the Gospel does is make promises. Jesus unites us to himself through his Word and powerful Sacraments, so that we receive his blessing, are called holy saints of God, and become children of God.
02:09
October 27, 2021
Certainty in Death
Titus 3:5-7: “He saved us—not by righteous works that we did ourselves, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and the renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs in keeping with the hope of eternal life.”
When we think of “all saints,” especially of those who are dead, God has given us no command to do anything for them. The idea of “purgatory” is a foreign idea that came mostly from the apocryphal book of 2 Maccabees, where souls are supposedly working hard to burn off the last of their sin, and where they could use all the help we on earth can give them. But this is all a doctrine of uncertainty. You don’t know whether a person is in heaven or not! You don’t knowthat purgatory doesn’t exist! You don’t know how much sin they’ve got to burn off yet! You don’t know whether you’ll be considered good enough when you die! Against this is the doctrine of God’s Word, which in no uncertain terms tells you that your place in heaven doesn’t depend on how good you are. It’s grace. This is given by Jesus, who earned everythingfor you. And you don’t even have to come up with the strong faith you need to hold onto that grace. That’s a gift from Jesus, too, when he speaks his Word to you, and when that Word is connected to the waters of Baptism and to the bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper, making those elements also your Savior’s body and blood. Jesus is your Savior, causing you to be reborn a heavenly creature, a child of God, a saint.
02:06
October 26, 2021
Saints
Romans 4:2, 3: “If indeed Abraham had been justified by works, he would have had a reason to boast—but not before God. For what does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.’”
Halloween is coming up—All Hallows’ Eve, the day before All Saints’ Day. Christians have always, even from the very first Christians, honored the saints (like St. Paul honoring Abraham). But in honoring the dead saints, we should remember that we can’t do anything for them. If we get so distracted by the dead saints, whether the heroes of faith of millennia ago or those nearer to us, our loved ones and family members, they easily become idols. Instead, take the example of those saints and honor Jesus above them all, having the faith that the Holy Spirit gives us through his certain and firm and joyful Word. We honor the departed saints so that we might be encouraged and grounded in the doctrine of faith, which they taught and believed. And then in our lives, we honor the living saints, our neighbors, serving them in their needs as Jesus served us. Jesus won their eternal life and offers his holiness to them. This is why they may be called “saints.” No holiness is present in any human being, not even you or me, that qualifies us to be called “saints.” But the holiness of Jesus comes in Baptism, it is given in the Word, and it feeds us in the Holy Supper, bestowing on us the title “saint” just as we receive the title “child of God.” Through faith, which itself is just a gift of God, God credits us with righteousness.
02:04
October 25, 2021
Jesus Takes Us in His Arms and Blesses Us
Mark 10:13-16 Sermon - Funeral of Maren Ring
13:10
October 02, 2021
We Never Stop Learning God's Word
19 September 2021 Sermon - Psalm 119:97-104
20:25
September 19, 2021
Jesus Speaks Peace to You
John 20:19-23 Sermon - Return to Wittenberg Conference 2021
20:18
September 11, 2021
God's Son Was Born of a Woman
8/15/21 Sermon, Feast of St. Mary - Galatians 4:4-7
17:04
August 15, 2021
Our Incapable Minds and Hearts and Tongues Are Transformed by God's Gracious Word
Psalm 119:41-48
21:33
July 18, 2021
God Works in Us the Will and Working of His Word
Psalm 119:33-40; Sermon 11 July 2021
20:53
July 11, 2021
You Can Hear in Your Own Language the Wonderful Works of God
5/23/21 Pentecost Dawn Service: Acts 2:1-11
21:27
May 23, 2021
See the Salvation from the Lord
Exodus 14:10-15:1 Homily for the Vigil of Easter, 4/3/21
15:49
April 04, 2021
Personal Devotion: Worship
What's the use of personal devotion? And how do we do it?
Personal Devotion doesn't stay secret in your room, but you go and share in your life of faith with others.
02:28
March 19, 2021
Personal Devotion: Tentatio
What's the use of personal devotion? And how do we do it?
"Tentatio" - Wrestling - is the third and final step in personal devotion.
02:18
March 18, 2021
Personal Devotion: Meditatio
What's the use of personal devotion? And how do we do it?
"Meditatio" - Meditation - is the second step in personal devotion.
02:29
March 17, 2021
Personal Devotion: Oratio
What's the use of personal devotion? And how do we do it?
"Oratio" - Prayer - is the first step in personal devotion.
02:22
March 16, 2021
In the Life of Temptation, Hold the Word of God on Your Lips
2/21/21 Sermon - Matthew 4:1-11
19:25
February 21, 2021
Jesus Is Baptized to Fulfill All Righteousness
February 14, 2021 Sermon - Matthew 3:13-17
The Baptism of Jesus
13:20
February 14, 2021
This Is the Son of God: Listen to Him
Transfiguration Sermon 1/24/21 - Matthew 17:1-9
17:57
January 24, 2021
God Is Patient and Encouraging: So We Have Hope
12/6/20 Sermon - Romans 15:4-13
18:45
December 06, 2020
God Makes Us His Treasured Possession
11/25/2020 Thanksgiving Sermon - Malachi 3:6-18
15:47
November 26, 2020
God Fights for Our Souls with the Evils of the World and Our Flesh
11/8/20 Sermon - 2 Chronicles 33:1-13
16:22
November 08, 2020
The Lord Guards and Keeps His Saints Through Fire
11/1/2020 Sermon - Daniel 3:1-28
18:54
November 01, 2020
The Gospel Must Predominate
What is the difference between Christianity and all other religions? There are, after all, many religions in the world. Are they all more or less equal? Do they all give more or less the same end result? Aren’t they all essentially concerned with the same basic moral teachings?
02:49
July 24, 2020
How to Apply the Word of God
Everyone needs to hear the truth of the Bible. That means the truth of the Law’s threats, that because of your sins you deserve God’s anger. And it also means the truth of the Gospel’s promises, that because of Jesus’ sacrifice you have righteousness and life with God.
02:35
July 23, 2020
Severe Threats, Sweet Promises
Have you ever read about some of the punishments God doled out on people in the Bible and thought, “That seems a little harsh! Isn’t God a loving God?” Or maybe you’ve suffered in life and thought, a truly loving God wouldn’t be so mean!
02:36
July 22, 2020
Who Is Jesus?
Who is Jesus? Obviously that’s an important question because Scripture tells us, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
02:48
July 21, 2020
Law and Gospel
How does a person get to be saved? This is one of the most important questions someone can ask.
02:43
July 20, 2020
David & Mephibosheth, sermon written by Rev. Gaylin R. Schmeling
7/5/20 Sermon - 2 Samuel 9
15:41
July 05, 2020
In the Name of the Lord, Every Foe Is Defeated
06/07/20 Trinity Sermon - 1 Samuel 17:32-50
20:54
June 07, 2020
God's Spirit Is with the One God Elects
Pentecost Sermon, May 31, 2020 - 1 Samuel 16:14-23
17:22
May 31, 2020
When We Pray, Know the Lord Gives Us Strength
May 17, 2020 Sermon - Judges 16:18-30
17:49
May 17, 2020
The Commander of the Lord's Army Has Given You the Victory
4/19/20 Sermon, Joshua 5:13-6:5
15:24
April 19, 2020
The Deliverer Dies, Knowing His People Receive the Promise
Good Friday Sermon - Deuteronomy 34
07:52
April 10, 2020
When Suffering Sin's Venom, Look to the One Who Takes Away the Sting
Palm Sunday Sermon, 4/5/20 - Numbers 21:4-9
19:17
April 05, 2020
A Devotion on Preparing to Die
Psalm 90:12 - "Teach us to number our days in such a way that we bring a heart of wisdom." (Evangelical Heritage Version)
03:14
March 17, 2020
Devotion on Now Thank We All Our God verse 3
Give thanks to God. Even in times of tragedy, know that he is everlasting and has joined himself to you in Word and Sacrament.
03:50
March 17, 2020
Devotion on Now Thank We All Our God verse 2
Rejoice in the Lord always! Even in the face of tragedy? Yes. Because he provides the joy and peace.
04:01
March 17, 2020
Devotion on Now Thank We All Our God, Verse 1
In the face of the Coronavirus threat, we can take comfort in God's sure promises.
03:24
March 17, 2020
Learn from the Burning Bush How God Reveals Himself
2/16/20 Sermon - Exodus 3:1-20
12:29
February 16, 2020
Do Not Be Afraid: God Has Forgiven You
9 February 2020 Sermon - Genesis 50:15-21
14:26
February 09, 2020
Our Father Gives Us the Blessing of the Firstborn
01/12/20 Sermon - Genesis 27:1-19
16:12
January 12, 2020
Look How the Word of God Reveals Itself
01/06/20 Epiphany Sermon - Genesis 26:1-6
11:51
January 07, 2020
How Blessed We Are to See the Truth of Our Salvation!
12/25/19 Sermon - Luke 2:15-20, Christmas Day
13:55
December 25, 2019
Behold the Beauty of God's Plan of Salvation on Christmas
12/24/19 Christmas Vigil Sermon, Luke 2:1-14
19:55
December 25, 2019
Advent 4 Confessional Homilies
12/22/19 Sermon - Genesis 17:15-22, with O antiphons
26:19
December 22, 2019
The Lord's Promises Stand While the Earth Remains
Third Sunday of Advent: 12-15-19 Sermon - Genesis 8:15-22
17:18
December 20, 2019
Noah Was a Righteous Man
The Second Sunday of Advent: 12-08-19 Sermon - Genesis 6:9-22
16:37
December 20, 2019
After Sin, God Provides
The First Sunday of Advent: 12-01-19 Sermon - Genesis 3:14-4:2
16:59
December 20, 2019