In Sermons:

If You Know Just One Thing

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Apr 1, 2011

In a world where so many people know so much, its good to be reminded of what is most important to know. This is summarized in John 9 by the words of the beggar who was healed: “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

John 9:1-41 The Gospel of John is a wonderful book. Its 21 chapters are organized a little differently than the others. He tends to group themes together in order to that the reader can see the theological connections between events, and places, and the teachings of Christ. I have to admit ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Denomination: Lutheran

A Picture Of Christ

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Mar 25, 2011

In Christ's interaction with this woman at the well, He gives us a picture of who He is and why He came into this world. He didn't come to run away from sinners, but to call them to himself

John 4:5-26 She was tired. She was tired of knowing that if she walked into a room full of people laughing and chatting, it would go eerily and suddenly quiet the moment she walked through the door. She was tired of hearing people whisper as she walked by, and knowing exactly what they were ...read more

Scripture: John 4:5-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Lutheran Identity Series: Grace Alone Series

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Aug 18, 2010

In this Sermon series we explore some of the treasures of our Reformation Heritage and Identity. This Sermon is based upon the struggles facing the First Century Jewish Christians and those leaders of the Reformation. The Value of God Grace comes to the

Sermon 082210 Hebrews 12:4-24 Well, today we are looking at our last “sola” or “alone” statement of the Reformation. This one is “sola gratia” or “grace alone.” Of all the words that we use in the church, the word Grace is among the “big ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:4-24

Denomination: Lutheran

The Nameless Woman

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Jun 29, 2010

In this passage we meet a woman without a name, or a named sin. But we get to put our name in the story, and our sin, and see how our God reacts to us in love

Luke 7:36-8:3 We really don’t know much about her. We don’t know her name. We don’t know what she did. But the people living her town knew both. They knew all about her sins, whatever they were, they were public, and they were shameful. You are free to use your imagination ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

You Have No Idea...

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Jun 29, 2010

Sometimes it's good to remember that our God has a real Fatherly kind of love for us

Hosea 11 Happy Father’s Day! This is my second Father’s Day, and I am have to report that not much has changed for me since last year, I still have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. I find myself apologizing to Killian often (I promise I will be better at this with your ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 11:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Rejoice!

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Jun 29, 2010

In Isaiah 66 God gives his people a reason to rejoice when all signs pointed to despair. We need this kind of hope today

Isaiah 66:10-14 Happy 4th of July! I love the 4th of July because I can’t help but spend some time re-reading some Revolutionary War History. What a wild time in our nation’s history. And what bravery it took to declare independence from the preeminent military power of the day. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 66:10-14

Denomination: Lutheran

What Are You Doing Here?

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Jun 29, 2010

Sometimes God doesn't make sense, sometimes he even makes us angry. But we have a God who loves us in the midst of our feelings of loss, or anger, or confusion.

I Kings 19:9-21 “What are you doing here?” When it comes to things God might say to me, I can’t think of too many things I would like to hear less. When I finally get to heaven and look at the face of God and hear, “What are you doing here, Matt?” YIKES! ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Happy Mother's Day, Lydia

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on May 7, 2010

Women have to wear so many "hats!" Lydia was the same way so many centuries ago, but find out which "hat" she considered to be most important...

Sermon 050910 Mother’s Day Acts 16:9-15 Happy Mother’s Day! I hope many of you have started the day well, maybe breakfast in bed, or getting to sleep in a little, or maybe just a card or flowers. Mother’s Day is a great day! And it just so happens that we have a great mother ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:9-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Go As Far As You Can See, And See What You Can From There

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Apr 28, 2010

In Acts 11:1-18, we begin to see the legacy of faith and risk-taking for the sake of the Gospel that included us in the promises of Christ

Acts 11:1-18 It all started when they saw Jesus for the last time. His last words to them, “And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and all Judea, and Samaria, and to the very ends of the earth.” Peter was among those who heard these words, and believed them. I’m sure, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Joy Comes In For A Landing

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Mar 16, 2010

What does it mean to Rejoice in Real Life, when Joy touches down on the rough patches of our lives?

Philippians 3:8-14 Lately, I’ve talked some about how I don’t really enjoy flying. I will go, and it isn’t a huge deal, but I tend to get nervous. But, there is one think that I LOVE about flying. It’s the sound of the wheels of the plane touching the ground. It’s a powerful moment, marked by ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:8-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Transfiguration: Moses And Us

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Feb 9, 2010

On Transfiguration Sunday, we go all the way back to Deuteronomy and Numbers to see how God deals with sin, and in Luke, we see how big God's grace really is

Sermon 021410 Deuteronomy 34:1-12 In the Winter of 1966, a voters registration card arrived in the mail at the home of Vernon Dahmer. On the surface, something like this is no big deal, it happens every day. But this was different, for a number of reasons. It was different because Vernon ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

What's Love?

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Jan 29, 2010

In 1 Corinthians 13 God teaches us what love really is, and how counter-cultural His understanding of love is. He calls us to be counter-cultural as well!

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 Love. A lot of things come to mind with that short work. If I asked each of you to come up with a song title that used the word Love, I’ll bet we could each come up with a different one. We like to talk about love, to hear love stories, to share about when we ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

You Are Mine: Baptism Of Jesus

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Jan 6, 2010

This is a series of three mini-sermons to be preached with the lessons of the day for the Baptism of Jesus Sunday (Isaiah 43:1-7; Romans 6:1-11; Luke 3:15-22). It works well to have the reader read the lessons during the sermon.

Isaiah 43:1-7; Romans 6:1-11; Luke 3:15-22 This morning’s sermon is going to be a little different as we celebrate the Baptism of Christ. I say a little different because as we look at Jesus Baptism, and by way of that, our own baptism and what it means to us, we’ll find that each of our Bible ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:15-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Broken Christmas?!

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Dec 20, 2009

In Matthew 1 we read about the first Christmas, a story that begins in brokeness and ends in hope and promise. Just like our stories because of Christ’s grace and mercy!

Sermon 122409 Christmas Eve Stone her to death! The thought popped into his head, but it didn’t last long. He could have said it out loud, he could have shouted it. It was his right to call for it after all. It was written right there in the 5th Book of Moses. Right in Deuteronomy. Obviously ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Questioning Christ

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Dec 9, 2009

John the Baptist has some pointed questions for Jesus, and sometimes, so do we. How does God respond to us in our times of weakness and disappointent with him?

Luke 7:18-28 The Perfect Plan. Anne and I had a perfect plan last weekend. It involved new window shades for the windows on our staircase. It was a plan that was a long time in the making. For months, Anne lurked in the tall grass of the internet. Waiting for the perfect storm of sale price ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-28

Denomination: Lutheran