Sermons on jonathan: showing 1,771-1,785 of 4,402

"christ Is Coming!" The Call Continues! Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Jan 3, 2019

How is the first coming of Christ at Christmas connected to the coming of Christ at the end of time? See the connections and how the same preparation makes us ready to celebrate and anticipate the coming of Christ.

When you look at that picture of a mountain range, can you tell me which mountain is closest or where one begins and the other ends? It’s kind of hard to tell from a distance, isn’t it? Only when you get closer, into the mountain range itself will you be able to tell which comes first and where ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Jerusalem Alone Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Jan 8, 2019

The story of a 12 year-old boy left behind in Jerusalem by his parents? Sound familiar? Almost sounds like a Christmas classic movie! Not exactly. This is the story of the Son of God, knowing who he was and why he was here.

As I read through the account from Luke 2 which you heard this morning of how Jesus was left behind by his parents in Jerusalem, I couldn’t help but think of what has become classic Christmas movie, “Home Alone.” If you’re not familiar with the movie, it’s about a boy around the age of 10-12 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Lutheran

Hail! Hosanna, David's Son!

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Jan 16, 2017

Our Advent Sermon Series was "David's Royal Branch," focusing on the coming Christ and His connections to David. This is the second sermon of that series, looking at Jesus' lineage. He is, indeed, David's son--but even greater, He is the Son of God!

“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” With these two questions, Jesus turns the tables on the Pharisees once again. They, along with the Sadducees and Herodians had put Jesus to the test several times in a row. They asked Him unimaginable, theoretical, philosophical, theological ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:41-46, Matthew 7:8-16

Denomination: Lutheran

A New Body

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Jan 16, 2017

This sermon is the first in a series for January 2017 called "Start Something New." Many focus on body image issues when making New Year's Resolutions. In baptism, we have "put on Christ," and God sees His perfect, sinless Son. THERE'S your new body!

It’s that time again—time to set lofty goals for yourself. Time to aim high for 2017. Time to dream that you might be one of only 8% of Americans who actually fulfill a new year’s resolution! Year after year, we do this to ourselves…no matter how many times we fall into the 92% failure category. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:23-29

Denomination: Lutheran

There Is An Hedge Around You

Contributed by Seun Jonathan on May 5, 2017

A Message to stir up Christians to always praise God for the protection that He gives us. Even though unseen, there is a hedge of protection that God gives everywhere we go.

Text: Job 1: 6-10 King James Version (KJV) 6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:6

Sinners Welcome

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Sep 22, 2016

Whether we know it or not, we are all lost. Jesus comes seeking us, calling us to repentance, and He welcomes sinners to His feast of victory.

There’s a story I read about a pastor who was called to see a young man, John, dying of a terrible disease. The young man was once a member of this pastor’s congregation. He had received all of the good Christian education and training, growing up; he was baptized and confirmed—the typical ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Wait! Be Patient! Trust The Lord!

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 6, 2016

The Prophet Habakkuk looked around and saw a world filled with violence, destruction, toleration of wickedness, injustice, strife and conflict. Where was God? Ever look at your world and wonder the same thing? Listen to the Lord's answer!

Violence, injustice, toleration of wrong, destruction, strife, conflict. Those are the words that the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk used to describe the world around him. It was about 600 BC and Habakkuk saw people who were mistreating and taking advantage of one another, people who thought that ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-4, Habakkuk 2:1-4

Denomination: Lutheran

The Good, The Bad, & The Snuggly

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Nov 1, 2016

Jesus points to our salvation by the Father's grace alone, not by our works--first through a parable, and then in action as He welcomes children (even infants).

The Word of God that engages us today is our Gospel reading from Luke 18. And in our Gospel reading, Jesus challenges the presuppositions of those around Him. Our Gospel reading is really broken down into two sections—and quite often you’ll get a sermon on one or the other, as if ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Rejoice In The Lord, Always In The Lord

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Nov 1, 2016

Beyond our three decades of ministry, and in spite of the terrors of this world, we have great reason to rejoice in the Lord! (Context of sermon: Preached on our Congregation's Rally Day and 30th Anniversary.)

[Singing] “This is the day / This is the day / That the Lord has made / That the Lord has made / I will rejoice / I will rejoice / And be glad in it / And be glad in it!” I worked at a camp in Wisconsin one summer, and we sang this song every day. Every. Sin-gle. Morning. It was the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7

Denomination: Lutheran

The Reunion Of Saints

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Nov 7, 2016

On All Saints Day, we join in a family celebration made possible by our Triune God. All Saints Day is not a day of mourning the dead, but a day of celebrating the life we have in Christ, and a chance to look ahead at the joys before us!

Some kids were outside at recess playing on the school playground, as kids do. And, as kids do, they began teasing one another. But the thing is, kids, you know, when they’re teasing, don’t always have a good understanding of how far is too far. And so, these kids start to pick ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran

Sola Fide | Faith Alone

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Oct 23, 2017

For October 2017, as we approach the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, we are doing a sermon series on the "solas": Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, and Sola Scriptura; and 2 others added, Soli Deo Gloria, and Solus Christus. This is the fourth of the series.

Over one billion dollars. That's what insurance companies estimate in covering the damages caused by wildfires in California—and that’s just what was insured! I’m sure you’ve seen it in the news or online. The destruction caused by these flames has been absolutely awful. Over 8,400 structures ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Lutheran

Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor...

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Nov 2, 2017

Jesus offers rest to His followers--from the troubles of the world, yes, but especially from the burdensome weight (the yoke) of the Law.

One of the highlights of our trip to Germany—beyond all of the historical Luther sites and exhibits—was the opportunity to visit the city of Osnabruck. There’s nothing of particular importance for Lutherans about Osnabruck. We visited purely for my own sake. My branch of the Meyer family came ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30, Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Be The Church: Watch, Wait, & Worship

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Nov 15, 2017

Jesus speaks of our need to prepare for His return. We are encouraged to live lives of worship and devotion to God as we watch and wait for the Bridegroom. (This is part of our lectionary-based series for November 2017, "BE the Church.")

Last Sunday we had a gender reveal party to find out if we’re having a boy or a girl in April. I was so convinced it was a boy, based on how different the first trimester had been this time around. But then, with friends gathered around, we popped a large black balloon with question marks all over ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13, John 14:2-3, Amos 5:18-24

Denomination: Lutheran

A Man Named John

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Dec 11, 2017

This Advent sermon looks at John the Baptist: The Man, The Mission, & The Message. God unexpectedly worked through John. He now chooses to work through us as witnesses. (Based loosely on "The Word Became Flesh" Advent series from Concordia Seminary, STL.)

Forensic scientists in England analyzed the venerated remains from a certain grave, a few years ago. The corpse of the individual being observed was male. He was no more than five feet tall, and he had a broken nose. He lived in the 4th Century AD. And, despite being dug up in Italy, he was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Be The Church: Love Your Neighbor, Love Your King

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Dec 11, 2017

It's the Last Sunday of the Church Year/Christ the King Sunday. Jesus speaks of separating the sheep & goats on the last day. The question on people's minds: Am I a sheep or a goat? (From our lectionary-based series for November 2017, "BE the Church.")

The Word of God that engages us today—on this Christ the King Sunday—is our Gospel read-ing, from Matthew 25. We’ve been looking at this chapter for a couple of weeks. And now we get to this section: the separation of the sheep and the goats. And it’s a difficult text. Not difficult to understand, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran