First Sunday in Lent
February 26, 2023
“To Be Tempted by the Devil” (Matthew 4:1-11)
The Holy Gospel for the First Sunday in Lent is always an account of Christ’s temptation in the wilderness. This year it’s the account from Matthew chapter 4. Today we will see how the devil operates, and we’ll see how Jesus overcomes his schemes. This has relevance for our lives, because the devil comes at us with the same sorts of temptation. And so now let’s see what it’s like “To Be Tempted by the Devil.”
The Transfiguration of Our Lord
Sunday, February 19, 2023
“The Transfiguration Transition” (Matthew 17:1-9)
Today we’re celebrating the Transfiguration of Our Lord, that day up on a mountain when our Lord Jesus Christ was transfigured, that is, his appearance was changed. This event marked a transition–a turning point, a pivot point–in our Lord’s ministry. And that’s why this Transfiguration festival today marks a transition–a turning point–in the church year, as well. The Transfiguration of Our Lord comes as the climax of the Epiphany season, and at the same time it serves as a transition into the season of Lent, which begins on Wednesday. In this way, the church year mirrors the life of our Lord. Thus our theme for this morning; “The Transfiguration Transition.”
Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
February 12, 2023
“A Righteousness That Won’t Work and One That Will” (Matthew 5:21-37)
Last week’s Gospel reading ended with these words of Jesus, from Matthew 5, verse 20: “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” And really, those same words could serve as the beginning of today’s reading, which starts at verse 21. For today Jesus will give examples of the supposed righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees–a surface righteousness that will not get you into the kingdom of heaven–so that then you will be ready to receive the only righteousness that will get you in. And so our theme this morning: “A Righteousness That Won’t Work and One That Will.”
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
February 5, 2023
“Let Your Light Shine before Others” (Matthew 5:13-20)
In the Holy Gospel for today, from Matthew chapter 5, Jesus says to his disciples, “You are the light of the world.” But elsewhere in the gospels, Jesus says about himself, “I am the light of the world.” So, which is it, Jesus? Are you the light of the world, or are we? And the answer is . . . yes. Both are true, each in its own way. Jesus is the light of the world in a unique, one-of-a-kind sense. And we are the light of the world by extension, as his disciples. Jesus addresses us as such, when he says, “You are the light of the world.” Therefore, as Christ’s disciples, “Let Your Light Shine before Others.”
Third Sunday after the Epiphany
January 22, 2023
“The People Dwelling in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light” (Matthew 4:12-25)
In our Gospel reading for today, St. Matthew describes the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. And to do so, he quotes a passage from our Old Testament reading from Isaiah. Matthew writes: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles–the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” And this gives us our theme for this morning’s message: “The People Dwelling in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light.”
The Baptism of Our Lord
Sunday, January 8, 2023
“Anointed for Servanthood” (Matthew 3:13-17)
Today we recall the Baptism of Our Lord, that great event when our Lord Jesus was baptized in the Jordan by John the Baptist. The heavens were opened. The Spirit of God descended on Jesus like a dove. The Father’s voice came from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” What an awesome occasion! And what I especially want to say about it this morning is that, in his baptism, Jesus was “Anointed for Servanthood.”
“Anointed for servanthood”? What does Jesus’ baptism have to do with that? And what do we mean by “anointed”? How was his baptism an anointing? Let’s find out.
The Epiphany of Our Lord
Friday, January 6, 2023
“Where Is He Who Has Been Born King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:1-12)
Today is the Epiphany of Our Lord, a major festival in the church year. Epiphany always falls on January 6, right after the twelve days of Christmas. The Holy Gospel for this day always is the story of the visit of the wise men, as found in Matthew chapter 2. And the question that the wise men ask gives us the theme for our message today: “Where Is He Who Has Been Born King of the Jews?”
Fourth Sunday in Advent
December 18, 2022
“Joseph, Did You Know?” (Matthew 1:18-25)
If you’ve listened to one of those radio stations that play Christmas songs for about two months before Christmas, then you’ve probably heard a song called “Mary, Did You Know?” You’ve heard that song, right? The lyrics involve asking Mary a series of rhetorical questions about whether she knew what her son would grow up to do: “Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?” “Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?” That sort of thing.
Well, today I’m wondering about the man who would become Mary’s husband. Joseph–what did he know? And so our message today will take up that question, under the theme: “Joseph, Did You Know?”
Midweek Advent Evening Prayer
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
“St. John the Baptist, the Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness” (Matthew 3:1-12)
Today’s midweek service is the last in our series called, “Three Saints of Advent.” We began on November 30 with St. Andrew, Apostle, since his festival falls on that date. Last week, on December 7, we remembered St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, since his commemoration falls on that date. Now today, December 14, is nobody’s festival or commemoration, but since the last two Sundays the Gospel readings have featured John the Baptist, that’s the saint we’ll go with today.
Now there’s quite a lot in the Bible about John the Baptist, more than what you might think. For instance, there’s the account of the angel Gabriel announcing to Zechariah that he and his wife Elizabeth would have a son and they were to name him John. Then Elizabeth, pregnant with John, is visited by Mary, pregnant with Jesus, and even in the womb John leaps to greet his Lord. John grows up and begins his ministry, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan. John points his own disciples to Jesus, saying, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John stands up to Herod the tetrarch, calling him out on his adultery, and for that John gets thrown in prison and beheaded. So there’s lots to choose from when talking about John. Today we’ll focus on this aspect of his life and ministry: “St. John the Baptist, the Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness.”
Midweek Advent Evening Prayer
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
“Three Saints of Advent: St. Andrew, Apostle” (John 1:35-42a; Matthew 4:18-20)
When churches have midweek Advent or Lenten services, usually the pastor tries to come up with a theme that will tie the services together. This year, in looking at the calendar for Advent, I noticed something about the dates for our midweek services. The first three Wednesdays are November 30, December 7, and December 14. Which got me to thinking: November 30 is the Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle. December 7 is the Commemoration of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan and one of the great Church Fathers. December 14 is . . . well, December 14 isn’t anything special, but it does occur right after the Second and Third Sundays in Advent, when St. John the Baptist is featured prominently. So there you go. Thus our theme for this year’s midweek Advent services: “Three Saints of Advent: Andrew, Ambrose, and John the Baptist.”
St. Matthew Lutheran Church 