Two sisters, whom Jesus loves, send word and beg Him to hurry their way. Lazarus grows ill and soon may breathe his last. Despite the urgency, time still runs in […]
John 11:17-27, 38-53: The God Who Cries at Funerals
Though uncommon to our ears, in times past, the Church delighted in describing Jesus as a “lover.” Today, we might find this as odd, perhaps perverted, as word meanings shift […]
Romans, Lesson 26: What Those in Christ Have
The stronger brother is chided not to abuse his Christian freedom toward the weaker brother (Romans 14:13-21), for what does not proceed from faith is sin (Romans 14:23). Apart from […]
Isaiah 26:19: All Saints
Unless Christ returns first, we will all face death. Experience teaches us this truth. Death is even more certain than taxes. Our experience on earth, however, cannot tell us what […]
2 Corinthians, Lesson 7: The Resurrection Encourages Us, even in Our Suffering
Paul and Timothy said that what was happening to them, their suffering and being brought closer to death, made them outwardly seem fragile, like jars of clay. People considered such […]
1 Corinthians 15:51-57: Funeral Sermon for Ruby Kintzinger
Ruby Kintzinger was a long-time member of Shepherd of the Hills. She passed away on August 20, 2015 and her funeral was on August 24. This was her funeral sermon. Listen, I […]
1 Corinthians, Lesson 27: The Resurrection of the Body, Part 2
Some in the Corinthian congregation had denied, or downplayed, the resurrection of the body. To counter this error, and to show just how important that doctrine was, Paul contrasted the […]
1 Corinthians, Lesson 26: The Resurrection of the Body, Part 1
Paul has delivered what it means that God the Father has raised Jesus from the dead by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 15:20, Romans 8:11). Because Christ was raised alive, […]
1 Corinthians, Lesson 25: The Gospel, the Church, the Scriptures, and the Body’s Resurrection
Paul had shut down speaking in tongues, at least as the Corinthians had practiced it, when they spoke unintelligible sounds from their mouths. Paul viewed real speaking in tongues as […]
John 8:42-49: For you and because of you
For you—two words of supreme significance! Without them, a Christian veers away from Word and Sacrament, trying to find some assurance that he really is saved. He could look to […]