Sermons (Page 115)
A Known God
Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. The name of our congregation, St. Paul, is taken from him who was perhaps the greatest missionary in the Bible. It’s fitting, therefore, that occasionally we should consider the work and the words of this great man. It’s not that Paul was somehow holier than any of…
Love Born of God
Brian and Myria, It gives me great joy to stand before you today, celebrating the conclusion of all the preparations we have made together for your marriage. In fact, as joyous as this day is for the two of you and your families and friends, just imagine my joy: You’re the fourth of four couples I was juggling through pre-marital counseling at the same time; the fourth…
A Father’s Gifts
Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. How many times a day do you think: “If I only had $10,000 to pay off my credit cards and get back to square one,” or, “If only my husband hadn’t died so young,” or, “If only I was 3 inches taller, and my waist was 3 inches smaller”? How many times do you say…
The Real Shepherd
It is only with the greatest trepidation and humility that any preacher should approach a gospel text that speaks of shepherds, whether good or bad. For when Holy Scripture speaks of bad shepherds, it takes to task those who were called to lead God’s people in faithful obedience, but who fell down on the job and chose their own selfish paths. Bring up those sorts of bad…
Faith on the Road to Emmaus
[Machine transcription] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. How is your faith doing today? Some of you might think that that’s an inappropriate question to be asking those who are gathered together on a Sunday morning to worship God. But the fact is, even among those who come every Sunday, there can be…
But the Greatest of These is…God
Michael and Lori: So, here we finally are. After all the planning, and all the preparations. After all the waiting and anticipation. After I’ve pulled you through the knothole and dragged you over the coals of all those pre-marital counseling sessions. Here we are, surrounded by your families and friends, hoping that everything will go smoothly and turn out the way you’ve…
Walls, Windows & Doors
Grace and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. On behalf of our Senior Pastor, Mark Nuckols, and the entire congregation, I welcome you to St. Paul Lutheran Church. We pray that your time at this year’s Texas District theological convocation will enrich and enhance your work in service to Christ and His kingdom. One of the things…
Signs of Doubt, Signs of Faith
In the church’s calendar, today is called by the delightful but complex name, “Quasimodogeniti Sunday.” Pretty fancy-sounding, isn’t it? Well, how does “Newborn Baby Sunday” sound? A little more comfortable on our 21st-century ears? OK, then. The reference in calling it “Quasimodogeniti”—Newborn Baby—is to Baptism. In the early church, new members were baptized…
An Attractive God
There is a reason, Travis, that you are attracted to Jessica. And there is a reason, Jessica, that you are attracted to Travis. But it’s not what you might think. It’s more than just chemistry that’s swept you off your feet. It goes beyond the common interests you share, common beliefs, or similar outlooks on life. This attraction even goes beyond the fact that both of…
It’s a Fact
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Tonight we gather in Christian fellowship and solidarity, in memory of our departed sister in Christ, Lucy Marie Brelin. Few of us had the opportunity to know Lucy this side of heaven, and we know only a little about her from what her dear son Harvey has provided us.…