Easter 7 • John 17:1–11 • June 5, 2011


Easter 7 • John 17:1–11 • June 5, 2011

By William W. Schumacher In the Heidelberg Disputation (1518), Martin Luther drew a stark contrast between a “theologian of glory” and a “theologian of the cross,” and that distinction may still make a Lutheran preacher reluctant to dwell on the glory of God in a sermon. But this present text, the first part of our Lord’s ..


Easter 5 • John 14:1–11 • May 22, 2011


Easter 5 • John 14:1–11 • May 22, 2011

by Charles Arand “And That’s the Rest of the Story” [This text provides an excellent opportunity for instruction on the Trinity. The following provides a potential pattern for how the sermon could be constructed. It moves from our knowledge of God in creation to our knowledge of the Father through Jesus Christ to the trinitarian ..


Easter 4 • John 10:1–10 • May 15, 2011


Easter 4 • John 10:1–10 • May 15, 2011

By Joel P. Okamoto Notes on the pericope This pericope consists of a paroimia (“parable” or “figure” or “illustration”) and part of Jesus’s explanation. The parable follows an exchange recorded in chapter 9 between Jesus and the Pharisees after he had healed the man who was born blind. Jesus had raised doubts about himself by ..


The Resurrection of our Lord • Matthew 28:1–10 • April 24, 2011


The Resurrection of our Lord • Matthew 28:1–10 • April 24, 2011

By Rick Marrs Proclaiming the gospel on Easter is a joy-filled challenge. This is the big Sunday in which everyone coming expects dynamic, joyous music and an outstanding, memorable sermon. It is, after all, the resurrection of Jesus Christ we’re celebrating! But the preacher’s hearers are of many types. The regular members, perhaps a little ..


Lent 4 • John 9:1–41 • April 3, 2011


Lent 4 • John 9:1–41 • April 3, 2011

By Paul Raabe John 9 is the appointed gospel lesson for the Fourth Sunday in Lent (Series A). The appointed Old Testament lesson works well with the gospel lesson, since Isaiah 42:14–21 announces both God’s promise to lead the blind and his rebuke of ancient Israel for its spiritual blindness. Jesus picks up this Isaianic ..