Chief of Sinners

  This sermon was preached on the Second Sunday in Advent (Populus Zion), December 6, 2020. The text is Luke 21:25-36. The message of the sermon can be summarized in this way: "Jesus sends little apocalypses to prepare us for the great Apocalypse." My hope is that my hearers will respond to tragedies by repenting of their sins and by putting their faith in Jesus.              Our Gospel Lesson is difficult. What exactly is Jesus talking about? Our Gospel Lesson is difficult, because on the one hand Jesus sounds like he is talking about the end times . On the other hand, the disciples explicitly ask about the destruction of the Temple . Also, Jesus explicitly says, “This generation will not pass away until all has taken place,” (v. 32). So, Jesus might be talking about the destruction of Jerusalem. I sympathize with those who think that Jesus is talking about the end times. I mean, Jesus’ words sound very apocalyptic. However, I favor the secon...

  This sermon was preached on the First Sunday in Advent (Ad Te Levavi), November 29, 2020. The text is Matthew 21:1-9. The message can be summarized like this: "As surely as our Lord came long ago, he will come again." My hope is that my hearers will grow in patience and use the Sacrament to address their impatience. Grace and peace to you from God, our Father, and our Lord, Jesus Christ! Our Introit comes from Psalm 25. Psalm 25 is the perfect Psalm for Advent, because it talks a lot about waiting for God: Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame…. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long . May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you . The word “advent” means “coming,” or “arrival.” The season of Advent proclaims that God is coming to us. If God is coming, then his people are waiting for him . Israel Waited Then The people of God living in the Old Testament were waiting. Th...