Concordia Sermons

Everybody likes happy endings. There’s something about the hero conquering the villain or the guy getting the girl that warms our hearts like nothing else can. Jesus promises that the ending of this world’s story can be the happy ending of our stories. But with Jesus’ promise of a happy ending comes a warning: our endings will only be happy if we end with Him.

The old saying goes, “What you don’t know won’t hurt you.” But it seems as though the things we don’t know are the things that hurt us the most. Whether it’s a question about a tragedy, a loss, an addiction, or a trial, the things for which we do not have answers are painful. When Jesus rose from the dead, the disciples had a lot of questions. Indeed, John 20:9 explains, “They … did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.” And yet, even if they did not understand everything, John 20:8 says they “believed.” What big questions about God and life do you have that you do not understand? Do you still have faith even when things don’t make sense?

What happens on Palm Sunday points forward to what will happen in heaven. Just as the people hold palm branches on Palm Sunday hailing Jesus’ arrival, people in heaven wave palm branches hailing Jesus’ rule (Revelation 7:9). By faith, this future can be our final – and eternal – future!

Most people have heard of a “deathbed conversion,” though many are skeptical of the genuineness of such so-called “religious awakenings.” But here is a thief who has a genuine end-of-life conversion. His story teaches us two things. First, we learn that the doors of heaven stand open to us until we take our final breath. Second, our salvation is not based on what we do, but on what Christ has done. For, even when we don’t have any time to make amends for our wickedness, Jesus can still receive us into His kingdom out of His grace through faith.

Jesus’ final lesson to His disciples is one of love: “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (verse 35). Being that this is Jesus’ final lesson – a last will and testament of sorts – do we listen to and obey Jesus’ call of love?

Most people have had premonitions before – an eerie feeling that forebodes something to come. Of course, many of premonitions never come to pass. Jesus, when he tells the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard is serving up more than a premonition, He’s offering a prophecy. He knows He will be treated unjustly and killed. Though we cannot see into the future, there is a good chance we will all be treated unjustly at one time or another. Will we respond to injustice as Jesus responds?

We all have causes – things to which we devote our passions and energies. Some people devote themselves to humanitarian work. Some people devote themselves to their favorite team. Jesus’ cause is that of His Father’s house, that is, the worship of the one, true God, for Jesus understands, in the words of the Westminster Catechism, “The chief end of man is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him for ever.” Is your cause the same as Jesus’ cause?

What do you celebrate in life? In the day-to-day grind of life’s hectic schedule, celebration can easily get lost. Even in the final week of His life, Jesus participates – and indeed, hosts – a celebration. Though the crowds do understand Jesus, they celebrate Him. Even when we do not fully understand God’s ways in our lives, do we still celebrate Him?

Jesus' words are not meant merely to be heard; they are meant to be done! To hear Jesus’ words and then to reject them by our actions is utter foolishness. Where do you need to grow in doing Jesus’ words?

With great wealth comes great responsibility. This sums up Jesus’ teaching on money. No matter how much treasure we may have on earth, our primary calling is to use our earthly treasure to heavenly ends – to share and show the gospel of Jesus to people who need to hear and believe it.

Jesus’ words about “judging not” (cf. Matthew 7:1) have to be some of the most misunderstood words in the history of biblical interpretation. In this message, we look at what the Bible says about judging and when and how to judge and when and how to not.

The old saying goes, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” This is usually meant to be a reminder that someone who looks like little on the outside may be incredibly wise on the inside. But sadly, the inverse can also be true. Those who look righteous on the outside can harbor deep wickedness on the inside. Jesus warns us against these kinds of people and reminds us that these kinds of people can look a lot like…us.

Jesus begins His Sermon on the Mount with a word on how we are blessed by God. Now, Jesus exhorts us to be a blessing to others – but not just to any old “others,” but to our enemies. In this message, we look at some ways to bless those we like the least.

Jesus certainly does not shy away from tough topics in the Sermon on the Mount. He talks about murder and anger and making vows and loving enemies and foregoing worry. In these verses, Jesus talks about sexual morality. Like Jesus, we must never be afraid to tackle even the tough and controversial topics of our day. People need and want to know what the Lord says.

Any good sermon is based on Holy Scripture and treats Holy Scripture as authoritative and normative. In Jesus’ sermon, He offers an account of what He believes about the authority of God’s Word.

“Jumbo shrimp.” “Open secret.” “Original copies.” “Microsoft Works.” These are just a few examples of funny oxymorons. Oxymorons, of course, are statements that, at least at first glance, seem to contradict themselves. Jesus opens His sermon with a series of oxymorons known as the Beatitudes. In these Beatitudes, He essentially says, “Blessed are the unblessed.” But Jesus is not just flagrantly contradicting Himself. Rather, He is teaching us that “the blessed life” doesn’t always look the way we want or imagine it to.

In sit-down restaurants, there is often a sign at the entrance saying, "Please Wait to be Seated." Though we wait, we usually don't like it. After all, our world is a hurried world. But waiting is valuable. Simeon was waiting "for the consolation of Israel" (verse 26). As it turns out, it was worth the wait.

Joseph could not believe it! His betrothed Mary was pregnant – but not by him or another man! Rather, she claimed that God had visited her and announced to her that she would be the mother of the world’s Savior. It takes an angelic announcement from Gabriel to overcome Joseph’s incredulity. What do you have a hard time believing? God can provide us what we need to strengthen our faith in Him!

In the ancient world, shepherds were considered to be blue collar, insignificant scoundrels. But it is to these simple men that God chooses to herald the birth of His Son. God takes insignificant shepherds and gives them a significant role in one of the most famous stories of all time. God can also use us – no matter how insignificant we may feel – for amazingly significant things.

Herod was ignorant that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. The wise men were ignorant that Herod was an evil despot. Both needed to understand God’s Word and plans more fully. We too need to understand God’s Word and plans. Thankfully, God reveals Himself to us through Jesus so that we do not remain ignorant of who He is.