Messages From First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Concord, Ca

Who exactly were the Magi? What is the deal with the gifts they bring? And why have they come? This sermon seeks to answer those questions of this challenging reading from Matthew 2

It's no secret that there is darkness in the world, but the light of Christ is still shining, and we should't keep that a secret.

The angel's words to the shepherds echo down to us today: fear not, there is good news of great joy for all people.

This sermon looks at the O Antiphons, the ancient prayers used during the final days of Advent, as well as the hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

While Solomon starts strong and finishes poorly, Jesus starts and finishes strong. He also finishes for us.

Like Abraham's son, Isaac, Jesus is put forward as a sacrifice, but there is no substitute for Jesus. Jesus is our substitute as the son of Abraham.

God promises to fulfill a promise to send a righteous branch that will spring up for David who will execute justice and righteousness, who will save Judah and make Jerusalem dwell securely. Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise.

Jesus Christ is given three titles in the opening chapter of Revelation: faithful witness, firstborn of the dead, and ruler of the kings of earth. We look at each of these titles and their importance to the identity and authority of Christ the King.

As Moses leads the people of Israel to the Promised Land, he pauses so they can consider this momentous occasion.

Christ's sacrificial death perfects us for all time.

Jesus sees a widow give all she has to the temple, trusting that she will be taken care of. This sermon looks at the various points of view of this text, as well as what we can learn from this widow.

On All Saints' Day, we struggle with the paradox of grief and joy as we remember those who have died in the Christian faith. As we ourselves run the race of faith, there are those who line the way retelling the triumphs of Christ's grace. We will meet them at the finish line. Jesus will be there too.

No human being can be saved by their good works, only by God's grace which is given as a gift and received through faith that trusts in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The way into the Kingdom of God is impossible for people to find on their own. But Jesus brings us into His Kingdom by His own death and resurrection. We now live under His rule and reign.

A man asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells him to come follow him, but first, let go of his idols.

Before humanity's fall into sin, God gave Adam the good gifts of work and relationships. Though our work and relationships are not perfect, they are still gifts of God. God provides the growth in both.