A Famine Not of Bread

"The Calling of Saint Peter and Saint Andrew" by James Tissot Click here to listen to this sermon. “Now when [Jesus] heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth He went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali” (Matthew 4:12-13). Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! When Jesus hears that John has been arrested, He withdraws from the region around the Jordan into Galilee, heading northward after His wilderness conflict with Satan. Jesus is not running away, but He Himself will choose the times and ways to confront those who seek to destroy the work of God’s gracious reign. More importantly, Jesus withdraws into Galilee and leaves Nazareth, His hometown, in order to take up residence in Capernaum by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali. This happens in order to fulfill Isaiah’s words from our Old Testament reading. The light of the Christ has begun ...

Click here to listen to this sermon. Danny, Steve, and Toni, family members and friends of Millie: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! The loss of a loved one is never an easy thing to endure. It seems that we are never ready for that to happen and yet, it does happen. I’m not telling you anything new. Many of you know that more personally than I. And no matter when it happens, it’s hard to know what to say. Our words fail us. Often they do not help, but unintentionally irritate the wound. For none of our words can bring our loved one back. And memories can be wonderful, but they are a weak substitute for having them with us. And so, on this day as you seek a word of comfort and hope, I will direct to the Word of God—which is the only thing that gives comfort and hope that can be trusted and that can live forever. Listen now to the words of the Holy Spirit as written by Peter in his first epistle: You have been born again, not of perishab...

Click here to listen to this sermon. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! It is the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, the season of the year in which we focus on Jesus revealing Himself as God Incarnate, the Savior of all mankind. It is also Sanctity of Life Sunday. So, it is fitting that our Old Testament lesson, Isaiah 49, is serving double duty today. Let’s focus especially on verses 5 and 6: And now the Lord says, He who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him; and that Israel might be gathered to Him—for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and My God has become My strength—He says: “It is too light a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make You as a light for the nations, that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Do you see the connection? This Servant will “bring the preserved of Israel” and will be “a light for ...

Click here to listen to this sermon.   “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately He went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17). 

Click here to listen to this sermon. 11  And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12  behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13  I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14  And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days”  ( 1 Kings 3:11–14 ).