FaithCapo.com Sermons

What things make you fear to be a Christian? What things make you fear to be more boldly Christian in all that you say and do? Perhaps it is fear of being ridiculed. Perhaps it is the fear of being labeled a religious fanatic, or a Bible-thumper, or - in Lutheran circles - a pietist. Fear and intimidation are the devil's tactics. Our Lord Jesus teaches us how to live and how to die without fear. The Psalmist says to God, "With You there is forgiveness that You may be feared." Fear of God destroys all other fears. For God is the One who destroys the power of sin by bearing it Himself on the cross. God is the One who destroys the power of death by rising from the dead, and by promising that all who believe in Him will also rise. If God is for us, who can be against us? We need not be afraid when the world taunts us or persecutes us. As our Lord Jesus says, "Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." You have been purchased with the blood of Christ! You are a Christian!

The Lord of the universe became a lowly embryo, coming into the world in the form of you and me. The world despises weakness, yet Jesus, the creator of the world, came to be Lord of the lowly. Baptism seems like nothing to this world, yet God's strength is made perfect in what seems to be weakness. God uses Baptism as His means of grace to wash away our sin so that when God sees you, He sees none of your inadequacies. They are all blotted out by the blood of Christ. And, when God commands us to love our enemies, those who hate Christ, and not judge them, the world scoffs at this apparent weakness and foolishness. Yet the weakness of God is stronger than the power of sin. In this command to love and not judge another, Jesus gives us another way to break the power of sin -- the weakness of love and the foolishness of forgiveness. The day is coming when you will see that His weakness is stronger than any strength. On that day, you will know that His foolishness was wiser than all the wisdom in the world, when you, with nothing but your baptism, are gathered around His throne with other forgiven sinners.

The word of God is greater than all other powers. It doesn't depend on the messenger. The power is not in the speaker but in God's own divine word. Christians are called to stand against darkness because we are light, and God's word is sufficient to do so. Those who trample God's word will be brought down to death. The Word of God (Jesus) silences and casts out demons, sickness and death. Jesus was not sent for miracles, but for preaching God's word. He was sent to set an "upside-down church" right again. Why is there demon possession, sickness, and death in this world? The answer is sin. Sin cuts us off from the One who is light and life. Jesus must take all our sin on Himself. Christ�s death is the price required for God to buy us back and set us free. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. But the blood of Christ has been shed and we are forgiven!

All of life is meant to draw you to Jesus, to be forgiven and conformed to Him. Rejoice in the Lord always, in both good and bad times. Life is not something we possess, only Jesus is life. "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." Jesus removes the curse of sin and death, but first He must come under it, carrying our griefs and sorrows and atoning for them on the cross. Rejoice in the Lord always. The true joy of Advent and Christmas is knowing all things will be made new. In death we have life. Only by losing our bodies in death do we get them back, restored.

Scripture: Mark 10:23-31, Do good works count? God doesn't need our works but He wants them! God wants us to realize the joys of doing heavenly works because we are part of His family. Our good works help give Christ victory over the Devil -- even the smallest most private, most humble works are truly divine works because of Jesus. He cleanses our works and gives them meaning and purpose. We will receive one hundred fold in rewards for our works, now and in the age to come.