CLC's Ministry by Mail: Recent Episodes
CLC Ministry by Mail
A weekly sermon publication by the Church of the Lutheran Confession. Visit www.CLCLutheran.org for more information or www.LutheranSermons.org for print copies of our sermons.
Text: (Heb. 4:9-13 NKJ) "There remains therefore a restfor the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. 11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than anytwo-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints mand marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."
Text:(Rev. 3:14-22 NKJ) "And to the angel ofthe church of the Laodiceans write,These things says the Amen, the Faithfuland True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 "I know your works, thatyou are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 "So then, because you arelukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 "Because you say,I amrich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-- and do not know that youare wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-- 18 "I counsel you to buy fromMe gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that youmay be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed;and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 "As many as I love, Irebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 "Behold, I stand at thedoor and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in tohim and dine with him, and he with Me. 21"To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I alsoovercame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 "He who has an ear, lethim hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'"
Text:(Matt. 6:24-34 KJV) "No man can servetwo masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else hewill hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God andmammon. 25 Therefore I sayunto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shalldrink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more thanmeat, and the body than raiment? 26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gatherinto barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better thanthey? 27 Which of you bytaking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought forraiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not,neither do they spin: 29 Andyet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like oneof these. 30 Wherefore, ifGod so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is castinto the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of littlefaith? 31 Therefore take nothought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithalshall we be clothed? 32 (Forafter all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweththat ye have need of all these things. 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all thesethings shall be added unto you. 34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought forthe things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
How did you determine what you weregoing to wear today? Are you one ofthose people who chooses and lays out your outfit for the next day the nightbefore? Did you put a lot of thoughtinto it? Maybe because it’s Sunday youchose to wear nice clothes to church. Maybe you’re just wearing what your wife told you you should wear? Or, if you’re a young child, you’re probablywearing what your mom picked out for you to wear. The important thing is that it does appearthat all of us have, in fact, successfully gotten dressed today. Congratulations!
However,just because we’ve gotten dressed for the day doesn’t mean we’re fullyclothed. Did you remember as you gotdressed this morning to put on The Armor of God? The Apostle Paul speaks of this in words ofour sermon text for today:
Last year my daughter’s class went ona field trip to a huge corn maze. I wentalong to help chaperone and was givenfive kids to watch. We set out withconfidence that we could find the exit.We got utterly lost. Fortunately, we metsome other groups that had cheatsheets. They had a map of the maze withlandmarks. With that, it was pretty easyto get out. It was if we had a view fromabove.
It is interesting the things that come across a pastor’sdesk. Usually there is a lot of junkmail and junk email, like “how to have a successful fundraiser,” or someone whocan fill our cleaning supplies needs at church, or that widow from Nigeria whohas millions of dollars she wants to donate to our congregation, she just needsmy bank account number and PIN...
But every so often,there are unsolicited emails that I receive which address things that some ofour members are wondering about. Forinstance, the mass email I received recently asked whether a Christian shouldattend a gay wedding. Then there was thepodcast that asked whether our congregations are ready to welcome repentanttransgenders who have seen the errors of their choices.
Text: (Acts 16:9-15 ESV)
"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a manof Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, "Come over toMacedonia and help us." 10And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on intoMacedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 11 So, setting sail from Troas, wemade a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi,which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. Weremained in this city some days. 13And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where wesupposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the womenwho had come together. 14 Onewho heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller ofpurple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to payattention to what was said by Paul. 15And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying,"If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house andstay." And she prevailed upon us."
Text: (Heb. 6:1-12 NKJ)
"Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."
Our meditation is based on the parable of the shrewd steward. You will see that when every effort to climbthe ladder of success leaves you falling flat, Jesus stands ready to pick you back up and put you to work in the kingdom of God. Again, the Savior defines the work ethic Heseeks: “I say unto you, make to yourselves friends of the mammon ofunrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.” O Lord Jesus, bless Thy Word that we may trust in Thee. Amen.
Believe it or not, we’re pretty much back at that time of year again: it’s August, so it’s officially “Back to School” time. Which means you’ve probably noticed plenty of “Back to School” sale ads. A typical one usually goes something like this: “Get all your ‘Back to School’ needs at [insert store’s name here]!” Now, maybe for “Back to School” time the use of the word “needs” is appropriate at times. In order to take notes and do homework for class you need pencils, or pens, and a notebook, etc. You might even need a laptop or computer forcertain classes.
However, the word “need” is one of the most misused words in our language and is usually most misused by stores and businesses that are trying to convince you that whatthey are trying to sell you is an absolute necessity. Despite what advertisers, stores, and online retailers may tell us, we as human beings actually have very few “needs.” Physically, all we really “need” is oxygen to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, clothes to wear, and modest shelter to protect us and we could live just fine for many years. Jesus, in our text, reminds us that life is actually even simpler than that: He said to Martha, just “one thing isneeded” (v. 42).
Imagine it is your anniversary, and you ask your wife if it’s allright to go out with your friends. She replies, “If that’s what you want to do on our anniversary, then go ahead.” Later, when you find yourself sleeping on the couch, would you be surprised and protest, “But you said I could go!”?
I don’t think any of you are naïve enough to think she was actually giving you her blessing. But sometimes we are deliberately naïve with God—like Balaam in our text. Now to be clear, God doesn’t say one thing and mean another. But God does test us to see whether we will be deliberately naïve, or faithful to Him and His Word. Watch how He tests Balaam in this text.
Some of you may be familiar with the background to the hymn “Amazing Grace.” It was written by an Anglican pastor named John Newton in the late 1700s. The hymn is about John Newton’s own life experience. Before he was an Anglican pastor, he was a man who gave very little thought to God. After leaving the British Royal Navy, he became involved in the business of slave trading – transporting men, women, and children from Africa to America to sell them as slaves.
In 1748, at the age of 23, Newton was involved in a storm at sea that was so violent he thought he was going to die. He prayed to God for mercy, not only from the storm but from his sins. God spared Newton’s life. Newton went on to study Christian theology and eventually became an opponent of slavery. God saving him from his wretched sins is the “Amazing Grace” that Newton writes about.
Our text this morning also gives us an example of God’s amazing grace for a wretched sinner. Listen to the great sins of King Manasseh and God’s grace which was even greater in 2 Chronicles 33, verses 9 through 16.
“How are you doing?” I would imagine that everyone here today has been asked that question more than once. Depending on who asks the question, you might well anticipate additional questions. If a friend you have not seen for some time asks the question, you might expect that friend to go on to ask questions like: “How is your husband or wife,” or “how is your family?” If your doctor asks you that question, you might expect him or her to go on to ask: “Have you been sticking with the low-fat, low-cholesterol diet I recommended,” or “have you been exercising regularly?” If your pastor asks you that question, he might go on to ask: “Have you been reading your Bible regularly,” or “how is your prayer life going?”
It is concerning that last subject that I wish to speak to you today—your prayer life. I would imagine that most if not all of us pray at meals and before going to bed. We no doubt pray during times of crisis and to express our thankfulness to God for blessings received. I would imagine that we pray about our personal needs, our family needs, and perhaps even our congregational and national needs. If, however, there is a weakness in our prayer lives, I would imagine that it would be this—that the scope of our prayers is often much too narrow. Paul addresses that issue in our text today, and based on these words I would encourage you—BRETHREN, LET US PRAY!
Dearly Beloved Fellow Believers,Salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ is to us the most precious teaching of the HolyScriptures. By it we are sure of our salvation and can live in peace. We know that our eternal placein the Father’s house is assured because Christ won it for us by His sacrifice and God has given it to usby His grace.
Our meditation is based on the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin. You will see though we sinners find reason to keep our distance from one another and our God, the Saviorcomes to actively seek and recover you into His eternal fold.
I think weall know the importance and blessing of having a friend. Have you been particularly blessed duringyour life to have someone that you would consider your “best friend”? Someone you can always count on to “bethere.” Someone whose friendship was unconditional. Someone who always made your day better. Someone you just really liked beingaround. If you’ve had that type of afriend during your lifetime you are truly blessed.
I want to start with a question: Which is easier—to offer a conciliatory hand, an olive branch, to someone who has wronged you repeatedly, or to offer a conciliatory hand to someone whom you have wronged repeatedly?
On this Trinity Sunday, listen to how the Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit gives us LIVING HOPE.
· United by the blood of Christ
· At peace through the preaching of Christ
· Build on the cornerstone, which is Christ
In a church on a Sunday morning, after the service was over, one of the members asked to speak to the pastor privately. After they had gone into the pastor’s study and closed the door, the man informed the pastor that he was resigning his membership in the congregation. He had with him a signed letter of resignation that he handed to the pastor, asking that it be presented to the church council.
The pastor was very disheartened at this. The man had been an active member, an asset to the congregation and a help to the pastor. His departure came as a surprise. Worst of all, his reason for leaving was a purely personal one, the kind of thing that a Christian should not let come between him and his church.
The pastor dreaded having to break the news to the other members, fearing that they, too, would be disheartened by it. And of course they were disheartened by it. But the pastor told them that, regrettable as this was, it was also a good lesson: our hope and trust are in the Lord, not in people, for they can disappoint us. It is good to rejoice in the good things that we see the Lord doing in our congregation and in our church body. It is good to see how He has called, gathered, enlightened, and sanctified others. It is good to rejoice over baptisms, confirmations, expressions of faith, and acts of love. But our greatest joy is not in these things, but rather in this, that our names are written in heaven.
Ourmeditation is based on Jesus’ teaching concerning the Holy Spirit. You will see that though the spirit of the worldseems ever to be evolving and encroaching, the Spirit of God remains theunchanging fount of saving truth. Again,the Savior saith: “And when [the Spirit] is come, He will reprove the world ofsin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” O Risen Lord, bless Thy Word thatwe may trust in Thee. Amen.
John 14:1-6 (NKJV)
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there youmay be also. 4 "And where I go you know, and the way youknow." 5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know whereYou are going, and how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
The story is told of a sheepfoldthat had one young ewe (a female sheep), that was particularly assertive. She was so assertive that the other sheep inthe pen thought she knew something they didn’t and they began following thisassertive little lamb. They followed herright through an opening in the fence and out of the farmyard. Though this little lamb acted like she knewwhat she was doing, she had no idea where she was going. She didn’t know what water was safe to drinkor what plants were safe to eat. Shedidn’t know where the pack of hungry coyotes could be found or which path ledto danger.
Think about this question for a moment—are you an optimist or a pessimist? Is the glass perpetually half-full or half-empty for you? Did the folks who developed “Murphy’s Law” have you personally in mind, or do you believe with the apostle Paul, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13)? Do you believe that it is possible to “rejoice in the Lord always,” (Phil. 4:4) as Paul exhorts us to do, or does that seem like an impossibility to you?
The sermon this Easter morning is based on the discovery of the empty tomb. You will see thatthough the sinner embarks on many a foolish journey, the Gospel reveals God’s desire to ever guideyou to and by the forgiveness and grace found in the Risen Lord. Again, from Mark’s Gospel: “Theangel said to the women: ‘Be not affrighted! Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified. He isrisen! He is not here!’” O Risen Lord, bless Thy Word that we may trust in Thee. Amen.
Ironic, isn’t it? Irony is an outcome that is the opposite of what you might expect. Wewouldn’t expect a little child to teach a preacher of God’s Word a lesson about such a basicmatter of faith—and yet, that’s exactly what happened! My niece was a good example of whatJesus means when He spoke about us having absolute trust in Him and receiving the kingdomof God “like a little child” (Luke 18:17). In fact, incidents like this have happened many othertimes in the lives of pastors, teachers, and parents. It even happened in the incident we arelooking at in our sermon text for this Palm Sunday. Today we will be considering the irony inthe question Jesus’ enemies asked: Do you hear what these children are saying?
There’s a storm on the horizon—it is coming. This storm will either bring destruction orsalvation, fire and judgment or healing. What will be the determining factor? Fear. The kind thattrembles and trusts.
We shake our heads when we see politicians rail against corruption, only to have theirown scandals exposed. But before we nod in agreement, let’s ask ourselves—what’s in ourcloset? What sins do we ignore in ourselves while we cry out for justice against others? Thiswas the spiritual blindness of Malachi’s time, and it’s a warning for us tod
Have you ever considered how your relationship with your spouse affects yourrelationship with God? Marriage was one of God’s last creations and one of His greatest giftsto humankind. As our text states, it is a holy institution which God loves.
Let me ask you—is the temple of your heartand the worship of your heart ready? Is it ready for Palm Sunday, to cry outwith a true heart, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes inthe name of the Lord”? Is it ready to stand at the foot of the cross with abroken and contrite heart, sorrowing over the extent of our sinfulness andmarveling at the extent of His love? Is it ready to hurry with Peter and Johnto the tomb and see it is empty, for He is not there—He is risen, as He said?
Lent should get us ready for that. The Lordwhom we seek, even the Messenger of the Covenant in whom we delight, is coming.Each week of Lent, we will look at a different section of Malachi to prepareour hearts to offer true worship to His name.
Our sermon for Transfiguration Sunday is by
Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer
Berea Ev. Lutheran Church
Inver Grove Heights, MN
Our meditation is based on the healing of the nobleman’s son. You will see that life in this fallen ncreation often leaves you stuck in the middle, but Jesus came between you andthe end our sins deserve.
We all know that goals are important for our life. Pastor Klatt reminds us that we should also have the goal of our life to be for after this life.
Listen to the Word of God in Acts chapter 4and consider how bold witnesses of Christ have been healed by Jesus and spenttime with Jesus, and thus could not keep silent about Him.
Bad posture is bad for your body. Your soul having bad posture is much worse. You should learn how to have your soul stand up straight.
Pastor Aaron Ude will shows from the end of Luke 10 and beginning of chapter 11 how to choose better.
Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer of Bereat Ev. Lutheran Church reminds us to "Beware of Idolary!" because our hearts are eager for it and the LORD's anger burns hot over it. He also reminds to look to Jesus who only can cleanse us from it.
Pastor Daubs reminds us from God’s Word in Mark 7 that the reason we often feel so bullied and ignored is our broken relationship with Him on account of our sin.
A diagnosis with only one treatment, with only one cure, for the righteous Son of God to be offered in our place, to make atonement for our spiritual disease, in order to heal us in full.
Today Pastor Luke Bernthal reminds us from God’s Word in Hebrews 11that Abraham is the ancestor we should be most proud to be related to (even if we aren’t related to Him by blood). How can this be? Listen and found out.
Sermon for Pentecost 10, Sunday, July 28, 2024
Text: Hebrews 12:14-24 Theme: "Look at What You Have!"
Rev. John Klatt, Watertown, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 30
Sermon for Pentecost 9, Sunday, July 21, 2024
Text: Acts 9:32-43
Theme: "Signs of the Apostles: To What Do They Direct Us?"
Rev. John Klatt, Watertown, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 29
Sermon for Pentecost 8, Sunday, July 14, 2024
Text: Matthew 10:21-22, 26-33
Theme: "Choose Joy with Confidence"
Pastor Michael Roehl of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 28
Sermon for Pentecost 7, Sunday, July 7, 2024
Text: Mark 2:23-3:6
Theme: "Above and Beyond"
Pastor Michael Roehl of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 27
Sermon for Pentecost 6, June 30, 2024
Text: Lamentation 3:22-33
Theme: "Truths to Consider in Times of Trouble"
by Pastor Paul D. Nolting
Grace Lutheran Church, Valentine, NE
Peace Lutheran Church, Mission, SD
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, White River, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 26
Sermon for Pentecost 5, June 23, 2024
Text: 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
Theme: "Jesus the Storm Stiller"
Pastor Luke Bernthal of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Mt. View, CA and Hayward, CA
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 25
Sermon for Pentecost 4, June 16, 2024
Text: 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
Theme: "Imagine What God Has In Store For You!"
Pastor Luke Bernthal of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Mt. View, CA and Hayward, CA
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 24
Pastor Nathan Pheiffer
Text: John 8:1-11
Theme: “Standing Before Jesus”
-
One caught in sin
-
Ones convicted of sin
-
One condemned for sin
Sermon for the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, June 9, 2024
Text: 1 John 3:19-24
Theme: "Christian Confidence"
Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer
Berea Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 23
Pastor Nathan PfeifferText: John 15:1-8
Theme: “Abide in the Vine”
- Jesus is your source of life
- Jesus is your source of fruitful Christian living
Sermon for the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, June 2, 2024
Text: 1 John 2:3-11
Theme: "Knowing Jesus: 1) More than words; 2) Affects how we live; 3) Seen in whom we love"
Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer
Berea Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 22
Sermon for Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2024
Text: Acts8:14-25
Theme: "The Spirit of Power"
Pastor John Klatt, Watertown, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 20
Sermon for Ascension Sunday, May 12, 2024
Text: Acts 17:16-23, 31
Theme: "Flawless"
Pastor Michael Roehl of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 19
Sermon for the 6th Sunday of Easter May 5, 2024
Text: Acts 17:16-23, 31
Theme: "Provoked"
Pastor Michael Roehl of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 18
Sermon for Easter 5, April 28, 2024
Text: John 9:1-12
Theme: "Mud Pies"
Pastor Timothy Daub
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hecla, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 17
Sermon for Easter 4, April 21, 2024
Text: 1 Peter 2:21-25
Theme: "Sheep of the Good Shepherd"
Pastor John Klatt of Watertown, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 16
Sermon for Easter 3, April 14, 2024
Text: Acts 4:23-33
Theme: "Be An Apostle!"
Pastor Luke Bernthal of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Mt. View, CA and Hayward, CA
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 15
Sermon for the 2nd Sunday of Easter, April 7, 2024
Text: John 20:19-31
Theme: "The Risen Lord Comes with Peace"
Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer
Berea Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 14
Sermon for Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024
Text: Job 19:25a
Theme: "I Know that My Redeemer Lives"
by Pastor Paul D. Nolting
Grace Lutheran Church, Valentine, NE
Peace Lutheran Church, Mission, SD
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, White River, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 13
Sermon for Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024
Text: Matthew 21:1-9
Theme: "Our King Has Come!"
by Pastor Paul D. Nolting
Grace Lutheran Church, Valentine, NE
Peace Lutheran Church, Mission, SD
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, White River, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 12
Sermon for Lent 5, March 17, 2024
Text: Matthew 27:50-66
Theme: "Jesus Goes to the Pawn Shop"
Pastor Timothy Daub
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hecla, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 11
Sermon for Lent 4, March 10, 2024
Text: Matthew 27:32-50
Theme: "A Loss for Words"
Pastor Timothy Daub
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hecla, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 10
Sermon for Lent 3, March 3, 2024
Text: Matthew 27:1-31
Theme: "A Premediated Accident"
Pastor Timothy Daub
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hecla, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 9
Sermon for Lent 2, February 25, 2024
Text: Matthew 26:57-75
Theme: "Where Does All This Come From?"
Pastor Timothy Daub
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hecla, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 8
Sermon for Lent 1, February 18, 2024
Text: Matthew 26:42-44
Theme: "Who Was There?"
Pastor Timothy Daub
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hecla, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 7
Sermon for Transfiguration Sunday, February 11, 2024
Text: 2 Peter 1:16-23
Theme: "'Tis Good, Lord, To Be Here"
Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer
Berea Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 6
Sermon for Epiphany 5, February 4, 2024
Text: Isaiah 9:1-4
Theme: "The Joy of the Son-Shine"
Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer
Berea Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 5
Sermon for Epiphany 4, January 28, 2024
Text: Romans 1:16-20
Theme: "God Has Revealed Himself - 1) In the World; 2) In the Word"
Pastor Luke Bernthal of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Mt. View, CA and Hayward, CA
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 4
Sermon for Epiphany 3, January 21, 2024
Text: Matthew 4:12-17, 23
Theme: "Jesus' Ministry Then and Now: Teaching, Preaching, and Healing"
Pastor Luke Bernthal of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Mt. View, CA and Hayward, CA
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 3
Sermon for 2nd Sunday of Epiphany, January 14, 2024
Text: Luke 11:21-22
Theme: "Baptism: The Spiritual Overthrow of the Heart"
Pastor Timothy Daub
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hecla, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 65, Number 2
Sermon for New Years Eve, December 31, 2023
Text: Isaiah 51:1-6
Theme: "New Year Directions: LOOK! LISTEN! LIVE!"
Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer
Berea Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 53
Sermon for the 2nd Sunday in Advent, December 24, 2023
Text: Revelation 3:7-8,11
Theme: "Oh Come...Thou Key of David!"
by Pastor Paul D. Nolting
Grace Lutheran Church, Valentine, NE
Peace Lutheran Church, Mission, SD
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, White River, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 52
Sermon for the 3rd Sunday in Advent, December 17, 2023
Text: Luke 1:78-79
Theme: "Oh Come...Thou Dayspring From On High!"
by Pastor Paul D. Nolting
Grace Lutheran Church, Valentine, NE
Peace Lutheran Church, Mission, SD
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, White River, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 51
Sermon for the 2nd Sunday in Advent, December 10, 2023
Text: Isaiah 11:1
Theme: "Oh Come, Oh Come...Thou Rod Of Jesse!"
by Pastor Paul D. Nolting
Grace Lutheran Church, Valentine, NE
Peace Lutheran Church, Mission, SD
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, White River, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 50
Sermon for the 1st Sunday in Advent, December 3, 2023
Text: Isaiah 7:14
Theme: "Oh Come, Oh Come...Emmanuel"
by Pastor Paul D. Nolting
Grace Lutheran Church, Valentine, NE
Peace Lutheran Church, Mission, SD
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, White River, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 49
Sermon for Christ the King Sunday, November 26, 2023
Text: Revelation 2:8-11
Theme: "Be Faithful Until Death!"
Pastor Luke Bernthal of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Mt. View, CA and Hayward, CA
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 48
Sermon for Thanksgiving, November 19, 2023
Text: Ephesians 3:14-21
Theme: "The God-Pleasing Perspective of Thanksgiving"
Pastor Michael Roehl of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 47
Sermon for 24th Sunday after Pentecost, November 12, 2023
Text: Matthew 25:6
Theme: "The Wedding Starts Right On Time"
Pastor Timothy Daub
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hecla, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 46
Sermon for Saints Triumphant, November 5, 2023
Text: Isaiah 65:17-25
Theme: "Isaiah Previews the LORD's Coming Attraction"
Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer
Berea Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 45
Sermon for Reformation Sunday, October 29, 2023
Text: Romans 3:19-28
Theme: "The Reformation Restored Two Very Important, Very Personal Truths to God's Church"
by Pastor Paul D. Nolting
Grace Lutheran Church, Valentine, NE
Peace Lutheran Church, Mission, SD
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, White River, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 44
Sermon for 21th Sunday after Pentecost, October 22, 2023
Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-12
Theme: "A Lesson In Generosity"
Rev. John Klatt
Watertown, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 43
Sermon for 20th Sunday after Pentecost, October 15, 2023
Text: Matthew 9:2
Theme: "Received Kicking and Screaming Into Grace"
Pastor Timothy Daub
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hecla, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 42
Sermon for Pentecost 19, October 8, 2023
Text: Luke 16:19-31
Theme: "Lessons from the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus"
Pastor Luke Bernthal of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Mt. View, CA and Hayward, CA
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 41
Sermon for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost, October 1, 2023
Text: Matthew 16:21-26
Theme: "Necessary"
Pastor Michael Roehl of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 40
Sermon for Mission Sunday (17th Sunday after Pentecost), September 24, 2023
Text: Genesis 6:2
Theme: "Mission Field Casualties"
Pastor Timothy Daub
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hecla, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 39
Sermon for 16th Sunday after Pentecost, September 17, 2023
Text: Luke 16:1-13
Theme: "The Savior's Stalward Stewards"
Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer
Berea Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 38
Sermon for 15th Sunday after Pentecost, September 10, 2023
Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-13
Theme: "Don't Get Tired of Doing Good"
Pastor Em. John Klatt of Watertown, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 37
Sermon for 14th Sunday after Pentecost, September 3, 2023
Text: Matthew 10:32-42
Theme: "Who Are My Friends?"
Pastor Em. John Klatt of Watertown, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 36
Sermon for Christian Education Sunday after Pentecost, August 27, 2023
Text: 1 John 2:24-28
Theme: "Critical Redundancies"
Pastor Michael Roehl of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 35
Sermon for 12th Sunday after Pentecost, August 20, 2023
Text: Isaiah 44:6-8
Theme: "Friend or Enemy"
Pastor Michael Roehl of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 34
Sermon for 11th Sunday after Pentecost, August 13, 2023
Text: Proverbs 4:10-23
Theme: "The Way of the Wise Son"
Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer
Berea Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 32
Sermon for Pentecost 10, August 6, 2023
Text: Mark 8:1-9
Theme: "Look to Jesus in Your Times of Need"
by Pastor Paul D. Nolting
Grace Lutheran Church, Valentine, NE
Peace Lutheran Church, Mission, SD
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, White River, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 32
Sermon for 9th Sunday after Pentecost, July 30, 2023
Text: Proverbs 2:1-8
Theme: "The Search for Wisdom"
Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer
Berea Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 31
Sermon for 8th Sunday after Pentecost, July 23, 2023
Text: Isaiah 43:8-11
Theme: "Witnesses of the One True God"
Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer
Berea Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 30
Sermon for 7th Sunday after Pentecost, July 16, 2023
Text: Matthew 19:5-6
Theme: "Your Marriage Is Made in Heaven"
A Wedding Sermon by
Professor Steven Sippert,
Immanuel Lutheran College, Eau Claire, WI
Preached at: Berea Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 29
Sermon for Pentecost 6, July 9, 2023
Text: Matthew 5:13-16
Theme: "Find Both Your Identity and Purpose in Christ"
Pastor Luke Bernthal of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Mt. View, CA and Hayward, CA
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 28
Sermon for Pentecost 5, July 2, 2023
Text: Galatians 5:1, 13-18
Theme: "True Freedom in Christ"
Pastor Luke Bernthal of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Mt. View, CA and Hayward, CA
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 27
Sermon for 4th Sunday after Pentecost, June 25, 2023
Text: 1 Peter 5:6-11
Theme: "Under God's Mighty Hand"
Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer
Berea Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 26
Sermon for 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, June 18, 2023
Text: Acts 5:1-11
Theme: "Serve the Lord in Sincerity and Truth"
Pastor Em. John Klatt of Watertown, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 25
Sermon for 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, June 11, 2023
Text: Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Theme: "Love the LORD Your God"
Pastor Em. John Klatt of Watertown, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 24
Sermon for Trinity Sunday, June 6, 2023
Text: John 3:1-17
Theme: "Know What You Know and Tell What You Know"
Pastor Michael Roehl of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 23
Sermon for Pentecost Sunday, May 28, 2023
Text: Acts 2:14-21
Theme: "The Greatest Miracle of Pentecost"
Pastor Luke Bernthal of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Mt. View, CA
and Hayward, CA
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 22
Sermon for Ascension Sunday, May 21, 2023
Text: Luke 24:44-53
Theme: "The Importance of Jesus' Ascension"
Pastor Michael Eichstadt
Messiah Lutheran Church
Hales Corners, WI
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 20
Sermon for Easter 6, May 14, 2023
Text: John 14:23-29
Theme: "God Will Make His Home with You as You Treasure His Word"
by Pastor Paul D. Nolting
Grace Lutheran Church, Valentine, NE
Peace Lutheran Church, Mission, SD
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, White River, SD
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 20
Sermon for Easter 5, May 7, 2023
Text: Acts 18:1-11
Theme: "Says Who?"
Pastor Michael Roehl of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 19
Sermon for Good Shepherd Sunday (Easter 4), April 30, 2023
Text: John 10:11-18
Theme: "How Good Is Our Good Shepherd!"
Pastor Luke Bernthal of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Mt. View, CA
and Hayward, CA
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 18
Sermon for Easter 3, April 23, 2023
Text: John 21:1-14
Theme:"The Risen Lord Fills Us Up"
Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer
Berea Lutheran Church
Inver Grove Heights, MN
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 17
Text: 1 Peter 1:3-16
Theme:"Our Living Hope"
Sermon for Easter 2, April 16, 2023
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 16
Rev. John Klatt
Watertown, SD
Text: 1 Corinthians 15
Theme: "Can't Be Done! Where There's A Will, There's A Way!"
Sermon for Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 14
Pastor Michael Eichstadt
Messiah Lutheran Church
Hales Corners, WI
Text: Philippians 2:5-11
Theme:"Think Like Jesus"
Sermon for Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 14
Pastor Michael Eichstadt
Messiah Lutheran Church
Hales Corners, WI
Text: Philippians 3:8-14
Theme: "Let Us Press Toward the Goal of the Upward Call of God in Christ Jesus!"
Sermon for Lent 5, March 26, 2023
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 13
Pastor Paul D. Nolting
Grace Lutheran Church, Valentine, NE
Peace Lutheran Church, Mission, SD
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, White River, SD
Text: Isaiah 12:1-6
Theme: "The Day Has Come!"
Lent 4, March 19, 2023
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 12
by Pastor Paul D. Nolting
Grace Lutheran Church, Valentine, NE
Peace Lutheran Church, Mission, SD
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, White River, SD
Sermon for Lent 3, March 12, 2023
Ministry by Mail Volume 64, Number 11
Pastor Paul D. Nolting
Grace Lutheran Church, Valentine, NE
Peace Lutheran Church, Mission, SD
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, White River, SD
Text: Exodus 3:1-6
Theme: "God's Calls Come!"
Ministry by Mail sermon for Lent 2, March 5, 2023
Pastor Paul D. Nolting
Grace Lutheran Church, Valentine, NE
Peace Lutheran Church, Mission, SD
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, White River, SD
Text: Luke 13:31-35
Theme: "Entrust Your Future to the Lord!"
Ministry by Mail sermon for Lent 1, February 26, 2023
Pastor Paul D. Nolting
Grace Lutheran Church, Valentine, NE
Peace Lutheran Church, Mission, SD
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, White River, SD
Text: Luke 4:1-13
Theme: "From Adam to Christ - Tragedy Turned Into Triumph"
Ministry by Mail sermon for Transfiguration Sunday, February 19, 2023
Pastor Luke Bernthal of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Mt. View, CA
and Hayward, CA
Text: 2 Peter 1:16-21
Theme: "Jesus Revealed - By His Transfiguration"
Ministry by Mail sermon for Epiphany 6, February 12, 2023
Pastor Luke Bernthal of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Mt. View, CA
and Hayward, CA
Text: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Theme: "Let Us Boast in the Lord!"
Ministry by Mail sermon for Epiphany 5, February 5, 2023
Pastor Michael Roehl of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND
Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Theme: "Neither Miss, Nor Misunderstand, the Signs"
Ministry by Mail sermon for Epiphany 4, January 29, 2023
Pastor Michael Roehl of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND
Text: Romans 6:1-11
Theme: "Keep the Change"
Sermon delivered by Mr. Gary Miller, a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Ministry by Mail sermon for Epiphany 3, January 22, 2023
Pastor Paul D. Nolting
Grace Lutheran Church, Valentine, NE
Peace Lutheran Church, Mission, SD
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, White River, SD
Text: 1 Corinthians 13:1-14:1a
Theme: "Pursue Love - in view of its importance, its nature, and its permanence!"
Ministry by Mail sermon for Epiphany 2, January 15, 2023
Rev. John Klatt of Watertown, SD
Text: John 3:25-36
Theme: "Our Highest Loyalty"
Ministry by Mail sermon for Epiphany 1, January 8, 2023
Rev. John Klatt of Watertown, SD
Text: Matthew 12:46-50
Theme: "Jesus Our True Brother"
Ministry by Mail audio sermon for New Year's Day, January 1, 2023
Delivered by Pastor Em. David Schierenbeck on New Year's Eve December 31, 2021
at Berea Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Text: Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
Theme: "Faith Is Being Sure of God's Power, Love, and Promises"
Ministry by Mail sermon for Christmas Day, December 25, 2022
Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer of Berea Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Text: Titus 3:4-7
Theme: "The Kindness of God Appeared at Christmas"
Ministry by Mail sermon for the 4th Sunday in Advent, December 18, 2022
Pastor Stephan Sonnenfeld of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Dowagiac, MI
Text: Ruth 1:19-20
Theme: "Let Us Now Go Even Unto Bethlehem: Where There Is Refuge for the Brokenhearted"
Ministry by Mail sermon for the 3rd Sunday in Advent, December 11, 2022
Pastor Thomas Naumann of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, Madison Heights, MI
Text: Micah 5:2-4
Theme: "Let Us Now Go Even Unto Bethlehem: Where Peace Can Be Found"
Ministry by Mail sermon for the 2nd Sunday in Advent, December 4, 2022
Pastor Michael Wilke of Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Saginaw, MI
Text: Luke 2:15-18
Theme: "Let Us Now Go Even Unto Bethlehem: Where There Is Good News to Tell"
CLC's Ministry by Mail sermon for Sunday, November 27, 2022. "NAZIRITES AND THE NAZARENE: Nazirites as types of Christ"Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist. Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer of Berea Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights, MN.
Weekly audio sermons will be uploaded beginning on the weekend of November 27, 2022 for the first Sunday in Advent.