Preaching Christ Crucified with Pastor Sabol

Sermon: "Fear God ... Honor the Emperor" (l Peter 2:17) I. "My Kingdom is not of this world" A. We are sojourners and exiles 1. We are already citizens of Jesus' kingdom 2. We are witnesses, not competitors B. We seek to be fruitful not powerful l. The fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace ... (Gal. 5:22, 23) 2. Against such there is no law Il. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable A. Be subject to every human institution

B. Do good to silence the naysayers l . Live as people who are free 2. Do not use your freedom to cover up for evil 3. Live as servants of God 111. St. Peter's summary A. Honor everyone; Love the Brotherhood 1. Do not expect those outside the church to live as if inside 2. Do not treat those inside the church as if they were outside B. Fear God, Honor the Emperor 1. Fear Him who can destroy body and soul in hell (Mt. 10:28) 2. Honor him who is given the power of the sword IV. We are resident aliens in a fallen world we wait for another land

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Sunday: The Second Sunday of Easter

Date: April 19, 2020

Text: 1 John 5:7-8

Theme: The Three that Testify

I. We have overcome the world

A. We are born of God through our Baptism

B. Faith is our victory — This is the work of the Spirit

C. We believe Jesus (a man) is the Son of God

II. Jesus came by water and blood

A. Water is a work of the Spirit — Jesus is spirit

B. Blood is the life of man — Jesus is flesh

C. Jesus rose in the flesh and now reigns at the right hand

III. The Spirit now testifies

A. Jesus is ascended

B. His witness is now the work of the Holy Spirit

C. The Spirit works through means: Himself, water and blood

IV. The Three that Testify

A. The Spirit works through the Word

B. The Spirit brings new birth through Baptism

C. The Spirit brings Jesus’ body and blood through the Supper

V. The Three agree

A. Baptism reflects our spiritual nature

B. The Lord’s Supper reflects our flesh fleshly nature

C. The Word and Spirit are the foundation of both

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Sunday: The Resurrection of our Lord

Date: April 12, 2020

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:20

Theme: Fact: Jesus is Risen from the Dead

I. The uniqueness of Christianity — Saved by the grace of the Father

A. The events occurred in history

B. 1. Our confidence in Jesus’ victory is not emotional but historical

C. Jesus’ victory does not change when our faith is weak

II. If Christ had not been raised …

A. … We are fools to be gathered this morning

B. … We are blaspheming God

C. … We are misleading men … the world would be right

D. … Death is death… and the gate to suffering eternal

III. But Jesus has been raised!

A. We would be fools if we were not celebrating today

B. We are confessing the true God and His wondrous love

C. Jesus is the truth … and the needed proclamation for all

D. Death is dead … and now the gate to life immortal

IV. Jesus is the first fruits of them that sleep

A. Those who sleep—sleep in Christ

B. Jesus’ resurrection is the first …

C. … and we shall follow

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Good Friday

Date: April 8, 2020

Text: John 19:30

Theme: It is Finished — A Strange Ordination

I. Who is this man?

A. Remembering the Magi — Here is the one born King

B. Remember the crowds — Here is the one who provides

C. Remember the Governor — Here is the one who brings peace

II. The Strange Ordination

A. The Inscription announces the King

B. He is naked … not in a royal robe — as was Adam

C. His throne is a wooden cross — not a throne of ivory

D. He crown is of thorns — not of gold

E. He is given vinegar to drink — not the richest of wines

III. Why?

A. As King of the Jews —- He is the rightful heir of Adam

B. Adam’s kingdom became one of death

C. Jesus inherited the Kingdom of death …

D. But death could not contain the Lord of Life

IV. It is Finished

A. Jesus is the Life

B. The domain of death exploded with Life

C. The power of Death is shattered forever.

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Today we look at what our Lord and the Scriptures have to say about the state of the Christian between our physical death and the Resurrection of all flesh on the last day.

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Maundy Thursday

Date: April 9, 2020

Text: John 13:34-35

Theme: A Most Unusual Maundy Thursday

I. On celebrating the Institution without the Sacrament

A. It’s like going to a restaurant and only looking at the menu

B. It is an opportunity to grow in understanding

II. On suspending the regular Divine Service in a time of crisis

A. There appears to be two conflicting needs

We love God by keeping His commands
We love our neighbor by sacrificing for his good

B. In a fallen world, situations may not have a “right” choice

C. What it means that “Love covers a multitude of sins”

III. On the necessity of the Lord’s Supper

A. The Supper is not an optional part of the church life …

B. … Yet it is not absolutely necessary for salvation

C. An illustration from survival training

IV. On guarding against a “new normal”

A. Be wary of introducing practices in times of crisis

Emergency practices can become permanent
Lessons from funeral planning

B. Balancing the needs of the time with the timeless Word of God

We are not in the upper room …
… But we are also not at the beach

V. An Encouragement to partake of the Lord’s Supper in these times

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A short overview of the Book of Revelation

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Sunday: Palm Sunday

Date: April 5, 2020

Text: Luke 19:40

Theme: The Stones Shall Cry Out

I. A note on the reading of Scripture
A. Review of applicability and prescription
B. Different styles of Scripture
1. Literal: Narrative, Epistle
1. Not always literal: Parable, Prophecy, Poetry, Apocalyptic
II. How to know what style
A. Read the text literally, unless the text itself says otherwise
B. Poetry and prophecy are not always figurative
III. Jesus’ Palm Sunday Prophecy — and illustration
A. The crowds of Palm Sunday
1. Filled with praise and anticipation
1. Condemned by the Pharisees
B. Jesus’ Prophecy
1. Jesus’ salvation is universal (though it can be rejected)
1. It is proper for creation to acknowledge the King’s entry
1. If the people failed to call out, the stones would give voice
C. The crowds of Good Friday
1. All people fled — even the disciples
1. The crowds who cheered, now jeered at the Lord
1. All flesh kept silent ...

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The Bible Study is on the Formula of Concord Article 3 -- Righteousness before God

The Sermon Outline is:

Text: John 16:23

Theme: Praying in the Father’s Name

I. Abraham’s Prayer
A. Abraham was not bartering with God
1. Abraham had nothing with which to barter
1. Abraham was speaking God’s promises back to Him
B. Abraham’s prayer was a confession of faith
1. He confessed God is a God of mercy
1. He trusted that God would keep His promises
II. In the Name of the Father
A. We have the privilege of prayer because of who we are
1. We are sons, not slaves — God is our Father
1. We do not pray blindly, but with confidence
B. We pray according to the Word of the Father
1. Jesus did not give us a magical incantation
1. The New Man desires only that which the Father desires
III. Two Approaches to Prayer
A. Spontaneously
1. As a child talks to his dear Father
1. Openly and honestly
B. Purposely
1. The Lord’s Prayer
1. Flowing from the promises of our Lord

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Sermon

Preaching Christ Crucified with Pastor Sabol: Recent Episodes

Rev. William Sabol