Read and listen to the most recent sermons http://www.nhlutheran.com Jesus' transfiguration on that mountain affected John, James, and Peter for the rest of their lives and it also affected Jesus—reminding Him of His real home in heaven. For those few moments on that mountain top Jesus was reminded that He was not alone. He could confide in Moses and Elijah—two men who God sent to save His people in the Old Testament. http://www.nhlutheran.org/sermon_the_transfiguration_of_our_lord.htm This is the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry. He was baptized, spent His 40 days in temptation by the devil and now He attends a wedding feast with His family and His disciples. Why is this wedding important to us as Christians? Jesus is participating in the wedding. This is a demonstration to us that the institution of marriage remains valid in the New Testament. What do we know of marriage in the Scriptures? http://www.nhlutheran.org/sermon_the_wedding_at_cana.htm The supposed wise men of God’s Law--the rabbis, Pharisees, and learned Scriptural scholars--had not recognized Jesus as the Christ when announced by the shepherds. So God sent these wise men from Arabia to fulfill Scriptural prophecy. Perhaps they would see God’s Son through the message of these foreigners. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet, which was read in every synagogue every week, spoke if this. http://www.nhlutheran.org/sermon_the_visit_of_the_wise_men_from_the_east.htm Here is a sample of the many Old Testament prophecies of the coming of the Christ. When God the Father sent His Son, the prophets had been silent for 400 years. This was a dark time in the history of God’s people and light was used to announce the birth of the Christ Child to the shepherds in the fields. Note the use of darkness and light in the announcement. Scripture is filled with symbolism and that symbolism is especially present here. The announcement of the birth of Christ comes at a time of darkness and the message is delivered by a glowing and very bright angel. http://www.nhlutheran.org/sermon_birth_of_christ_through_the_old_testament_prophesies.htm Jesus came as a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes but He was no stranger to this world. He guided the Israelites as they escaped the bonds of Egypt. He guided God’s people through the wilderness for 40 years. He fed them and gave them drink. And now, in a manger in a strange stable in the middle of the night, He returned as a human to defeat the Law on man’s behalf. He would defeat death so all believers could have eternal life. http://www.nhlutheran.org/sermon_a_child_is_born_in_bethlehem.htm Our responsibility is no different than for John the Baptist. It is our responsibility to tell others how it is that they should repent and that they should seek the Kingdom of God. We are chosen just as John the Baptist was chosen. http://www.nhlutheran.org/sermon_john_the_baptist_the_elijah_promised.htm God sent the manna to give life to the Israelites, God’s chosen people. Now God sends the gift that gives everlasting life to all believers—heaven itself. How great is that? We cannot even describe it. The manna fed only the Jews for a few years. The Bread of Life, the Christ sent by God for us, feeds our souls for all eternity. http://www.nhlutheran.org/sermon_jesus_the_bread_of_life_20091206.htm In our text, Paul is talking about the fruits of our faith. He is speaking to Christians to remind them that they are different from the other men who are of this world who do not recognize Christ as their Savior. Paul wants to make sure the Christians understand who they are and what they have in their GIFT of salvation. http://www.nhlutheran.org/sermon_jesus_the_light_of_the_world_20091129.htm This incident teaches us that our Lord has power over death and life. We know that men must die. Men have been dying since Adam and Eve. Men will continue to die until judgment day. We know these bodies are temporary for this world. Paul even calls this body a tent--a temporary dwelling. http://www.nhlutheran.org/sermon_jesus_lord_over_death_20091122.htm Paul admonishes converted Jews who believed in salvation by the Law. Paul tells them to hold fast to the one true doctrine received from the beginning. We are not to be too confident of our own wisdom. We have no independent authority. We have only the authority given by Scripture. We must guard against pretenders who claim to have a superior doctrine. Paul knows these converted Jews and he wants them to understand true salvation. He warns them of the dangers in trusting in their ability to live according to the Law. http://www.nhlutheran.org/sermon_our_citizenship_is_in_heaven_20091115.htm The lesson: As long as we forgive we have grace. When we refuse to forgive our own forgiveness slips out of our grasp. Forgive your neighbor and God forgives you. http://www.nhlutheran.org/sermon_the_ungrateful_servant.htm For most of us, our faith starts out with a simple understanding in a Savior, not knowing much about how we are saved, but grasping the hope of our salvation. But it shouldn’t stay like that. It should grow and continue to grow until we are called home. Surely the nobleman was driven to learn more about Jesus after his son was healed, just as we must also continue to learn more about our Lord, continuously getting to know Him better by immersing ourselves in the Word of God. http://www.nhlutheran.org/sermon_jesus_heals_the_noblemans_son_20091101.htm Today we celebrate the anniversary of the Reformation of the Christian Church. As you study the early Church you will find how the Gospel was spread by the persecution of those early Christians. The Reformation caused a similar occurrence when religious persecution in Europe forced Christians to flee to America. God used circumstances of persecution to spread His Word. http://www.nhlutheran.org/sermon_our_identity_as_lutherans.htm Jesus knew that there was much misunderstanding of the teaching of the law and the application of the law. So He is teaching that the law is not the external discipline of God's people, but it is a way for believers to have confidence in their love of God. The law constantly reminds us that we cannot obtain salvation on our own. God uses the law to remind us that we love Him. The law exists to remind us that we can be obedient to the will of God. http://www.nhlutheran.org/sermon_the_two_great_commandments.htm The Church is not a building. The Church is not a place and the Church is not an organization. the Church is a gathering of every one on this earth that believes Jesus Christ is our Savior and if you are a member of this one Church—THANK GOD! For it is by God that you are called to this Church. It is by the gift of the Holy Spirit that you believe Jesus is your Savior and that He is Lord of all. http://www.nhlutheran.org/sermon_our_calling_to_the_one_christian_church_20091004.htm