Judica 2025

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When God made our first parents, He made them to be the crown of His creation. He made them in His image.

This is the source of Satan’s rebellion. He envied man’s place. He despised that material creatures— he despised that a man and woman of flesh and bone—would be so exalted, would be God’s image-bearers in the cosmos. That—man’s place in God’s creation—is the point of attack.

Temptation to sin therefore is not a temptation to do this or that bad thing. The demonic temptation is for “man to cease being man” [Weinrich]. The goal of temptation is to destroy man….

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LCMS International Center Matins Sermon

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The day we brought him home, I began a routine every night at my son’s bedtime. After our prayers and before the blessing, I say to him, “James Julius, you are my beloved son; in you I am well pleased.” It’s adapted from the words of the Father at Christ’s baptism. Today’s Bible reading says the Father now identifies us with His beloved Son: The Father qualifies us, or makes us sufficient, to share in Christ’s inheritance; He transfers us into His beloved Son’s kingdom.

Well it’s a great thought, and they’re easy words to say to an infant: “James Julius, you are my beloved son; in you I am well pleased.” A long time goes by, night after night after night, and I remain well pleased. But of course the time inevitably came when the Old Adam gained the upper hand. It had been a rough evening. Rebellion, and raised voices. I was disappointed in him. I was angry. I was not well-pleased. Did you ever see The Incredibles? Great movie. “I’m not happy, Bob. NOT HAPPY!”

What then? Do you still say the words? ...

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Invocabit sermon 2023

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Temptations are rarely grandiose. On occasion temptation to a front-page-headline kind of sin comes along. Most of our temptations appear as innocuous choices. Small, daily things tempt us to take baby steps away from God’s Word.

Frequently we should pray the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus teaches us there to ask for help: “Lead us not into temptation.” This takes on urgency once we realize we are constantly under spiritual assault….

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