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Death brings grief, sorrow, and the longing to see our loved ones again. But as Christians, we do not grieve as those who have no hope. In this sermon, we explore the comforting promises of God in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and discover why our grief is filled with hope. Our hope rests entirely on the work of Jesus Christ. He died to take away our sins, rose again to conquer death, and promises to return to gather all believers to Himself. When Christ comes again, the dead in Him will rise, and we will be reunited with our loved ones in His glorious presence. Although our loss is real and our tears are genuine, we have the certainty of eternal life through Jesus. We mourn, but we mourn with hope!

What does it mean to stand firm in the faith when following Christ comes at a cost? In Matthew, we hear Jesus’ honest warning that His disciples will face opposition, rejection, and hardship in a world that resists His Word. Yet He also promises the strength and grace we need to remain faithful. Standing for God’s truth may bring discomfort, conflict, and rejection. We are tempted to remain silent to gain approval, but Christ calls us to speak the truth in love with wisdom, gentleness, and courage. Our confidence rests not in our own bravery, but in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose victorious. Through His Word, Spirit, and gracious gifts, He strengthens our trembling faith and assures us of forgiveness and salvation. Here we stand—not on our courage, but on Christ’s cross; not on our wisdom, but on Christ’s Word. Stand firm, stand humbly, and stand forgiven.

God invites us to an eternal celebration with Him in heaven! In Matthew, Jesus tells the parable of the wedding banquet, revealing God’s amazing grace, His patient call to faith, and the importance of treasuring His Word. Although none of us deserves a place in heaven, God graciously invites us into His kingdom through Jesus Christ. Yet the distractions of daily life can lead us to neglect worship, grow indifferent to God’s Word, or become ashamed of the truths of Scripture. This parable reminds us to take God’s invitation seriously and respond with hearts of faith. The good news is that Jesus has done everything necessary for our salvation. Through His death and resurrection, He forgives our sins and clothes us in His perfect righteousness. Through the washing of Baptism and the power of His Word, He brings us into His family and prepares us for eternal life.

What is the diagnosis for your life, and how can you be certain of your future? In this sermon, The Doctor’s Diagnosis, we turn to Luke, the beloved physician, who carefully recorded the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus so that we may have certainty in the promises of God’s Word. Through Luke’s Gospel, we receive the life-giving truth of the Great Physician, Jesus Christ, in three parts: Part 1: Jesus Is Certainly Your Savior. God’s saving plan was fulfilled through Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. We cannot save ourselves, but Christ has done everything necessary for our salvation. Part 2: You Are Certainly Forgiven. Repentance and forgiveness of sins are proclaimed in Jesus’ name. Your forgiveness rests not on your feelings or your efforts, but on Christ’s finished work. Part 3: Your Life Is Certainly Secure. The risen and ascended Lord continues to bless His people and holds us securely in His hands. Whatever uncertainties you face, find lasting comfort in this sure diagnosis: In Jesus, you are forgiven and have life now and forever!

In Ezekiel 18, we are reminded that God wants us to live. The Israelites used the proverb, “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge,” to shift blame for their circumstances. God calls us instead to take responsibility for our own sin and turn to Him in repentance. We cannot rely on comparisons, family history, excuses, or our own goodness to stand before a holy God. Yet God does not desire the death of sinners—He calls us to “repent and live.” Through Jesus Christ, who took our place, carried our guilt, died for our sins, and rose again, we receive forgiveness and life. The Christian life is one of daily repentance, faith, forgiveness, and continually returning to Christ. God wants you to live—now and eternally with Him.

What do you do when someone hurts you so deeply that forgiveness feels impossible? Our natural response is often anger, resentment, or a desire to get even—but God calls us to something radically different. In Ephesians, we are reminded that our motivation to forgive others comes from the incredible forgiveness we have already received through Jesus Christ. Because Christ has completely paid for our sins and forgiven us freely, we can let go of bitterness and learn to forgive others with the same grace, compassion, and love that God has shown us.

We often assume we know what is best—even when it comes to God. Our human thoughts minimize the seriousness of sin, delay repentance, or cause us to run from God in fear of His judgment. But God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours. He shows us both the seriousness of our sin and the astonishing depth of His mercy: rather than giving us the punishment we deserve, God punished Jesus in our place. Therefore, “Seek the Lord while he may be found”—turn to Him in repentance and faith, trusting His promise to abundantly pardon every sin through Christ.

Paul prays that believers’ hearts would be enlightened to know the hope of God’s calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance, and the immeasurable greatness of His power. That same power raised Christ from the dead and exalted Him above every ruler and authority. Christ now reigns over all things for the benefit of His Church, which is His body and the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.

Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” It’s the most important question in the world, and it is a question every human being must answer. The expected answer may be dead wrong. Some in Jesus’ day thought he was John the Baptist. Some thought he was the prophet Elijah who had come back from the dead. Today, plenty of people believe that Jesus existed. They think that Jesus was a wise teacher or a role model for love. Both answers are expected. Both miss the main point. Jesus is a real human being, the Son of Man. He is also Lord and Savior, the Son of the living God. This unexpected truth is the core of saving faith.

“All are welcome!” Is that true at our church? Or is church meant only for people of the right heritage who behave the right way, “good church folk”? Is it conceivable that a stranger could walk into church unexpectedly and for some reason you would ask yourself, “What is someone like that doing here?” Or perhaps you ask that question about yourself. “There seem to be godly people here. I’m not like them. Do I really belong?” Today Jesus shows us that the Church is for all people. All of us—regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, or social status—have the same problem of sin. And we all have the same Savior. Anyone who comes to Christ’s Church and cries out “Lord, have mercy!” is welcome.

Wherever faith clings to the promises of God, doubt is always lingering. Doubt asks the serpent’s garden question, “Did God really say?” People doubt God’s care, God’s promises, or God’s providence. The answer to doubt is not found in loud, dramatic demonstrations. The true answer to doubt is found in the still small voice of our Savior God whispering to us in his Word. Through Word and sacrament, Christ reaches out to us with nail-scarred hands, proof of his great love. Jesus gently says, “Why did you doubt?” Our faith is restored. Christians answer doubt with faith.

The hardest times to trust God are the times we need him most. It’s easier to trust God when your job is going great, your health is fine, your relationships are fine, and your family is good. It’s easier to trust God when the sun is shining, but what happens when your life is suddenly overshadowed by dark days? When tragedy strikes, we may wonder if God continues to care for us. At those times, Christians do not despair like those who have no hope. Instead, Christians focus on certain foundational facts. We are chosen and adopted as God’s dear children. God provides us innumerable spiritual blessings and promises us an eternity of peace and joy. If we recognize those spiritual blessings, how can we doubt that God will give us everything we truly need at the right time? Christians trust God to provide.

What do you consider your life’s top priorities? Many people start with family and friends. Financial security and health follow closely. Reputation and recreation make the cut. How about faith? Is it the top priority? What if other priorities must be sacrificed to keep faith the top priority? The Bible helps Christians keep worldly wealth in perspective. It can buy the things of this world, things that rust and decay, but there is something more valuable. True wealth is spiritual wealth. It can be found only in God and his eternal blessings for us in Christ.

The wheat that grows in the Middle East is a variety that looks much like wild grass or weeds. It is difficult to tell wheat and weeds apart until shortly before harvest time, when the wheat stalks develop a head containing the kernels of grain. Pulling the weeds out of a wheat field could lead to accidentally pulling up a fair amount of wheat. People need to wait for the harvest to separate wheat from weeds. Jesus uses that image to illustrate life this side of heaven. What makes Christians different? They are wheat planted by the Lord. Unbelieving evildoers are pictured as weeds. We might want God to take care of evil now, pulling up all the weeds. But he tells us to wait for the harvest of judgment day. So we live as wheat among weeds, being faithful, fruitful, and mindful of the coming harvest.

Planting seed by hand can be extraordinary. In your hand, the seed looks lifeless and insignificant. You put the seed into the soil, and suddenly, all by itself, the seed germinates and sprouts and reaches to the sun. Except when it doesn’t! Plant multiple seeds, and often only some will grow. The Bible describes Christians as planted by the Word. Why do some people grow in faith, and not others? What makes Christians different? The Bible describes the supernatural process by which God calls people to faith through the gospel. He promises that his Word always accomplishes his purpose. It is powerful all on its own, without our help. As we grow in faith, we give God thanks for the miracle of his work in our lives.