Sermon, 21st Sunday after Trinity, 2025
We can mean many things when we use the word, “believe”. It can mean an intellectual assent, which is merely an acknowledgment or agreement that has no real impact upon us. It can mean that we take action regarding a conviction, that we actually do something. It can also mean that we have experienced a particular thing or event and thus have no doubts about its truth. In this last case, there is a confidence, a peace, which accompanies belief. In our lives, we will certainly face many personal battles on all kinds of levels. The epistle lesson provides for us disciplines and “spiritual armor” for us to use in…
Sermon, 21st Sunday After Trinity, 2024
Do you believe in the gospel or do you BE-LIEVE in the Gospel? The difference between a superficial belief and a more deeply rooted faith is closely connected with how much effort we put into our spiritual life in Christ. Unfortunately, many professing believers are stifled in their Christian maturity because of spiritual sloth. We might show up to church on Sunday, but then we ignore Christ for the rest of the week. St. Paul reminds us this morning that we are in a spiritual battle, and if we do not actively prepare for the daily battle, then we risk, at the least, being ineffective for the Kingdom of God,…