WORSHIP VIDEO LINK (linked after 10:45 AM Service)

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

Epiphany 4 2026
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
February 1, 2026
Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18:31, Matthew 5:1-12

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org   
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

            Going to a job interview is stressful.  They are going to ask you a lot of questions about your strengths and weaknesses and you want to answer honestly… but maybe not too honestly. When they ask about your weaknesses what do you say?  I remember answering this question once, “I have trouble understanding why others don’t work as hard as I do.”  Google advises… “choose a real but minor weakness, frame it positively by showing you’re actively improving…making sure it’s not a core skill for the job.”

            Imagine for a moment you are at an interview for some kind of a reality show or something, but you are not sure exactly what. The interviewer asks you about your strengths and weaknesses.  What do you answer for your strengths?  I am smart. I am funny.  I am organized.  I can solve problems.  I am artistic.  I work hard. I am a good leader.  I am a good communicator.  I am good with money.  I am well liked.  What do you perhaps not say, but you hope they notice?  I have a firm handshake.  I am well dressed in expensive clothes and shoes.

            How would you answer the question about your weaknesses?  Maybe…I have difficulty delegating, or I have trouble saying, “No”? 

            Then you find out that the interview is with God for the reality of being adopted as His child.  How do you answer God about your strengths and weaknesses?  With God, your strengths can become vulnerabilities.  The things that you think impress the world like money and power and fame and beauty and hard work and wisdom — do not impress God.  These strengths can be vulnerabilities because it is so tempting to rely on them for your value.  It is so tempting to fear, love and trust in your strengths rather than God.  And so strengths become vulnerabilities.

            For all of us there is the danger of trusting money.  Godly stewardship of money is needed to not fall into the trap of loving money.  We live in a land of great abundance in which our basic needs are well taken care of.  By world standards we all have abundance. Do you see what you have and say, “Look what I have accomplished?”  Better to look at what you have, and say, “God has given me great responsibility to manage what He has put in my care.”  As a faithful steward of God’s creation you give regular, sacrificial, first-fruits offerings to acknowledge that all you have belongs to God and to prevent greed from getting a foothold.

            Love of money is a spiritual danger that can be managed through faithful, generous stewardship.  There is a more insidious strength that can become a vulnerability; wisdom.  Being intelligent and well educated is viewed very favorably.  It seems we are all very impressed by experts with lots of letters after their name.  We listen when, “Experts say…”  And there is nothing wrong with being smart and educated but there is a danger that you will fall for the devil’s enticement to believe that you are smarter than God.  It worked with Eve and it can work with you.

            When Paul is writing his first letter to the church in Corinth the Romans and Greeks had many deep thinkers and philosophers pontificating about the meaning of life.  There were the Stoics that taught that virtue was the highest good and that living according to reason and nature brings happiness.  There were the Epicureans who sought contentment and absence of pain. They believed the soul is material and mortal; just atoms that will disperse upon death.  There were also the Sophists who were traveling philosophers who taught rhetoric and philosophy focusing on wit, eloquence and persuasion. They believed truth and morality were relative and not absolute.  Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross does not make sense to these wise men of Corinth.  Paul calls them out for rejecting the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:20–21 (ESV) 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.”

            The philosophies of our time are not so different and there is still the danger of rejecting anything about God that does not make sense to you. There is the lure to use your wisdom to explain away your sin rather than to repent.  There is the pull to rewrite God’s Word so it is in line with your thinking.  It is very popular in our age to believe you are smarter than God and elevate your intellect over Scripture. 

When I got out of college I was pretty sure I knew what the Bible taught about different things because I was convinced that the Bible pretty much taught what I believe.  Then I actually read the Bible and I had a startling discovery; there were teachings in the Bible that went against my personal beliefs.  What should I do?  I had to decide.  Who is right? Me?  Or God?

            This is an ongoing temptation.  I want to make God make sense to me.  I had a bit of a crisis on my vicarage because I realized that I did not understand Holy Communion.  How can the bread be the Body of Christ?  How can the wine be the Blood of Christ?  It does not make sense.  Then I came to an epiphany.  God does not have to make sense to me.  It is true because Jesus said it is true.  “Matthew 26:26–28 (ESV) 26 …“Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 …“Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”  God does not need to make sense to me.  It makes sense that God does not make sense because He is the creator and I am the creation.

            The Lord declares in…Isaiah 55:8–9 (ESV) 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, [declares the Lord]. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” 

In this world our default idea about receiving eternal life is too often the same as the rich young man in… Matthew 19:16 (ESV) 16 …“Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”  It is the wrong question.  Jesus forgives — not because of anything in you — but because of Christ crucified for you.  1 Corinthians 1:22–25 (ESV) 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”  God does not have to make sense. 

            Religious movements of many sorts reject the sufficiency of Jesus on the cross for forgiveness because they believe they need to do something to be a part of their own salvation.  Church bodies reject infant baptism because it does not make sense to them that an infant can have faith.  Churches reject the real presence of the Body and Blood of Jesus in, with and under the bread and the wine of Holy Communion for the forgiveness of sins because it does not make sense that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father and on the altar at the same time.

            We are tempted by the devil to use wisdom and cleverness and eloquent language to change the Word of God to fit our own desires and the understandings of the world.  When the E.L.C.A. rejected that Jesus is the only way to salvation they claimed their new policy’s text “undergirds a posture of curiosity and humility” as the ELCA seeks to “learn from and engage” their inter-religious neighbors.”  One delegate argued that Jesus said, John 14:6 (ESV) 6 …“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  To which a pastor responded, “Our God is big enough for our family to include all of these interfaith siblings. Our God is big enough to admit that we do not know everything there is to know.”  The policy to reject Jesus as the only way to salvation was passed by a vote of over 97%.

Using the wisdom of the world, denominations have proudly endorsed clearly condemned sin because they reason that, “life is complicated,” and because of complications, sin must be okay.  Abortion on demand is celebrated.  Homosexuality and transgenderism is encouraged.  They use pretty words like, “we need to engage in “serious moral deliberation,” or, “this doesn’t violate Jesus’ principal of unconditional love and forgiveness.”  Or because, Genesis 1:27 (ESV) 27 …God created man in his own image…”.  Using half a verse and some nice words they reject all scripture that does not fit their ideas.  Indeed, God did create man in His own image in Genesis 1, and then Man fell into sin in Genesis 3.  To rationalize sin by saying God made me in His image could be used for any sin.  “I like to steal.  God made me this way.  Even though the 7th Commandment say, “You shall not steal,” it is okay.  God made me in His image.”  Those using this verse to support transgenderism generally don’t use the whole verse.  Genesis 1:27 (ESV) 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” 

We too can fall under the temptation to use our wisdom to try to redefine and justify our sin.  My refusal to forgive is just righteous anger.  We are going to get married, so living together now is just fine.  My hatred of others is because of my loyalty to God.  My private lusts don’t hurt anyone.  My anger is just who I am.  My sin is okay — because I say it is okay. 

            Back to your interview with God.  You are asked to list your strengths and weaknesses.  What do you say?  It really is not hard to answer.  You already did – just 0this morning on your knees as we began the Divine Service.  You confessed that you deserve punishment now and forever and you do not deserve to be forgiven.  You confessed you need Jesus to be your Savior. You declared before God that you have no strengths, you cannot rely on yourself, you are weak, lowly, poor in spirit, hungering and thirsting for things to be right.  You are spiritually bankrupt – and you are blessed by God now and for eternity.  You are saved by the power and wisdom of God through Christ on the cross for you.  In the waters of baptism, God washed you clean and adopted you as His beloved child — not because of your strengths — but because of His.

            1 Corinthians 1:28–29 (ESV) 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 

            This flies in the face of the world’s understanding that you must rely on your own strengths.  You want to think you can count on yourself, but you cannot.  You rely on the Father’s gift of forgiveness in the blood of Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:30–31 (ESV) 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 

            What are your strengths and weaknesses?  Your strength is the word of the cross which is the power of God that overcomes your weakness.  That is why we preach Christ crucified.  Amen. 

By 12 tribus de Israel.svg: Translated by Kordas12 staemme israels heb.svg: by user:יוסי12 staemme israels.png: by user:Janzderivative work Richardprins (talk) – 12 tribus de Israel.svg12 staemme israels heb.svg12 staemme israels.png, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10865624

WORSHIP VIDEO LINK

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

Epiphany 3 2026
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
January 25, 2026
Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-25

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org   
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

            One man is walking north along a road.  What difference could He possibly make?

            Years earlier we find that it is a time of deep darkness for the people living in Naphtali and Zebulun, two of the twelve tribes of Israel.  Naphtali was one of the northern-most tribes and subject to being the first to be invaded and the last to be freed when an enemy attacked.  Zebulun is a small territory just south of Naphtali and strategic because of the Via Maris, The Way of the Sea, which ran east west across Zebulun and North through Naphtali.  This was an important trade road from near Cairo in Egypt all the way to Damascus. 

Isaiah writes our Old Testament lesson during a very dark time for the northern tribes of Israel.  They have been invaded and conquered by the Assyrians who brutally slaughtered many and rounded up and deported much of the population leaving only a remnant behind in the rubble ruled by the Assyrians. 

            It is a crushingly dark, difficult time…a time of deep darkness.  The remnant of Zebulun and Naphtali are experiencing great bitterness and oppression as a conquered people losing their identity.  Isaiah writes to them a message of great hope. 

            Isaiah 9:1 (ESV) 1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.” 

            The former times are what the people are experiencing when Isaiah writes this prophecy.  These are times of anguish and being held in contempt, but the latter times, the times that are to come, will be glorious.

            Isaiah 9:2 (ESV) 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” 

            There will be great joy as at the harvest.  Gladness and rejoicing as when dividing the spoils of victory.  The yoke of burden, the rod of the oppressor will be broken as on the day of Midian. 

            The day of Midian recalls Gideon’s great victory over the huge army of the Midianites with Gideon’s 300 soldiers armed only with torches inside of jars and trumpets.  God helps Gideon defeat the Midianites by throwing them into a panic in which they fought and killed one another. 

            Isaiah promises a great day like that day is coming. Our reading this morning ends with verse four.  If we continue to verse 6 and 7 we hear a familiar promise.  Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV) 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

            This is quite the promise for the oppressed residents of the former areas of Zebulun and Naphtali and a little over seven hundred years later we see Isaiah’s prophecy fulfilled. 

            What do the people imagine this glorious time will look like when they read this prophecy?  Do they imagine a great army marching north to free them from oppression? The reference to the day of Midian should give a hint that God is not going to work the way people think He should work.  Armies should not go to battle with only a few men armed with torches and trumpets. So…how will the new glorious day dawn?

            The dawn of the glorious light begins in an unexpected way. King Herod Antipas arrests John the Baptist for warning the king that he cannot be with his brother’s wife.  When Jesus learns of John’s arrest He withdraws from the area north of the Dead Sea where John had been baptizing and travels north to the east side of the Sea of Galilee thus fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. Jesus is the light of the world and the light walks into the land of deep darkness; a lone man heading north to Capernaum.  When He gets to the Sea of Galilee He likely walks a ways on the Via Maris, the Way of the Sea, which turns north at Tiberius toward Capernaum and on to Damascus.  It may not look like it, but the light has dawned. This man walking north on the road is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. This is the King of Israel who will be King forever. 

            The King has come, but instead of heading for the palace in Jerusalem, Jesus is passing through the land of Zebulun heading to Capernaum on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee in what was the territory of Naphtali.  Once in Capernaum Jesus preaches John the Baptist’s sermon.  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  Indeed the kingdom of heaven is at hand because the King has come.  He begins to gather disciples, not from the religious leaders, but starting with fishermen brothers Andrew and Simon Peter, and James and John.  He calls them from being fishers of fish to being fishers of men. The great light shines in the darkness as Jesus reveals who He is to all Galilee by… Matthew 4:23 (ESV) 23 …teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.”

            The light of glory has arrived, and the people flock to hear Jesus teach and to receive healing.  Matthew 4:24–25 (ESV) 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.”  Great crowds come and Jesus preaches to them the Sermon on the Mount.  At the end of Jesus’ sermon… Matthew 7:28–29 (ESV) 28 …the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.” 

Who is this who has authority to heal every disease and affliction?  Who is this that has authority over demons?  Who is this who has authority to give new teachings?  Only God has that kind of authority.  Jesus does not look like God, but He is God.  He is the one come to save His people from their sins.  And His people are not just Jews, but all people. This is clearly shown by beginning His ministry in Galilee of the nations; Galilee of the Gentiles. 

            Many believed in Jesus and followed Him, but others rejected Jesus because He was not the Messiah they expected.  Even after Jesus is crucified and risen from the dead and ascended into heaven there is trouble caused by people seeking something more glorious, more exciting, more relevant than Jesus.  They want something different…something better…something more flashy than God in flesh sacrificing Himself on the altar of the cross for the forgiveness of their sins. 

            Paul addresses this kind of trouble in our Epistle reading from 1 Corinthians.  There are factions developing to follow different teachers and Paul warns that these teachers are not their savior.  Do not follow a teacher…follow Christ.  And then Paul describes what He was sent by Jesus to do as a traveling evangelist to the Gentiles. 1 Corinthians 1:17 (ESV) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”  A good sermon should not impress with great eloquence, cleverness and poetry.  A good sermon should bring you Christ, crucified for you. 

            As unlikely as it might seem to unbelievers, the power of your salvation is in the cross of Christ.  To unbelievers, the cross makes no sense.  How could this man — suffering and dying on a cruel, humiliating cross — accomplish anything?  That is not how the world works.  To the world, Jesus’ humble suffering and death is not glorious, but for you, who have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, you know the truth.  You know that Jesus is not just some man; He is God incarnate, God in flesh.  You know Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  You know that this one man walking alone on the road to Capernaum is light dawning on the land of darkness.  You know He is the one sent by the Father to rescue all people from their sins. 

Glory and victory can come in unexpected ways.  Gideon defeats the Midianites with torches and trumpets.  Walking into Galilee, Jesus is the glorious light to the Gentiles.  Jesus’ blood shed on the cross saves you from your sins and gives you eternal life.

            Life as a Christian can seem mundane and boring — just doing what you have been given to do and receiving God’s gifts over and over and over.  The world too often is looking for earthly glory and excitement and entertainment which are all so fleetingly temporary and ultimately unsatisfying. 

            You live in a dark world but you are not alone. Jesus shines light in the darkness in quiet, simple ways.  Even in your darkest days battling despair and disease and grief and oppression, Jesus’ promise to you in your baptism still remains true and brings you joy. You are a redeemed child of God.  Even as you struggle with the darkness of sin and temptation trying snuff out your joy, Jesus is there, with you, giving you forgiveness that you do not deserve.  As you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, the light of Jesus’ glory comes to you in the simple, unexciting ways Jesus promised it would come; in His Word, in the waters of baptism, in the bread and wine of Holy Communion.

            In the depths of their darkness, the prophet Isaiah promised relief to the people of Galilee.  Jesus comes for them.  Jesus comes for you also.  Even though you dwell in a land of deep darkness, on you the light of Christ shines.  Amen. 

WORSHIP VIDEO LINK (linked after 10:45 AM Service)

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

Epiphany 2 2026
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
January 18, 2026
Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Cor. 1:1-9, John 1:29-42a

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org   
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

            On that fateful Thursday, eating the Passover with His disciples, Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit after He departs. John 15:26 (ESV) 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” 

            Jesus tells them He must go away and they will have sorrow because of it.  John 16:7 (ESV) 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” 

            The Holy Spirit will come to the disciples only after Jesus departs.  Why is that? What is going on with the Holy Spirit? Why will He only come after Jesus leaves?

            We get insight into this by going back to the beginning of the Gospel of John when Jesus arrives at the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist.  John 1:29 (ESV) 29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

            This is truly an astonishing title for someone.  “The Lamb of God.”  This brings up remembrance of the lambs whose blood was painted over the doors in Egypt to protect the children of Israel from the plague of the death of the first born.  It brings to mind the lambs sacrificed at the Tabernacle and the Temple to purify these places of worship before God’s presence entered in.  It reminds us of the lambs sacrificed at the Temple as sin offerings to God.  “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”  Jesus is a sacrificial Lamb like no other.  He is the perfect final offering as we read in…  Hebrews 10:10 (ESV) 10 …we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” 

            Jesus’ identity as the Son of God is confirmed for John the Baptist because he was told by God that… John 1:33b (ESV) 33…‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’”

            Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world — and He baptizes with the Holy Spirit. 

            After His crucifixion and burial and resurrection, on the evening His resurrection day, He comes and stands among the disciples in a locked room and shows them His hands and His side and says to them… John 20:21–23 (ESV) 21 … “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” 

            Jesus sends the disciples to continue what He began and He gives them the Holy Spirit by breathing on them.  The words for spirit in Hebrew and Greek also mean breath or wind. The Spirit is the breath of God.  As God breathed life into Adam, so Jesus breathes life into the disciples with the Holy Spirit.  Jesus sends them out with authority to forgive and retain sins by the power of the Spirit.  This is a private, preliminary bestowal of the Spirit, commissioning the disciples as apostles; sent ones, to bring the Good News of forgiveness of sins through the blood of the Lamb to the whole world.  The powerful, public bestowal of the spirit comes 50 days later.  Acts 2:1–6 (ESV) 1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.” 

            The sound of this powerful bestowal of the Holy Spirit draws a crowd of thousands to hear the Word of God preached by the disciples who are empowered to speak many languages.  Peter preaches a sermon which he concludes with this convicting statement. Acts 2:36 (ESV) 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 

            The crowd responds to Peter’s sermon.  Acts 2:37–39 (ESV) 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 

            The apostles of Jesus have the Holy Spirit and the Spirit spreads to others.  How does the Spirit spread?  Through the Word of God and baptism.  Repent, and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The forgiveness of the Lamb of God is delivered to you in baptism and hearing the Good News.  You are cleansed of your sin.  Like the Tabernacle and the Temple purified by burnt offerings, your body is purified by the blood of the Lamb in order to receive the presence of God — the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. 

As Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3, in baptism you are born from above by water and the spirit.  As Jesus taught at the last supper, the Spirit will bear witness about Jesus.  He points you to Jesus and gives you faith. As we read in… 1 Corinthians 12:3 (ESV) 3 …no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.”

The Spirit is a bit of a mystery because the Spirit does not amplify Himself. As Jesus teaches… John 16:13 (ESV) 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”  The Spirit is not about self-promotion; rather He points you to Jesus. 

            You are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb of God who washes away all your sin.  Jesus fills you with the Holy Spirit to make you holy and keep you in true faith unto eternal life.  The Holy Spirit’s presence sanctifies you.  He makes you pure and holy — righteous, innocent and blessed.  God dwells in your purified body.  The Spirit also sanctifies you each day to resist sin and temptation, to grow in faith and live a holy life according to God’s will. The Spirit fills you so the evil one cannot take up residence in you — he can only tempt you from outside.  Resist the devil, the world and your own sinful nature and live as one enlivened by the Spirit.  As Paul writes in… Ephesians 4:30–32 (ESV) 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

            The Lamb of God was sacrificed on the altar of the cross to take away all your sin.  Jesus transforms the Passover into the Lord’s Supper where He delivers to you the Body and Blood of the Lamb to continue to cleanse you of your sins and strengthen and preserve you in true faith.  You live in the Kingdom of God under the New Testament, the New Covenant, in the blood of Jesus.  You are, right now, a holy saint of God purified by the blood of the Lamb with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Like those in the church of Corinth in our Epistle reading, Paul could address you… 1 Corinthians 1:2 (ESV) 2 To the church of God that is in [Hamilton], to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:” 

            What a great blessing to live with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in this time between Jesus’ ascension and His return in glory.  The Spirit is God’s deposit, His seal on you; guaranteeing you a place in the Heavenly City. The Spirit comforts you and guides you.  He reveals and upholds the truth.  The Spirit makes you a child of God and gives you wisdom. 

Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world — and who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. You have been purified by the blood of the Lamb and born again in water and the Spirit.  Amen. 

The Martyrdom of the Holy Innocents, Gustave Dore, 1868

WORSHIP VIDEO LINK (linked after 10:45 AM Service)

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

Christmas 1 2025 Holy Innocents
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
December 28, 2025
Isaiah 63:7-14, Galatians 4:4-7, Matthew 2:13-23

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org   
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

            Christmas is such a wonderful celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Christ, in Bethlehem, which is announced by angels to nearby, lowly shepherds.  Christmas is full of warm, sweet feelings of joy and togetherness.  “Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive her king.” You gather with family and friends and enjoy food and fellowship and exchange gifts.  As Andy Williams said in his song, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”  And then we get to December 28th and we are hit in the face with the dark side of Jesus’ arrival.  Today we remember Herod the Great’s slaughter of the Holy Innocents; the baby boys of Bethlehem.  Jesus’ birth brings awful, tragic violence.  Jesus’ birth causes the devil great alarm and the devil tries to destroy Jesus using Herod as his instrument. 

            The devil knows that Jesus is coming and devil knows what this means for him and so as John relates in…  Rev. 12:4b ESV the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.”

            Jesus’ incarnation, His life, His death and His resurrection crush the head of the serpent and the Devil’s status in heaven changes as recorded in the continuing apocalyptic language of Revelation 12:7–9 (ESV) 7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”  The devil could not destroy Jesus because Jesus will die when His time has come.

            John continues the Revelation 12:13-14, 17 ESV 13 And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time… 17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”

            After the magi depart, God sends an angel to warn Joseph in a dream to immediately depart for Egypt.  Shortly after, under orders from Herod, a band of armed soldiers invade Bethlehem going house to house brutally killing helpless children.  Jesus is safe, but all the other baby boys two years old and younger in Bethlehem are killed in the Devil’s attempt to destroy the Christ, leaving behind weeping, and loud lamentation.  This is such a disturbing account of raw, wicked violence and it comes so close on the heels of the celebration of Jesus’ birth.  It is hard to fathom this kind of evil; killing babies to protect political power.  Jesus’ time on earth is a dark and violent time. 

Jesus, the Prince of Peace, the one who has come to bring peace between God and man, also causes violent reactions as the darkness tries to snuff out the light. Simeon warns Mary of this at the Temple. Luke 2:34–35 (ESV) 34 … “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”  And Jesus also warns of this, Matthew 10:34 (ESV) 34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”  The devil’s opposition to Jesus and His followers brings death and destruction in the world.

            It is a dark and violent world still today.  The devil could not destroy Jesus so now he continues to make war on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.  The devil promotes chaos and destruction.  He brings war and famine and devastation.  He brings violence and addiction and death.  Watching the news you see death and destruction all around the world, and death and destruction close to home.  You see how evil destroys — people and families and nations and churches. This past week, just before Christmas, a man speeding on River Road without any thought of the safety of others, crossed the center line and instantly killed a ten-year-old boy and his parents.  Evil brings death and destruction.

Death came into the world through the lies of the devil in the Garden of Eden and the devil still loves death; he is the father of death.  There are the crass violent deaths the devil promotes through crime and terrorism and warfare.  But the devil also tries to package mass death to make it seem like loving care.  We shudder to think of the slaughter of a couple of dozen innocent baby boys in Bethlehem, but we are told to call the slaughter of millions of unborn infants, “women’s healthcare,” and view it as a fundamental right.  Instead of protecting the most vulnerable among us, tiny babies are sacrificed to the idol of sexual freedom.  The elderly, the handicapped, the chronically ill and the mentally ill need care and protection but there is an increasing movement to allow doctors to end their lives — to put them out of their misery… like an animal.  We are told to call these murders, “Medical Assistance in Dying.”  In Canada close to 5% of all deaths are from the government killing the sick and infirm and depressed.  This legalized murder is now allowed in 17 U.S. states with New York and Illinois being the most recent.  The devil loves death and destruction especially cloaked in the guise of loving care.  The devil wants you to embrace his godless infertility cult of death which is becoming quite popular with so many in our nation.  The devil is out to destroy us.

            Stay alert.  1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  As a follower of Jesus, the devil is coming after you, so know your enemy.  How will the devil attack you? 

            The devil has many and various strategies.  He deceived Eve by getting her to doubt God’s Word and tempting her to become like God.  He will do the same to you.  “Did God really say?”

The devil will tempt you to despair and destroy yourself by convincing you that your sins are too great and God will not forgive you; that the blood of Jesus is not powerful enough for your sins. 

            Or, the devil will convince you are doing just fine. You are good enough and you can rely on your good works.  You do not need a Savior.

            The devil will convince you that you have autonomy and rule yourself.  You do not need Jesus as King.

            The devil will convince you to judge your behavior not by the Word of God, but by your feelings, so you can decide what is sin and what is not.

            The devil has ordained many wolves to stand in pulpits dressed like sheep to lead people away from the truth of God’s Word.  Many will come to hear these wolves because… 2 Timothy 4:3 (ESV) 3 …people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions…”  These wolves give up the preaching of repentance and forgiveness of sins in the blood of Jesus, and instead are instruments of the devil, encouraging people to worship the idols of prosperity, sexual freedom, and friendship with the world. 

            The devil will attack faithful churches by encouraging followers of Jesus to fight with each other instead of staying on guard against Satan and his minions.  Know your enemy.  Know his strategies.

            Jesus has defeated Satan and you belong to Jesus. So, know your enemy and never despair. Remember, you are baptized.  Daily repent of your sins and follow Jesus. Jesus has marked you as His own in Holy Baptism and He feeds you with His Body and Blood in Holy Communion to strengthen you for the fight.  Stay alert and know you are well-equipped for battle.  Paul tells us in…Ephesians 6:10–13 (ESV) 10 … be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

            Stand firm in Christ.  You are safe from the Evil One.  Despite the chaos of the devil’s death and destruction, in Christ you have victory over the evil one.  You know his lies and his accusations.  You have Jesus on your side and with Jesus you will win.  You have the Holy Spirit in you so the devil cannot take control of you; all he can do is pick at you from outside and try to lure you away from Jesus and His Church.  He can send those to harm your body but he cannot harm your soul. You are safe in the Kingdom of Heaven forever.  You are safe for eternity in Jesus.  Fear God, but do not fear the devil.  Matthew 10:28 (ESV) 28 … do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” 

            Christmas is a wonderful celebration of the incarnation of the Son of God as that baby in Bethlehem, but even in those early days of Jesus’ life we get glimpses as to what is to come.  Baby Jesus is wrapped in cloths and laid in a manger — very likely a stone manger with a hollowed out area for animal feed and water. Jesus lies on the stone wrapped in cloth.  Thirty-three years later, six miles north, outside the walls of Jerusalem, Jesus’ dead body is taken down from the cross and is wrapped in cloths and laid on a stone slab in a tomb. The magi bring myrrh as one of their gifts to the newborn King of the Jews.  When Jesus dies, Nicodemus brings 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes to use as they swaddle His body in linen cloths with the spices.  Jesus’ birth points us to His plan for salvation. 

            The devil could not get Jesus and so he is going after you.  Stay safe in Jesus.  Despite the difficulties of this life, despite the devil’s plagues of death and destruction, you are eternally safe in Jesus and His Church.  Christmas is a wonderful celebration, but remember, it is not a promise of an easy life.  It is a promise of eternal life.  Amen. 

WORSHIP VIDEO LINK

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

Christmas Day
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Vicar Daniel English
December 25, 2025
Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-12; John 1:1-18, Psalm 2

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:          immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                            pastorjud.org   
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

Jesus Christ – Our God and Savior

            In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

            Christ, the Savior is born! Merry Christmas! Almost everything we know about the circumstances of Jesus’ birth comes from the Gospel accounts written by Matthew and Luke. Luke records how the birth of our Lord was announced to Mary by the Angel Gabriel. Gabriel says, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. […] The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God” (Luke 1:30-32a,35). Thanks to Luke, we know that Mary responds in faith… She has been called blessed among women by all generations ever since.

            Matthew records how God turns Joseph’s doubt into faith by the power of His Word, how “[a]n angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins’” (Matthew 1:20b-21).

            Luke tells us that the decree of the first Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, drove Joseph and the Virgin Mary with Child to take a trip to the town of Bethlehem in order to be counted for a census. The trip was late in Mary’s pregnancy, and during their stay, Mary gives birth to the Christ Child. An angel of the Lord announces the birth of Jesus to shepherds in a nearby field watching over their flocks, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10).

            Because of the Holy Spirit’s inspiration of Matthew and Luke, we know all this and more about the birth of Christ. From these narratives it is made clear that the birth of Jesus is “good news.” It is something that causes the angels—and the faithful—to rejoice, and it is something that fulfills many prophecies made in the Old Testament. From Matthew and Mark we know that Jesus is “great,” “holy,” “the Son of the Most High God.” We know that Jesus is “going to save His people from their sins.” We know that Jesus is the Savior.

In our Epistle lesson for today, we read the introduction to the book of Hebrews, and it characterizes the birth of Christ as the beginning of the end of an era of great seers, prophets, and signs. “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (Hebrews 1:1-2). God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but now He has spoken to us by His Son, Jesus Christ. Throughout Advent we have considered various types of Christ: the angels, Moses, Aaron, Melchizedek. The “types” we have discussed: prophets, priests, kings… they find their fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ is greater! In order to fulfill all these things, He has to be born as a human baby.

This is the great mystery that we celebrate on Christmas. Christ is of one substance with God the Father, and He came down from heaven, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and He was made man (Nicene Creed). God takes on a human frame and dwells with us. Christ is our faithful Prophet, Christ is our great High Priest, and Christ is our Heavenly King… Christ is our God. This Infant Child wrapped in swaddling cloths laying in a manger, by this time on the first Christmas less than half a day old, is our God.

It makes sense, then, that the Gospel according to John begins the way it does. He doesn’t begin with the human birth of Christ like Matthew and Luke… or with the beginning of His earthly ministry like Mark, but he begins much, much earlier. “In the beginning…” (John 1:1). This isn’t Luke’s beginning during the reign of Caesar, or Matthew’s beginning during the time of patriarch Abraham, but THE beginning. The beginning of everything.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:1-5). In these five, relatively short verses, John gives us enough to think about for the whole year, or even the rest of our lives! It takes 17 verses to explicitly say so, but John is talking about Jesus Christ.

This word teaches us a few things about Jesus. First, Jesus is the eternal God. Second, the only way that we really know or see God is through Jesus. And finally, Jesus the eternal God took on flesh and came into the world in order to bring light and life and salvation… to you.

We are created beings, and all we have known is this finite earthly life. It can be overwhelming to think that there was never a time when Jesus did not exist. Think about how quickly 2025 came and went… how the first outbreak of COVID was nearly 6 years ago… or Disney’s Frozen—that had everyone playing Let It Go on repeat— 12 years ago… iPhones came out 18 years ago… 9/11 was 25 years ago, Y2K was 26… the assassination of John F. Kennedy was 62 years ago… and the first color TV was sold in 1954… 71 years ago. Our life is but a breath, but God has existed from eternity, God is without beginning or end. Jesus was not created. “Jesus is begotten of His Father before all worlds. God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made” (Nicene Creed). Jesus was with God (and was God) at the beginning of time, and the world was created through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16). 

“[Jesus] is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3a). Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God. John the Baptist will describe Jesus as a light that enlightens everyone. For millenia, God’s people were fumbling around in the darkness of their own hearts until Jesus came and turned on the lights. By the light of Christ, we see the fullness of God’s love for us. By the light of Christ, we see the end of the Law is not to condemn us to death and hell, but for Christ to fulfill the Law and offer us full forgiveness. It is Christ who has revealed the Father to us, and He has shown us a Heavenly Father who loves us and wants to hear our prayers and promises to answer them. Jesus did not come into the world to condemn it, but to save it (John 3:17). As our Priest, Jesus made purification for sins, and now He reigns at the right hand of God as our King (Hebrews 1:3).

This is the mission that Jesus has completed. He was willingly born of the Virgin Mary, He humiliated Himself to become an embryo. He subjected Himself to the need for His mother’s care. Jesus was swaddled, nursed, raised, and taught. Eventually, Jesus… younger than most of us in this sanctuary… willingly gave Himself up to die. And by His death He defeated death. From the very beginning of time, Jesus knew that one day “He [would come] down from heaven and be incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and be made man” (Nicene Creed). This is the great gift that we celebrate on Christmas. Our God has come to us with healing on his wings. He brings forgiveness and eternal life. From the fullness of Jesus “we have all received grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:16-17).

Our Lutheran Confessions speak about this mystery of Jesus Christ:

“[W]e believe, teach, and confess that Mary conceived and bore not a mere man and no more, but the true Son of God; therefore she also is rightly called and truly is the mother of God.
8. Hence we also believe, teach, and confess that it was not a mere man who suffered, died, was buried, descended to hell, arose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and was raised to the majesty and almighty power of God for us, but a man whose human nature has such a profound [close], ineffable union and communion with the Son of God that it is [has become] one person with Him. 
9. Therefore the Son of God truly suffered for us, however, according to the property of the human nature which He assumed into the unity of His divine person and made His own, so that He might be able to suffer and be our High Priest for our reconciliation with God, as it is written 1 Cor. 2:8: They have crucified the Lord of glory. And Acts 20:28: We are purchased with God’s blood” (Formula of Concord: Epitome, VIII.12-14).

Just as the angels spoke to Mary and Joseph and the Shepherds, “Fear Not”. The same can be said to you today. Fear not, Jesus has given to all who receive Him and believe in his name the right to become Children of God… and so you are.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, Our God. Amen.

WORSHIP VIDEO LINK (linked after 10:45 AM Service)

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

Advent 2 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
December 7, 2025
Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org   
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

            The fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians was a dark, protracted, awful time.  The 18-year-old King, Jehoiachin, a descendant of King David, only three months into his reign surrendered himself to Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC and he and his whole family went into exile in Babylon along with 10,000 officials and soldiers and craftsmen and blacksmiths, leaving behind only the poorest people.  Nebuchadnezzar makes Jehoiachin’s 21-year-old uncle the new king in Judah, and gives him the name Zedekiah.  Zedekiah was from the house of David, but he did evil in the sight of the Lord.  He rebelled against God — and he rebelled against the king of Babylon.  Nebuchadnezzar attacks Jerusalem and it is under siege for two years before the Babylonians breach the walls.  King Zedekiah flees the city with his family, but they are soon captured.  As a final, horrible, end to kings descended from David, Nebuchadnezzar kills Zedekiah’s sons in front of him and then blinds Zedekiah and takes him to Babylon in chains. Zedekiah is the last king from the line of David.  The mighty tree of the Davidic line of kings is cut down by the Babylonians leaving only a seemingly dead stump.  It is a dark time, but there is hope.  The prophets have said this is not the end. 

            Fast forward 600 some years and we find a strange prophet out in the desert by the Jordan River proclaiming Matthew 3:2 (ESV) 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  The reign and rule of God is near.  Could it be? Could this be the long awaited prophet foretold by Isaiah?  Isaiah 40:3–5 (ESV) 3 A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” 

            The last prophet was Malachi 450 years earlier. He ended his prophecy with this word from God… Malachi 4:5–6 (ESV) 5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes….”  Isaiah and Malachi give hope in a dark and difficult time for the children of Israel.

            Elijah, the prophet, wore a garment of hair with a leather belt around his waist.  This strange new prophet in the wilderness is wearing a garment of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist.  Is this the new Elijah?  This new prophet, John, son of the priest Zechariah, calls people to repent, confess their sins and be baptized in the Jordan River in a baptism of repentance. 

            John’s mission is to prepare people for the coming Lord.  To prepare for the coming of the Lord, people admit they are sinners, humble themselves before God and look to the Lord for salvation.  Isaiah’s prophecy of the coming of one to prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness is immediately followed by this message of humility.  Isaiah 40:6–8 (ESV) 6 A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

            The Lord is coming and you are like grass that withers. This is not an exalted place of power.  John prepares the people by humbling them through his call to repentance and baptism in the Jordan River.  The people are flocking to hear John and respond by repenting and being baptized. They are coming from… Matthew 3:5 (ESV) 5 … Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan …”  It is a new movement of God in the Judean wilderness.  New life is springing up in the desert.  The Lord is coming. 

            In the Lord’s arrival another prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled.  Isaiah 11:1 (ESV) 1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” From the stump of Jesse, David’s father, a new David is arriving; a new king.  This new King is announced by the angel Gabriel to Mary in Nazareth.  Luke 1:32–33 (ESV) 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”  This baby, whose step-father is from the house and line of David is born in Bethlehem, the city of David.  He is visited by Magi from the east who are seeking the newborn king of the Jews. Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem fulfills prophecy from Micah, Micah 5:2 (ESV) 2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” 

It is hard to see at a distance but you when you come close you can see that our blue Advent paraments on the altar show Bethlehem, the city of David.  The small picture on each side is a shoot coming from the root of the stump of Jesse.  The new King is coming.

            John’s appearance is causing great commotion.  There are big doings out in the desert down by the Jordan River.  Crowds from all over are repenting and confessing and being baptized.  What an amazing, wonderful thing is happening. The Lord is coming and being announced by John the Baptist who is preparing the way.  It is a new movement of God foretold from of old by multiple prophets.  The excitement is palpable.  But there, by the river, is a group of men who are not enthused.  Pharisees and Sadducees are normally theological enemies, but they have come together to see what all the fuss is about and to unite in opposition to this new teaching.  They want to see for themselves this crazy man in the desert who is preaching about repentance and baptism to the sinful people coming down to the Jordan. 

            The Pharisees and Sadducees are the religious leaders in Israel.  The Pharisees have taken the law of God and added thousands of additional rules to stay away from even getting close to breaking God’s law.  They have set up their own system of rules and believe they are accomplishing what they have set up.  They believe they are better than these sinners going down into the river. Jesus gives us insight in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.  Luke 18:9–14 (ESV) 9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” 

The Sadducees are the religious elite.  They are the intellectual deep-thinkers who only hold to the five books of Moses and reject any afterlife or resurrection of the dead.  They stress ritual purity for Temple service but any benefit you would get from God is for this life only. 

These two groups have come out together to see what John is doing and perhaps to call him out for this strange new teaching, but John calls them out for not repenting of their sins.  John warns that there is a judgment coming.  The Lord is coming to reign and He will judge those who do not produce the good fruit of repentance.  Matthew 3:7–10 (ESV) 7 But when [John] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

            The Pharisees and Sadducees believe they are standing tall and strong and righteous, but John warns that they too need to repent. They need to humble themselves and confess their sins and trust in God’s mercy for forgiveness for they too will face God’s judgment.  The coming one is mighty and there will be salvation, and there will be condemnation. John calls the Pharisees and Sadducees, “turn from your sins and humble yourself before God.”  Matthew 3:11–12 (ESV) 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” 

The King is coming to reign.  The one foretold of old is coming to save His people.  He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire; the Holy Spirit to give faith and holiness, fire to purify and refine believers, and to punish unbelievers forever.  John the Baptists calls on people to prepare for the Lord’s arrival by repenting of their sins and humbling themselves before God.

The same message still is true today.  Jesus is coming back.  The ax is still at the root of the tree.  The winnowing fork is still in His hands.  There will be a judgment day.  Repent, Jesus is returning to reign.  Repent and humble yourself before God.  Repent, confess your sins and receive the gift of forgiveness from the Lord Jesus.  Turn from sin and return to the Lord.  You have been baptized with the Holy Spirit, you are being refined by the fire of God’s law, and you know you are covered with Jesus’ righteousness.  In Him you have eternal life.  King Jesus, the shoot from the root of the stump of Jesse is coming back to destroy all evil and bring eternal peace.  Peace will be restored to all creation.  Stay ready for the King’s arrival knowing forgiveness comes from Him alone.  You belong to King Jesus and He is coming back soon to take you to live with Him forever.  Your hope is in the Lord.  Amen. 

WORSHIP VIDEO LINK (linked after 10:45 AM Service)

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

Advent 1 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
November 30, 2025
Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:8–14, Matthew 24:36–44

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org   
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

It is silly at this time of year that I am repeatedly surprised at how dark it is outside but when checking the time, it is only 6 PM.  In the summer it stays light out until past 9 PM, now the sun sets around 5.  It is a dark time of year and it is getting darker.  That is a good metaphor for the world in which we live.  The world we live in is dark and it is getting darker. I am kind of a news junkie.  I want to keep up with what is going on, but, sadly, the news is mostly depressing accounts of darkness.  It is a dark world. 

            There are ongoing wars and oppression.  There is so much violence and murder and abuse. Hatred is promoted and justified. Disagreement is now seen as offensive. Growing up my teachers would say, “I strongly disagree with you, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it.”  Now opposing viewpoints are shouted down and silenced.  If someone says something you disagree with that can be considered violence. Physical violence, rioting and even assassination are becoming more acceptable especially among young people. It is a dark world.

            Social media gives the opportunity for endless quarreling and jealousy as insults are traded online that you would never say in person, and folks brag about their lives looking for likes.  You can find someone to fight with online around the clock.  Constant struggle, constant anger, constant fighting; never-ending conflict that drags you into the darkness.  It is a dark world. 

            Some things are so dark it is hard to believe.  In Nigeria, Christians are being murdered by the thousands and it seems nothing is being done to protect them.  Hundreds of school children have been kidnapped in the middle of the night and taken into the forests.  It is a dark world. 

            The abuse and exploitation of children in our own country is a constant threat as you hear about kids being attacked and harmed and extorted online by strangers, and in person by people they know.  Trusted adults such as teachers, relatives, pastors, coaches abuse their positions of trust and assault innocent children.  It is a dark world.  Last week 122 missing children were rescued from child predators in Florida.  How many more are enslaved, enduring unspeakable abuse? 

God’s good gift of sexuality is perverted and twisted and turned into big business.  Americans spent $13 billion last year feeding their desires for sexual immorality.  More and more people are being arrested with deviant material involving children.  It is a dark world.

            It is a dark world in which you live, and to compound the problem, you have darkness within you inherited from your first parents who were expelled from the Garden of Eden.  Having darkness in you, there is a great risk that you could slip into the darkness and get used to it and become quite comfortable living in the darkness.  You are under an ongoing temptation of the darkness in you wanting to be one with the darkness in the world. 

It is indeed a dark world, and it is hard to escape.  You used to be able to go home and shut the door and be somewhat protected.  You still had darkness within you, but the dark world was outside.  To gratify the desires of the flesh you would have to go to the orgy in Rome, or to the brothel, or out to the sketchy tavern to get drunk and argue and fight.  Home was a fortress.  This is reflected in a prayer at the end of our wedding service. 

P   O God, our dwelling place in all generations, look with favor upon the homes of our land. Embrace husbands and wives, parents and children, in the arms of Your love, and grant that each, in reverence for Christ, fulfill the duties You have given. Bless our homes that they may ever be a shelter for the defenseless, a fortress for the tempted, a resting place for the weary, and a foretaste of our eternal home with You….

            There was a time that to engage in great evil you mostly would have to go out to the evil.  Your home was a bulwark, but now there are breaches in the walls of your fortress.  First it was affordable printed material that became widely available in the last 150 years. Books with cloth and paper bindings printed on powered printing presses might be great, edifying works; even the Word of God. Or it could be material that inflames the desires of your flesh.  Then radio came in, but the airwaves were regulated to keep the programs mostly enriching.  Then broadcast television which was also regulated and those in the media were conscious of what they were delivering to their consumers.  The government regulated the airwaves and controlled content.

            But then came cable television and it was a hole in the wall of your fortress through which the filth of the darkness could be pumped directly into your eyes and soul.  And then came the internet which could be used as a portal to great darkness. And now you carry with you your smartphone which can be a very useful tool, but is also a hatchway to an endless ocean of darkness that can flood your life and drown your soul.  Great darkness is always only a few clicks away and then for deeper darkness there is the dark web.  No longer do you need to leave your home to engage in great evil — the internet delivers sexual immorality and quarreling and jealousy right into the palm of your hand.

            And you may not even mean to be drawn toward the darkness. Predators access innocent children for exploitation through seemingly harmless online games.  In this age of continuous connection with hours a day spent staring at a screen, social media algorithms seek to discover and understand and exploit the darkness in your soul so it can engage with the darkness in you so you keep scrolling and scrolling and scrolling as you sink into the darkness. 

            There was a time that those in the media industry were careful about what they delivered into your home, but for the last 60 years or so there is a growing, intentional effort to portray sexual sin as positive and normal, and to villainize anyone who would disagree.  There is a coordinated effort by those in the media to normalize the darkness by encouraging people to embrace the desires of the flesh and gratify those desires. 

            It is a dark world and you have darkness within you and there is a great temptation to just give in and become one with the suffocating darkness.  It is like being in a deep cave with no lights.  The darkness is overwhelming.  You do not belong to the darkness.  As a baptized child of God you just want to scream at the darkness in frustration.  You want to curse the one who brings the darkness. You want to do something, but you do not know what to do.  What can push back against the darkness?  What is the old saying?  It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.  Down in the deep darkness of a lightless cavern how wonderful it would be to light a single candle. 

            You are in a dark world and you have darkness in you, but you are not darkness.  You are the light of the world.  As we read in Colossians 1:13–14 (ESV) 13 [God] has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

            You live in a dark world and you have darkness in you, but the darkness will not win.  Praise the one who breaks the darkness.  Romans 13:11 (ESV) 11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.”  Jesus is coming back.  The sun of righteousness is ready to dawn.  Romans 13:12 (ESV) 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

            Cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.  The light is not from you.  The light is armor, given to you by Jesus.  Jesus declares in…John 8:12 (ESV) 12 … “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  In Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

            Ephesians 5:8–11 (ESV) 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (emphasis added) 

            You are the light of the world.  Jesus’ light covers the darkness in you.  He has given you light and life.  Live as a child of the light.  Not to earn anything from God but because it is your true identity.  You are light in the Lord.  How do you live as light in a dark world?  Romans 13:9–10 (ESV) 9 … “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

            Living as light in the Lord is not living a life of being exalted by the world.  The dark world hates the light.  Living as light in the Lord is not about living for you, but rather living for others. Living as light in the Lord is living so when people see your good works they give glory to God. 

            In a world that is as dark as a lightless, deep cave you are a candle in the darkness.  Your life, reflecting the love and forgiveness of Jesus, pushes back the darkness wherever you go.  You take in evil from the world, but you do not respond with evil, you respond with love. Matthew 5:44 (ESV) … Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” 

It is a dark world…stay on guard.  Wake from spiritual sleep that ignores the darkness or gets used to the darkness.  Wake up and remember who you are as a baptized, redeemed child of God.  You are a child of the light. 

            Wake up and beware of all the ways the darkness tries to creep into your home, into your life, into your soul, trying to drag you down to the eternal darkness of hell.  Wake up and stay alert to how the darkness within you strives to be one with the darkness of the world.  Wake up, because you are no longer darkness, you are light in the Lord. 

It is a dark time of year, but at the end of December the daylight will start to increase a little each day as the light returns.  As we begin the season of Advent we look forward celebrating arrival of the light:  Jesus’ arrival in Bethlehem and Jesus’ return on the last day.  We remember the events leading up to the arrival of Immanuel, God with us, that night in Bethlehem.  Each week we will light another candle of the advent wreath as we count down to the night we celebrate the birth of God in flesh.  Late December is the darkest time of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.  At our Christmas Eve worship you will visually see light pushing back the darkness.  You will see light spreading from a single candle to everyone in the church, showing the spread of the light of Christ from the resurrected Lord, to His disciples to Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, even into your life as a child of light. In this dark world there are billions of Christians shining the light of Christ in a dark world.  You are light in the Lord.  Jesus is coming back.  The day of the Lord is at hand.  Cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.  Amen

WORSHIP VIDEO LINK (linked after 10:45 AM Service)

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

SERMON AUDIO LINK

BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

Daniel English

November 23, 2025 – Last Sunday of the Church Year

Sermon – Last Sunday of the Church Year C

Mal 3:13-18; Psalm 46; Col 1:13-20; Luke 23:27-43

How Long, O LORD?

Today is the Last Sunday of the Church Year. At the end of the church year, it is customary to think about the end. Whether  our own death or Christ’s return to judgment, we set our minds on the coming  last day that begins the rest of eternity. Just a few weeks ago on All Saint’s Day, we heard John’s vision of the heavenly throne room—the great multitude beyond numbering, robed in dazzling white, swinging palm branches of green, standing before the throne of God in everlasting day (Revelation 7:9). The week after we heard about the resurrection of the dead. We heard Christ’s clear teaching that the dead are indeed raised to life, for our God is not a God of the dead but of the living (Luke 20:38). And last week we heard about the coming of the Son of Man in a cloud with power and great glory (Luke 21:27). The end is coming.  Our Creed confesses this faith: We believe that on “the third day [Jesus Christ] rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead” (Apostles’ Creed, The Second Article). God’s people wait for Him to act. And here you are… another Sunday at Immanuel Lutheran Church… at the end of another church year, looking forward to another Advent… and another Christmas… and another New Year… still waiting for our Lord Christ to return. How long, O LORD?

In this era of satellites and smart phones, door dash, tik tok, and 2-day shipping your attention span has shortened and your patience has worn thin. Can you make it through a meal with your family without diverting your attention to something else? What about when a hymn has a few too many verses or a worship service goes 10 minutes too long? Have you started to question if any of this is worth it? Are you tempted to say with those in our Old Testament reading, “It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts” (Malachi 3:14)? The people of Judah grew tired of serving God, tired of following His commandments, and tired of repenting of their sins. The people of Judah had convinced themselves that the arrogant unbeliever is blessed. They saw evildoers breaking God’s commandments without fear and without consequence. Instead of receiving the punishment for their sin, these evildoers prospered and received what seemed to be success and blessing. 

Is it any different today? According to the Guttmacher Institute an estimated 518,940 children were murdered in the womb in the first six months of 2025. Open Doors, an organization that publishes data about the prosecution of Christians around the world, reports that nearly 4,500 Christians were killed for their faith in Nigeria and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. A study from Columbia University identified nearly 50,000 patients who underwent some sort of gender reassignment surgery between 2016 and 2020… over 3,600 aged 12 to 18 years old. In October of this year, Pew research published that over 1.8 million Americans divorced in 2023, while many forego marriage altogether. And this past July, the Heritage Foundation summarized findings in a General Social Survey from the National Opinion Research Center like this: “Attendance of religious services in the United States has declined over the past fifty years. Weekly attendance of religious services has significantly declined across most demographic groups […]. Today, nearly half of American adults either rarely or never attend religious services” (The Great Falling Away, Abbamonte). In times of decreasing church attendance and increasing confusion and sin, does it seem that the arrogant are blessed? Does it seem that evildoers prosper? Those who fearlessly put God to the test escape! … How long, O LORD?

Have you put God to the test? Why is it that you are so tempted to wander from God, ignore His warnings, and reject His blessings? In 1941 C.S. Lewis wrote in The Weight of Glory, “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” Isn’t it true? Isn’t it difficult to wait on the Lord for the incomprehensible blessings that God has promised to us in Jesus? The trials are many, the distractions are countless, and it is difficult to walk in faith as we wait on the Lord. How long, O LORD?

I’m here to encourage you today. Repent! Keep the faith! The Lord does not delay. “The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). So repent and wait on the Lord!

Malachi goes on to say that “those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. ‘They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts” (Malachi 3:16-17a). What a promise! In the midst of an unbelieving age, when the church seems small and the faithful seem few, the LORD of hosts promises to deliver us, His church, who fear the Lord and esteem His name. He has written our names in His book of life. When you are tempted to think that your God is far off and uncaring, you are corrected by His Word: “God is our refuge and strength” (Psalm 46:1a). He is not far off, He is “a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1b). God promises to make a distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between the one who serves Him and the one who does not. How does God make a distinction between the righteous and unrighteous?

After the book of Malachi there isn’t a divinely inspired Word of Scripture for over 400 years. Some Christians have called this period of time “the 400 Silent Years.” A Jewish historian wrote that this time—the time when the prophets ceased to appear among the Jews—was a time of great distress (1 Macc 9:27; 14:41). During this time, God’s people waited for the fulfillment of the promise of salvation, and the faithless fell away. By the time Christ walked the earth, his own people were so confused about what their standing was before God and what was necessary for their salvation that most of them did not receive Him. His ministry attracted the anger of the Pharisees and scribes, accusations of blasphemy from the Sanhedrin, and a death sentence from Roman authorities. As we read in our Gospel text for today, He was hung up between two evildoers as a curse. Here on the cross is where God keeps the promise made through Malachi. Here on the cross is how God makes a distinction between the righteous and the unrighteous. None of you are righteous by yourself, but you are made righteous by faith. “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him” (Malachi 3:17). God spares us as a man spares his son who serves him by NOT sparing his own Son. He did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all (Romans 8:32a). From the cross Jesus has won the victory, from the cross it is finished, from the cross the promises are kept, from the cross you are reconciled to God by the blood of Jesus. From the cross, the Holy Absolution is spoken, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

It has been nearly 2,000 years since the risen Christ ascended into heaven. It may not look like it, but “[God] has delivered [you] from the dominion of darkness and transferred [you] to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-20). It may not look like it, but who cares what it looks like… we live by faith, and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). And so we wait for the Lord Christ to return in glory to judge both the living and the dead. And in the judgement, be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). Call upon Jesus in the day of trouble, and He will deliver you (Psalm 50:15). “This is how God wants to become known and worshipped, namely, that we receive blessings from him, and indeed, that we receive them on account of his mercy and not on account of our merits” (Ap 4.60). We have been reconciled to God by the blood of Jesus on the cross. Rest in that, in the name of Jesus. Amen.