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[Introduction] Today is the Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle. Among the twelve, Thomas is one of the more famous apostles, albeit for asking some of the questions we are all afraid to ask. After declaring in John 11 that he was ready to follow Jesus into death, it is Thomas who wonders how we can know the way to the Father. So Jesus tells him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. It is also Thomas who doubts the resurrection. After demanding that he be able to touch the hole in the hands and side of Jesus before he believes, “doubting Thomas” becomes “believing Thomas” when our Lord comes into his midst one Sunday morning with all the disciples and reminds him that he now has peace. Put your finger here and see my hands. And put out your hand, and place it in my side , Jesus told Thomas. Do not be unfaithful but faithful. Of course, Thomas’s immediate response was “ my Lord and my God ” (Jn 20:24-29). Then Jesus said to him, Because...

Say to him, Are you the coming one, or should we expect another? (v 3) [Introduction] When you read the story of Israel, there’s a common theme that appears over and over again: God does not always act in ways that people expect. When God delivered Israel from slavery, he chose Moses, not while he was prince in Egypt but after he became a murderer who went into hiding as a shepherd. When God delivered Israel from the Midianites, he chose Gideon, the least important member of the least important family of his tribe. When God delivered Israel from the Philistines, he did not send Israel’s best warrior, but David, who was just a boy with a sling and a small rock to stand up against a giant named Goliath. When God spoke to his prophet Elijah at Mount Horeb, he did not do it through the spectacular fashion of wind, earthquake, or fire, but through a whisper. And when God brought ultimate deliverance to his people, who would expect he would do it through a baby born to die. 4. Still many i...

Now when these things begin to happen, straighten up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near. [Introduction] Once upon a time, Christmas didn’t begin until midnight Christmas Eve, and it lasted for a full twelve days. But the world has hijacked Christmas. Now Advent is largely ignored. Christmas ends the day after, gift-giving ends, and thoughts of self begin. And that’s too bad. Advent is a season that we need to pay attention to. Advent reminds us [our] redemption is drawing near.   Advent is a season that helps us prepare for the coming of Christ. He is drawing near. The word advent literally means coming. Christ is coming. The first coming of Christ was a couple thousand years ago ... at his birth in Bethlehem. The second coming of Christ will be on the clouds in power and great glory (v 27). As we will sing soon, Christ is near with his cheer; Never will he leave me (LSB 756:1).  The first Advent of our Lord was one of humility. On Christmas, God hu...

[Introduction] Not every song has a tune or is even sung. There’s a song that parents today like to teach their children, a song they sing ... if not literally, nevertheless loudly and clearly ... a recitation that echoes through the world to prepare them for life ... to teach them how to find happiness. The lyrics vary from parent to parent, but the substance remains the same. They sing ... “Live for yourself  and pursue your own passions,  because you were born to rise, to grow, to build your own glory.” Yes, people teach their children to be selfish and prideful. They teach their children to believe that what matters most in life is their own specialness and success. When they discover that their children possess certain gifts or talents, they teach their children that these should be the focus of their lives, often at the expense of everyone and everything around them.  Sadly, Christians often find themselves singing this same song, teaching their children that Jesus ...