Why Does God Forgive Sins?How Does God Forgive Sins?What Is the Goal of Forgiveness? 
One thing this sermon addresses is a new temptation and deception that the devil uses to keep people from repentance and forgiveness. That is to change the definition of "forgiveness" to "acceptance." These are not the same thing. 

Humanism has made the problem of crime worse. God uses governments to curb crime, often with harsh measures. This is God's approach in Romans 13.4. Prisons used to be called penitentiaries because they were meant to be places where men could reflect, repent, and find forgiveness and renewal. This is God's approach in Ezekiel 33.14. All sin is abominable to God because it has the potential to grow into great evil. God's grace in Christ is the only hope for all of us sinners and for all criminals. 

The Book of Life gives us the assurance of our salvation. It shows us that our salvation is the work of God, not our own. Many people modify this teaching saying that we need to have "personal responsibility" to have assurance. But I show how this does not take the Bible at face value, and it actually undermines our assurance. Those who believe in Jesus have their names written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. Rejoice in that! 

After Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus prophesied His crucifixion and resurrection. God would conquer evil through the sacrifice of love. God also calls us to conquer evil through our own cross bearing. 
Christians must bear at least three crosses in this life: The cross of repentance, the cross of the world's scorn, and the cross of Satan himself. 
God gives us the grace to bear them all. 

In this class we look at ways that churches and other organizations are helping the poor. The main point is that God wants us to help the poor both physically and spiritually. You can find the handout to this study at my blog Pastor Walther's Meditations: https://pastorwalther.blogspot.com/2026/08/how-to-help-poor-3.html

The mind is amazing! But it can be turned to evil or good. This sermon explains how our minds are transformed by God through His word.
1. Refuse to Be Conformed
2. Transformed by the Renewing of the Mind
3. Be a Living Sacrifice to Help Save
Sermon for August 23, 2026 Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mt. Olive, Illinois

This is a three part Bible study. You can find the notes for this study on my blog: Pastor Walther's Meditations. This audio file is only the instruction part of the class. It does not cover the Q&A that followed. 

Jesus tested the faith of the Canaanite woman three times. She held fast the promises of the Messiah which she knew. 
1. The Background2. Jesus Is the True Messiah3. The Messiah for All Nations and for You4. Spiritual Wounds and Healing

This is a three part Bible study. You can find the notes for this study on my blog: Pastor Walther's Meditations. This audio file is only the instruction part of the class. It does not cover the Q&A that followed. 

"No Fear" isn't just a slogan or a decal. It is a lifestyle of faith that prays "Lord, Save Me" in the face of fear. 

God’s promises of salvation in Jesus are amazing. Yet many people reject them - even most of Israel. Does this invalidate God’s word? Not at all. God’s election always stands, based not on works but on Him who calls. Christians hold fast to their salvation, and they will always hold forth God’s salvation to all the world. God is still calling! 
1. Israel is the beginning of God’s incarnation.
2. Israel and most of the world have rejected Christ.
3. Christians hold fast and hold forth as God continues to call. 

Main Teaching: God’s kingdom is the best kingdom of all. It is a kingdom of power, a kingdom of grace, and a kingdom of glory. There is no other kingdom like it. Believe in it. Live in it. Bring it to others.
Why do we have kingdoms?
How is God’s kingdom different from other kingdoms?
How do Christians live in two kingdoms?
 
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mt. Olive, Illinois July 26, 2026