Sermon: Back to Basics

When it comes to most things, it is good to go back to the basics. This is especially true regarding our salvation: it’s all God’s doing. God coming, God calling, God promising, God freely giving faith, forgiveness, and new life from above. He freely gives so that we can be born again from above and fed from above. And, we do not have to go up and get these things from above. God, as per usual, as always, brings them down to us. He brings them to us through the simplest means—water, words, bread, and wine—so that we who are simple can receive them. Perhaps these are not the most sophisticated means, but they are even better than a snake on a pole. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Jesus came to save and give life. He came into the world and was lifted up on the tree of the cross for one purpose only: that we might live. He came to give us life from above—to be that connection between God and man and between heaven and earth. Using the things of the earth—the water and Spirit of Holy Baptism, the word of absolution, and the bread and wine that carries His Body and Blood—He gives us the life of heaven. So that by looking to these “basic” things in faith and receiving them, we are blessed. We are children of Abraham. And more than that: children of God. ----- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A