Jesus says “Βe opened,” and a deaf man instantly hears and speaks plainly. This sermon traces how Christ’s living Word still creates what it commands: He opens ears and looses tongues to confess, turning hearers into confessors in daily life.

On Kickoff Sunday, we rejoice that Jesus gives these gifts through Word and Sacrament: calling children into Sunday School, confirming youth for a lifetime of hearing and confessing, and inviting all to the Divine Service where He forgives, feeds, and sustains His Church.

Key Points:

• Jesus’ Word creates what it commands; when He says “be opened,” ears truly open and tongues are set free in faith.
• Hearing naturally bears fruit in speech: believers confess Christ plainly in ordinary, non-flashy ways at home, church, and community.
• Parents and grandparents place children under the Word; faith is kindled as Christ speaks.
• Confirmation is not graduation but the beginning of a lifelong pattern of hearing and confessing.
• Bible Study isn’t a burden; it’s “more Jesus,” time to learn how to say what you’ve heard.
• A little “rustle” is the sound of a living church that welcomes all ages to the Divine Service.

Scripture References:

• Mark 7:31–37 — Jesus opens deaf ears and looses a bound tongue; His Word does what it says.
• Isaiah 29:18 — The deaf shall hear “the words of a book”; Christ fulfills the promise in His ministry.
• Isaiah 35:5–6 — Messianic signs of opened ears and loosened tongues reveal the coming of God’s salvation.
• Romans 10:17 — “Faith comes from hearing,” underscoring preaching’s central role in creating and sustaining faith.

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At St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Minnesota, God has gathered a congregation where all ages are present, from newborns to grandparents. We are united in Christ through the historic liturgy. Children are a visible and joyful part of our life together, with active Sunday School and youth ministries woven into the fabric of our community. Here, every generation receives the saving benefits of Christ through His Word and Sacraments. Whether you’re listening nearby or far away, you’re welcome to join us in person or online.

Visit us: 63924 240th St, Gibbon, MN 55335 | (507) 834-6676 | splcgibbon.org

Join us Sundays:

• September–May
  • 8:30am Sunday School | 9am Bible Study | 10am Worship
• June–August
  • 9am Worship

#GibbonMN #LutheranChurchMN #LCMSWorship

In this sermon, we hear how humility doesn’t earn anything; it’s simply the empty hand that receives everything from Christ, who atoned for our sins with His own blood.

Key Takeaways:

• Humility is not a virtue that merits grace; it’s the posture that receives Christ’s atoning mercy by faith.
• The Pharisee’s self-trust leaves him unforgiven; the tax collector’s contrition is answered with God’s verdict: "justified!"
• Despair is pride in disguise; no sin outruns the cross, and you don’t have to feel forgiven to be forgiven.
• The temple imagery points to Christ’s sacrifice once for all; our prayers rise because we are forgiven people.
• The Divine Service catechizes humility: we confess, we are absolved, and we go home right with God.

Scripture References:

1. Luke 18:9–14 — The Pharisee and the tax collector; “whoever exalts himself will be humbled… whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
2. Psalm 141:2 — “Let my prayer rise before You as incense,” illuminating the temple-prayer context fulfilled in Christ.
3. Luke 23:48 — The crowds “beat their breasts” at the crucifixion, echoing the tax collector’s contrition and pointing to the cross.

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At St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Minnesota, God has gathered a congregation where all ages are present, from newborns to grandparents. We are united in Christ through the historic liturgy. Children are a visible and joyful part of our life together, with active Sunday School and youth ministries woven into the fabric of our community. Here, every generation receives the saving benefits of Christ through His Word and Sacraments. Whether you’re listening nearby or far away, you’re welcome to join us in person or online.

Visit us: 63924 240th St, Gibbon, MN 55335 | (507) 834-6676 | splcgibbon.org

Join us Sundays:

• September–May
  • 8:30am Sunday School | 9am Bible Study | 10am Worship
• June–August
  • 9am Worship

#GibbonMN #LutheranChurchMN #LCMSWorship

In this episode from St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Minnesota, we meditate on Luke 19, where Jesus weeps over Jerusalem for missing the time of God's coming in Him. This sermon highlights the tragedy of forfeiture but proclaims the joyful Gospel: Christ still visits us in His Word and Sacraments, delivering forgiveness, life, and eternal hope by grace alone through faith.

Key Takeaways:

• Christ's visitation means His coming to earth to save us solely through His cross and resurrection, offering peace by grace.
• Rejecting Jesus leads to tragedy, as with Jerusalem, but the Gospel calls us to faith in His redeeming blood.
• Today, the Holy Spirit brings Christ's presence in Word and Sacraments, freely giving forgiveness and eternal life.
• Hang on Jesus' words to recognize His visitation, finding assurance in the Gospel's power for salvation.
• In worship, we touch eternity, receiving Christ's benefits that prepare us for heavenly joy.

Scripture References:

• Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus laments Jerusalem's failure to see God's visitation in Him, who brings salvation through His cross.
• Colossians 1:20 - Peace is made through Christ's blood on the cross, reconciling all to God by faith.
• Luke 1:68-79 (Benedictus) - God visits to redeem His people, fulfilled in Christ's coming for our salvation.
• Luke 2:14 (Gloria in Excelsis) - Angels declare peace on earth through Christ, whose work unites heaven and us.
• Isaiah 48:18 - Obeying God's Word brings peace.
• Colossians 3:3 - Our lives are hidden in Christ, assuring resurrection hope through baptismal grace.

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At St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Minnesota, God has gathered a congregation where all ages are present, from newborns to grandparents. We are united in Christ through the historic liturgy. Children are a visible and joyful part of our life together, with active Sunday School and youth ministries woven into the fabric of our community. Here, every generation receives the saving benefits of Christ through His Word and Sacraments. Whether you’re listening nearby or far away, you’re welcome to join us in person or online.

Visit us: 63924 240th St, Gibbon, MN 55335 | (507) 834-6676 | splcgibbon.org

Join us Sundays:

• September–May
  • 8:30am Sunday School | 9am Bible Study | 10am Worship
• June–August
  • 9am Worship

#GibbonMN #LutheranChurchMN #LCMSWorship

Dive into this sermon from St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Minnesota, where Pastor Karl Grant unpacks the parable of the unjust steward from Luke 16. Challenging common misconceptions about money and evil, the message urges believers to see worldly wealth as God's entrusted resources, not for selfish craving but for shrewd, urgent service to others.

Key Takeaways:

• Worldly resources beyond our daily needs are tools for generosity, helping others as an outflow of faith in Christ.
• As stewards, not owners, we manage God's creation faithfully, tending and keeping what belongs to Him.
• Embrace shrewd urgency in using wealth for good, inspired by the parable but directed toward Gospel-motivated service.
• Wise management proves genuine faith, assured by Christ's poverty that grants us heavenly riches through grace alone.
• Time is fleeting. Act now to support ministries, finding joy in the Holy Spirit's renewal and eternal hope.

Scripture References:

• 1 Timothy 6:10 – Warns that the love of money roots all kinds of evil, leading some from faith; contrasted with trust in Christ's sufficiency.
• Luke 16:1-13 – The unjust steward parable teaches using worldly wealth shrewdly to make eternal friends, serving God alone through faith.
• Lord's Prayer (4th Petition) – God graciously provides daily bread to all, pointing to His abundant care in Christ for body and soul.
• Genesis 1-2 (Creation Accounts) – Establishes humanity as stewards over creation, redeemed and renewed by Jesus' victory over sin.
• 2 Corinthians 8:9 – Christ, rich yet poor for our sake, enriches us eternally by His grace, freeing us for generous living.

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At St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Minnesota, God has gathered a congregation where all ages are present, from newborns to grandparents. We are united in Christ through the historic liturgy. Children are a visible and joyful part of our life together, with active Sunday School and youth ministries woven into the fabric of our community. Here, every generation receives the saving benefits of Christ through His Word and Sacraments. Whether you’re listening nearby or far away, you’re welcome to join us in person or online.

Visit us: 63924 240th St, Gibbon, MN 55335 | (507) 834-6676 | splcgibbon.org

Join us Sundays:

• September–May
  • 8:30am Sunday School | 9am Bible Study | 10am Worship
• June–August
  • 9am Worship

#GibbonMN #LutheranChurchMN #LCMSWorship

In this sermon from St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Minnesota, Rev. Karl Grant warns us about the reality of false teachers who appear as harmless sheep but seek to lead us away from Christ.

As we navigate a world filled with deceptive influences, from social media to TV preachers, this message calls us to test teachings against Scripture, know the catechism deeply, and gather regularly in the church where Christ comes to us in Word and Sacrament. Discover how the Holy Spirit empowers us to discern truth, fostering lives of forgiveness, love, and service rooted in the cross.

Key Takeaways:
- False teachers blend in like wolves in sheep's clothing, but Jesus teaches us to identify them by their actions.
- True faith in Christ produces good fruit, such as loving others, forgiving as we've been forgiven, and giving sacrificially.
- We must avoid blindly trusting every "Christian" influence.
- Knowing God's Word and Luther's Small Catechism equips us to spot falsehoods and live under the cross in joyful assurance.
- As a flock gathered by grace, we're safer together in the church, where Christ guards us through His mighty power.
- Membership in the body of Christ involves faithful worship, partaking in the Lord's Supper, and supporting God's kingdom by His gifts.

Scripture References:
- Matthew 7:15-21 - Jesus warns of false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but are known by their fruit, emphasizing doing the Father's will.
- Acts 20:28-31 - Paul urges pastors to watch over the flock, as wolves will arise even from within to draw away disciples.
- 1 Peter 5:8 - Be alert, for the devil prowls like a roaring lion seeking to devour, countered by Christ's protection.
- 1 John 3:16-20 - True love is shown in actions, as Christ laid down His life for us, producing compassion and confidence before God.
- James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the Word but do what it says, living out faith through deeds by grace.
- James 2:14-20 - Faith without works is dead; living faith, clinging to Christ, naturally bears good fruit.

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At St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Minnesota, God has gathered a congregation where all ages are present, from newborns to grandparents. We are united in Christ through the historic liturgy. Children are a visible and joyful part of our life together, with active Sunday School and youth ministries woven into the fabric of our community. Here, every generation receives the saving benefits of Christ through His Word and Sacraments. Whether you’re listening nearby or far away, you’re welcome to join us in person or online.

Visit us: 63924 240th St, Gibbon, MN 55335 | (507) 834-6676 | splcgibbon.org

Join us Sundays:

• September–May
  • 8:30am Sunday School | 9am Bible Study | 10am Worship
• June–August
  • 9am Worship

#GibbonMN #LutheranChurchMN #LCMSWorship

In this funeral sermon for Fern Mae Hillman, Pastor Karl Grant explores how God's love in Christ triumphs over dementia, loss, and death.
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Takeaways

• God's love in Christ Jesus is unbreakable, overwhelming every trial through His victory on the cross.
• Even when dementia erases memories, the Lord never forgets His redeemed children.
• Faith clings to Jesus' gospel promises alone, not our intellect or works, much like an infant trusts its parents or the thief on the cross pleaded for paradise.
• Christ's death destroys death, leading us to paradise where all pain is forever banished.
• We grieve with hope, comforted by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament, knowing saints like Fern now dwell in perfect joy, awaiting the bodily resurrection.
• Jesus' scars eternally testify to His love, forgetting our sins but remembering us forever, calling us to live in gospel freedom and share this comfort with others.

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Scripture Index

• Romans 8:37-39 – Proclaims overwhelming victory in Christ, assuring nothing—neither death, life, fears, nor disease—can separate believers from God's love poured out through Jesus' sacrifice.
• Isaiah 49:15-16 – Illustrates God's unbreakable remembrance, contrasting a mother's possible forgetfulness with the Lord's eternal engraving of our names on His hands, pointing to the cross's scars.
• Luke 23:42-43 – Highlights the thief's plea for Jesus to remember him, receiving the promise of paradise today, emphasizing salvation by faith alone in Christ's kingdom despite apparent defeat.
• Psalm 23:4, 6 – Echoed in the assurance of walking through death's valley without fear, dwelling in the Lord's house forever with goodness and mercy following, fulfilled in Jesus.

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At St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Minnesota, God has gathered a congregation where all ages are present, from newborns to grandparents. We are united in Christ through the historic liturgy. Children are a visible and joyful part of our life together, with active Sunday School and youth ministries woven into the fabric of our community. Here, every generation receives the saving benefits of Christ through His Word and Sacraments. Whether you’re listening nearby or far away, you’re welcome to join us in person or online.

Visit us: 63924 240th St, Gibbon, MN 55335 | (507) 834-6676 | splcgibbon.org

Join us Sundays:

• September–May
  • 8:30am Sunday School | 9am Bible Study | 10am Worship
• June–August
  • 9am Worship

#GibbonMN #LutheranChurchMN #LCMSWorship

Amid a hungry crowd in the wilderness, Jesus invites His disciples to offer what little they have (seven loaves and a few fish) and miraculously multiplies it to satisfy everyone, with leftovers to spare. This story reminds us that when we recognize overwhelming needs, like a church building project or even daily stewardship, Jesus doesn't leave us to solve them on our own. Instead, He calls us to give faithfully from what we have, and He stretches it abundantly for His kingdom's work.

Key Takeaways:

• Jesus invites us to offer what we have without explaining how He'll use it.
• Our small gifts, given in faith, are multiplied by Christ to meet needs far beyond our ability.
• Giving to Jesus results in no true loss; He promises full life now and eternally in heaven.
• Stewardship is about cheerful response to God's grace, not obligation.

Scripture References:

1. Mark 8:1-10 - Jesus feeds the 4,000 with seven loaves and fish, showing His compassion and miraculous provision through faithful giving.
2. Mark 7:24-30 - The Syrophoenician woman's faith highlights Jesus' mission extending to Gentiles, fulfilled in the crowd's feeding by grace alone.
3. John 10:10 - Christ came for abundant life, beginning now in faith and fully realized in eternity, free from sin and want.
4. Revelation 21:4 - Promises a new heaven and earth without mourning or pain, where God's riches are ours through Jesus' redemption.
5. Mark 10:29-30 - Those who give up for the Gospel receive much more in this life and the next, all by God's gracious promise.

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At St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Minnesota, God has gathered a congregation where all ages are present, from newborns to grandparents. We are united in Christ through the historic liturgy. Children are a visible and joyful part of our life together, with active Sunday School and youth ministries woven into the fabric of our community. Here, every generation receives the saving benefits of Christ through His Word and Sacraments. Whether you’re listening nearby or far away, you’re welcome to join us in person or online.

Visit us: 63924 240th St, Gibbon, MN 55335 | (507) 834-6676 | splcgibbon.org

Join us Sundays:

• September–May
  • 8:30am Sunday School | 9am Bible Study | 10am Worship
• June–August
  • 9am Worship

#GibbonMN #LutheranChurchMN #LCMSWorship

In this sermon we explore how Christians relate to the Ten Commandments after being justified by faith in Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

• The law first accuses us of sin, showing we cannot justify ourselves before God, but points us to Christ as our only Savior.
• Justified by faith in Jesus' death and resurrection, we are freed from sin's power and receive His perfect righteousness as a gift.
• Christians now live under the law as a guide for righteous living, serving neighbors through ordinary vocations like family and work.
• Good works do not earn salvation but prove genuine faith, as the Holy Spirit empowers us to reflect God's restored image.
• The Small Catechism offers practical direction for daily life, helping us meditate on God's commands and rejoice in His promises.

Scripture References:

• Matthew 5:21-22 - Jesus teaches that anger and contempt in the heart violate God's law against murder, revealing our deep sinfulness and need for His forgiveness.
• Romans 8:3-4 - God sent His Son to fulfill the law's requirements for us, declaring an end to sin's control and enabling us to live by the Spirit in Christ.
• Titus 2:11-15 - God's grace brings salvation and instructs us to live righteously, as Jesus gave His life to make us His people committed to good deeds through faith.
• Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) - The law accuses sinners but, for the justified, serves as a blueprint for loving God and neighbor, restored through Christ's redemption.

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At St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Minnesota, God has gathered a congregation where all ages are present, from newborns to grandparents. We are united in Christ through the historic liturgy. Children are a visible and joyful part of our life together, with active Sunday School and youth ministries woven into the fabric of our community. Here, every generation receives the saving benefits of Christ through His Word and Sacraments. Whether you’re listening nearby or far away, you’re welcome to join us in person or online.

Visit us: 63924 240th St, Gibbon, MN 55335 | (507) 834-6676 | splcgibbon.org

Join us Sundays:

• September–May
  • 8:30am Sunday School | 9am Bible Study | 10am Worship
• June–August
  • 9am Worship

#GibbonMN #LutheranChurchMN #LCMSWorship