Shows
Faith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Liberal Arts and the Lifting of HeartsPresentation by Rev. Jeff Hendrix, given at the 2023 Family Altar Conference: For Altar and For Hearth, by Return to Wittenberg at Faith Lutheran Church, Oregon, WI, May 20, 2023.
The liberal arts, liberal in the classic sense, are meant for freedom. After the Reformation, the Lutheran emphasis on a liberal arts education led to unprecedented social mobility. It was a flourishing of all of society. Rev. Jeff Hendrix makes the case that perhaps this type of education is a remedy for many of our burdens today.
2023-05-2547 min
Faith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Resurrections Proves... (part 1) | Easter 2The Resurrection Proves…
1. His Doctrine is True
2. He is the Son of God
3. Our Sins are Forgiven
Sermon for the Sunday after Easter from John 20:19-31 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix.
2022-04-2515 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinRedeemed by His Holy, Precious Blood | Lent 5We confess in the Apostles’ Creed, that Jesus Christ…is “my Lord, Who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood, and with His innocent suffering and death.”
We take for granted how we are redeemed: by Christ's innocent suffering and death, and the shedding of His blood on the cross. Hebrews 9 explains why this was absolutely necessary, and how profound it is.
Sermon on Hebrews 9:11-15 by Rev. Jeff H...
2022-04-0417 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Devil is God's Fool | Lent 3Does demon possession happen today? The healing of the mute man who is demon possessed shows what tactics the devil and demons use...and also how easily it is to overcome them. Sermon on Luke 11:14-28 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2022-03-2215 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinWhere is God When Evil Happens? The Cross | Lent 2“If there really is a good God, why would He allow evil to happen?” Maybe you’ve heard this in regards to the atrocities being committed in Ukraine right now. Maybe you’ve wondered this yourself. If not about Ukraine, perhaps about experiences in your own life. The account of the Canaanite woman is a marvelous answer to that question. Where is God when evil happens? Where He always is – in Christ, in suffering, in the cross, for you.
Sermon on Matthew 15:21-28 + 1st Article by Rev. Jeff Hendrix.
2022-03-1417 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Iniquity of the Fathers, in View of Sin and Grace | Lent 1Understanding the conclusion of the Ten Commandments – “I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, and showing mercy to thousands of those who love Me and keep My commandments" – in view of sin and grace / law and gospel help us understand just what blessings God is promising – and why we receive them. Sermon on Genesis 3:1-24 + Conclusion to the 10 Commandments for Lent 1 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2022-03-0717 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinWhat Sustains Your Faith for the Journey? | Quinquagesima + Baptism of ChristFaith can't exist alone, by itself. All you need is not faith. Faith is passive, it needs something to trust in. God gives us the promise for our faith, the strength to sustain us in life and death in our baptism. Sermon on Matthew 3:13-17 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix.
2022-02-2819 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinEyeing Evil when God Gives What is Good | SeptuagesimaSermon on the 10th commandment + Matthew 20:1-16 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix. The first workers in the vineyard exemplify coveting, coveting the other workers hired last. The Landowner exemplifies grace. The workers eye evil when the Owner gives what is good.
2022-02-1517 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinUnder Authority | Epiphany 3A centurion, a man "under authority" asks Jesus to heal his subordinate. His example shows how we are to act in our vocations. Jesus' answer to him proclaims what great authority and promise we have been given, namely the forgiveness of our sins. Sermon on the 7th Commandment and Matthew 8:1-13 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix.
2022-01-2418 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Blessing of Marriage | Epiphany 2Jesus attends a marriage to bless and multiply. Sermon on the 6th Commandment + John 2:1-11 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2022-01-2016 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinOur Morning Star | EpiphanyChrist is not only our destination, but also the way through which we reach our destination. He is our Morning Star. Sermon on Matthew 2:1–12 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2022-01-1016 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinTreading in the Path of Christ like St. Stephen | Feast of StephenSermon on Acts 6 & 7 for the Feast of Stephen, by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-12-2714 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinJustification: the Heart of Christmas | Midnight MassSermon on Luke 2:1-20 for Christmas Eve Midnight by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-12-2714 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Incarnation | Christmas Eve EarlySermon on Matthew 1:18–25 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-12-2717 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinHonoring His Mother | Advent 4Christ's incarnation and conception in His mother Mary's womb shows to us just how much God loves us. In His conception He honors and sanctifies His own mother, whom He Himself Created. As He is born in Mary, He is also born in us. Sermon on the 4th Commandment and the Magnificat by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-12-2017 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Day of Rest | Advent 3Advent historically is a season of repentance, of waiting, of pulling back. And so this Sunday is the day to rejoice. The readings are a bit brighter, even the color is a bit brighter. It’s meant to bring a little relief, a little rest. So what a great day to look at the 3rd Commandment, where God actually commands us to rest. And, as our busy lives would indicate, we do need to be told to rest.
But this rest is qualitatively different than simply taking a break, vegging in front of the TV, or even taking a v...
2021-12-1318 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe World is Ending: Praise God's Name | Advent 2When it seems like the world is ending (because it actually is), we are prone to curse, swear, lie, and deceive, the very things God tells us not to do. Instead, because Christ has called us by His holy name, we have the freedom to not worry or fear those things at the end of the world, but call upon God, pray, praise and give thanks. Sermon on the 2nd Commandment and Luke 21:25-36 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-12-0718 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinTrust Like an Infant | Advent 1Advent lets us know we have a God who comes all the way to us. Like an infant dependent on her mother for everything, so Jesus tells us what faith is. He doesn't ask us to come even 1% of the way to Him; He comes all the way to us. Sermon on Matthew 21 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-11-2916 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinWisdom Trusts Christ is Coming Soon | Last SundayJesus tells a parable about some wise and foolish virgins. Five are not let into the marriage feast. What makes someone wise or foolish? It isn't morality, or else no one would have been let in. Wisdom receives Jesus in His body and blood through faith. Sermon on Matthew 25:1–13 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-11-2317 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinWhatever You Did for the Least of These, My Brothers... | 2nd to Last SundayJesus' analogy of the sheep and the goats, contrary to popular opinion, is not about works or serving the poor. Rather, it's about faith, and hearing the message of the Gospel, preached by Jesus' "brothers." Sermon on Matthew 25:31-46 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-11-1516 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Holy Ark of the Communion Of Saints | All Saints SundayWe are all together in the fellow-ship of the Christian Church, on our way to the shores of heaven. Sermon for All Saints Sunday by Rev. Jeff Hendrix on Matthew 5:1-12 and Revelation 7:9–17.
2021-11-0914 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinNor Any Thanks Have For It... | ReformationReformation reminds us that we all need to be reformed, we need to have the proper response to the things of God. This is begun through the Law and finished ultimately, by the Gospel. Sermon on Matthew 11:12–19 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix.
2021-11-0116 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Cost of Forgiveness | Trinity 22We tend to not think our sin has any cost...until someone sins against me. Then someone's gotta pay! Jesus shows to us how much our sin cost, and what He has done to forgive it. Sermon on Matthew 18:23–35 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-10-2617 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinHow to Die Well: What Not to Look AtLuther says that "We should familiarize ourselves with death during our lifetime, inviting death into our presence when it is still at a distance and not on the move. At the time of dying, however, this is hazardous and useless, for then death looms large of its own accord. In that hour we must put the thought of death out of mind and refuse to see it." In addition, he also says we should not look at our sins or hell in the hour of death, but look rather upon Christ. "You must look at death while you are al...
2021-10-1852 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinGod On Your Terms? Or You His? | Trinity 21Jesus deals harshly with a man who asks for what anyone might ask: for him to heal his dying son. But He didn't come for God, he had another god. He wanted God on his terms. The problem was the man and his son were already dead. Jesus deals with him according to His terms, and in so doing, makes them both alive. Sermon on John 4:46–54 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-10-1818 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinMembership in the Church: A Matter of ClothingJesus tells a parable of a man who is excommunicated from the church in heaven over not having the right wedding clothes. Through this, Jesus teaches us that membership in the church is a matter of justification, of being clothed with Jesus' righteousness. Membership in our local congregation, on the other hand, is a matter of sanctification. Sermon on Matthew 22:1–14 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-10-1116 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinTake Heart | Trinity 19Some men bring a paralyzed man to Jesus. Jesus doesn't so what they expect. He goes for the heart. Sermon on Matthew 9:1–8 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-10-0417 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinA Word of Comfort in Death | Trinity 16Martin Luther said that “We should familiarize ourselves with death during our lifetime, inviting death into our presence when it is still at a distance and not on the move. At the time of dying, however, this is hazardous and useless, for then death looms large of its own accord.” That’s what was happening one day in the city of Nain when Jesus was visiting. Death was on a move, and in control. But Jesus seems to be irreverent in this situation, telling a grieving mother to stop crying. But Jesus is not being irreverent. He is being completely...
2021-09-2014 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinTrust, Worry, & Contentment | Trinity 15Before 9/11 happened, we thought we were in control. But afterwards, we realized how much we weren't. What followed was not so much strategic preparation for tomorrow, but hysteria: fear of being attacked, fear of our way of life ending, fear of dying; fear of tomorrow, worry of tomorrow. This worry happens on a micro scale in our lives too. We become incapacitated by tomorrow. Fear of tomorrow keeps us from living today. What comfort does Jesus offer in the midst of our fears and worries? Sermon on Matthew 6:24–34 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-09-1315 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinCome, Show Yourself to the Priest | Trinity 14When Jesus told the ten lepers to go show themselves to the priests in Luke 17:11–19, it sounds like someone today saying "go get a covid test before you can come here." But when Jesus cleanses them as they go on their way, there's something much more profound and meaningful than just the healing of their disease. Sermon by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-09-0917 min
Faith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinJesus Must Increase | Martyrdom of St. John the BaptistThe martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, and really his entire life, provides a lens for us to view ourselves; our life, our accomplishments, our value, compared with the life of Christ. That was after all, St. John’s job: to point to Jesus. To take the focus off of himself and put it on Jesus. John famously said of Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). This defined John’s entire life and ministry. By even the method of his death, John literally decreases, and Jesus is increased. And what was witnessed at John the Baptist’s death is what...
2021-08-3014 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinPreserved from the Power of the Devil | Trinity 12We tend to equate being sick with the devil. That to be sick, means it's the devil's doing. Or if you are sick, that's a curse. But God shows us that even sickness is to His glory and our benefit. Sermon on Mark 7: 31-37 for Trinity 12, Healing, by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-08-2314 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinTwo Men Walk Into A Church | Trinity 11Not a joke. Two men walk into a church. Both go in as sinners. Only one walks out a saint. Sermon on Luke 18:9–14 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-08-1612 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinWhat It Means to Drink from the Lord’s Cup | St. James the ElderJames' death sets a pattern. He was the first of the apostles to be martyred, and the only apostle martyrdom recorded in Scripture. Jesus told him he would "drink from his cup." What did this mean for James? What does this mean for us and our death? Sermon on Mark 10:35-45 for the Feast of St. James the Elder by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-07-2616 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinCitizens of Two Kingdoms | Trinity 5The question Jesus is asked by the Pharisees in our text – Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” – is a lot like another question you might hear today: “Is America a Christian nation?” On the 4th of July, we look at the relation of the Kingdom of the World with the Kingdom of God. Sermon on Matthew 22:15–22 (Propers for Trinity 23) by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-07-0812 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinTrading Heaven for a Radio | Trinity 2The good gifts we have from God always have the potential to become our gods. This is evident especially when they become our excuses for forsaking God's invitation to come to His great Supper. Sermon for Trinity 2 on Luke 14:16–24 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-06-1414 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinSense & Sight vs. Word & Light | Trinity 1Is anything more reliable than our senses, what we can see, touch, hear, taste, or even smell? Yes, and the answer may seem obvious, but challenging to accept: The Word of God. Yet, it is the only thing that endures forever. Sermon on Luke 16:19-31 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-06-0716 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinAn Ascended Perspective | ExaudiJesus' ascension gives us a new perspective on ourselves and on the world. It's not what you expect. Sermon on John 15:26-16:4 for Exaudi Sunday by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-05-1716 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Word of God Generates Prayer | Easter 6The habit of prayer is hard. And on top of that, we’ve been conditioned, by our rationalistic modern era, to only do what’s pragmatic. Prayer doesn’t seem pragmatic. I can fix all my problems on my own. And so we feel ignorant, foolish, or naive if we pray anywhere else but in church. So, to help us pray, Rev. Hendrix gives four things to know about prayer, in a sermon for Rogate Sunday on John 16:23–30
2021-05-1015 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinFrom God to You | Easter 5It’s been said that when you come to church, church should be a house of gifts. God giving you His good gifts. This is a distinction that our church, the Lutheran church, has historically tried to make clear. We call what we do on Sunday the “Divine service,” meaning that it’s primarily God’s service to me. God is serving me. The primary direction is not up, but down. Not you to God, but from God to you.
Sermon for Cantate (Sing) Sunday, on John 16:5-15 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-05-0412 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinSt. Mark: Exposed sinner, covered son of God | Feast of St. MarkAfter hanging around the apostles, Mark is known for finding himself exposed in the Garden of Gethsemane. But Mark shows us who Jesus is, and who He has made us. Though we have found ourselves exposed in our shame and guilt after hanging around the Apostles and Prophets, through the Gospel and through Baptism, Jesus clothes us and makes us a vine on the branch, a beloved son of God, in whom God is well pleased. Sermon by Rev. Jeff Hendrix for the Feast of St. Mark, Easter 4, April 25, 2021, on John 15:1-7 and Mark 1:1-11.
2021-04-2617 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinWatching out for Wolves | 500th Anniversary of the Diet of WormsApril 18, 2021 is the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's testimony at the Imperial Diet of Worms. Luther was a sheep among wolves, and so are we. Sheep without a good shepherd, when confronted by a wolf, are caught off-guard and "don't know where to stand." Not us. We stand upon the Word of God because we are assured of its power and truth because our Shepherd fought the foe and won.
Sermon by Rev. Jeff Hendrix at Faith Lutheran Church, Oregon, WI
2021-04-1916 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinStart Acting Like a Baby | Easter 28 days after Christ first appears to the disciples, He appears to Thomas and tells him the faith he should have. Meanwhile we are encouraged 8 days after Easter to have the same faith: faith like babies. Sermon preached by Rev. Jeff Hendrix for Quasimodogeniti Sunday, adapted from a sermon by Rev. Nielson: “Like Newborn Infants”
2021-04-1214 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Surprise of the Resurrection | Easter Exordium + SermonMost of us are not surprised that we celebrate that Christ was risen from the dead. However, to the women and the disciples that first Easter morning, it changed everything. It still does. Sermon (Preceded by Exordium and Festival hymn) on Mark 16:1-8 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-04-0720 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinEaster Vigil Homily | Holy SaturdayThe Easter Vigil homily of St. John Chrysostom, preached by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-04-0703 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinBehold This, Your Family | Good FridayWhat Jesus does for His mother on that Good Friday, His family, He does for us, His family. Sermon on John 19:25-34 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix.
2021-04-0714 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinA Mandate of Fervent Love | Maundy Thursday“Maundy” comes from the word for Mandate, which Jesus gives on the night of his betrayal: “A new commandment [mandate] I give you: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, so also you are to love one another.” Sermon on John 13:1-15, 34-35 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-04-0715 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinPalms & Passion | Palm Sunday / Passion SundayPalms and Passion. How do these two emphases reflect the life of the Christian? We are at the same time saint and sinner. Sermon for Palm Sunday on Matthew 21:1–11 and St. Matthew's Passion by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-03-2916 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Holy Spirit in the Passion of Christ | Lent Vespers 5The Holy Spirit is the Lord and Giver of life. So what place does the Holy Spirit have at the death of Jesus? The writer to the Hebrews says this: “Christ...through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God.”
Sermon for the 5th Lent Vespers at Faith Lutheran Church, Oregon, WI on the 3rd Article of the Creed and Hebrews 9:13-14, by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-03-2512 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinTo Know God Hidden in the Cross | Lent 5It is in the cross and the death of God, that we see the true glory of God. However, death as a wrongly-condemned criminal on a cross is not, by any definition, glorious. It is the ultimate paradox, but this is the comfort of Christianity. The less glorious our faith seems, the more glorious it actually is. The more Christ seems hidden, the closer He actually is. The more I recognize my sin, the greater God is working in me. Sermon for Lent 5, Judica Sunday, on John 8:46-59 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix at Faith Lutheran Church, Oregon, WI
2021-03-2215 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinIn thirst my Drink, in want my Food, My Company in solitude | Lent 4One year ago, on Lent 4, Laetare Sunday 2020, we were not able to physically gather together, but we rejoiced all the same. We heard the same lesson, Jesus' feeding of the 5,000. Here, John proclaims that we can rejoice even in the midst of sorrow; that there’s a little rose in the middle of the deep penitential of Lent; that God provides in the desert. Through this miracle, Jesus proclaims the consoling power of the Gospel and the strengthening power of the Sacrament. Sermon on John 6:1-15 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-03-1514 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinA Plague On Hell | Lent 3Does the devil have power over plagues? The Devil is called "Beelzebul" or the Lord of the Flies. A way to answer that question is to see how much power the devil has over flies. If Jesus is stronger than the devil, what does that mean when He gives you His promise that He will guard His house?
Sermon on Luke 11:14-28 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-03-0815 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, Wisconsin1st Article of the Creed | Lent Vespers 2Sermon based on the 1st Article of the Creed by Rev. Jeff Hendrix for Lent 2021.
2021-03-0512 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinA Crumb of Promise | Lent 2A Canaanite woman who came to Jesus wasn't given much of a reason to continue putting her faith in Jesus, just crumbs, or so it seems. Sermon on Matthew 15:21-28 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-03-0115 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Gospel for Unremarkable People | St. MatthiasSt. Matthias is unremarkable. We know next to nothing about him, but it is precisely this reason why the account about him in Acts 1 is so comforting and encouraging for us. Sermon on Acts 1:15-26 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix for the Feast of St. Matthias.
2021-02-2512 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinFast From... / Feast On... | Lent 1Counterintuitively, it is possible to have too much, to feast too heavily on worldly things and end up starving spiritually. So then, what is the most important thing to feast on, so that we do not fast from what we really need? Jesus shows to us as He is tempted by the devil in the wilderness and He fasts for 40 days. Sermon on Matthew 4:1-11 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-02-2314 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinI Believe: I Am Not Enough | Ash WednesdayIf a person’s heart is not in the right place, namely in God, they attempt to fill the void and need to justify themselves. Self-Justification is to believe that you are “enough." But as we confess in the Creed, and as Ash Wednesday so profoundly shows to us, we are not enough. But Jesus is. Sermon on Matthew 6:16-21 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-02-1814 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Most Important Moment In Your Life | Quinquagesima + Baptism of JesusCan something be valuable and important if you don't remember it? We reverse the Gospel when we think the value of something that God gave depends on us. Love is a commitment. Baptism is God's commitment to you. Sermon on Matthew 3:13-17 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-02-1518 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Power and Promise of the Word of God | SexagesimaIt is a fundamental Christian truth that God speaks. God always has a word for you. God is never silent. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Jesus says. This is a parable about God’s Word, and what God says and what His Word does. Sermon on Luke 8:4-15 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-02-0816 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinBy Grace, God Gives Us Everything | SeptuagesimaWe think it's not fair if we don't get what we think we deserve. Grace isn't a thing God gives us because we deserve it; it's not a thing God gives us so we can accept Him/do good works/help ourselves. Rather, grace is an attitude, God's perspective toward us, through Jesus finished work. By Grace, God's gives us everything. Sermon on Matthew 20:1-16 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-02-0114 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Christian's Earthly Home is Not a Permanent Dwelling | TransfigurationPeter attempts to make a dwelling, a home, on the Mountain of Transfiguration. His heart and mind is in the wrong place. God directs away from how he feels, to rather what he hears. Sermon by Rev. Jeff Hendrix on Matthew 17:1-9.
2021-01-2516 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinWine from Water: A Sign of Restoration from Shame | Epiphany 2If an ancient Jewish wedding ran out of wine, it meant immense shame on the bride and groom and all the guests. While we don’t exactly have the same type of cultural expectations of our weddings banquets as in Jesus' day with a seven-day banquet and the problem if we run out of wine, if we’re talking about marriage in particular and broadly, the 6th commandment and God’s gift of physical intimacy, there is one thing that always hangs around if something goes wrong or this gift is abused: Shame. But that’s why Jesus being at this wedd...
2021-01-1815 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Christian Home Begins in the Father’s House | Epiphany 1The Gospel writer Luke presents Jesus’ life as a journey, all centered around the temple, that is, the church where God’s people gather. The story begins at the temple in chapter 1 with the angel appearing to Zachariah. Luke tells us that at eight days old and again at 40 days old, the infant Jesus went to the temple to fulfill the law. The journey climaxes with Jesus teaching at the temple, ends with the temple curtain being torn in two, and then Luke tells us that immediately after Jesus ascended into heaven where do the disciples go? Back to the te...
2021-01-1616 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinEpiphany: A Lesson on How God Works | Feast of the EpiphanyThe star, visit of the wise men, and their gifts are more than just a cute story. They are a lesson in the way God works even today. Sermon on Matthew 2:1-12 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2021-01-0715 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Significant in the Kingdom of God | Christmas 2The Sunday after Christmas – where we read of Herod's slaying of the boy babies in Bethlehem – teaches us about the nature of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is not now, never has been, and never will be found according to the way the world wants. It is hidden behind sorrow and suffering, persecution and scorn, behind defeat and loss, in the insignificant things of the world. This is a message worth holding on to, because it means that no matter what happens in 2021, the Kingdom of God is yours.
Sermon on Matthew 2:13-23 by Rev. Jeff...
2021-01-0317 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinSt. John – The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved | Feast of St. JohnOn the three days after Christmas, we celebrate three more "birthdays:" heavenly births. December 27 is the Feast of St. John, who was “a martyr in will but not in deed," meaning that he was willing to lay down his life for his Lord, but was not called on to do so. Instead, he died of old age, and as the apostle who wrote that Jesus is the Beginning and the End, has some important things to teach us about the end of our lives.
Sermon by Rev. Jeff Hendrix on John 21:19b-24.
2020-12-2817 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Birth of Light & Life | Christmas DaySermon & Exordium for Christmas Day from John 1:1-14 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2020-12-2614 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Revealing of God’s Glory | Christmas MidnightSermon for Christmas Midnight from Luke 1:1-14 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2020-12-2612 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinAll This Happened...So that God Might Be With Us | Christmas Eve VespersSermon for Christmas Eve (early) Vespers from Matthew 1:18-25 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2020-12-2616 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinAdvent Means Christ Stoops Down | Advent 4We have pressure on us. Sure, we blame other things like covid or the holidays, but really, we take on ourselves things we were never meant to carry. We want our voices to be heard, when that's not what we need at all. Our voices fade away, Christ is the Word who endures forever. John the Baptist teaches us what a spirit of gentleness actually looks like and why we can rejoice having this pressure released from us.
Sermon on John 1:19-28 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix, with thoughts borrowed from some other good pastors.
2020-12-2113 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinAdvent Joy for the Brokenhearted | Advent 3John the baptist seems to be despairing in prison. But he knows where to look: to the word and promises of Jesus. When Jesus sends His Word back to John, He sends comfort and joy to us as well. Sermon on Matthew 11:2-10 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2020-12-1514 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinCreator of the Starry Height – Redeemer of Us All | Advent Vespers 2The one who created the heavens and all the stars, who set them in their places and sets light apart from dark is also the one who sets right apart from wrong. And He does so for our good, and for our redemption.
Sermon on the Ten Commandments for Advent Vespers by Rev. Jeff Hendrix.
2020-12-1013 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinAdvent Means Christ Will Come Again | Advent 2Advent is about preparing. Not for Christ’s first coming, but His second coming. When He will come back in glory to judge the living and the dead. But for Christians, this means we can lift up our heads, our hearts, because our burdens can be placed on Jesus, and we can be of great hope.
Sermon on Luke 21:25-36 for the second Sunday in Advent by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
#Advent #Sermon
2020-12-0717 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinAdvent Means Christ Comes to You | Advent 1The word Advent simply means “coming,” and in Advent, we celebrate the fact that God comes to you. You don’t have to go to Him, He comes to you. He came 2,000 years ago when He was born in Bethlehem; He is coming again in glory to judge the living and the dead; and He continues to come to us today through His Word and Sacraments. It is on Palm Sunday, when Jesus rides into Jerusalem, that we really get a glimpse as to what this good King has come to do.
Sermon on Matthew 21:1-9 by Rev. Jeff...
2020-11-2916 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Righteous Judgement of God | 2nd to Last SundayWhat comfort is there on the day of judgement? Or what comfort is there when things don't go according to plan? A lot, actually.
A sermon on 2 Thessalonians 1:3–10 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
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2020-11-1615 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinA Gospel View in the End of the World | 3rd to Last SundayEvery four years around the election, there are wild predictions from either side that because of the results, it means the end of various institutions and could even be a sign of the end of the world. However, as Jesus prophecies in our Gospel lesson, these predictions are absolutely right, because we are living in the end of the world and all things will come to an end. Sermon on Matthew 24:15–28 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2020-11-1015 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinSealed as God’s Saints | All Saints DayJohn's vision of the saints in Revelation lets us know that whether we have to face the uncertainties of war, famine, pestilence or plague, or persecution, we know what lies ahead. Sermon by Rev. Jeff Hendrix on Rev. Revelation 7:2–12 for All Saints Day, 2020.
2020-11-0315 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Everlasting Gospel: Fear God(?) | Reformation SundayHow is "fear God" the everlasting Gospel? When we fear God, we have nothing else to fear. Sermon on Revelation 14 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2020-10-2916 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinSt. Luke – The Physician of Souls | Commemoration of St. LukeOctober 18 is the date that the church commemorates St. Luke, the Evangelist. Luke was a physician (Col. 4:14) and wrote the 3rd book in the New Testament, the Gospel according to Luke, as well as the book of Acts. In his Gospel, which is the longest and most detailed of the four, Luke tends to emphasize the sacrifice and atonement of the Messiah; Christ’s work as Priest to make atonement for the world by His sacrifice on the cross. The largest sacrifice in the Old Testament was the ox, which is why the symbol for St. Luke is the ox, a...
2020-10-1913 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Foundation of Faith | Faith 40th AnniversarySermon preached on the observance of the 40th anniversary of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Oregon, WI, by Rev. Jeff Hendrix. Based on select verses from the epistle lessons Heb. 11 and Eph. 1 & 2.
2020-10-1213 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinChrist is Risen and the Angels Rejoice! | Michaelmas + Paschal Vigil (Return to Wittenberg Conference)Sermon preached by Rev. Jeff Hendrix at the 2020 Return to Wittenberg Conference, during the first half of a Paschal Vigil celebrated now, the weekend of St. Michael and All Angels, due to the pandemic earlier in the year over the Easter weekend. The conference theme was "With Angels and Archangels." This sermon is a reflection of that theme, plus all of the Old Testament texts read during the Paschal Vigil service.
2020-10-0507 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinA Glimpse into the War of Angels | MichaelmasSt. John's vision in Revelation of the war in heaven between Michael and his angels, and Satan and his angels, is of immense help to us. Especially now when it is so easy to be focused on this world, we need this glimpse into heaven.
Sermon on Revelation 12:7-12 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2020-09-2814 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinFreedom From & Freedom Towards | Trinity 15In both our Gospel and Epistle lessons this morning, we see what freedom God gives to Christians. A freedom from worry, and because of that freedom, a freedom towards serving our neighbor.
Sermon on Matt. 6:24–34 + Gal. 5:25–6:10 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2020-09-2115 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinLive As If You Are Cured (Because You Are) | Trinity 14Sermon on Galatians 5:16–24 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix.
2020-09-1417 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinHow To Inherit Salvation | Trinity 13Many assume that a status, or inheritance, can be earned, especially with social good works, such as works of charity. However, the example Paul gives in our Epistle, as well as Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan, show us otherwise. Our inheritance is a promise and binding, declared to us by baptism.
Sermon on Galatians 3:15–22 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2020-09-0717 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Healing Comfort of the Gospel | Trinity 12If I would have thought quicker, I would have made some joke about how I had planned to have my audio not work for Sunday all along, just so we would get a feel for how the deaf man felt in our Gospel. But no, my computer simply had issues. This is a re-recording of Sunday's sermon.
However, Jesus had to open the mute man's ears in order to hear the Gospel. Jesus does the same for us, and what marvelous healing it is. Sermon based on 2 Corinthians 3:4–11, preached by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
2020-08-3114 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinImportant Stuff | Trinity 11Sermon on 1 Corinthians 15:1-10 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix.
The Gospel is "of first importance." But we very easily downplay it, when we consider other things or other contemporary issues, or personal problems, to be more important.
2020-08-2415 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinSlaves of Fear, or Sons of God? | Trinity 8Sermon on Romans 8:12-17 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix
False doctrine inevitably points to you for salvation. It returns you to a slavery to fear. You become your own god and savior. It leads to slavery to fear. This has a practical implication in our day when the fear of getting sick tends to top our list. Where does the fear of God stand? What does doctrine matter?
2020-08-0317 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinA Miracle of Compassion | Trinity 7Sermon on Mark 8:1-9 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix.
With seven loaves of bread, Jesus feeds over 4,000 people. Jesus’ miracle isn’t just to show His power. In this second miraculous feeding, Jesus wants to show His compassion.
Mark records this not to show another miracle to induce awe and wonder, but a miracle of comfort. Tremendous comfort. The difference is this: If the miracle happened today, a show of Jesus’ power would be that if you came to church, ate the Lord’s Body, and drank from the Cup of the Lord in the Lord’s Supper, that noth...
2020-07-2714 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinLooking Righteous | Trinity 6SHOW MORESermon by Rev. Jeff Hendrix on Romans 6:3–11. We do all these things to make ourselves look righteous. We have a pretend righteousness. But we need a real righteous, and we need a real Savior. Our real Savior gives us real righteousness.
2020-07-2317 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinDo Not Fear What They Fear | Trinity 5Sermon on 1 Peter 3:8–15 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix.
Fear makes people act in various ways, especially the fear of losing things in this world. But what if your primary concern wasn't the things of this world, or the fears of this world, but your focus was on the things of the next world, and what God has told you are important in this world to prepare you for the next?
2020-07-1314 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinGroaning for Greater Glory | Trinity 4Sermon on Romans 8:18–23 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix. Paul’s letter to the Romans in chapter 8 is a beautiful sermon of hope, a sermon about liberty, a sermon about the present age and the future, about life and death. It’s a sermon about the church, about forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. And it's a sermon about groaning...
#Trinity #Sermon #Lutheran #Romans #Forgiveness #Justice
2020-07-0615 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe One Thing You Should Know About God | Trinity SundayMany in our country are deeply hurting due to the effects of sin. But "Oh the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!" Only a God who knows the deep hurt that His people feel is one who can heal it. So although the Triune God is an unminable source of riches, wisdom, knowledge, judgements, promises, here is what you should know about God. Sermon preached by Rev. Jeff Hendrix on Romans 11:33–36 for Holy Trinity Sunday #HolyTrinity #Romans11 #Sermon
2020-06-0817 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Pentecost Feeling vs. The Pentecost Promise (Pentecost Exordium, Hymn & Sermon)Most Christians get the Holy Spirit wrong, and end up trying to recreate Pentecost to feel the Holy Spirit. But the promise of Pentecost is that the Holy Spirit is with you, whether you feel Him or not. Sermon by Rev. Jeff Hendrix for Pentecost Sunday 2020, touching on COVID-19 as well as the unjust killing of Floyd George, plus the confirmation of our confirmand.
2020-06-0323 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Spirit of the Fear of the Lord (Pentecost Vigil Sermon)A sermon for the vigil of Pentecost 2020, a worldwide effort from seven different churches around the world meditating on the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit from Isaiah 11:1-2. Rev. Jeff Hendrix preaches on the gift of the "fear of the Lord."
2020-06-0307 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinHear the Words of the Persecuted | Exaudi SundaySermon on 1 Peter 4:7-11, which is Peter's letter to a persecuted church. Here Rev. Jeff Hendrix preaches on Peter's words on how to be persecuted.
2020-05-3114 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinThe Ascension Promise | Ascension ThursdaySermon based on Acts 1:9-11 by Pastor Jeff Hendrix. The Ascension isn't just an event, it's a promise.
2020-05-3116 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinA Dry Tongue on Maundy Thursday | Maundy ThursdayA sermon preached Maundy Thursday, April 9, 2020 by Rev. Jeff Hendrix at Faith Lutheran Church, Oregon, WI
What do we do when we have been "exiled" from the Lord's Supper, the thing that gives the church its life? Mourn for what we have lost, but rejoice that we have God's Word.
Sermon text: Ps. 137 + 1 co. 11 + Jn. 13
#COVID19 #Worship #WithMe
2020-04-1017 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, Wisconsin500th Anniversary of the Leipzig Debate + Reformation Hymn MeditationThe Leipzig Debate (1519) between Martin Luther and Johann Eck was the event that made the Biblical idea of Sola Scriptura spread like wildfire to the common people. In a different type of sermon today, Pastor Hendrix leads us through the history of the Reformation starting all the way back in the Old Testament with Hezekiah's Reformation, and explains the significance of the Leipzig Debate using some important hymns of the Lutheran Church.
Part of this sermon derived from Alex Ring, “Quincentennial of the Leipzig Debate,” Essay delivered at the 2019 ELS General Pastor’s Conference, Bloomington, MN, pg. 2, 3.
2019-10-2822 minFaith Lutheran Oregon, WisconsinEaster VigilEaster Vigil homily by St. John Chrysostom, peached by Pastor Jeff Hendrix, AD+2019
2019-04-2104 min