First Lutheran Church (El Cajon)

Why Christianity Is Not a Rulebook (Jesus Fulfilled the Law)

What does it actually mean when Jesus says, “I have not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them”? In this sermon, we hear Jesus speaking in the Sermon on the Mount as He calls His Church to be salt of the earth and light of the world—not by following a religious checklist, but by living in the freedom He has won for us. Christ fulfilled the Law completely: the sacrifices, the ceremonies, the civil laws of Israel, and even the moral demands we could never meet. As St. Paul reminds us, the Law reveals our sin—but it cannot save us. Only Jesus can, and He has done it fully through His life, death, and resurrection. So what does that mean for Christians today? Why we are no longer under the Law as a checklist Why righteousness is not about making God happy How freedom in Christ brings real responsibility How Christians make faithful decisions without fear of condemnation Because Jesus fulfilled the Law, we are free—not to sin without consequence, but to live boldly, repent honestly, and trust fully in God’s grace when we fail. This is the freedom of the Christian life: not terror, not box-checking, but confidence in Christ, who is our righteousness. Scripture references include: Matthew 5:13–20 Romans 3:19–20 Galatians 3:23–25

You Don’t Have to Be John the Baptist to Share Jesus

Most Christians think evangelism requires deep theological training, perfect answers, and fearless confidence. It doesn’t. In John 1, we see two very different moments of witness. John the Baptist delivers a theologically rich, Spirit-revealed proclamation: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Andrew, on the other hand, does something far simpler. He finds his brother and says, “We have found the Messiah,” and then brings him to Jesus. This sermon shows why faith doesn’t come from your skill, knowledge, or technique—but from encountering Christ Himself. Salvation is God’s work. The Holy Spirit works through the Word. Your role is not to argue people into the kingdom, but to invite them to come and see. You don’t need to be John the Baptist. You can be Andrew. 📖 Text: John 1:29–42 ✝️ Theme: Evangelism, faith, and the work of the Holy Spirit ⛪ Focus: Why inviting people to church still matters

If baptism is about repentance, then Jesus had no business being baptized—so why did He insist on it?”

Why was Jesus baptized if He had no sin? And what does His baptism tell us about our own? In Matthew’s Gospel, the conversation between Jesus and John the Baptist reveals something essential: baptism is not our work for God—it is God’s work for us. Jesus steps into the waters not because He needs repentance, but because He takes our place, fulfilling all righteousness on our behalf. In this sermon, we explore: Why Matthew includes the exchange between Jesus and John The difference between baptism as God’s action vs. baptism as human testimony How Jesus repents for us because we cannot Why baptism unites us to Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6) How Scripture speaks clearly about baptism saving, uniting, and clothing us with Christ Why infant baptism is not an exception, but the clearest picture of grace Baptism is not a symbol you perform. It is a promise God delivers.

There Is Only One King: Why Jesus Threatens Every Earthly Power

What happens when earthly power meets the true King? In Matthew 2, King Herod panics when wise men ask a simple but dangerous question: “Where is He who is born King of the Jews?” That question exposes a conflict that has never gone away—the clash between earthly authority and Christ’s eternal kingdom. In this sermon, Pastor James Huenink explores why Jesus was never a real threat to Herod politically—and why every authority still feels threatened by Him anyway. From Herod’s violence to modern attempts to co-opt Christianity for political, social, or cultural goals, the temptation is always the same: take Jesus off His throne and make Him useful. But Christ is not a mascot, a moral tool, or a political ally. He is the King who reigns through the cross, the resurrection, and the promise of eternal life. Only one King remains. Scripture Focus: Matthew 2 Theme: Christ vs. earthly authority Location: First Lutheran Church Hashtags #JesusIsKing #Epiphany #WiseMen #KingHerod #ChristianSermon #ChristNotPolitics #KingdomOfGod #Lutheran #Matthew2 #FaithAndPower #ChristAlone

The Value of God-Given Wisdom

When God invited Solomon to ask for anything, Solomon didn’t ask for power, success, or security. He asked for wisdom. But this sermon shows that the story isn’t about making smart requests or chasing spiritual upgrades. It’s about how God forms His servants through humility, repentance, and trust in His promises. True wisdom is not confidence, control, or clever strategy. It begins with a listening heart shaped by God’s Word. Solomon’s request exposes our own self-reliance, points us to the limits of human authority, and ultimately leads us to Christ—the true wisdom of God—who rules not by force, but by the cross. This sermon traces wisdom from Solomon’s dream at Gibeon to its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, showing that wisdom is not earned or achieved, but given by grace through Word, promise, and sacrament.