Trinity Lutheran Church (Norfolk, VA)

Sermon: "Let the River Flow" (John 7)

"Let the River Flow" Sermon for The Day of Pentecost Pastor Matt Doebler Sermon Text: John 7:37-39 (if anyone thirsts...) Key Thought When Jesus gives you His Spirit, He makes you a living conduit of His Word—so that His life, mercy, and joy may flow through you to others. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TLCnorfolk.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our mission is to make disciples and make them stronger through Word and Sacrament. (Mt. 28: 18-20)

One Body: Sanctification, Part 4

One Body: Sanctification, Part 4 Lesson 30 (final) in our series (series began September 7, 2025) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to view the lesson slides⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://canva.link/tvtunbkfmof8tdp] Lesson Summary In this final One Body lesson, we conclude the study of sanctification by looking at cross-bearing, good works, and the Christian’s hope of a blessed end. God makes His people holy through the Holy Spirit, and He also teaches us to follow Christ through suffering, self-denial, and faithful endurance. We also consider what makes a good work truly good in God’s sight. Good works flow from faith, are shaped by God’s Word, and are lived out in the vocations where God has placed us. They do not earn God’s favor, yet they belong to the life of those who have been made new in Christ. The lesson closes by lifting our eyes to the hope promised in baptism and the Gospel. Christians do not bear the cross as people without a future. We live, serve, suffer, and wait with confidence for the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Scriptures Referenced 1 Peter 4:1 — Christ suffered in flesh Matthew 16:24 — take up your cross Matthew 10:25 — disciple like his teacher Galatians 6:2 — bear one another’s burdens Luke 14:33 — renounce all you have Ephesians 2:8–10 — created for good works Hebrews 11:6 — faith pleases God Psalm 119:105 — Word lights the path Romans 8:1 — no condemnation in Christ Titus 2:13 — waiting for blessed hope

Sermon: "Not Orphans" (John 14)

"Not Orphans" Sermon for The Sixth Sunday of Easter Sermon Text: John 14:15-21 (I will not leave you as orphans) Key Thought Jesus comforts His disciples before the cross by promising that He will not leave them as orphans, but will come to them as the risen and living Lord. Through the Holy Spirit, He gives that same comfort to us by causing us to hear, love, and keep His living Word. The world treats Jesus as a dead man with dead words, but the Church confesses that Christ is risen and His Word still gives life. Because Jesus lives, we are not abandoned, and we will live with Him forever. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TLCnorfolk.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our mission is to make disciples and make them stronger through Word and Sacrament. (Mt. 28: 18-20)

One Body: Sanctification, Part 3

One Body: Sanctification, Part 3 Lesson 29 in our series (series began September 7, 2025) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to view the lesson slides⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://canva.link/tvtunbkfmof8tdp] Lesson Summary In this lesson, we continue studying sanctification by looking more closely at the Christian’s daily struggle with the old Adam. God has made us new in Christ and clothed us in His righteousness, while the sinful flesh still clings to us and seeks to regain mastery over us. This lesson helps us understand the phrase “simultaneously justified and sinner” in a careful way. Our true identity is found in Christ, in the righteousness He gives, and in the new creation He has made us to be. The old Adam remains dangerous and must be drowned, crucified, and denied rather than negotiated with or excused. We also reflect on why the struggle with sin is painful, why Christians should not be surprised by it, and why God’s Word, worship, prayer, and the Lord’s Supper are such necessary gifts. Christ and His Spirit continue to comfort, strengthen, forgive, and sustain us as we fight the good fight of faith. Scriptures Referenced Romans 3:23 — all have sinned John 8:36 — set free indeed John 8:44 — children of the devil Romans 7:18–25 — flesh, struggle, deliverance Romans 8:1 — no condemnation in Christ 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 — sanctification and holiness Romans 2:14–15 — law written on hearts Genesis 4:6–7 — sin crouching at door Genesis 3:15 — promised serpent-crusher John 14:15–17 — love, commandments, Helper Proverbs 1–4 — treasure wisdom’s instruction 1 Timothy 6:12 — fight the good fight Hebrews 12:1–2 — run with endurance Hebrews 12:11 — discipline bears righteousness 1 John 4:4 — greater is He within 1 John 2:1 — advocate with the Father

Sermon: "Prep Work" (John 14)

"Prep Work" Sermon for The Fifth Sunday of Easter Sermon Text: John 14:1-14 (I go to prepare a place for you) Key ThoughtIn this sermon, we are given three images to hold onto: a sacrifice prepared, a feast prepared, and a bride prepared. Each one reveals what Christ is doing for us as He speaks to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion. Jesus speaks to hearts that are troubled and uncertain. He directs them to the promise of the Father’s house and assures them that a place is being prepared for them. He goes to the cross as our Priest, offering Himself as the sacrifice that brings peace. He goes as our King, preparing a feast where His people are fed with His own gifts. He goes as our Bridegroom, giving His life to make us His own and to bring us home. This is the comfort He gives. Your place is prepared by His work. Your future rests in His promise. He calls you to trust Him and to rest in what He has done. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TLCnorfolk.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our mission is to make disciples and make them stronger through Word and Sacrament. (Mt. 28: 18-20) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TLCnorfolk.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our mission is to make disciples and make them stronger through Word and Sacrament. (Mt. 28: 18-20)