Sunday Sermon

Weekly Inspiration for Preachers from Pastor Phil Brandt

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First Sunday in Lent – Series C 

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The first Sunday of Lent is always given over to the triumph of Christ in the temptation. But only Luke notes the diabolical offer of authority over the kingdoms of the earth which we see here. Mark is very brief, merely telling us that Jesus was tempted. Matthew has the Devil offer him the splendor of the kingdoms, but Luke has an offer of their authority. He was offering Jesus to be the emperor of the world, to have the power, to seize control from the Roman emperor Tiberias who ruled in that day and to expand the imperium to include the whole world. Think of the health care reform Jesus would have enacted, or the anti-poverty programs, etc. Jesus would have been the best emperor ever. But it would not have saved the world. Such authority, as necessary as it is for the curbing of sinners, the maintenance of a civil society, etc., cannot save the world. Jesus has a wholly other authority.

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I value Sunday Sermon notes for their ease of use, the contribution of many others to the discussion and for the sermon starters, especially when you have writer's block!
Pastor Glen Emery
Pastor Glen EmeryGrace Lutheran Church | Fairbury, NE
My sermon preparations are much easier made and more enriched. There is always good stuff in the introductions and background information. What a blessing!
Rev. Dr. Nicholas Salifu
Rev. Dr. Nicholas SalifuGhana, West Africa
Sunday Sermon notes are extremely helpful for many, not just proclaimers. I've shared them weekly with Elders of the small church I'm privileged to serve and suggest they be used as devotional thoughts during the week. They are appreciative.
Rev. Lloyd Willweber
Rev. Lloyd WillweberKailua, HI
Not only is Dr. Brandt’s sermon studies a great help in preparing sermons, they also are great for use in bible studies and personal devotions. Thank you, Dr. Brandt for all your good work! 
Pastor Toby Joeckel
Pastor Toby JoeckelIntentional Interim Pastor Pilgrim Lutheran | Spokane, WA
I often use Phil’s Sunday Sermon notes to get ideas. His insights are thought-provoking and I appreciate that he often poses questions rather than supplying (or attempting to supply) answers. I’ve used them for a number of years and have been blessed because of them. Thanks brother Phil!
Pastor Skip Nizinski
Pastor Skip NizinskiGood Shepherd | York, PA
Sunday Sermon has been an incredible resource for me in my first four years of pastoral ministry. Pastor Brandt’s work with all of the weekly lectionary texts offer wonderful Law/Gospel insights which have been integral to my weekly sermon prep, reducing the amount of overwhelm I felt as I learned to develop a rhythm of preaching each Sunday. Pastor Brandt’s reflections were helpful not only in sermon prep but also in my own devotional life as well.
Nick Shults, Chaplain
Nick Shults, ChaplainCrowley County Correctional Facility | Pueblo, CO
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