A sermon for Sexagesima Sunday, by Father Josh Leigeber.

In this sermon for Sexagesima, we are reminded that God works for our life and salvation through His Word. Drawing on Isaiah’s promise that God’s Word never returns empty and on the Epistle to the Hebrews, the sermon emphasizes that the Word of God is living, active, and powerful. Through it, God preserves His people, creates and sustains faith, and defends us against every adversity.

The sermon highlights that God does not work through our feelings, efforts, or religious sincerity. Rather, He works in us by His Word. Faith, prayer, repentance, and perseverance all flow from hearing and receiving what God has spoken. For this reason, Christians treasure the preaching and teaching of Scripture, gladly gathering to hear it and learning to hold it sacred, as the Third Commandment teaches.

Reflecting on Jesus’ Parable of the Sower, the sermon points to God’s generosity in scattering His Word freely and abundantly. He is never stingy with His gifts, but continually sends His Word to defend, strengthen, and sustain His people. Those who abide in that Word—hearing it, keeping it, and bearing fruit with patience—are those whom Christ preserves in the true faith.

Above all, the sermon centers on Christ, who has already overcome sin, death, and the devil through His cross and resurrection. We remain in that victory only by abiding in His Word. Therefore, Christians do not trust in themselves, but joyfully return again and again to God’s house to receive His saving promises.

As the congregation prays, “Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word,” we confess that our life, strength, and security rest not in what we do, but in what God continually gives through His living and life-giving Word.

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