Parish Blog

frsuelzle Sermons

Dust, Death, and Deliverance

A sermon for Ash Wednesday, by Father Dan Suelzle.

The imposition of ashes is a startlingly honest act, a physical confession that strips away our modern delusions of self-sufficiency and immortality. By tracing a cross of dust upon our foreheads, we acknowledge the grim reality that sin and death are inextricably linked—a problem of our own making that we are utterly powerless to fix. Yet, this ashen cross does not leave us in despair; it mirrors the sign made at our Baptism, reminding us that while our bodies return to dust, we belong to the One who conquered the grave. As we enter the penitential season of Lent, we utilize disciplines like fasting and prayer not to earn righteousness, but to sharpen our awareness of our need for a Savior. We turn back to God with broken hearts, finding that His justice and mercy meet perfectly in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who bore our sin so that we might share in His life.

allsaintsjonesboro Sermons

Lord, Have Mercy

A sermon for Quinquagesima, by Father Jerome Leckband.

Jesus’ disciples followed Him, witnessed His miracles, and heard His powerful teaching. Yet when He spoke of His suffering and death, they could not understand. Though they had physical sight, they were spiritually blind. Meanwhile, a blind beggar by the roadside saw clearly who Jesus truly was and cried out in faith, “Son of David, have mercy on me.”

Like the disciples, we are often tempted to want a Savior who fits our expectations—one who makes life easier, solves our problems, and confirms our own goodness. We measure God’s love by our circumstances and quietly doubt His goodness when suffering comes. But God’s greatest act of love is found not in comfort, but in the cross.

The Father delivered His Son to death for the salvation of sinners. What appeared to be weakness and defeat was God’s saving work for the world. In Christ crucified, God reveals a love that does not fail and a mercy that is sufficient for every sin.

The blind man’s prayer becomes our own: “Lord, have mercy.” It is the confession of faith that admits our need and trusts in Christ alone. By His Word and Spirit, God opens blind eyes, calls us to repentance, and fixes our hearts on Jesus, who was given for our sins and raised for our life.

allsaintsjonesboro Sermons

God Acts Through His Word

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.