Julie Sermons

We are beggars.

A sermon for the Ninth Sunday after Trinity, by Fr. Joshua Leigeber.

parable of the unjust steward

Everything we have is a gift. Our lives, our possessions, our families, our abilities—even our next breath—belong to God, who has entrusted them to us as faithful stewards. In a world that constantly tells us to put ourselves first and find our identity in what we own or accomplish, Christ reminds us that true riches are not found in earthly wealth but in Him alone.

This sermon explores Jesus’ challenging parable of the dishonest steward (Luke 16:1–9), showing that Christian stewardship is about far more than money. Having received the immeasurable riches of God’s mercy in Christ, we are freed to use all that He has entrusted to us—our time, talents, resources, and words—in service to our neighbor and for the spread of the Gospel. Because our greatest debt has already been paid by Christ’s death and resurrection, we are no longer driven by fear or greed, but by thanksgiving and love.

Listen to the full sermon below.

allsaintsjonesboro Sermons

Jesus cares about doctrine. So should you.

A sermon for the Eighth Sunday after Trinity, by Fr. Dan Suelzle.

Jesus’ warning to “enter by the narrow gate” and “beware of false prophets” is fundamentally an act of divine love meant to protect believers from spiritual destruction. False teachers never present themselves as obvious threats; like wolves in sheep’s clothing, they offer smooth flattery and mirror Satan’s ancient tactic by subtly asking, “Did God really say?” This question intentionally shifts focus away from objective Scripture and toward subjective human doubt and preference. The Christian faith is not an a la carte menu to be customized according to personal taste. Rather, it is the undivided truth delivered by Christ—a truth that demands vigilance, humility, and an unyielding commitment to reject deceptive falsehoods in favor of God’s Word.

To discern true teaching from subtle deception, believers must evaluate a teacher’s “fruit”—their doctrine—against the sole standard of Holy Scripture, rather than popularity, eloquence, or emotional appeal. Faithful, Christ-centered proclamation does not shy away from exposing human sin through the mirror of God’s Law, nor does it attach strings to the unconditional grace promised in the Gospel. Caring deeply about pure doctrine is far from an exercise in intellectual pride or winning theological debates; it is simply to rejoice in the treasures of heaven: forgiveness, true wisdom for our lives, and eternal salvation. By remaining anchored in the Scriptures, we are guarded against the subtle lies of the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh, and we rest securely in the saving promises of Christ.

Listen to the full sermon below.

frsuelzle Sermons

Baptized Slaves

A sermon for the Seventh Sunday after Trinity, by Fr. Dan Suelzle.

Modern culture defines freedom as the unchecked pursuit of individual happiness—doing whatever feels good so long as it doesn’t break any laws or hurt others. Yet, this self-centered definition inevitably collapses into a hedonistic paradox: chasing endless selfish desires only leads to anxiety, emptiness, and a deeper form of bondage. As Christians, we recognize that we are never entirely autonomous; we are always serving a master. The critical question is: which one? Sin, which pays out only in death? Or Christ, whose apparent “slavery” is actually the only path to true, lasting liberty.

True freedom is not a self-help program or a checklist for behavioral modification, but a reality anchored entirely in the work of Jesus. Through Holy Baptism, our old, sinful nature is drowned, and Christ claims us as His own, shifting our ultimate allegiance. When we inevitably struggle with the flesh and fall short, our hope does not rely on our own willpower or renewed commitments, but on returning to the objective promises of our baptism, the forgiveness of the Holy Eucharist, and the truth of His Word. To be a slave to Christ is to be truly free, resting in a good and holy order that protects us from hurtful things and equips us for eternal life.

Listen to the full sermon below.