2026
Patience in Tribulation
Rev. Kenneth Redmann Aug 30 16PentAE
Life has a way of testing our patience. When trials continue, prayers seem unanswered, and suffering becomes difficult to bear, we can find ourselves tempted to give up—or take matters into our own hands. But what does God call us to do when we are in the middle of tribulation?
In this week’s message, Rev. Kenneth Redmann reminds us of Paul’s words in Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Whether you are searching for a Luthearn Church in Tampa or simply looking for encouragement from God’s Word, this message reminds us that we are never alone in our trials. God strengthens us through His promises, calls us to remain constant in prayer, and gives us hope through Jesus Christ.
May the meditations of our hearts and the words of my lips be acceptable to You, O, Lord. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Patience Is Hard to Develop and Easy to Lose
Dear friends in Christ, most of you know that I TRY to do a little golfing. When someone asks me “Oh, are you a golfer?” I am very careful not to claim that I am really a golfer—I always admit that I TRY to golf. The fact is that I can identify with the guy on the golf range. Maybe you heard about him. He just sliced another one and can’t take it anymore. “That’s it! I’m done!” And with that he quits and walks away. OR, he “takes control” with renewed determination, he intentionally abandons everything he was taught about grip, or stance, or swing tempo and whacks away as hard as he can.
Dear friends in Christ, when we lose patience, we, too, are on the verge of giving up. OR we are on the edge of renewed stubborn determination that we can do it MY WAY! It puts me in mind of our middle daughter. She is her father’s daughter! When she was little, she was SO determined. She would say, “I can do it! I can do it!”
It is no secret. Patience is hard to develop and patience is easy to lose.
Patience in Tribulation Is a Gift from God
That is why Paul’s words are a blessing for us today. Did you catch it? Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Rm 12.12). Paul reveals that patience is a gift from God. It isn’t something we have from birth. It does NOT come naturally to us. In Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome, the Holy Spirit reveals the bounty of God’s mercies. Formerly, we were enemies of God, but now, because of Jesus Christ, we are the people of God. God’s mercy not only forgives our sins, but it also transforms our lives. God’s mercy renews our PATIENCE IN TRIBULATION.
Paul knows that when tribulation visits, it is very easy to lose patience. Paul is speaking of the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh fighting against us, seeking to take away the comfort of our salvation. Being a Christian is difficult. Confessing God’s Word to a world that doesn’t want to hear it is hard. Showing love to one’s enemies, holding fast to what is good, practicing mercy, fighting for justice, living in peace with others—these are hard and, at times, we find ourselves saying, “I’m losing my patience.”
Dear Christian, we are tempted to give up and walk away OR to stubbornly do as we please. If you have ever found yourself falling into either of those errors, (like I have) listen to Paul, Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Rm 12.12).
GOD STRENGTHENS US IN TRIBULATION, OFFERING US PRAYER AND HOPE.
Patience in tribulation does not walk away but remains constant in prayer. One challenge to patience is the temptation to give up. We are tempted to surrender to life’s battle, to believe that nothing is worth this suffering, to feel that no one cares anyway and, therefore, we think, “Let’s just give it up!”
When Suffering Tempts Us to Give Up
The prophet Jeremiah, in our Old Testament lesson was at this point in his Christian life. Because of God’s Word, Jeremiah is a laughingstock. Jeremiah prophesies destruction, but nothing seems to happen. His loneliness leads to complaint and accusation against God! Jeremiah even questions God’s promises. Hear the Word of the Lord: “Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will You be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail?” Ouch! The prophet is bringing charge against the Lord!
Jeremiah Did Not Walk Away
Yet, at the pinnacle of his tribulation, Jeremiah does not walk away. Instead, he comes before God in prayer. He cries out to God for His mercy. God responds to Jeremiah’s suffering prayer with a promise of steadfast mercy. God will not be like a mirage—promising refreshing water only to be dry and empty.
Beloved in Lord, how often do we turn away from God in the midst of our suffering or trial or temptation? When is the last time you did so? Maybe you are in the midst of that “away from God” right now. We turn away from God when we cave into temptation. We turn away from God when we storm away from our spouse; when we diminish and demean the one we promised to love until death parts us. We turn away from God in the Church when we place our “pet project” above and ahead of God’s Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.
God Meets Us in the Midst of Our Suffering
God, in Christ, has come and endured our trials, suffering for our sin and opening the way of salvation to us. God’s great Good News to us is that because of Christ; because of His bloody Cross and glorious resurrection; He is in relationship with us. Imagine that! God, in Christ, invites our prayers, listens to our cries, and understands our anger when we are in the midst of suffering. God, in Christ, even gives us His Spirit to intercede for us.
In the darkest moments of our tribulation, therefore, we do not walk away but trust in God’s mercy and call out to God in prayer. We find PATIENCE IN TRIBULATION by being constant in prayer.
When We Try to Take Control
Secondly, PATIENCE IN TRIBULATION relinquishes the “I can do it!” self-sufficient, self-reliant attitude. With “I can do it!” attitude, we want to impose our will on the situation. We rely on our effort to bring an end to the suffering. Yet, earlier in his letter to the Romans, Paul reveals that tribulation in God’s hands is part of our Christian growth.
I was mentioning to someone recently that this business of Christian living is a “PROCESS.” Holy Scripture teaches us that through the endurance of suffering, we are formed in hope; our eyes are turned from this world to the future glory made certain for us in Christ.
Beloved in the Lord, this is precisely the situation that Peter and the apostles encountered as reported in our Gospel lesson. Peter and the others do not have in mind the things of God. Jesus had just invited them into the “inner circle” of how salvation must be accomplished. “I must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (Matthew 16.21).
And Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked Him! Never! Now just let that one settle in a little. [PAUSE] Peter rebukes the Lord, Jesus. How did that work out for him? “Get behind me, Satan!” (Mt 16:23a). Talk about—Ouch!
Jesus painstakingly teaches them—and us!
- Deny oneself, take up your cross, follow Me
- Lose your life for My name’s sake in order to save your life
- Gain the world? Forfeit your soul?
- The Last Day is more important than TO-day
Thus, THIS is how we think when we fix our mind on the things of God. Rather than be in control of one’s life; one lives in hope, losing one’s life and trusting in the ways of God. We have a cliché’ for this don’t we. “Let go and let God.” Now, even that truism can go too far. This morning in our Bible Class we will talk about the necessity of “not going too far.”
Our temptation, like Peter, is to deny the cross; that is, to denounce the “suffering” process and take control of our lives. This is when we need to call upon God’s certain and secure love. This is when God grants His unfailing and faithful promise. God is not a deceitful brook. God is not like waters that fail. God’s Last Day is greater than TO-day. God grants hope that does not disappoint. Even in tribulation, we know that we are kept by grace in the ways of God, therefore, we do not take control. We exercise PATIENCE IN TRIBULATION by rejoicing in hope and constant prayer.
PATIENCE IN TRIBULATION is like walking a tightrope and not falling on either side. In the midst of suffering, we do not walk away and we do not take control of the situation, relying on ourselves. Instead, we trust in God’s mercy shown to us in Jesus. He is our lifeline in the midst of tribulation. We stand firm in Him, speaking to God in prayer and rejoicing in the hope that He works all things together for our good—for all who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Cf Romans 8:28).
God grant it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
20 And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you,
for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the Lord. [1]
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Je 15:20). (2025). Crossway Bibles.
Zion Lutheran Church — A Christian Family Who Cares for You!
When patience is running thin, we have a choice. We can walk away, or we can try to take control and depend upon ourselves. But God gives us another way: to remain constant in prayer, rejoice in hope, and trust His faithful promises. Through Jesus Christ, we have a Savior who understands our suffering and remains with us through every tribulation.
If you are looking for a Bible Believing Church in Tampa, we invite you to join us at Zion Lutheran Church. Come worship with us, study God’s Word, and grow together as a Christian family.
Sunday Divine Service — 8:00 AM
Bible Study — 9:15 AM Sunday
Bible Study — 7:00 PM Monday
We would love to have you with us! You can also download the worship folder and follow along with the service.
Zion Lutheran Church — A Christian Family Who Cares for You!
2026
Built on “The Christ”
Rev. Kenneth Redmann
Aug 23 — 13PentAG
What does it mean to build our faith on Jesus Christ?
In Matthew 16, Jesus asks His disciples a question that reaches far beyond the moment: “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answers with the foundational confession of the Christian faith: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
In this week’s message, Rev. Kenneth Redmann reminds us that the Church is not built upon a person, an institution, or human wisdom. It is built upon Jesus Christ and the saving Word of God.
As a conservative church in Tampa, Zion Lutheran Church holds firmly to the truth of Scripture and the confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. And as a family-friendly church in Tampa, we welcome you to grow with us in faith as we hear the Word, receive His gifts, and encourage one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
May the meditations of our hearts and the words of my lips be acceptable to You, O, Lord. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Beloved in the Lord, believe it or not, by this time in our readings according to St. Matthew, the disciples have been with Jesus for over TWO years. From the very start of His ministry, it has been the Lord’s desire that these disciples, these hand-selected twelve, would come to know who Jesus is and understand fully His divine mission.
It was a challenge. It was then and it is today—a journey. There were times when the disciples seemed to “get” who Jesus was.
- Early on, Nathanael declared Jesus the Son of God, simply on the basis of Jesus telling him that He had seen him “sitting under the fig tree” from a long way off (Jn 1:49).
- After Jesus’ first miracle, turning water into wine at the wedding, the Bible records that His “disciples believed in Him” (Jn 2:11).
- And seeing other miracles, such as the calming of the sea and Jesus walking on water, the disciples worshiped Him saying, “Truly you are the Son of God” (Mt 14:33).
But today’s account is significant. Today, for the first time, a human being declared Jesus to be The Christ. It came when Jesus asked the personal question: “But who do you say that I am?” (Mt 16:15). We heard the bold confession. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:16).
What was true for Peter and the disciples is also true for you and for me and for all believers of every age!
The True and Foundational Confession of the Church Is That Jesus Is the Christ.
Jesus and the disciples have traveled to the very limits of what had been the land of Canaan. Jesus came alone with His disciples. Here He would reveal to them that He was the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One of God.
The region was populated by Gentiles. Idol worship dominated. Nearby, the town of Paneas was dedicated to the worship of idols, particularly to the Greek god Pan. The land was a rocky place with caves. Along with the worship of dead idols—this place was spiritually foreboding.
Jesus was concluding His Galilean ministry. The people who heard Him speak and saw His miracles had wondered and marveled.
Undoubtedly, the disciples knew what was being said about their teacher, Jesus. So, Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Mt 16.13). Jesus uses His own name for himself, Son of Man, because He intends to tell them about His passion—about His pending suffering and death.
The answers the disciples reported were not necessarily bad or insulting. For example, Herod had not seen Jesus, YET, he thought Jesus was John the Baptist raised back from the dead. Elijah and Jeremiah are not bad answers. The people thought of Jesus as in the line of the prophets of the Old Testament. Also, just FYI, there are hints of the passion in these who are named: Elijah and Jeremiah certainly had suffered. John the Baptist was beheaded.
The question was, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Mt 16.13).
Today, many people think of Jesus as
- some important religious figure
- or as a kind of guru or teacher
- or as an example.
But that’s not enough! He is The Christ. At his birth, the angels told the shepherds, “For unto you is born this day . . . Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:11). Jesus must be acknowledged and confessed to be the Son of God. Jesus is the Son of God. The disciples needed to know. The mission could not move forward unless they confessed Jesus as The Christ. We need to know it and confess it if we are to be saved.
Jesus asks His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” (Mt 16.15). All along He was leading up to this question. Jesus wants to know what they think.
Peter boldly replies, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16.16). Theologians generally agree that Peter here speaks for all the disciples.
Now, we know Peter’s reputation as being somewhat impulsive—maybe a little reckless. It was Peter who told Jesus “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” (Mt 14:28). During Jesus’ passion, Peter refuses to have Jesus wash his feet, but then tells Jesus to wash all of him. Later, Peter says he will never deny Jesus. Sadly, we know how that turns out. At the high priest’s palace, Peter vehemently denies three times that he ever knew Jesus.
Beloved in the Lord, there is a bit of Peter in all of us. Thankfully, our Savior is patient with us and invites us to repent and say we love Him.
The Bible tells us that no one is able to say, “Jesus is Lord”, except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3). Jesus tells Peter that his confession, comes by revelation of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 16.17).
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we have the revelation of Scripture. The prophets and apostles speak to us through the Bible. These Words of Jesus, of course, are in perfect keeping with the Words Peter later will write. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Peter teaches us, “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet 1:21).
Martin Luther, in the explanation of the Third Article, begins by saying, “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel.”
There are many Christians who find this hard to accept because, by nature,
- we want to do something for,
- have a part in,
- or take some of the credit for our salvation.
But we can’t! The Holy Spirit MUST and DOES: do it all for those who believe. The Bible says that “faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ” (Rom 10.17). Therefore, by the preached Word and the Word that permeates in Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, we have forgiveness and faith in Jesus. By His power, we are able to confess that Jesus is the Son of the living God.
This confession, that Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man, is The Christ, is the foundation upon which the true Church is built. St. Paul tells us that the Church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Eph 2:20). It is in the Word of Christ that we are rooted and established (Cf. Col 2:6–7).
Jesus responds to Peter’s confession by calling him by his name and reminding him that his name means “rock.” Peter, as we have noted, speaks for himself and the apostles. The confession he makes is rock solid. The Church is not founded on any person EXCEPT Jesus Christ. By this confession that Jesus is the Christ, and by the witness and testimony of the apostles, Jesus builds His Church—His Bride.
Jesus also promises that He will later give the keys to heaven to the Church. And He did! When Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection, Jesus, “said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld’ ” (Jn 20:21–23). These keys we have received; they are the preaching of the Gospel and the proclamation of forgiveness to all who repent. They open up heaven to repentant sinners, and they bind the unrepentant.
Dear Christians, I need to say, that Hell, too, is locked, but in another way. The grave threatens with death and would hold all who enter it. But its gates cannot hold those who are Christ’s. Hear the Word of the Lord, “All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death[.] We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:3–4).
By Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection three days later, Christ has freed us from death and the grave. The saying is true, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Cor 15:55).
And finally, this: Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, make no mistake! The devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh threaten us constantly. They would have us give up and despair. But I say to you, do not despair!
In our prayers this morning we will pray for you—by name. We will pray for our dear church—Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. We pray that our gracious God, who knows our every need, will come quickly to grant us precisely what He knows we need to benefit His Kingdom on earth and in heaven.
That is why the Son of Man has come into the world. Only the God-man, Jesus, The Christ, is the true Savior of the world.
Just as Jesus gathered His first disciples and showed them the way, He also calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies us by His Spirit. He washes, feeds, helps us through life. Flesh and blood have not revealed this to us, but by the ministry of the Gospel we are His and live under Him in His kingdom. God grant it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8.35, 37).
You Are Invited to Worship With Us
The question Jesus asked His disciples is still the most important question we can answer: “But who do you say that I am?”
He is The Christ.
He is the Son of the living God. He is our Savior. And our hope is not found in ourselves, but in Him.
If you are looking for a conservative church in Tampa where the Word of God is faithfully taught and Christ remains at the center, we invite you to join us at Zion Lutheran Church. Whether you are searching for a church home, returning to worship, or simply want to hear God’s Word, you are welcome here.
We invite you to worship with us this Sunday:
Sunday Divine Service at 8:00 am
Bible Study at 9:15 am
Bible Study at 7:00 PM Mondays
Before joining us next Sunday, be sure to download the worship folder so you can follow along with the service and prepare your heart for worship.
We look forward to gathering together as God’s people, hearing His Word, receiving His gifts, and encouraging one another in the faith.
Zion Lutheran Church — A Christian Family Who Cares for You!
2026
Confidence in God
Aug 16 12PentAG: Rev. Kenneth Redmann
When Faith Refuses to Give Up
As Christians, there are times when we pray and it seems as though God is silent. We may plead for healing, comfort, restoration, or help for someone we love, yet the answer does not come when we expect it. What do we do then? In this sermon, Rev. Kenneth Redmann examines the remarkable faith of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15 and her unwavering confidence in Jesus as the Holy One of God. Her persistence reminds us that our confidence does not rest in our circumstances or in how quickly God answers, but in who Jesus is and in His steadfast mercy.
If you are looking for a Conservative Church in Tampa where God’s Word is faithfully proclaimed and Christ’s saving work remains at the center of worship, we invite you to consider joining us at Zion Lutheran Church. As an LCMS church near Downtown Tampa, we welcome you to hear the Gospel, receive God’s gifts, and grow in confidence in Jesus Christ.
The Sermon
May the meditations of our hearts and the words of my lips be acceptable to You, O, Lord. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon” (Matthew 15: 25).
Beloved in the Lord, what an urgent appeal to our Lord and what a strange reply our Lord gives! This mother of a severely oppressed girl; this child of God who is calling upon Jesus to show her compassion is totally neglected. Scripture records that Jesus “did not answer her a word”. But the Canaanite woman is persistent. She kept pestering the Lord so much so that the disciples could not bear it any longer. They came to Jesus and begged Jesus to send her away.
It seems to be a common solution for the disciples. If you cannot solve the problem, send the source of the problem away and maybe the problem will just go away. That was the proposal for how to care for the crowd of 5,000. Remember? The disciples said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away . . .” (Matthew 14: 15).
Dear friends in Christ, it is a universal truth that the problem will NOT go away simply by ignoring it.
This bothersome Canaanite woman knew that truth. For the disciples, because this woman was a foreigner, she did not deserve an audience with the Lord. She did not merit special consideration no matter what the circumstances of her poor daughter.
The rejection of a Canaanite woman stems all the way back to Abraham. Abraham, the father of all believers, would see to it that his son, Isaac, would NOT marry a Canaanite woman. Canaanites did not worship the one and only God of creation. Canaanites worshiped false gods; gods made of wood or silver or gold; gods crafted by the hand of man. Plus, a Canaanite woman would lure a righteous man into false worship.
The Bible calls their acts of worship, “abominable practices that they have done for their gods” (Deuteronomy 20: 18). The men and women of Israel were not to have anything to do with these foreigners.
The Chosen People of Israel knew this AND the Canaanite people knew it as well.
Ironically, this God-imposed distinction helps explain the unflappable resolve of the Canaanite woman. First Jesus refused to acknowledge her. Then Jesus reminded her that He was sent to the lost sheep of Israel. This woman was not deterred! She remained singularly focused on behalf of her beloved daughter.
The Canaanite mother knew that ONLY the Son of God could remove this demon and restore her daughter to health. Instead of taking offense at Jesus’ obvious rebuff; it seems the despised foreigner grew all the more confident in her insistence the Jesus MUST perform His primary mission of compassion. It is as if the faithful foreigner is saying, “I know that you are the Son of God. You must do the work of God. You must demonstrate Your steadfast love to all peoples.”
She Knew Who Jesus Was
Did you notice that the woman has already addressed Jesus as the Son of David? The woman knows that this Jesus is the Promised One of old. The woman knew that Jesus was the incarnate God who fulfils the Word of God spoken through the prophets of old.
The Old Testament reading this morning; the Word of the Lord through His prophet Isaiah includes BOTH the Jew and the foreigners: “…for my house shall be called a house of prayer for ALL PEOPLES” (Isaiah 56: 6-7). God includes all believers: the Canaanite woman—and you and me!
The woman was acting upon her CONFIDENCE IN GOD!
- The woman was demanding what the demons also testify, “I know who you are—the Holy One of God” (Mark 1: 24).
- The woman was demanding what God the Father has declared at Jesus’ Baptism, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3: 17).
- The woman was demanding what everyone in the whole region already knew.
Hear the Word of the Lord, “And at once his [Jesus’] fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee” (Mark 1: 28).
“Lord, Help Me”
Do you get it? Because the woman recognized Jesus to be the Holy One of God, she came and knelt before Him, pleading, “Lord, help me” (Matthew 15: 25b). The King James Version of the Bible puts it this way, “she came and worshiped him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’”
The Lord tried to ignore her. The disciples tried to send her away. The Lord, in this way—if you can bear it—was testing her saying He had been sent to the chosen people. The woman was not deterred. She came to the Lord and in the fullest sense of the Word, she worshiped Him.
STILL, the Lord said it was not right to take from the children and give to the dogs. Even with such a heart-piercing insult the woman remained steadfast in her faith. “Even dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table” she said (Matt 15.27). Oh, my!
What Is Your Affliction?
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this morning, I am not aware that any of you have a son or a daughter stricken with a demon. YET, this morning you and I are this woman. Her affliction was her daughter’s demon.
What is your affliction this morning? Is it worry that keeps you awake? Is it your sickness that lingers and threatens to debilitate you? Is it a deep sorrow over the loss of a loved one? Is it life’s transitory trials and tribulations? Maybe it is a fractured relationship or a pending surgery or an unrepentant sin.
We Are the Canaanite Woman
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is true. You and I are this woman. Her dogged determination derives from her deep and abiding faith in the God of David. She knew and believed God’s holy Word and trusted that Jesus was the Messiah, the Holy One of God. So, you, too, have received this same free gift of faith from God. In our Baptism, you and I, can draw upon this deep and abiding faith.
The Canaanite woman was determined to employ her faith to save her beloved daughter. This woman knew full well that she was a foreigner and deserved nothing. She was no better than the dogs. She came to the Lord, Jesus, in confession and truth saying basically: “I am a foreigner. I am a despised Canaanite. I am a woman who dares speak to the Holy One of God. My daughter is oppressed by a demon and I approach the ONLY One who can help. I believe in You. I trust in You unto salvation. I entrust my daughter’s body and soul to You. Have mercy on me, O, Lord.”
And Jesus said, “O, woman, great is your faith. Let it be done for you as you desire” (Mt. 15.28).
Jesus’ Faithfulness Persists Today
Beloved in the Lord, Jesus’ faithfulness persists today. Like the Canaanite woman, we trust in Jesus’ Word and in His deeds.
- Jesus fulfilled the demands of His coming.
- Jesus did have compassion upon His poor creatures.
- Jesus did leave His heavenly throne and be born of a woman.
- Jesus did miracles to attest to His authority given by God the Father.
- Jesus was handed over to the authorities just as He predicted would happen.
- Jesus was crucified, died and was buried.
Beloved in the Lord, you know the Easter morning message! “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. . .” (Luke 24: 5-6).
Fellow servants in Christ, in word and in hymn and in remembrance we confess that we are the Canaanite woman. “I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You…” Thank you, Linda and Kevin and Kelly, for your anthem!
Bless us, O God, and smile on us,
so that the world sees who You are,
so that the world knows how You save.
Bless us, O God, and smile on us.
In just a few moments we shall receive into our mouth the very Body and Blood of our Savior for the strengthening of our soul and for the courage to face the living of these days.
The Only True Security
Finally, this. Holy Scripture is clear that the ONLY thing of importance in this life; the Only thing of security in this life; the Only thing of comfort; the Only thing that strengthens and restores and renews us in this life; is the knowledge of salvation unto eternal life.
Because the Canaanite woman was certain that the Holy One of God wants everyone to be saved, her prayer was faithful; her prayer was demanding; her prayer was persistent; her prayer was confident; and finally, her prayer was answered.
O, Lord, grant that we might be the Canaanite woman—sinful, repentant, forgiven, and empowered! God grant it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, (or imagine) according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen (Eph 3:20-21 KJV).
A Confidence That Clings to Christ
The Canaanite woman came to Jesus with nothing to offer except her desperate need and her confidence in the One who could save. She would not turn away. She trusted His Word, trusted His mercy, and trusted that Jesus truly was the Holy One of God. Her faith points us to the same confidence we are given in Christ: He has come for us, He has died for us, He has risen for us, and He continues to strengthen His people through His Word and Sacraments.
Remember!
Whatever burden you are carrying today, bring it to Jesus. Like the Canaanite woman, we come as sinful, repentant people who need the mercy of our Savior—and we come trusting His promise.
If you are searching for a Conservative Church in Tampa or an LCMS church near Downtown Tampa, we warmly invite you to worship with us at Zion Lutheran Church and hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Join Us for Worship
Zion Lutheran Church — A Christian Family Who Cares for You!
We invite you to join us for worship this coming Sunday as we gather around God’s Word and receive His gifts in Christ. Download the worship folder for next Sunday and follow along with the service, Scripture readings, hymns, and prayers.
Come worship with us and be strengthened by the Good News of Jesus Christ.
2026
“Why Did You Doubt?”
Job 38:4–18; Romans 10:5–17; Matthew 14:22–33
May 13, 2025
Dear beloved members and dear friends of Zion,
If you’ve been searching for a Conservative church in Downtown Tampa where the Word of God is taken seriously and Christ is at the center of everything, I want to personally welcome you. Here at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, a Lutheran Church near Ybor Tampa, we gather as a family-friendly church in Downtown Tampa to receive the gifts God so freely gives.
Beloved in the Lord, you heard the question. Jesus asks Peter, “Why did you doubt?” It is a question that echoes across all three readings today. It is the question the Lord presses upon Job from the whirlwind. It is the question Paul answers in Romans as he proclaims the certainty of faith that comes through hearing the Word of Christ. And it is the question that confronts us in our own storms, fears, and uncertainties.
This question is not meant to shame. It is meant to reveal. It exposes the fragile, sinful human heart, which so easily forgets the presence and promises of God. Yet it also reveals the steadfast mercy of the Lord, who meets doubters with His Word, His presence, and His saving hand.
I. The Storm Before the Storm: Feeding the 5,000
Matthew tells us in our Gospel reading, that Jesus “Immediately, . . . made the disciples get into the boat” (Matthew 14:22, ESV). However, remember that “immediately” prior to this command, something extraordinary had taken place. Jesus had fed the 5,000. The disciples watched Him take five loaves and two fish, bless them, break them, and multiply them until every person was fed and every person was satisfied. And, O, by the way, the disciples gathered up twelve baskets of leftovers.
They had just witnessed divine power—creative power—power to satisfy scarcity, hunger, and human need. They had seen a miracle that echoed the manna in the wilderness and pointed forward to the new covenant in the Lord’s Supper.
Yet Jesus sends them away immediately. Why? We learn from St. John that the crowd wanted to take Jesus by force and make Him their king. Jesus does not want His disciples to be stirred up by the wrong kind of expectation. Plus, if you remember, Jesus came to this desolate place to be by Himself to pray. John the Baptist had just been killed. So, Jesus sends them into the boat, into the night, into the storm. Jesus is teaching them something deeper than the miracle of bread.
Jesus is teaching them who He is.
II. Job’s Storm: “Where Were You?”
God’s servant, Job, knew storms as well. His calamities were overwhelming—loss of health, loss of livelihood, loss of his family. Job’s friends offered misguided advice, insisting that suffering must be punishment. Job cried out in confusion, frustration, and anguish.
And as we heard this morning, the Lord answered him—not with explanations, but with questions.
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” (Job 38:4, ESV)
“Have you commanded the morning since your days began?” (Job 38:12, ESV)
“Have the gates of death been revealed to you?” (Job 38:17, ESV)
O, my! These questions may sound sarcastic and even cruel. Indeed, they are very humbling. They are corrective. They reorient Job’s vision. They remind him that the One who governs creation also governs his life. The One who sets boundaries for the sea also sets boundaries for suffering. The One who knows the depths of the earth also knows the depths of Job’s pain.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as much as Job suffered—Job’s problem was not that he suffered. His problem was that he doubted the Lord’s presence in his suffering.
And who could blame him?
Yet the Lord does not abandon Job. He speaks. He reveals Himself. And, ultimately, Job responds:
“I know that you can do all things… therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:2, 6, ESV)
Job’s repentance is not despair. It is the surrender of his doubt before the Almighty God. It is Job’s restored trust in God that had been smothered in suffering and grief and confusion and DOUBT. Do you get it?
III. Peter’s Storm: “Take Heart; It Is I.”
Back on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples are battered by waves. The wind is against them. They are exhausted, terrified, and alone—or so they think. Then Jesus comes to them, walking on the water.
The One who multiplied bread now tramples the waves. The One who created the seas, and ALL things, now strides upon them. The One who commands the morning now approaches in the fourth watch of the night.
And Jesus speaks: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27, ESV)
The Greek phrase ego eimi—“it is I”—is the same phrase used in the Greek when God reveals Himself as I Am. Jesus is not merely comforting them to quiet their fears. He is revealing His divine identity.
You heard the account. Peter boldly challenges this ghostly figure, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:28, ESV) “Come!” Jesus replies. And Peter did! Peter steps out of the boat. Peter walks on water! For a moment, faith holds him. But then he feels the wind and sees the waves. He doubts. He sinks. “Lord, save me!”
And Jesus immediately reaches out His hand.
Immediately. Not eventually. Not reluctantly. Immediately.
“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31, ESV)
It can be said that this is not a scolding or a condemnation. It is, most certainly, a question that reveals the heart of faith. Peter doubted because he looked at the storm instead of the Savior. He doubted because he trusted his senses more than the Word. He doubted because he forgot the One who fed the 5,000, who walked on water, who is the great I Am.
IV. Why Did Peter Doubt? Faith as Gift and Growth
Peter’s doubt is not surprising. Like Job, Peter is a man in process. Faith, the free gift of faith, is given by the Holy Spirit in a moment—punctiliar—as Paul teaches:
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17, ESV)
Yet the life of faith, our faith journey—if you will, is also a continual formation, a daily dying and rising, a growth worked by the Word of God. The Bible says, Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity…(Hebrews 6:1a NIV)
Peter’s life demonstrates this beautifully.
1. The free gift of Faith Begins by the Word
Peter follows Jesus because Jesus speaks: “Follow me.” (Matthew 4:19, ESV) The Bible says, Immediately, they left their nets and followed Him.
As world acclaimed theologian Francis Pieper writes: “The Word of God is not a dead letter, but truly the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, Vol. I, p. 108–109)
2. Secondly, in Peter’s faith journey, we see that Faith Falters When Our Eyes Leave Christ.
In our reading this morning, Peter walks on water because Jesus says: “Come.” (Matthew 14:29, ESV) And he does! But when Peter feels the wind, when he takes his eyes off Jesus, he doubts. He sinks in his doubts and fears.
The Word creates faith; fear distracts from it.
3. Faith Grows Through Revelation
By now, Peter has seen and heard and experienced numerous faith-building revelations. So much so, that when Jesus asks, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”, Peter confesses: “You are the Christ. The Son of the Living God!” (Matthew 16:13, 16, ESV)
Jesus responds: “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” (Matt 16:17, ESV)
Faith grows because God reveals Himself to us through His Holy Word.
4. Faith Is Unassuming
By that I mean that we can easily impose OUR will over the direction that faith would lead us. Again, we learn from Peter’s faith journey. Jesus was teaching His disciples that He must suffer and die. Peter and the disciples did not like that prospect! Peter said, “Far be it from you, Lord!” (Matthew 16:22a ESV)
Do you remember how Jesus rebuked Peter? “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23, ESV)
Faith is unassuming in that we can still impose our stubborn human-will over it.
5. Faith Falls Under Fear
Peter was so fearful that he, too, would be crucified that he denies Jesus three times. Yet Jesus, prior to Peter’s triple denials told Peter, “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” (Luke 22:32, ESV)
Christ sustains our faith even when our fears suffocate our faith.
6. Faith Is Empowered by the Spirit
At Pentecost, Peter preaches boldly: “This Jesus, whom you crucified, … God raised him up.” (Acts 2:32, ESV)
The doubter becomes the preacher. The Word has done its work.
V. God Secures His Children by His Word
Turning again to Pieper:
“God preserves His children by His Word, for the Word is the almighty, creative, and sustaining power of God Himself. As the Word called the world into existence, so it calls faith into being, keeps it, strengthens it, and brings it to completion.” (Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, Vol. I, p. 112–113; Vol. II, p. 27–28)
This, then, is our comfort: When, not if, we doubt, God’s Word secures us. When, not if, we falter, Christ’s hand rescues us. When, not if, we fear, the great “I Am” speaks peace.
VI. The Gospel Predominates: Faith Comes by Hearing
“Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17, ESV)
Christ meets us in the storm. Christ speaks into our confusion. Christ reaches out His hand. Christ is the great I Am. And faith comes by hearing Him.
God grant it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Christ, who loved us (Romans 8:37, ESV)
Come and Worship With Us
When doubt comes, when fear rises, and when the storms of life seem to overwhelm us, Christ does not abandon His people. He speaks His Word. He reaches out His hand. He strengthens our faith and reminds us that He is with us.
If you are looking for a Conservative Church in Tampa, a Lutheran Church near Ybor City, or a Family-friendly church in Tampa, we invite you to join us at Zion Lutheran Church. Come hear God’s Word clearly, receive His gifts faithfully, and be strengthened in the faith that comes through hearing the Word of Christ.
Come and worship with us this Sunday. Bring your questions, your fears, your doubts, and your burdens. The Lord meets His people with grace, truth, and mercy.
Zion Lutheran Church — A Christian Family Who Cares for You!
Download the Worship Folder
2026
Life Is Not Fair!
Rev. Kenneth Redmann
Life does not always seem fair. We experience disappointment, suffering, loss, and circumstances that leave us asking where God is and why He has allowed these things to happen. In this sermon, Rev. Kenneth Redmann points us to the promises of Romans 8 and reminds us that nothing can separate God’s people from His love in Christ Jesus.
As an LCMS church in Tampa, Zion Lutheran Church proclaims the comforting truth that Jesus has conquered sin, death, and the devil. Even when life feels unfair, Christians can remain confident that God is faithful and that He works through all things for the good of those who love Him.
May the meditations of our hearts and the words of my lips be acceptable to You, O Lord. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Buried within the midst of our Epistle lesson this morning is the lament of God’s people. It almost seems out of place, “FOR YOUR SAKE we are being killed all the day long’ we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered” The holy writer, St. Paul, is encouraging his readers that the love of God is greater than tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul cites a passage from the Psalmist where he is crying out to the Lord that God’s Chosen People, FOR YOUR SAKE, are being killed all day long; they are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. That does not sound fair.
Hear the Word of the Lord from Psalm 44:
22 Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.
And then the Psalmist tells God what he is REALLY feeling. The Bible continues:
23 Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!
24 Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?
25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground.
26 Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!
Beloved in the Lord, we have all been there—right? How often have we not heard; how often have we not thought; how often have we not cried out ourselves, “Why! O, Lord!” or “Where were You, O Lord, when I needed you?” or “Life is not fair!”
And then there is this:
Dateline, New York, October 29, 1998, The New York Times:
After eight years behind bars for a double-murder conviction based entirely on what prosecutors now concede was fabricated testimony, a Brooklyn man was exonerated and freed yesterday by a judge who apologized to him for ”the entire judicial system.” The judge also expressed shock that he himself had been ”fooled” by the witness.
The man, Jeffrey Blake, . . . first lowered his head when Acting Justice Robert S. Kreindler dismissed the case against him.
Now THAT was not fair! The story continued:
Then, as the court session ended and Mr. Blake was ”now a free man,” as the judge put it, the liberated Mr. Blake hugged Michelle Fox, the Legal Aid Society lawyer who had led the effort to convince prosecutors that his conviction had been fully based on perjury and should be thrown out.
”You did it, thank you,” Mr. Blake said softly as he embraced Ms. Fox.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as sinners, we are guilty as charged—the Bible says,all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Rm 8.23). YET, by grace through faith, we are declared completely innocent by God for Christ’s sake. Hear the Word of the Lord, (we) are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (Rm 8.24).
Therefore, Paul asks rhetorically “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?” Paul continues, almost indignantly, “It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (vv 33-34).
Victory over sin is ours through Christ!
But in Christ, there is even more! God not only forgives our sin for Christ’s sake; God promises to use our sins (and the sins of others) in ways that work together for our good. You know the verse. You have heard the verse time and again. The verse is one of the most frequently MIS-quoted verses in all of Scripture. Here is the verse:
We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose (Rm 8.28).
Beloved in the Lord, you heard it correctly. ALL THINGS. It is astounding! The “all things” therefore, MUST even include our sins—and the sins of others.
Biblical examples abound: Joseph’s brothers sinned against him horribly, “but God meant it for good” (Gen 50.20). Peter denied Christ three times, but Jesus three times reinstated him and called him to even greater ministry and discipleship (Cf Jn 21:15-19).
Paul was “the foremost” of sinners, and yet, precisely for this reason, Jesus chose Paul in order to “display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life” (I Tim 1.15-16).
And God’s holy Word declares, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rm 8.37).
***Through Christ, we ARE more than conquerors over SIN.
And the riches of God’s grace does not stop there.
The wages of sin is death, as we confess, temporal and eternal death, but hear this, “I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rm 8.38-39). Even death cannot separate us who believe from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Victory over death is ours in Christ!
Furthermore, the NEW life and NEW creation promised and won by Christ is even greater than God’s original plan. As perfectly “good” as God’s original creation was, the Biblical depictions of God’s NEW creation (Rev 21.1-4) and of our NEW, glorified bodies (I Cor 15.35-58) suggest that by virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection, eternal life in heaven will be exceedingly MORE glorious than the perfection of the original creation. And unlike the lesser glory in the Garden of Eden, heaven’s glory will be everlasting, forever unspoiled by sin, evil, suffering, death, and the devil.
Even our great enemy, death, is “swallowed up in victory” through Christ’s death and resurrection (Cf I Cor 15.54-56). St. Francis of Assisi understood this full well. In speaking of death for the Christian, he said, that death is “most kind and gentle” since
It leads to heaven the child of God,
Where Christ our Lord the way has trod (Lutheran Worship hymnal 436.6)
***Through Christ, we are more than conquerors over DEATH.
And there is more! Satan is indeed the “lord” of this world (II Cor 4.4; Jn 12.31). But Jesus has overcome the world and its cruel “lord” and has shared His victory with YOU. You have been freely elected, called and justified by God in Christ. VICTORY OVER THE DEVIL is yours in Christ!
Christ has not only defeated Satan; He now mocks and frustrates Satan by using the devil’s own weapons against him. Yes! It is true! The “ALL THINGS” in verse 28 must also include the works and the wiles of the devil!
Satan, the accuser, will never stop shoving our sins in our face. Don’t you just love the deviant Martin Luther? Luther suggests that you and I, when Satan is accusing us—again—that we can retort against Satan by saying: “Just by telling me that I am a miserable, great sinner you, Satan, are placing a sword and weapon into my hand with which…I can kill and floor you. For if you can tell me that I am a poor sinner, I, on the other hand, can tell you that Christ died for sinners and is their Intercessor” (What Luther Says, comp. Ewald M. Plass, vol. 1 [CPH, 1959, 1190).
The Bible says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (Rm 8.35). The devil constantly attempts to use such things to weaken or even destroy our faith in Christ.
But God continually turns the tables on the devil by causing even our sufferings to work together for our good and to intensify our longing for the “hope of the glory” that is ours in Christ (cf Rm 5.1-5). “For I am SURE,” we can say with Paul, “that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rm 8.38-39).
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Rm 8.37).
***Through Christ, we are more than conquerors over the devil!
Beloved in the Lord, let us close with this: Jesus teaches us, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (Jn 16.33).
Therefore, dear Christian, whatever tribulation you are experiencing this day, whatever the circumstance that the devil or the world or our own sinful nature that is causing you to cry out, “O, Lord, this is not fair!”, turn, I implore you, to your ever-faithful, ever-truthful, ever-dependable God.
He sent His only Son to live and die and rise for you. He speaks to you through His inspired and inerrant Word through His Holy Spirit. In Christ, God has already purchased and won for you all the treasures of His heavenly Kingdom.
God grant it for Jesus’ sake. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jer 29.11).
Life in this fallen world will include tribulation, hardship, and moments that do not seem fair. However, Christians do not face those struggles alone. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has secured forgiveness, eternal life, and victory for everyone who trusts in Him. Nothing in this world or the next can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Zion Lutheran Church is a traditional Lutheran church in Tampa where God’s Word is faithfully taught and Christ’s saving work remains at the center of worship. We invite you to join us as we receive the comfort, hope, and peace found only in Jesus.
Prepare for next Sunday’s worship service by viewing the worship folder for next week’s service.
Zion Lutheran Church — A Christian Family Who Cares for You!
2026
Build-A-God Workshop: The Danger of Creating a God in Our Own Image
Sermon preached by Rev. Kenneth Redmann
6th Sunday After Pentecost
In his sermon **“Build-A-God Workshop,” Rev. Kenneth Redmann explores the temptation to create a god that fits our own desires instead of trusting the one true God revealed in Scripture. Join us as we reflect on God’s Word and His saving grace through Jesus Christ.
If you are looking for a Bible-based church near Ybor City or a Traditional church Seminole Heights, we invite you to worship with us at Zion Lutheran Church.
Have you ever heard of Build-A-Bear Workshop? The idea is simple: choose a bear, stuff it, stitch it, fluff it, dress it, accessorize it, and finally give it a name. Through your own choices and preferences, you create something uniquely your own.
But what happens when we take that same idea and apply it to God?
In his sermon **“Build-A-God Workshop,” Rev. Kenneth Redmann explores the warning God gave through the prophet Isaiah. Long before the people of Israel were carried away into Babylonian captivity, they struggled with the temptation to create gods of their own making. Instead of trusting the one true God who had delivered them, they began crafting idols that reflected their own desires and imagination.
Through the prophet Isaiah, God declares:
“I am the first, and I am the last; besides me there is no god.” (Isaiah 44:6)
The Lord reminds His people that He alone is God. He is the Creator, the King of Israel, and the Redeemer who saves His people. Unlike the false gods formed by human hands, the true God does not need to be created, customized, or redesigned.
The Temptation to Create a God We Prefer
Rev. Redmann reminds us that Israel’s struggle with idols is not merely an ancient problem. The temptation continues today.
While we may not shape golden calves or carve wooden idols, our sinful nature still wants to create a god who fits our own preferences.
A god who agrees with everything we believe.
A god who approves of our choices.
A god who gives us what we want but never calls us to repentance.
A god who serves us instead of the other way around.
This is the danger of the “Build-A-God Workshop.” We begin with our own ideas and expectations and then create a god in our own image.
John Calvin described the human heart as a “perpetual forge of idols.” Martin Luther similarly taught that whatever we place our trust and hope in becomes our god.
The problem is that anything we create for ourselves cannot save us.
False Gods Leave Us Empty, But Christ Redeems Us
Through Isaiah, the Lord exposes the emptiness of idols. They cannot forgive sins. They cannot rescue us from death. They cannot defeat the devil.
The idols we create ultimately leave us with pain, emptiness, and hopelessness.
But the true God does something completely different.
He does not wait for us to build Him.
He comes to us.
The God who created the heavens and the earth sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem fallen humanity. Jesus came as our King and Redeemer. He suffered the punishment we deserved, conquered Satan, and defeated death through His resurrection.
The God revealed in Scripture is not a distant God who ignores our suffering. He is the God who entered into our suffering. Jesus knows our pain, carries our burdens, forgives our sins, and gives us the hope of eternal life.
Jesus is:
Our Redeemer.
Our Savior.
The First and the Last.
The Alpha and the Omega.
The True God Gives Us Life and Hope
The temptation to create our own god remains strong because our sinful hearts desire control. We want a god who fits our plans rather than trusting the God who created us.
But the Lord calls us away from empty idols and back to Himself.
The God of Scripture is not made in our image.
He is the God who made us in His image.
He has revealed Himself through His Word and through His Son, Jesus Christ. Through the cross and resurrection of Jesus, God has given us the forgiveness, hope, and salvation that no false god could ever provide.
As Rev. Redmann reminds us, we do not need a god of our own making. We need the God who loved us enough to send His Son to save us.
Worship With Us at Zion Lutheran Church
If you are looking for a Traditional church Seminole Heights where God’s Word is faithfully taught and Christ remains at the center of worship, we warmly invite you to join us at Zion Lutheran Church.
Zion Lutheran Church is a historic, traditional Lutheran congregation in Tampa committed to proclaiming the truth of Holy Scripture and the saving work of Jesus Christ. As a confessional Lutheran church within the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Zion continues its mission of sharing the Good News of Christ with the Tampa Bay community.
If you are searching for a Bible-based church near Ybor City, we invite you to learn more about Zion Lutheran Church and our commitment to faithful preaching, traditional worship, and Christ-centered teaching.
Whether you are seeking a traditional Lutheran church in Tampa, a Bible-based church near Ybor City, or a congregation where God’s Word is faithfully proclaimed, we welcome you to worship with us.
Be sure to download this week’s Worship Folder and listen to the full sermon as we continue growing together in God’s Word.
We would love to have you as part of our church family.
Zion Lutheran Church — A Christian Family Who Cares for You!
2901 N. Highland Avenue
Tampa, FL 33602
2026
Pondering the Incomprehensible
Rev. Kenneth Redmann
July 12 7PentAG
There are moments in every Christian’s life when God’s ways seem impossible to understand. We ask difficult questions about suffering, injustice, unanswered prayers, and the challenges of living faithfully in a broken world. Yet Scripture reminds us that our faith is not built upon understanding everything—it is built upon trusting the One who understands all things.
In this week’s sermon, “Pondering the Incomprehensible,” Pastor Kenneth Redmann explores Jesus’ Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13) and the mystery of God’s kingdom. As a Conservative Church in Tampa, Zion Lutheran Church faithfully proclaims God’s Word, helping believers grow in faith even when life’s circumstances seem beyond comprehension. If you’re searching for a Family Friendly Church in Tampa where God’s truth is taught with clarity and compassion, this message offers encouragement rooted firmly in Scripture.
The Danger of Failing to Understand God’s Word
Jesus gives a sobering warning in Matthew 13:
“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart.” (Matthew 13:19)
This warning reminds us that God’s Word is never something to hear casually. Satan desires nothing more than to steal the Gospel from hearts before it can take root.
Yet Jesus presents this warning through a parable—a story that even His own disciples did not immediately understand.
Why Did Jesus Teach in Parables?
After hearing the Parable of the Sower, the disciples asked Jesus,
“Why do you speak to them in parables?”
Their question reveals an important truth:
- Even faithful believers do not understand everything immediately.
- God’s mysteries cannot be fully grasped by human wisdom.
- Understanding comes through faith in Christ.
As Christians, we acknowledge what the Athanasian Creed teaches:
- The Father is incomprehensible.
- The Son is incomprehensible.
- The Holy Spirit is incomprehensible.
God is infinitely greater than our ability to comprehend Him.
The Four Types of Soil
Although often called the Parable of the Sower, Pastor Redmann explains that the focus is really the condition of the ground.
The ground represents our hearts.
The Hard Path
The hardened path has been trampled until the seed cannot penetrate.
Before the Word can take root, Satan quickly snatches it away, leaving the heart empty and spiritually starving.
The Rocky Ground
Rocky soil allows quick growth but shallow roots.
When hardship, persecution, or suffering comes because of faith in Christ, the plant withers because it has no deep foundation.
The Thorny Ground
The thorny soil receives the seed, but competing priorities choke its growth.
Jesus specifically warns about:
- The worries of this life
- Health struggles
- The deceitfulness of riches
The danger is not wealth itself, but believing that money can provide lasting peace, purpose, or contentment apart from God.
The Good Soil
Good soil hears God’s Word.
Good soil receives God’s Word.
Good soil nurtures God’s Word.
Good soil bears fruit.
Christ calls His people to:
- Make disciples.
- Baptize.
- Teach His Word.
- Live out their faith.
- Bear fruit for His kingdom.
When We Simply Don’t Understand
Many believers wrestle with questions like:
- Why does suffering continue?
- Why do faithful Christians endure hardship?
- Why do prayers sometimes seem unanswered?
- Why does evil appear to prosper?
Pastor Redmann reminds us that this is precisely where faith meets the mystery of God.
Isaiah 55 declares:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
God’s purposes are always greater than our understanding.
Even when we cannot explain His ways, we can trust His promises.
God’s Word never returns empty.
God always accomplishes His perfect will.
The Greatest Mystery: The Cross
Perhaps nowhere is God’s incomprehensible wisdom seen more clearly than at Calvary.
From every human perspective, Jesus’ trial was the greatest miscarriage of justice.
Pilate knew Jesus was innocent.
The evidence proved His innocence.
The crowd still cried,
“Crucify Him!”
Yet this apparent injustice became God’s perfect plan of salvation.
Jesus Himself declared:
“I lay down my life… No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.”
Christ willingly endured the cross to accomplish what sinful humanity never could—our redemption.
What We Do Know
Although God’s full wisdom is beyond our understanding, Scripture clearly reveals what every believer can know.
We know:
- We are sinful people.
- God is the Creator of all things.
- Our conscience reveals our need for Him.
- We cannot come to God by our own reason or strength.
- We cannot earn His favor through our works.
Most importantly, we know that:
- Jesus is the promised Messiah.
- Jesus is the Son of God.
- Jesus died for our sins.
- Jesus defeated Satan, death, and the grave.
- Jesus has redeemed us and calls us His own.
Declared “Not Guilty”
Pontius Pilate declared the innocent Jesus guilty.
Yet through Christ’s sacrifice, God declares guilty sinners righteous.
That is the Gospel.
Though we deserve condemnation, Jesus took our punishment upon Himself.
Because of His death and resurrection, God now declares every believer:
“Not Guilty.”
That is truly something to ponder.
It is the incomprehensible grace of God given freely through Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
There will always be questions we cannot fully answer this side of heaven. Yet God’s greatest mysteries ultimately point us back to His greatest gift—Jesus Christ, crucified and risen for the forgiveness of our sins. Even when we cannot understand God’s ways, we can trust His perfect love, His unfailing promises, and His saving grace.
If you’re looking for a Conservative Church in Tampa where God’s Word is faithfully preached, or a Family Friendly Church in Tampa where Christ remains at the center of worship, we warmly invite you to join us this Sunday at Zion Lutheran Church. We also invite you to download this week’s worship folder and listen to the full sermon as we continue growing together in God’s Word.
Come visit us! A Christian Family who Cares for You!
Download next Sunday’s worship folder here
2026
Prisoners of Hope: Finding Rest in Christ’s Promises
Introduction
If you’re looking for a Conservative Church in Tampa or a Family Friendly Church in Tampa, you’ll find a warm welcome at Zion Lutheran Church. In this week’s message, Pastor Kenneth Redmann explores the powerful words of Zechariah 9:9–12, Romans 5 and 7, and Matthew 11:25–30, reminding us that our greatest hope is not found in earthly circumstances but in Jesus Christ. Though we were once prisoners of sin, Christ has made us prisoners of hope, offering forgiveness, peace, and eternal rest to all who come to Him.
On this Fourth of July weekend, Pastor Kenneth Redmann reminds us that while freedom is something we celebrate as Americans, the greatest freedom comes through Jesus Christ. At Zion Lutheran Church, we rejoice in the hope found in God’s promises, even when life feels uncertain or burdensome. This week’s sermon, based on Zechariah 9:9–12, Romans 5:6–11, Romans 7:18–25, and Matthew 11:25–30, reveals how Christ transforms us from prisoners of sin into prisoners of hope.
A King Who Brings Hope
The prophet Zechariah spoke to God’s people after they had returned from seventy years of exile in Babylon. Although they were back in their homeland, their hearts were still burdened with disappointment, fear, and uncertainty. They were home—but they were not whole.
Into that situation, God proclaimed an incredible promise:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey.”
This King would not come to conquer through military power. Instead, He would bring righteousness, salvation, and peace to the nations.
Then God gives His people a remarkable title:
“Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope.” (Zechariah 9:12)
Rather than being prisoners of fear, discouragement, or despair, God’s people are called prisoners of hope because they are held securely by His promises.
Our Greatest Captivity
Although the Israelites had been freed from Babylon, another captivity still remained.
The same is true for us.
The Apostle Paul describes our spiritual condition honestly:
- We are weak.
- We are sinners.
- We are enemies of God apart from Christ.
Romans reminds us that while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Even while we were sinners, Christ gave His life for us. Before we knew Him, we stood opposed to God, yet He reconciled us through His Son.
Paul also describes the daily struggle every Christian knows:
“For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.”
Our sinful nature constantly battles against God’s will. Left to ourselves, we remain prisoners of sin, death, and the devil.
That is why we need a Savior.
Christ Makes Us Prisoners of Hope
Zechariah’s prophecy points directly to Jesus Christ.
The King riding humbly on a donkey is the very King who entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
He does not conquer by force.
He conquers through:
- His perfect righteousness.
- His sacrificial death.
- His victorious resurrection.
- His peace that surpasses understanding.
Martin Luther beautifully explained that believers are called prisoners of hope because they are held captive—not by despair—but by God’s promises.
Hope is not something we manufacture ourselves.
Hope is God’s gift.
He surrounds His children with His promises like a mighty fortress, keeping them secure even when circumstances seem uncertain.
Jesus Gives Rest to the Weary
In the Gospel reading, Jesus fulfills everything Zechariah foretold.
He speaks these comforting words:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
These words are not reserved for people who have everything together.
They are spoken to those who are:
- Weary.
- Burdened.
- Broken.
- Spiritually exhausted.
Jesus invites everyone carrying the weight of guilt, fear, anxiety, and sin to come to Him.
He continues:
“Take my yoke upon you… for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Normally, a yoke represents labor and bondage.
Jesus transforms its meaning.
Because He carried the burden of our sin to the cross, His yoke becomes one of grace, forgiveness, and everlasting peace.
He bears the weight so we no longer have to.
Our Hope Never Depends on Circumstances
As our nation reflects on its rich history and the blessings of freedom, we also recognize that earthly nations face uncertainty. Division, hardship, and changing circumstances remind us that no earthly kingdom lasts forever.
But Christ remains forever.
His promises never fail.
His mercy never ends.
His peace never fades.
No matter what happens around us, Christians remain prisoners of hope because our confidence rests in Jesus Christ alone.
We are weak—Christ is strong.
We are sinners—Christ is righteous.
We were enemies—Christ reconciled us.
We were prisoners of sin—Christ has made us prisoners of hope.
Find Hope in Christ at Zion Lutheran Church
Whatever burdens you may be carrying today, Christ still extends His gracious invitation:
“Come to me… and I will give you rest.”
We invite you to join us this Sunday at Zion Lutheran Church as we gather around God’s Word, receive His gifts of grace, and rejoice in the hope found only in Jesus Christ.
Be sure to download this week’s Worship Folder before service to follow along with the readings, hymns, and sermon.
Conclusion
No matter what burdens you carry or what uncertainties lie ahead, Jesus Christ remains your faithful King and Savior. His promises never fail, His mercy never ends, and His invitation still stands: “Come to Me… and I will give you rest.” If you’re searching for a Conservative Church in Tampa or a Family Friendly Church in Tampa, we invite you to worship with us at Zion Lutheran Church this Sunday. Be sure to download this week’s Worship Folder to follow along with the service, and experience the hope, peace, and joy that are found in Christ alone.
Come visit us! A Christian Family who Cares for You!
Download next week’s worship folder (here).
2026
Not Peace, But a Sword — Matthew 10:34–42
Rev. Kenneth Redmann
At Zion Lutheran Church, we welcome those searching for a traditional church in Tampa and a Bible-based church in Tampa where the Word of God is faithfully preached without compromise.
In a time when many churches are shifting away from Scripture, Zion remains committed to the historic Christian faith—centered on Christ, grounded in the Bible, and shaped by the Gospel of grace.
This week’s Gospel from Matthew 10 brings a challenging and honest word from Jesus:
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
At first hearing, these words surprise us. But in context, they reveal the deeper reality of Christ’s mission in a fallen world.
May the meditations of our hearts and the words of my lips be acceptable to You, O Lord. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The text selected for our meditation this morning is from our Gospel, the words of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). Wait! What?
Beloved in the Lord, these are our Lord’s final instructions to the 12 disciples as they were sent out as sheep among wolves. Matthew chapter 10 is all about the sending of the 12 apostles. We find, Jesus…
- Called the Twelve and gave them super-natural authority to heal the sick of “every” disease, cure the lepers, cast out demons, AND to raise the dead!
- Gave the Twelve their simple, profound words of preachment, “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7).
- Advised them that not every village; not every person would receive their message of grace and salvation. The disciples were to discern a worthy house by whether that house received the message or not! Receive the Word of the Lord from the disciples and you are worthy—do not receive the Word of the Lord from the disciples and you and your household are deemed—not worthy. Oh, by the way, IF you are deemed not worthy—it will be better for the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah than for you on the Last Day.
- Cautioned the disciples that they will be delivered over to the courts; be dragged before governors and rulers—BUT DON’T WORRY! Do not be anxious about what you might say for the Holy Spirit will give you words to speak—Words that will come from the Father.
- Warned the disciples that they will be hated—all because you declare the name of Jesus. In my name, Jesus said, brother will accuse brother; father will deny sons and daughters; children will betray their own parents.
Dear friends in Christ, such is the sending of the disciples according to Matthew chapter 10. This was the same chapter in which the disciples were instructed NOT to take money or extra clothing or sandals; they were NOT to receive pay (Bummer! No “mileage” for this trip.) They will be persecuted in one town and if they are, then go to another town—and oh, by the way, that town may persecute you as well.
AND THEN, Jesus, finally, comforts them, assures them, and attempts, at least, to quiet their spirits. “Fear not. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot touch the soul. I have counted every hair on your head. I know every sparrow that falls from the sky and you are much more valuable than a sparrow. I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake” (selected from Matt. 10:28-32). No wonder Luther concludes, “We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things” (Luther’s explanation of the First Commandment, Small Catechism).
With ALL of this instruction we finally get to our text. “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (vs 34).
So….pastor,….. “Let me get this straight”, you might say. “You are telling me that the 12 disciples were sent out as sheep into a pack of wolves. That they were to boldly go and preach—where no man has ever gone. Furthermore, that WHEN, NOT IF, they encounter conflict; when (not if) they are beaten and imprisoned for their belief; when (not if) they are mocked and slandered and dismissed even by father or brother—they are to Fear Not! Endure Hardships! Remain Steadfast! And wait patiently for the Lord. Do I have that about right?”
Yep. That’s about it.
You see, that has been the clarion call of God’s people of every age. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, in this fallen world there is conflict. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, recognized that conflict; confronts that conflict; calls out that conflict; and is crucified for that conflict! In so doing—Jesus, the Prince of Peace conquers ALL conflict.
Take our Old Testament account. The setting is that God’s Chosen People of Judah were now under the control of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Judah’s young men have been exiled to Babylon. The sacred Temple has been ransacked and all the precious gold and jewels have been taken by King Nebuchadnezzar as tribute.
Jeremiah and Hananiah, two prophets of God were in direct conflict with one another. Hananiah prophesied, saying, “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says, ‘I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon. Within two years I will bring back to this place all the articles of the Lord’s house that Nebuchadnezzar…took…’” (Jer 28:2-3).
Hananiah was prophesying with words that Zedekiah, the impotent King of Judah wanted to hear. Jeremiah confronted the false prophet. Fast forward through this episode of conflict between Hananiah and Jeremiah:
- Jeremiah was publicly shamed and Jeremiah went away silently
- “Shortly after”, the Bible records, Jeremiah returned with a Word from the Lord—within the year, Hananiah would die
- 7 months later Hananiah was dead
The lesson for us, today? There is tribulation in this world. There was conflict among God’s Chosen People of old and there is conflict among God’s Bride, the Church universal, and even, occasionally, the local congregation.
And we cry out to the Lord, “O, Lord! Help us!”
And then we get today’s puzzling troubling text: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword”
These words strike our ears with force. They seem, at first hearing, to contradict everything we confess about Christ. The prophet Isaiah calls Him the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). The angels at His birth proclaim, “on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14). And St. Paul declares, “He himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14).
So how can the Prince of Peace say He does NOT bring peace, but a sword?
Beloved in the Lord, the answer is not that Christ has changed His mission, and certainly not that He contradicts Himself. Rather, Jesus reveals a truth we often prefer not to face: the peace Jesus brings is peace WITH God, and the world HATES that peace.
The Gospel reconciles sinners to God, but it also exposes sin, confronts unbelief, and divides those who receive Christ over and against those who reject Him.
Hear the Word of the Lord, when Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, revealed Himself to John in the Revelation, the Bible says, “from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword” (Rev. 1.16).
This is the “sword” we are talking about! This is exactly what Simeon prophesied when Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple. Remember? He said: “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed… so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” — Luke 2:34–35 (ESV)
The sword Jesus brings is His Word. That Word comes forth from His mouth and cuts through every false peace the world offers. Christ reveals hearts. And when hearts are revealed, they divide.
The Bible describes the Word of God as: “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword… discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb 4.12).
The sword of Jesus’ Word exposes sin. It unmasks idolatry. It reveals the truth. It requires of us total and unencumbered spiritual integrity in everything that we say and do.
Luther says, “Where Christ is, there will be opposition” (LW 21:95). World acclaimed theologian, Francis Pieper puts it plainly: “The Gospel is a stumbling block to the natural man, and therefore it provokes hatred and persecution” (Christian Dogmatics, II:357).
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, by Jesus’ wounds, we are healed. By His blood, we are reconciled. By His death, we have peace. And by His resurrection we have the certainty of salvation.
This is why the angels sang at His birth. This is why Simeon rejoiced to hold Him. This is why the Church calls Him Prince of Peace. The peace Christ gives is not the peace the world seeks. The world wants peace without repentance, peace without truth, peace without self-sacrifice. Christ freely gives eternal peace through forgiveness, through justification, through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The world cannot give it. The world cannot understand it. The world cannot destroy it.
And finally, this: This peace, that comes from the two-edged sword, is yours in Christ Jesus.
May God grant it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Now the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.
The peace Christ gives is not the fragile peace of the world, but true peace with God through His cross, His resurrection, and His Word.If you are searching for a Bible-based church in Tampa or a traditional church in Tampa where Scripture is taught clearly and Christ is at the center of worship, we invite you to visit us.At Zion Lutheran Church in Tampa, we are a community rooted in God’s Word, strengthened by His grace, and gathered around the promises of Jesus Christ.Come and worship with us this Sunday. Grow in faith, hear the Gospel, and experience the peace that only Christ can give.We are:A Christian Family who Cares for You!
We invite you to join us this Sunday for worship as we gather around God’s Word and Sacraments, and we encourage you to download the worship folder ahead of time so you can follow along and prepare your heart for service.
2026
A Fire Burning in Our Hearts | Jeremiah 20:7–13 & Matthew 10:5a, 21–33
A Fire Burning in Our Hearts: Finding Courage Through Christ
At Zion Lutheran Church in Tampa, Pastor Kenneth Redmann reminds us that faithfully following Jesus Christ is not always easy. Christians throughout history have experienced seasons of joy and seasons of hardship, yet God’s Word continues to strengthen His people with hope, courage, and the promise of eternal life.
In this sermon based on Jeremiah 20:7–13 and Matthew 10:5a, 21–33, we are reminded that although the world may oppose those who confess Christ, our Lord never abandons His people. The same Gospel that sustained Jeremiah, the apostles, and the early Church continues to sustain believers today.
The Church Militant: Living Faithfully in a Hostile World
There are days in the Christian life when the Word of God feels like fire burning in our hearts, compelling and impossible to ignore. There are also days when that same Word feels costly and difficult to bear.
Today’s readings place us squarely within the reality of the Church Militant—the Church that continues to live, witness, and proclaim Christ while facing opposition from the world, the devil, and our own sinful nature.
Martin Luther once wrote:
“The Church is not a peaceful assembly but a militant army; she must fight continually.”
Yet even in this struggle, Christ remains with His Church, strengthening His people through His Word and Sacraments.
Jeremiah: The Prophet Who Wanted to Quit
Jeremiah honestly pours out his heart before the Lord:
“O LORD, you have deceived me… I have become a laughingstock all the day.”
Faithfully proclaiming God’s Word had brought him ridicule, imprisonment, rejection, and suffering.
Jeremiah reaches the point where he declares:
“I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name.”
He wanted to quit.
Yet immediately afterward comes one of Scripture’s most powerful pictures of God’s sustaining grace:
“There is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones… and I cannot.”
The very Word that seemed to bring suffering also became the source of Jeremiah’s strength.
His despair turns into confidence:
“The LORD is with me as a dread warrior.”
And finally into praise:
“Sing to the LORD; praise the LORD! For He has delivered the life of the needy.”
Jeremiah’s story is ultimately not about human perseverance but about God’s unwavering faithfulness.
Jesus Sends His Disciples Into the Fire
In Matthew 10, Jesus prepares His disciples for the reality of Christian discipleship.
He does not promise popularity or comfort.
Instead, He tells them:
- They will be hated.
- Families will be divided.
- Persecution will come.
- The servant is not above the Master.
Jesus teaches that following Him means walking the same road that ultimately led Him to the cross.
This exposes our fears.
We naturally fear rejection, conflict, misunderstanding, and loss.
God’s Law reveals these fears honestly.
The Gospel That Drives Out Fear
Jesus does not leave His disciples overwhelmed.
Instead, three times He tells them:
“Do not be afraid.”
Why?
Because He gives them three beautiful Gospel promises:
The Truth Will Prevail
“Nothing is hidden that will not be revealed.”
God’s truth will ultimately triumph.
Your Heavenly Father Knows You
“You are of more value than many sparrows.”
Every believer is precious in the Father’s sight.
Christ Will Confess You Before the Father
“Everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before My Father.”
Jesus Himself stands as our Advocate before the Father.
These promises carried Jeremiah, the apostles, the martyrs, and faithful Christians throughout every generation.
Luther’s Picture of the Church Militant
Martin Luther understood both the cost and the privilege of confessing Christ.
He also wrote:
“Christ will not forsake His little flock, though all the world rage against it.”
The Church Militant is not defined by suffering.
It is defined by Christ.
Not by fear.
But by faith.
Not by defeat.
But by the victory already won through Jesus Christ.
The Rhythm of Law and Gospel
C. F. W. Walther taught that while God’s Law reveals our sin, God’s Gospel always predominates because only Christ saves.
Throughout today’s readings we see this beautiful rhythm.
The Law shows Jeremiah overwhelmed.
The Gospel fills him with a heart burning like fire.
The Law reveals disciples facing persecution.
The Gospel reminds them that their heavenly Father watches over them and that Christ Himself acknowledges them before the Father.
Again and again, Scripture moves us from despair in ourselves to confidence in Christ.
What This Means for Christians Today
Our culture increasingly pressures Christians to remain silent about their faith.
Many believers fear being criticized, misunderstood, or marginalized for confessing Jesus Christ.
Yet the same Lord who strengthened Jeremiah strengthens His Church today.
We have been baptized into Christ.
We receive His forgiveness.
We receive His true body and blood in the Lord’s Supper.
The Church continues forward—not by human strength—but by the power of God’s Holy Spirit.
Nothing Can Separate Us From Christ
Pastor Redmann concludes with one of the greatest promises found in Scripture:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”
The answer is glorious:
Nothing.
Neither suffering.
Nor persecution.
Nor death itself.
Nothing in all creation can separate believers from the love of God found in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Jeremiah, often remembered as the “prophet of doom,” also gives us these comforting words:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Even in hardship, God remains faithful to His promises.
Join Us for Worship
If you are searching for Worship services Tampa, we warmly invite you to worship with us at Zion Lutheran Church.
Whether you are exploring the Christian faith or looking for a church home that faithfully proclaims God’s Word and administers His Sacraments, we would love to welcome you.
Learn more about our Traditional Lutheran worship Tampa congregation, our ministries, and opportunities for prayer and fellowship.
A Christian Family who Cares for You!