Pastor Chris Brademeyer’s Podcast

Behold the Light!

So the men came to see Jesus. They came from the darkness of their superstition and false religion to see Him who is the light of the world. They came because the star in the heavens was a sign that the very Light of the world had come. And so they did, thereby fulfilling the prophecy recorded for us in the sixtieth chapter of Isaiah the prophet.
                This Lord, the King of the Jews, the very Light of lights shone in the dark and, as the Apostle John reminds us, the light does not overcome it. The Light who is Christ the Lord dispels all darkness and gloom, dissipating the shadows of sin, death, and the devil. This Lord reveals many things. His light illumines the truth, showing both sin and grace. His light not only uncovers the depths of our shame but shows forth the great heights of the mercy of God.
 
 

Flight

After this visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus, they were warned in a dream to avoid Herod and went home by a different route. Mary and Joseph, in turn, fled with the infant Jesus to Egypt. This both confirmed the prophecies of the Old Testament, as noted here in our reading, and kept our Lord from being put to death before His time.
                What then are we to make of this flight into Egypt? We have already discussed the practical aspect of keeping Jesus safe from Herod. But it also undid one of the great sins of the Old Testament people of God. When Israel was brought back from slavery in Egypt, they rebelled against God and sinned against Him. Our Lord Jesus, on the other hand, went into Egypt and came back to the promised land without sin of any sort. This sets a theme for the life and ministry of our Lord. What the people of God did not do, what they failed at, Jesus does in their place perfectly.
Why did our Lord Jesus have to flee to Egypt? Find out in this sermon from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND!

He Was Called Jesus

Circumcision is a difficult topic to discuss from the pulpit, given that it deals with a very private part of the body. And let me just say, if you don’t know what circumcision is, talk to your parents or someone else who knows. But above all, do not Google it. You’ll thank me later. And so, tonight we have the unenviable task of seeing why this particular event is so important in the life of the Church, and, indeed, in our lives as Christians.
 
Why did God command circumcision? Why was Jesus circumcised? Find out in this sermon from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND!

Depart in Peace

Regardless of his exact background and pedigree, Simeon was anticipating this day. For he knew that peace that transcends death could only be found in Christ Jesus the Lord, the Messiah foretold of old and who was promised to be seen by him. And that day came. Given all of this, it is unsurprising that Simeon broke out into song. How could he not sing? What greater reason to sing than this could there possibly be? He had met the Lord, the Savior of the world, the One who could finally destroy sin and death and overthrow the reign of the devil! Now that he had met the Christ, the Savior, Simeon could depart in peace. He could lie with his ancestors, knowing that God had indeed kept his promises and would not allow His people to be under the oppression of evil any more.
Want to hear more? Listen to this sermon for the First Sunday after Christmas (12/29/2024) from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND!

The Funeral of Lysle Coleman

This sermon was preached for the funeral of Lysle Coleman. Lysle's obituary can be read at https://www.dahlstromfuneralhome.com/obituary/lysle-coleman.

What Child is This?

“What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?” So begins a much beloved Christmas hymn by the nineteenth century Englishman William C. Dix. This question was not new in 1865 when the song was penned. In fact, some version of this question had been asked since the very beginning. The disciples asked themselves a variant of this question when, as recorded in Matthew chapter eight, Jesus calmed a storm that had arisen. Through the centuries it was debated at all of the great meetings of the Christian Church which are called church councils. At the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, from which we get the original version and name of the Nicene Creed, this question was the central issue. And through the many centuries, this question has been asked by seekers, skeptics, and believers alike. Today, this question is no less relevant than it has ever been.
Who is Jesus? Find out in this Christmas sermon from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND!

Christ is Born!

Rejoice dear friends! The Savior of the World is come! Merry Christmas from us at St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND!

Behold the Lamb!

Jesus is the Lamb of God and we say this often in church. Do we stop and ask why we do this or what it means? How should we understand what significance it has for John the Baptist to call Jesus the Lamb of God? What does being the Lamb have to do with taking away the sins of the world? And why does all of this come up on the last Sunday before Christmas? Find out in this sermon from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND!

What's in a Name?

Names are important things. This is easily seen when people get upset when their names are gotten wrong. Why does God tell us in our readings this evening that His Son should be called Jesus and Immanuel? What significance do these names have? Find out in this sermon for the third Wednesday of Advent (12/18/2024) from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND!

The Confusion of the Baptist

John proclaimed Jesus to be the Messiah, the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world. But here in Matthew 11, John sends his disciples to ask if Jesus is really the one, or if there is another. It seems strange that John would be confused, given his being a prophet. But he was confused. Worse, this confusion did not end with him. Jesus does not do what we often expect and established His Kingdom in ways that surprise. Why did Jesus come? What is confusing John? Find out in this sermon from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND!