You're going to die someday and what can you do about that? Nothing, absolutely nothing.

And so it is also with us spiritually as we're born into this life as Paul says in his letter to the

Ephesians you were dead in your trespasses and sins. Of course everyone knows that dead things cannot give themselves life on the day of

the resurrection.

Will we raise ourselves from the dead or will Jesus Christ raise us from the dead.

This is preaching Christ.

Preaching Christ is a radio collection of sermons from Lutheran pastors around the world

who are dedicated to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified for the remission of sins.

Grace, mercy, and peace be from God our Father and our Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Our sermon for this morning is based upon our second reading.

It's on the back of your bulletin for further review.

My fellow redeemed in Christ, as was pointed out in the children's message, this is the first Sunday in Advent, which means it is new years,

that is at least in the church calendar.

And so it's appropriate that we begin this new church year with God's grace. Now of course many if not most

Christians will agree that they are saved by God's grace you usually don't get

too much of an argument there but if you will tell them that also their

faith is even given to them as a gift by God's grace, sometimes perhaps you get a strange look.

Why? Well, because some Christians are taught and some Christians believe that they have made a decision for Jesus. The common view among many Christians is that God

the Father did his part in sending his son into the world to be the Savior and

God the son did his part coming into this world and living a

sinless life and dying for our sins and now it's time for you to do your part

...