Sermon for The Eighth Sunday after Trinity, 2025

Now, it is most certainly true that God has instituted in His Church the Office of the Holy Ministry, and those called into this Office—namely, pastors—are commanded to preach the Gospel, administer the Sacraments, teach the whole counsel of God, and watch over the flock committed to their care. Even so, a pastor cannot believe for you or think for you. A pastor cannot get inside your head and turn your thoughts from lies to the truth. And so, the one most responsible for your spiritual care—that you receive the truth and are preserved from lies that would destroy your faith—is you. 

So, when Jesus warns, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing,” He is telling you to avoid false teaching. And, as a sainted pastor once observed, false teachers cannot be avoided unless they are recognized, and they cannot be recognized unless one has the right to judge them; so Christ Jesus, who issues this warning, gives “not only the right but also the command to judge, so that this one passage may be considered enough to oppose all [who would restrict such discernment to councils, popes, bishops, or ministers and deny it to the Church].” So then, let there be no doubt in your mind that Jesus is warning you, dear Christian, whomever you may be. 

And why does Jesus warn you? Because false prophets can do you immense harm by what they preach and teach. You know the saying: “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Yeah, that’s not true: words can hurt you; in fact, they can kill you. If God’s words are how He creates, then it follows that the falsification of His words is how the devil destroys.

Readings:

• Old Testament: Jeremiah 23:16-29

• Epistle: Romans 8:12-17

• Holy Gospel: Matthew 7:15-23

Sermon: