The Kind of Sacrifice God Wants

Sermon preached by Pastor Julius Buelow on January 11, 2026 at Mt Olive in Lincoln, NE, for the first Sunday after Epiphany, celebrating the Baptism of Jesus.

Romans 12:1-5:

12 Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice—holy and pleasing to God—which is your appropriate worship. 2Also, do not continue to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you test and approve what is the will of God—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.

Humbly Use the Gifts God Gave You

3So by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think in a way that results in sound judgment, as God distributed a measure of faith to each of you. 4For we have many members in one body, and not all the members have the same function. 5In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version (Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Publishing House, 2019), Ro 12:1–5.

Have a Simple New Year

Sermon preached by Pastor Julius Buelow at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE on January 4, 2025 for Epiphany. More info at mtolivelincoln.org

Text: Matthew 2:1-12

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, when Herod was king, Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem. They asked, 2“Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4He gathered together all the people’s chief priests and experts in the law. He asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, because this was written through the prophet:

6You, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are certainly not least among the rulers of Judah: because out of you will come a ruler, who will shepherd my people, Israel.”

7Then Herod secretly summoned the Wise Men and found out from them exactly when the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report to me, so that I may also go and worship him.”

9After listening to the king, they went on their way. Then the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them, until it stood still over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with overwhelming joy. 11After they went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12Since they had been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route.

Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version (Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Publishing House, 2019), Mt 2:1–12.

AI Notes:

Keywords Epiphany, Wise Men, Christmas, Inclusion, Faith, Simplicity, Community, Worship, Blessings, God

Summary This conversation explores the themes of Epiphany, the significance of the Wise Men, and the inclusion of Gentiles in God's kingdom. It highlights the simplicity of faith and the unexpected blessings that can arise from following God's guidance.

Takeaways

• The arrival of the Wise Men signifies the inclusion of Gentiles in God's kingdom.
• Epiphany celebrates the revelation of Christ to all nations.
• Unexpected blessings can arise from unplanned situations, as illustrated by Kristen Bell's story.
• Faith can be as simple as following God's word and worshiping Him.
• The wise men exemplified simplicity in their faith journey.
• God's grace is available to everyone, regardless of background.
• The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
• Community and fellowship are essential aspects of worship.
• God has made it possible for us to approach Him freely through faith in Jesus.
• Living a simple life of faith can lead to overwhelming joy.

The Danger of Opposing Jesus

Sermon preached by Pastor Julius Buelow at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE on December 28, 2025 for Holy Innocents. More info at mtolivelincoln.org

Text: Matthew 2:13-23

13After the Wise Men were gone, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to Joseph in a dream. He said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, because Herod will search for the child in order to kill him.” 14Joseph got up, took the child and his mother during the night, and left for Egypt. 15He stayed there until the death of Herod. This happened to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Herod Kills the Boys 16When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Wise Men, he was furious. He issued orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under. This was in keeping with the exact time he had learned from the Wise Men. 17Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: 18A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and she refused to be comforted, because they are no more. Return to Nazareth 19After Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. The angel said, 20“Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to kill the child are dead.” 21Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus, Herod’s son, had succeeded his father as ruler in Judea, he was afraid to go there. Since he had been warned in a dream, he went to the region of Galilee. 23When he arrived there, he settled in a city called Nazareth. So what was spoken through the prophets was fulfilled: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version (Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Publishing House, 2019), Mt 2:13–23.

AI Summary:

The conversation explores the significance of the Festival of the Holy Innocents, reflecting on the biblical narrative of King Herod's actions and the implications of being a child of God. It emphasizes the dangers faced by those who oppose God and the spirit of sacrifice exemplified by the innocent children who died for their faith. The discussion highlights the true essence of Christmas as a time for self-sacrifice and remembrance of those who have suffered for their beliefs.

Takeaways

• The Festival of the Holy Innocents serves as a reminder of the true spirit of Christmas.
• Herod's actions reflect the dangers of opposing God.
• Being a child of God marks one as an enemy of the devil.
• The sacrifice of the Holy Innocents is honored as a testament to faith.
• Jesus' flight to Egypt fulfills Old Testament prophecies.
• The danger of being a child of God is still relevant today.
• Christians face persecution globally, highlighting the cost of faith.
• The true Christmas spirit involves self-sacrifice and love.
• Those who die in faith are promised eternal life.
• The story of the Holy Innocents encourages believers to embrace their faith courageously.

God Chose to Dwell Among Us

Sermon preached by Pastor Julius Buelow at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE on December 25, 2025 for Christmas Day. More info at mtolivelincoln.org

Takeaways:

• Jesus is the Word, with God, and God himself
• Jesus chose to dwell among people who would reject him

Text: John 1:1-14

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him everything was made, and without him not one thing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. 5The light is shining in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6There was a man, sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as an eyewitness to testify about the light so that everyone would believe through him. 8He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9The real light that shines on everyone was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not recognize him. 11He came to what was his own, yet his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who did receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. 13They were born, not of blood, or of the desire of the flesh, or of a husband’s will, but born of God. 14The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. We have seen his glory, the glory he has as the only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version (Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Publishing House, 2019), Jn 1:1–14.

Called Out of Darkness Into His Wonderful Light!

Sermon preached by Pastor Matt Vogt at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE on December 21, 2025 for the fourth Sunday of Advent. More info at mtolivelincoln.org

Text: 1 Peter 2:9-10

9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, the people who are God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10At one time you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. At one time you were not shown mercy, but now you have been shown mercy.

Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version (Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Publishing House, 2019), 1 Pe 2:9–10.

The (Dis)Comfort of Repentance

Sermon preached by Pastor Julius Buelow at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE on December 14, 2025 for the third Sunday of Advent. More info at mtolivelincoln.org

Takeaways:

• The hardest words to say in the English language are often "I'm sorry"
• They're uncomfortable to say because we don't want to quit, we don't want it to look like we're worse than someone else, and we don't want to admit we're mortal and can make mistakes
• But the comfort of repentance, of saying I'm sorry, is that when we quit fighting to make up for our guilt, we see Jesus has conquered guilt for us; when we admit we're all sinners, we see God has shown grace to all equally; when we admit we're mortal, God turns us to his immortal unchanging faithfulness

Text: Isaiah 40:1-8

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and call out to her. Her warfare really is over. Her guilt is fully paid for. Yes, she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. 3A voice is calling out: In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord. In the wasteland make a level highway for our God. 4Every valley will be raised up, and every mountain and hill will be made low. The rugged ground will become level, and the rough places will become a plain. 5Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh together will see it. Yes, the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 6A voice was saying, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry out?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like a wildflower in the countryside. 7Grass withers, flowers fade, when the breath of the Lord blows on them. Yes, the people are grass. 8Grass withers, flowers fade, but the Word of our God endures forever.

Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version (Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Publishing House, 2019), Is 40:1–8.

Midweek Advent devotion preached on Luke 1:26-56 at Mt Olive in Lincoln, NE on December 10, 2025.

This is Fine.

Sermon preached by Pastor Julius Buelow at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE on December 7, 2025 for the second Sunday of Advent. More info at mtolivelincoln.org

Takeaways:

• Are Christians like the dog in the "This is fine" comic?
• The Lord says it is not fine to test him as if he isn't watching and won't judge
• The Lord will make a distinction between the righteous and wicked in the end
• When Jesus comes in righteous fire, that distinction will be clear
• Until then, Christians live in hope, like the three men in the fiery furnace

Text: Malachi 4:1-6

Look! The day is coming, burning like a blast furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble. The day that is coming will set them on fire, says the Lord of Armies, a day that will not leave behind a root or branch for them. 2But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will rise, and there will be healing in its wings. You will go out and jump around like calves from the stall. 3You will trample the wicked. They will surely be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I take action, says the Lord of Armies. 4Remember the law of my servant Moses, which I commanded to him at Horeb to serve as statutes and judgments over all Israel. 5Look! I am going to send Elijah the prophet to you before the great and fearful day of the Lord comes! 6He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with complete destruction.

Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version (Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Publishing House, 2019), Mal 4:1–6.