Sermon: This is Fine.

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.