On the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, the people of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin, Missouri gathered around Word and Sacrament to hear a bracing word from our Lord: “Have no fear.” On a Father’s Day morning — and just one day after a wedding and a full week of Vacation Bible School in God’s house — Pastor Christopher Ramstad preached Christ’s rally cry for His church from Matthew 10.
Worship on the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Immanuel’s summer worship continues with a single service at 9:00 a.m., followed by Bible Class and Sunday School at 10:15. This Sunday was a Communion service in Divine Service, Setting Three, and the congregation confessed the Nicene Creed and received the body and blood of Christ for the forgiveness of sins. We opened with “How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord” (LSB 853) and sang “Lord of Our Life and God of Our Salvation” (LSB 659) as the Hymn of the Day.
The appointed readings for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (Series A, Proper 7) were Jeremiah 20:7–13, Romans 6:12–23, and the Holy Gospel from Matthew 10:5a, 21–33 (ESV). Each text pressed the same comfort: the Lord is with His people even when the world opposes them.
This message continued our journey through the Season after Pentecost. Revisit the previous week’s message for the Third Sunday after Pentecost, and a closely related sermon on living under Christ’s name in a world that does not always welcome it from the Sixth Sunday of Easter — or browse them all in our sermon archive.
“Have No Fear” — Christ’s Rally Cry for His Church
Pastor Ramstad began where we all do — wanting a good “hype-up speech” for the hard mornings. We hear them in sports, in movies, in every great rally before the battle — like President Whitmore’s famous call to courage in the film Independence Day:
So what does Jesus say as He sends out twelve ordinary, under-qualified men? Not what we expect: “Brother will deliver brother over to death… and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake.”
That hardly sounds like encouragement. Yet Jesus does not send His disciples — or us — into the work of the kingdom alone or unequipped. Everything He commands, He has already done: He healed the sick, cleansed the leper, cast out demons, and raised the dead (Matthew 9). Then He turns to His followers and says, in effect, “Your turn.” A servant is not above his master; if they maligned the Master of the house, His household should expect no less.
And then the rally cry the church can stand on: “Have no fear of them.” Look at the sparrows, Jesus says — two sold for a penny, and yet not one falls apart from your Father. How much more does He love and protect you? Pastor Ramstad even shared a Father’s Day surprise: a new birdhouse camera that caught two sparrows on Friday — and then a flock of squirrels he chased off to protect them. If a man gets that protective of birds, how much more the Creator who numbers the hairs of your head?
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Matthew 10:29–31 (ESV)
The heart of the sermon: “The one who endures to the end will be saved” — and that One is Jesus. He endured the cross, despising its shame, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. His enemies could not destroy the Head of the household; therefore they cannot destroy His house. That is our confidence — not our strength, but His. “Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.”
A Children’s Message on God’s Care
During the children’s message, Mr. Jason Glaskey set a small bird’s nest with a single penny tucked inside it on the baptismal font. Two sparrows, Jesus says, are sold for a penny — and you can barely buy anything for a penny today. Yet you are worth far more than many sparrows to your heavenly Father. He knows you, He sees you, and He even knows the number of hairs on your head. On Father’s Day, that is good news about our Father in heaven who sends Jesus and His good gifts — a love the baptized are joined to in Holy Baptism.
Singing Our Confidence: Lord of Our Life
The Hymn of the Day gave voice to the same trust the Gospel proclaims — the Church besieged yet preserved by her Lord.
Lord of our life and God of our salvation,
“Lord of Our Life and God of Our Salvation,” LSB 659, st. 1
Star of our night and hope of every nation,
Hear and receive Your Church’s supplication,
Lord God Almighty.
Giving Thanks for Rainforest Falls VBS
This Sunday also celebrated a wonderful week of Vacation Bible School — Rainforest Falls. Ninety children were registered and more than eighty attended on a given night, from fifty-one families across our church, our school, and the wider Joplin community. Fifty-four volunteers, adults and youth alike, gave their week so that children could hear the good news of Jesus. To God be the glory! The Evangelism Board is following up with families to invite them back to worship at Immanuel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the readings for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost?
In the LCMS three-year lectionary (Series A, Proper 7), the readings are Jeremiah 20:7–13, Romans 6:12–23, and Matthew 10:5a, 21–33. The sermon focused on the Gospel from Matthew 10 and Jesus’ words, “Have no fear.”
What time are summer worship services at Immanuel Lutheran in Joplin?
Through the summer, Immanuel holds one Sunday service at 9:00 a.m., with Bible Class and Sunday School at 10:15. You can find current times on our Sunday Services page.
Who preached and who led the children’s message?
Pastor Christopher Ramstad preached the sermon, and Director of Christian Education Jason Glaskey led the children’s message. Browse more messages in our sermon archive.
Can I listen to Immanuel’s sermons as a podcast?
Yes. Our Word & Sacrament podcast publishes each week’s sermon on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and the full service is available on our website and YouTube channel.
What does Immanuel Lutheran Church believe?
Immanuel is a congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, confessing the historic Christian faith centered in Jesus Christ. Learn more on our What We Believe page, and explore our ministries, including our youth ministry and children and families.
About Immanuel Lutheran Church
Immanuel Lutheran Church is a confessional LCMS congregation and home of Martin Luther School (PK–8) in Joplin, Missouri. Jesus Brings Life — Meet Him Here. Join us for worship at 2616 S Connecticut Ave, Joplin, MO 64804. We would love to welcome you; reach out through our Contact page or learn what to expect by visiting our Sunday Services page.