On the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, the people of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin, Missouri gathered for a service of the Word led by our elders while Pastor Christopher Ramstad was away with his family. Chief Elder Christopher Killebrew delivered the sermon Pastor Ramstad had prepared on Romans 7 — a searching and comforting word for the whole congregation: the Law of God is holy, righteous, and good.
Worship on the Fifth 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 was an elder-led service of the Word — a fourth-Sunday morning without Communion — as Pastor Ramstad and his family were out of town, joining us online from Hannibal. Our elders divided the liturgy and led the congregation faithfully. We opened with “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” (LSB 425) and together confessed the Apostles’ Creed. Current times are always on our Sunday Services page.
The appointed readings for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Series A, Proper 8) were Jeremiah 28:5–9, Romans 7:1–13, and the Holy Gospel from Matthew 10:34–42 (ESV). Jeremiah warns against the prophet who promises easy peace; Paul wrestles with why the good Law of God still condemns; and Jesus calls His disciples to take up the cross and welcome the little ones — even with a cup of cold water.
This message continued our journey through the Season after Pentecost. Revisit the previous week’s message for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, or browse them all in our sermon archive.
“The Law Is Holy and Good” — a Sermon on Romans 7
Can something be good for us even when it doesn’t feel good? The sermon began with the everyday struggle of health — new foods, the treadmill, the gym — where the benefit is real but the results come slowly. In the same way, Paul insists that the Law is good, even holy, because it comes from God. Psalm 1 delights in it; God writes it on our hearts; our own conscience bears witness to it. The problem was never the Law. The problem is sin — and what sin does when it meets the Law.
The Law is good, but it kills. It exposes our sin, shows us how far short we fall of God’s glory, and bars the door of heaven to sinners. Yet the Law is good because of the Gospel. In Holy Baptism we were joined to Christ in His death and resurrection — and, having died with Him, the Law’s accusations no longer have power over us. When the Law comes to accuse the baptized, it finds nothing but the cleansing blood and broken body of Jesus.
The sermon’s picture stayed with the congregation: a lion, a tiger, or a bear would terrify us in the wild — but meet the same beast behind bars at the zoo and there is no more terror, only wonder. In Christ, the Law is caged. Its accusations crash against the wall of His atoning sacrifice and are stopped. Now the Law is no longer a tyrant but a gift from our best Friend — God’s good and perfect will for our lives. As Luther writes in the close of the Ten Commandments, “we should also love and trust in Him and gladly do what He commands.” In Christ Jesus, and only in Christ, we can say with Paul that the Law is holy and good.
“So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.”
Romans 7:12 (ESV)
A Children’s Message: A Cup of Cold Water
Director of Christian Education Jason Glaskey led the children’s message, asking the children about the times they do something kind and no one notices — or worse, no one says thank you. Jesus tells His disciples that whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones “will by no means lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42). So the children each received a real cup of cold water, and then a reminder: this is not the first time water has been given at the front of church. In Holy Baptism, God saw you, called you by name, and made you His own. He notices every small act of kindness, because He first loved you.
Singing the Cross: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
The congregation opened worship at the foot of the cross — the very place where the Law’s demands are answered and the Gospel is won.
When I survey the wondrous cross
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” LSB 425, st. 1
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the readings for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost?
In the LCMS three-year lectionary (Series A, Proper 8), the readings are Jeremiah 28:5–9, Romans 7:1–13, and Matthew 10:34–42. The sermon focused on Romans 7 and the truth that God’s Law is holy, righteous, and good.
Who preached and who led worship on June 28?
This was an elder-led service while Pastor Christopher Ramstad was away with his family. Pastor Ramstad wrote the sermon, and Chief Elder Christopher Killebrew delivered it. Director of Christian Education Jason Glaskey led the welcome, the children’s message, and the announcements. Browse more messages in our sermon archive.
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.
Can I listen to Immanuel’s sermons as a podcast?
Yes. Our Word & Sacrament podcast publishes Pastor Ramstad’s weekly sermons on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and the full June 28 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.