Jesus’ time in the wilderness serves as a vicarious victory where, as the "true Israel," he remained perfectly obedient to God’s word in the exact places where humanity and the ancient Israelites failed. Rather than being just a "how-to" for us to resisting sin, His triumph represents a perfect sacrifice made on behalf of believers who can never save themselves.

For more information about The American Association of Lutheran Churches go to TAALC.org.

Jesus is far more than a moral example; He is the "Word made flesh" who reduced the terrifying glory of God into a human form so that we could receive Him as our God. In this episode, Dr. Larson clarifies that by shifting our focus from Jesus as a teacher to Jesus as our Savior, we move from a place of terror before a holy God to the peace of being His beloved and redeemed children.

For more information about The American Association of Lutheran Churches go to TAALC.org.

When Christ Jesus provides a list of wonderful beatitudes and yet we find ourselves wanting, what is the answer to our problem? In this episode, Dr. Larson points to the Christ Jesus as the only solution to our paradoxical life of being a saint and at the same time a sinner.

For more information about The American Association of Lutheran Churches go to TAALC.org.

If the Church is sanctified, Christ's people gathering around Word and Sacrament, how is it that there is always conflict? In this episode of Faith Comes by Hearing, Dr. Larson encourage us to find peace and concord in the only ONE that can lead His Church through the drama that has always existed in the Church.

For more information about The American Association of Lutheran Churches go to TAALC.org.

The Church is defined as "holy" not because of the merit of its members, but because it is the place where Christ is present through Word and Sacrament to bring His heavenly kingdom to sinners. Ultimately, the Church is a unique fellowship where Christ provides and sustains His people and keeps them in the true faith until the day of His return

For more information about The American Association of Lutheran Churches go to TAALC.org.

Dr. Larson highlights the biblical teaching that baptism is a burial into the death of Christ, liberating us from our sinful nature. By dying to the old self through the waters of baptism, the believer is freed from the power of sin and united with Jesus in His resurrection. As St. Paul proclaims, "We shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like His."

For more information about The American Association of Lutheran Churches go to TAALC.org.

Is Christianity truly about your own efforts to be good, or is it built on a foundation of something far more radical? Dr. Larson explores the transformative power of Christ's perfect obedience and how His righteousness is gifted to you through faith alone. Join us to discover how living out of gratitude, rather than the fear of failing the law, can reshape your entire perspective on faith and life.

For more information about The American Association of Lutheran Churches go to TAALC.org.

In this Christmas sermon from the Faith Comes by Hearing podcast, Dr. Cary Larson explores the biblical account of the angel's announcement to shepherds about the birth of Jesus and to look for the sign of swaddling clothes. The challenge is our human tendency to believe we must earn God's love or bring offerings to the manger, contrasting it with the unconditional grace and aid God offers. There is a connection of the manger to Jesus' later burial in linen cloths and resurrection, presenting Christmas as a celebration of God's gift of salvation through Christ, bringing great joy and peace to all who receive it.

For more information about The American Association of Lutheran Churches go to TAALC.org.