Time in the Word - Proper 4 - May 26-31 2008

Obedience to God’s Word
Proper 4
May 26-31- 2008

Obedience comes through loud and clear in the Old Testament and Gospel lessons for this coming week. In the Gospel, obedience to Jesus’ words and doing God’s will constitute entrance into the Kingdom. To obey or not to obey is the issue of the Old Testament lesson. The Epistle may give us a challenge. It appears to contradict the other two lessons. This contradiction may be solved by understanding that obedience follows salvation rather than causes it. The Prayer of the day deals with the theme of obedience. The Psalm and hymn of the week are connected to the Gospel reading. The Gospel is a continuation of Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount. As we enter a Memorial Day weekend we include prayers for our armed forces as petitions for peace in our time.

Collect for Proper 4 – Lord of all power and might, author and giver of all good things, instill in our hearts the love of Your name, impress on our minds the teachings of Your Word, and increase in our lives all that is holy and just; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, May 26, 2008 – Psalm 92:12-15 - This is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 5, “How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep!” The thoughts of God are measured by His righteous deeds. They are profound and deep. They are found in the deep mysteries of the faith, the cross and tomb of Christ.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28 – Obedience to God’s Words brings blessing. – Life or death depends on obedience to God’s laws. The farther society gets away from God the more secular it becomes. Secularism is that view of life that ignores God in life. It lives as though God did not exist. Secularism sucks the spirituality out of society. In this passage, Moses calls upon the Israelites to put God in every area of life, every day and in every way. No one at any time can escape the presence of God. This is related to obedience. In a secular world, obedience to God cannot be a factor, for God is not there. In a sacred world, God is central and we live in harmony with God’s will.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008 – Romans 3:21-28 – Obedience to God’s Word results from grace – A person is justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The righteousness of God is not received by works of the Law, but by faith in Christ. This is the first of 16 lessons from Romans. The passage is a good summary of the book of Romans. Prior to this lesson, Paul explained that both Jews and Gentiles are sinners and that obeying the Law of God cannot result in justification. Our salvation depends upon the grace of God in Christ. It becomes a personal possession by faith in Christ. Since the righteousness of God comes as a gift and not by works, we have no reason to be proud of ourselves.

Thursday, May 29, 2008 - Matthew 7:21-37 – Obedience to Jesus’ words brings security. He who obeys the words of Jesus enters the Kingdom of God. They who obey Jesus’ words build their lives on rock. For the balance of the church year, the Gospel is taken from Matthew. Today’s pericope is the conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount. It does what a sermon conclusion should do: a call to put the Word into action through obedience. Obeying the Law will not gain a right relation with God. Jesus asks for more than lip service. He calls for life service by obeying his teachings. The one who does it will have the security and stability of a house built on rock when the floods come.

Friday, May 30, 2008 – Psalm 4– This Psalm is suggested for next Sunday. A liturgical Psalm asking for the Lord to direct and guide His people.

Saturday, May 31, 2008 –Matthew 7:24; 16:24; 16:18 – These passages from Matthew are the inspiration for the hymn “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” {LSB 575} one of the great hymns of the church.

A Prayer in times of War – O Almighty God, You alone can establish lasting peace. Forgive our sins, we pray and deliver us from the hands of our enemies that we, being strengthened by Your defense, may be preserved from all danger and glorify You for the restoration of tranquility in our land.

A Prayer for the Armed forces of our nation – Almighty God, Lord of hosts, stretch forth Your almighty arm to strengthen and protect those who serve in the armed forces of our country. Support them in times of war, and in times of peace keep them form all evil, give them courage and loyalty. Grant that in all things they may serve with integrity and honor.

For peace in our world - Heavenly Father, God of all concord, it is Your gracious will that Your children on earth live together in harmony and peace. Defeat the plans of all those who would stir up violence and strife, destroy the weapons of those who delight in war and bloodshed, and according to Your will, end all conflicts in the world. Teach us to examine our hearts that we may recognize our own inclination toward envy, malice, hatred, and enmity. Help us, by Your Word and Spirit, to search our hearts and to root oupeace with all people. Fill us with zeal for the work of Your Church and the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone can bring that peace which is beyond all understanding.

Sources:
THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL © 1940 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LUTHERAN WORSHIP © 1982 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LECTIONARY PREACHING WORKBOOK SEREIS A John Brokhoff (c) 1980 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH