Time in the Word - Proper 6 - June 9-14, 2008

Time in the Word
The Formation of God’s People
Proper 6
June 9-14- 2008

The theme the Formation of God’s People places an emphasis upon God making a people for Himself. In the Old Testament lesson God through Moses tells the people they will be His people as long as they keep the Law. This they (and we too) failed to do. In the Epistle Paul explains that God still takes us s His people because Christ died for the disobedient and reconciled them to the Father. This good news is given by the called disciples who are sent to preach. The prayer for the Day refers to our calling to witness to the Gospel. The Psalm affirms that we are God’s people. The suggested Hymn of the Day deals with the spreading of the comfort the Christian has in knowing Christ came to seek the lost.

Collect for Proper 6 – Almighty, eternal God, in the Word of Your apostles and prophets You have proclaimed to us Your saving will. Grant us faith to believe Your promises that we may receive eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, June 9, 2008 – Psalm 67:1-7 - This is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 3, “Let the People praise You o God, let the people praise You.”

Tuesday, June 10, 2008 – Exodus 19:2-8 – Through obedience to the covenant the people at Sinai are reminded by the Lord that they are His people. God tells Moses that if the people will keep the covenant, they shall be his people. We do not know who we are until we know whose we are. If we belong to God, we understand who we are — children, sons, and servants of God. How did we become God’s possession? We are his, first, by creation — “all the earth is mine,” and we are a part of the earth. Second, we are his by redemption — “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians ... and brought you to myself” (v. 4).

Wednesday, June 11, 2008– Romans 5:6-15 – Through the cross of Christ God’s love is seen as Christ dies for the sinner. God’s love is seen in Christ’s dying for sinners. It is not likely that anyone would die for a good person. How much less would one die for a bad person? This is exactly what Jesus did — he died for us while we were yet sinners. He did not wait until we became good to die for us. There were no preconditions to be met. As a result of his atoning death, we are justified and in the coming judgment we will escape the wrath of God. If we are now reconciled by his death, we will move to be saved by his life. For what God has done for us in Christ, we rejoice in him. The love of God is seen in Jesus’ dying for sinners — worthless, evil, polluted people who are forever bent on doing evil. What did God see in a fallen man that he would give his Son to save a people like that? It is not human to do it; we would hardly die for a glorious man, let alone a wicked one. “While we were yet sinners” — a glorious phrase that proves God’s grace reaches out to humanity. This is grace, agape love.

Thursday, June 12, 2008 – Matthew 9:35-10:8 – Through the ministry of the Word Jesus calls disciples and sends them out to preach. Jesus calls twelve disciples and sends them out to preach and heal. After teaching, preaching, and healing in various villages and cities, Jesus is impressed by the condition of the people — harassed, helpless, and lost. Their condition moves him to have compassion on them. To meet the need, he appoints the twelve and sends them only to the Jews to preach and heal. As they received the gospel free of charge, they are to give the gospel free of charge. Jesus’ ministry was a total ministry to the total person. It consisted of teaching, preaching, and healing: a ministry to the mind through teaching, to the heart (soul) through preaching, and to the body through healing. Since we are an inseparable unit of body, mind, and spirit, the church’s ministry today needs to include this threefold ministry.

Friday, June 13, 2008 – Psalm 100– This Psalm is suggested for next Sunday. The key verses is verse 3c “We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture” In light of our lessons we rejoice that we have this new found relationship with the Savior, a relationship caused by the Savior’s amazing grace and favor.

Saturday, June 14, 2008 –John 3:16-18 – This passage is the inspiration for the hymn “God Loved the World so that He Gave” {LSB 830} Taken from a familiar verse of the Scriptures the Savior explains the motivation the Father had in sending His Son into the world. The purpose of His coming was to redeem and save us.

A Prayer for families – Almighty God behold the families of our congregation and community. We pray that You might be the ever present yet unseen guest in every home. Daily may we serve You that there might be harmony and peace. Keep us safe from the enemy and may Your blessings fall upon us like gentle rain.

A Prayer for purity– Almighty God unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, from whom no secrets are hidden, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit that we may perfectly love You and worthily magnify Your holy name.

For humility - Heavenly Father, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace.

A prayer before we study the Word – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, without Your help our labor is useless, and without Your light our search is in vain. Invigorate the study of Your holy Word that, by due diligence and right discernment, we may establish ourselves and others in Your holy faith.

Sources:

LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK LECTIONARY © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

LECTIONALRY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES A © 1980 John Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH