Pr. DFD : September 2014

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Time in the Word - Proper 22

A Study for Proper 22

September 29 – October 4, 2014

The Vineyard of God’s People

In the Lessons for this week, we look at evil confidences, which cannot stand under the light of God’s Holy Law. God’s people constitute a vineyard. The Gospel and Old Testament lessons complement each other in the use of a vineyard as a metaphor for God’s people. In both, the vineyard is at fault; in the Gospel, the tenants refuse to render fruit; in the Old Testament, the fruit is wild. In the Epistle lesson, the wild fruit are those who are “enemies of the cross of Christ” and serve as an example of the right kind of fruit Christians produce. Because God’s vineyard is His people, He has the right to ask for proper returns from the vineyard. Both the Old Testament lesson and the Gospel pronounce judgment upon the vineyard for failing to produce the fruit of acknowledging Christ as Lord and the fruit of justice.

Monday, September 29, 2014 – Psalm 118:22-24 - Antiphon, verse 1:“O Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever.” – This is a call to praise the Lord. David offers a song of thanksgiving for deliverance and victory. The people rejoice over what the Lord has done. Thereafter, the king speaks his final word of praise (see verse 28). We praise and exalt the Lord because He is mighty to save. This is why He is good – His mercy, His steadfast love endures forever.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014 – Psalm 80:7-19 – This week’s Psalm has as the key verse, verse 7. The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant He cherished (Isaiah 5:7). After making a lament over the Lord’s severe punishment of His people the Psalmist looks to the Lord who will vindicate His own as He restores and makes His face shine upon them that they might be saved.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014 – Isaiah 5:1-7 God’s people receive judgment for evil fruit. Confidence in violence and bloodshed leads to judgment. In the Old Testament reading, God’s judgment upon His people is shown for their failure to produce proper fruit. The prophet sings a love song to God regarding God’s vineyard, his people. God is his “beloved.” God loves His people. Proof of this love is that God’s vineyard, His possession, is His people. Out of love, God accepts and owns His people. And look what God has done for His people! He has placed a vineyard on a fertile hill. He dug the ground, cleared away the stones, and planted it with the best vines. Then He built a watchtower and a wine vat. God is love and He deals lovingly with His people: claiming them as His own, and providing for them by giving them the best of everything to be fruitful.

Thursday, October 2, 2014 – Philippians 3:4b-14 – God’s people strive to be examples worthy of Christ. Confidence in the flesh cannot stand. Forgetting the past, Paul presses on toward the goal of Christ and lives as an example for others. Paul defends himself as a Christian of the first order through the mercies of God. Yet, he does not think he has it “made,” but keeps striving for complete devotion to Christ by becoming one in the sufferings, death, and resurrection of Christ. Because he imitates Christ, he is able to ask his people to imitate him in both faith and life.

Though we are in the world, we belong to the kingdom of heaven. When Christ returns, He will transform our earthly bodies to spiritual bodies.

Paul uses this phrase “I press on” twice in this passage. It must have been important to him in getting across his plan. He is not idly waiting for perfection to come to him. He is not neutral. He is urgent, pursuing, and energetic in getting to his goal. To become like Christ is a process over a lifetime — ever striving to be like Christ in every area of life. At the same time, Paul would say that God was in him pressing on, working in him. A Christian dare not be content with his life. He is ever seeking to improve it.

Friday, October 3, 2014 – Matthew 21:33-46 – God’s people refuse to return God His due. Confidence in one’s own faith will fail. This is another parable of the kingdom. It is an allegorized parable. The vineyard is Israel. The tenants are the religious leaders. The servants are the prophets. The son is Jesus. The murder was the cross. Jesus is saying that time after time God has sought to redeem his people through the prophets, but each effort was in vain. In desperation, He sent His Son whom they crucified. This is in accord with the psalmist who says the rejected stone became the cornerstone. The outcome of it is that the religious leaders of Israel will lose the kingdom, which will be given to those who produce the fruit of righteousness. Because of their rejection of Christ, the Jews lost, but the Gentiles gained the kingdom.

The owner has a right to receive fruit from the tenants. People owe something to God. Time after time God comes for His due until finally He makes the ultimate appeal in His Son, Jesus. Rebellious tenants kill the Son in hope of taking over the vineyard. Here can be seen the patience of God, trying repeatedly to get the tenants to respond; here can also be seen the greed of people.

Saturday, October 4, 2014 – Matthew 25:1-13 - Our reading is the inspiration for the hymn, “Rejoice, Rejoice Believers.” The believer rejoices only in Christ. The days are getting shorter, soon the harvest will commence. We pray for the safety of all who work to bring food to our table. We also anticipate a harvest of souls.

As God’s vineyard will be harvested at the end of days so look to Christ the lord of the harvest, the one in whom the believer rejoices.

Collects for Proper 22 – Gracious God, You gave Your Son into the hands of sinful men, who killed Him. Forgive us when we reject Your unfailing love, and grant us the fullness of Your salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one god, now and forever.

O God, whose almighty power is made known chiefly in showing mercy and pity, grant us the fullness of Your grace that we may be partakers of Your heavenly treasures.

A prayer for Agriculture – You bless the earth to make it fruitful, bring forth in abundance whatever is needed for the support of our lives. Prosper; we pray the work of farmers as they bring food to our table. Grant them seasonable weather that they may gather in the fruit of the earth, and thus proclaim Your goodness with thanksgiving. Cause all people who give thanks over their food to treat those who produce it with honor and respect. May we see by this noble vocation that through them You feed the world.

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:

Friday, September 26, 2014

Proper 21

Proper 21

28 September 2014

Mathew 21:23-27

Almighty God, You exalted Your Son to the place of all honor and authority. Enlighten our minds by Your Holy Spirit that, confessing Jesus as Lord, we may be led into all truth.

It is Tuesday of Holy Week. The triumphal entry happened on Sunday. Jesus clears and cleanses the temple on Monday. Now, the confrontation. By whose "authority" do you do these things?

Jesus. He has not the authority of the elders. Instead, He makes Himself equal with God. Jesus does not have to defer to anyone. He shows His authority by doing things. By going to a cross on Friday. Offering you His life in exchange for your own.

Jesus confronts the religious leaders of His time. Priests, Scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees - They condemn Jesus. Because of His association with sinners - publicans, prostitutes, and prodigals. Jesus points out that when the religious leaders saw sinners repenting upon hearing John the Baptist, they still did not repent. Consequently, these sinners will enter the kingdom before the spiritual elite.

The religious elite. They challenge Jesus with a question. Unbelief will always argue and question. When an inquiry is asked without faith, Jesus will respond in one of three ways. He remains silent. He will call them a name. Or, He will ask another question.

The religious elite. They do not care about truth. They want it their way. So Jesus responds with a question of His own. John's baptism. Was it from heaven or men? The people saw John as a prophet sent from God. John and Jesus were viewed as one. They answer His question, “we don't know.” So He continues to teach with His parables. The sinner who repents enters the Kingdom.

There were two sons. One repents. He enters the Kingdom. Even though, at first, he disobeyed the Father.

The father uses a familiar address. “Son, go and work.” He asks nothing but what would have been expected.

This one son says, “I will not.” He gives a rude refusal. This son uses no polite term of address to his father. This conduct corresponds to that of the “tax collectors and sinners” who show blatant disregard to God’s will under the covenant. But later he changes his mind and obeys. This first son has a change of will from within. He repents. He responds to the preaching of John the Baptist. Repenting, he brings forth the fruits of repentance.

The other son says, “I go.” This son was very polite. He calls his father “Sir.” He had respect and piety. He said he would go to work as the father expected. He gave the right answer. But it was mere lip service. He showed proper respect. But he was not as good as his word. He did not go. He failed to do what he had said.

But deeds, and not mere words, are required to fulfill the Father’s will. The Pharisees, “They preach…but they do not practice.”[1] They know the right things to say in worship and prayer. They consent to God’s laws and make promises to obey but do nothing. They have confession without execution. They do not get into the Kingdom. They failed to repent. This does not mean that we are saved by acts of obedience. But a superficial and artificial relationship with God does not count. They are left out of the Kingdom. They refuse to repent. They see no need of Christ. They are the obedient who disobey. Lip service is inadequate.

Blatant sinners originally refused to obey. But they repent. And so, they entered the Kingdom. Disobedient dirties, at last, obey. They repent. They followed and went.

But how can you do the Father’s will and not just say, “I will”? There needs to be a change of heart. There needs to be an about face. This change of mind, from disobedience, from “no” to “yes”, from going in the wrong direction, to turning in the right direction, is the meaning of repentance.

This involves sorrow over sin. But we mustn’t simply wallow in our misery. Self-pity will not do. Rather, we regret over our failures. We have remorse. We are truly heart-sorry for that which we have done.

And, we have faith. We trust that God has forgiven our sins for Jesus’ sake. We trust that God declares us righteous because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. And then, by a God-given resolve, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we determine to be righteous in our everyday life.

He who has entered the kingdom through repentance and faith loves not just in words, but, in deed and in truth. His faith is not dead, without works. But alive and bearing fruit. Consider the heart of the matter. There needs to be a new heart and a new spirit. A heart that loves God. And a spirit that obeys His Word. With actions of mercy and sacrifice.

____________

Words –841

Passive Sentences - 4%

Reading Ease –80.5

Reading Level -3.9

[1] Matthew 23:3

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Time in the Word - Proper 21

A Study for Pentecost 16- Proper 21

September 22-27, 2014

Repent & Live

In the Lessons for this week, we deal with sin and an appeal to turn to God for mercy. The Gospel lesson tells of two sons, one of whom repented and entered the Kingdom even though at first he disobeyed the Father. Through Ezekiel, God appeals to sinners to repent lest they die, for His will is for everyone to live. In the Epistle lesson, Paul deals with the problem of disunity in the Philippian congregation resulting from selfishness and arrogance, and appeals for unity by adopting the humble mind of Christ. The suggested Psalm deals with the theme by asking God not to remember the sins of our youth and appealing to God’s mercy and steadfast love.

Monday, September 22, 2014 – Psalm 147:1-5, Antiphon, verse 6 – “The Lord lifts up the humble He casts the wicked to the ground.” Those who acknowledge that they are without resources in and of themselves, the Lord lifts up while others who trust in themselves will be cast down. This is the definition of faith.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014 – Psalm 25:1-10 – The Psalm appointed for next week has as the key verse, verse 6, “Be mindful of thy mercy, O Lord, and of thy steadfast love, for they have been from of old.” The Psalmist asks the Lord to remember the Lord’s long-standing mercy and love but not to remember his long-standing sin.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014 – Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 – God wants all to repent and live. In Sunday’s first reading, God appeals to Israel to repent and live. Turn from evil to good and you shall live. With that we can agree, but the rub comes in making the turn. What will create a desire to change? Where does one get the power to break away from sin to walk in righteousness? The answer is in “a new heart and a new spirit.” But how does one get a new heart? This takes us to Jesus who said, “You must be born new.” Thus, one does not straighten out his life and then come to Jesus. He comes to Jesus as he is in sin and gets a new spirit. He then follows a new way of life.

Thursday, September 25, 2014 – Philippians 2:1-4, 14-18 – Turn from conceit to humility for unity. Paul in the Epistle lesson appeals for unity in the Philippian congregation. Paul, in appealing for unity, presents Jesus as the model of humanity and obedience. Paul pleads for unity in the congregation at Philippi. He uses Jesus as an example of humility. In this lesson Paul shows the dual reality of the humanity and divinity of Jesus. His deity is indicated by the words, “in the form of God” and “equality with God.” His humanity is expressed in the phrases, “emptied himself,” “the likeness of men,” “in human form,” “obedient unto death.” This humility and obedience led to Christ’s exaltation. It is God’s will that every tongue confess Him as Lord. In the light of this,

Christians are to work out their salvation as God works in them.

What is the solution to lack of church unity? Paul urges his people to have the mind of Christ. His mind was one of humility demonstrated in His taking the form of a servant and dying on a cross.

Humility is expressed by considering others better than yourself and being concerned more about others than yourself. Arrogance and pride divide and cause trouble while humility draws together into a unity.

Friday, September 26, 2014 – Matthew 21:23-27 – The sinner who repents enters the Kingdom of God. The Gospel lesson tells of two sons, one of whom repented and entered the Kingdom even though at first he disobeyed the Father. In the Parable of the Two Sons we learn a valuable lesson concerning sin and an appeal to turn to God for mercy. With this parable, Jesus confronts the religious leaders of His time (priests, scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees) who condemn Jesus for His association with sinners (publicans, prostitutes, and so on). This one son who says, “I go” but does not, represents the religious leaders. The other son who says, “I will not go” but later changes his mind and obeys, represents the sinners. Moreover, Jesus points out that when the religious leaders saw sinners repenting upon hearing John the Baptist, they still did not repent. Consequently, the sinners will enter the kingdom before the leaders will.

Here is a case of repentance in action. One son refused to go to work in his father’s vineyard. Then he changed his mind and went to work. This about-face, change of mind from disobedience, from no to yes, from going in the wrong direction to turning in the right direction is the meaning of repentance. When the religious leaders heard the Baptist’s call to repentance, they did not heed it, while the sinners of the day did. It was shocking to the professional religious leaders that Jesus claimed the sinners and not the religious ones were in the kingdom.

Saturday, September 27, 2014 – John 8:31 – This passage is the inspiration for the hymn, “Lord Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word.” Faith clings to the Lord and His teaching. We are called to be faithful; faithful to the Lord, to His Word, to each other.

Collect for Proper 21 – Almighty God, You exalted Your Son to the place of all honor and authority. Enlighten our minds by Your Holy Spirit that, confessing Jesus as Lord, we may be led into all truth;

Lord God heavenly Father, since we cannot stand before You relying on anything we have done, help us trust in Your abiding grace and live according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

O God, You are the Strength of all who put their trust in You. Mercifully accept our prayer, and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing without Your help, grant us the help of Your grace that, keeping Your commandments, we may please You in both will and deed.

For Home and Family – Visit, we implore You, O Lord, the homes in which Your people dwell, and keep far from them all harm and danger. Grant us to dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels, and may Your blessing be with us forever, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

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.

For Schools – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, since You have committed the care and nurture of children to Your people, graciously enlighten those who teach and those who are committed to their instruction that they may know the truth and trust in You all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Sources:

Image © Ed Riojas Higher Things

Friday, September 19, 2014

Proper 20

Matthew 20:1-16

Unfair!

Lord God, heavenly Father, since we cannot stand before You relying on anything we have done, help us trust in Your abiding grace and live according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

There is a cast system in our American culture. In five months, our 8th graders will walk into Bellmont, Heritage and AC High Schools for the first time. They arrive for freshman orientation. And already it will be predetermined those who will succeed. And those who will fail. There are those who will succeed in athletics and academics. There will be those who won’t. And there will be some, who, simply by hard work and sheer determination will succeed. And we will applaud their efforts.

Some get that lucky break that sets their career on a trajectory that only goes up. For others, the break does not come. Some live a life of privilege. Others not. Some make it because they out work everyone else. God's economy is different.

When Jesus repeats Himself pay attention. He never wastes words. He’s not taking up dead air space. He’s speaking an intense and powerful truth. Never shallow. Always sincere. Jesus tells us “Many who are first will be last and the last first.” He speaks these words with respect to Peter’s response.

Pious Peter. He speaks for Himself. He speaks for the twelve. He speaks for you. Peter reminds the Lord what he has done. He has sacrificed He’s gone without. He’s given up, forgone and forfeited many things for Jesus’ sake. “See we have left everything and followed you Jesus. What then will we have?”1

Jesus’ parable is a reaction to Peter's question. "We’ve given up everything." “What's in it for us?” he asks. Jesus tells this parable because mercy is being challenged.

The parable of the laborers in the vineyard reminds us that the Father’s generosity is equal to all. When payment time came for the laborers in the vineyard, it was learned that each was to receive equal pay regardless of hours worked. The reward is the same in the kingdom. Whether you enter early or late the payment is the same. The thief on the cross receives the same reward as the faithful Christian who lives eighty plus years. Who are you to spurn God’s mercy?

What is your reaction to God's kindness?

Some Grumble — vv. 8-15 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'”

The housemaster is remembered for what he does. He hires workers. They don't apply. These workers - they are of the same voice. They all agree to work for a Denarius a day. It was a fair wage. These workers are standing idle, doing nothing. Jesus uses the Greek word “argon” which means “lazy” or “inactive”. It’s the same word for the chemical element, which undergoes almost no chemical reactions. Literally, the gas does nothing. These workers are hired at the 3rd hour, around 9am

The householder continues. “I will pay whatever is right.” According to His goodness. According to His mercy, Christ redeemed you. This is the root of justification. To work in the vineyard is to give meaning to your life.

The householder. He did the same at the 6th and 9th hour. At noon and at 3pm. He hires more workers.

“Why stand the whole day idle?” This is the first time he speaks. Those first hired get what they bargained for the last receive grace!

They answer, “No one would have us.” These are the tax collectors and sinners. The rejects of this world. These are the ones who the Master paid first although they worked less. They didn't barging for it. They receive mercy. As Jesus reminds the religious elite, “Most certainly I tell you that tax collectors and prostitutes are entering into the Kingdom of God before you!”2

The Lord of the vineyard speaks. “Now pay them starting with those hired last.” The last-minute workers receive a Denarius. These were the ones no one else wanted. There is a sense of entitlement. Those hired first, they expected more. They were looking for justice instead of mercy.

“You make them equal to us,” they argue. We sweated, they didn't... Yet God is no respecter of persons.

The householder answered one of them, “friend...Same address as Judas...I did not injure you...take what is yours and go… It is My will to do as I wish. Generosity is the Master’s character...to grumble against the King is to speak against the king's mercy...it says give me what I deserve.

The Master’s final word is critical. There is no law...it is permissible for Me to do as I wish with what is Mine...or is your eye evil because I am good?

Some grumble. Then there are some who are grateful.

The Father lives up to his promise to pay —Isn’t it wonderful that even those of us who worked only one hour also receive a Denarius. There is a lesson to be learned here. The work itself is already a reward in and of itself! Just to be a Christian is a privilege. It is not a wearisome duty but a happy service, no matter how long God allows us to serve. There is no richer, fuller life than that of a disciple of Christ. The wage question in the kingdom of God need not trouble us. In the kingdom, there is no unemployment, and the wage level is consistently high.

The Father has a right to do what He pleases with his own —How does God justify the apparent injustice in the payment of wages? God claims He is God, and can do what he pleases with his own. This, too, is different for today’s employer. He cannot pay what he wants or hire those he wants to work for him. Laws limit him. God deals differently from the world.

The Father is generous to all —His grace. His payment is not determined by wages or hours worked. God is so generous that He gives the denarius of grace (salvation) to everyone regardless of length of service or quantity of work performed. He goes beyond justice to give His peace to all who come, whenever they come.

Jesus responds to Peter, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, [a] when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold[b] and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”3

The Christian faith is not The Kentucky Derby. There is no Win, Place or Show for those who out prayed, out witnessed, or out tithed the others. Grace is not a performance-based trophy but a God-given gift. The last do indeed receive a first-place prize. And the first receive a last-place prize. And both prizes are the same: a gold crown placed upon their heads by the One who, for the joy set before Him, ran the race ahead of us all to win for us a trophy of grace delivered in love. 4

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1. Matthew 19: 27

2. Matthew 21:31

3.Matthew 19:28-30

4. Facebook post by Chad Bird 17 September 2014

Words – 1,290

Passive Sentences -4%

Readability – 80.1%

Reading Level -4.6

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Petitions for Holy Cross

O risen Christ, ascended Lord

All praise to You let earth accord:

Alleluia

You are, while endless ages run

With Father and with Spirit One

Alleluia[1]

Merciful Father, You gave Your Son Jesus as the heavenly bread of life. Grant us faith to feast on Him in Your Word and Sacraments that we may be nourished unto life everlasting; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

You bless the earth to make it fruitful, bringing forth in abundance whatever is needed for the support of our lives. Prosper the work of farmers and all those who labor to bring food to our table. Grant them seasonable weather that they may gather in the fruits of the earth in abundance and proclaim Your goodness with thanksgiving.

To all of our members who are celebrating birthdays this week we ask Your blessing upon— Mike Werling, Brett Hormann, Addyson Lengerich, Paul Ruble, Erin Lengerich, Marvin Stoppenhagen (his 99^th!), Marlin Keidel (his 90^th!), Callen Knipstein (his 1^st!), Peyton Buuck, Tom DeKoninck, and Judy Werling.

We also remember in our prayers Matthew Kiefer and Megan Snider who were married this Saturday.

We rejoice with - Jim & Ann Crosby who will celebrate their 59^th wedding anniversary this Thursday, September 18. Ron and Bonnie Buuck, Don & Shirley Gehres, Adam & Kari Butcher, James & Karrie Fuhrmann, and Nathan & Connie Bultemeier , who are celebrating wedding anniversaries this week as well. Loving Father continue to bless them, remaining at the center of their homes, guiding them through life’s joys and challenges.

Make our schools safe places that prepare young men and women for life-long service to You and Your people; we remember especially this day – 7^th grade confirmation instructor, Brian Horning, as well as Casey Nidlinger who teaches at Bluffton. We also remember our Sunday School Superintendent, Lisa Bultemeier.

We rejoice with Alex and Ashley Lithtle on the birth of a son, Wyatt Wayne who was born yesterday morning. Keep both mother and child in Your care and be pleased to receive Wyatt into Your family through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

We remember those who are presently serving our country—Jason Putteet, Alan Bergdall, Mike Brandt, Dean Brandt, Derek Schultz, Josh Stoppenhagen Sam Conrad, Jeremy Nabity, and Chad Hall. Lord protect and guide them in their missions.

Great Physician give peace, health and strength to all who are in need of the touch of Your healing hand. If it be Your will restore them. And since it is Your will remain with them in every circumstance. We especially remember Irene Kiess, Wyatt Lichtle, Mason Krueckeberg, Rachel Kinninger, Kelly Baumann, Rev. Timothy Carr, Nora Rauner, Cathy Terhune, Maddox Franz, and Leo Feasel.

Help us, we pray, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and find comfort in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Almighty God our heavenly Father, through Your dear Son You have made us all Your witnesses. Enlighten by Your Holy Spirit all who speak to others the message of salvation through Jesus' blood and merit. Grant Your blessing upon Russ Fuhrmann so that Your Word may reach out and bear much fruit for the growth of Your Church

Receive our thanks for Gloria Werling and for all the blessings You bestowed on [him/her] in this earthly life. Bring us at last to our heavenly home that with [him/her] we may see You face to face in the joys of paradise.

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Lord's Prayer

C Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be Thy name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven;

give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Introduction to Collects

L O Lord, hear my prayer.

C And let my cry come to You.

Merciful God, Your Son, Jesus Christ, was lifted high upon the cross that He might bear the sins of the world and draw all people to Himself. Grant that we who glory in His death for our redemption may faithfully heed His call to bear the cross and follow Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, You have safely brought us to the beginning of this day. Defend us in the same with Your mighty power and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our doings, being ordered by Your governance, may be righteous in Your sight; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Time in the Word Proper 20

A Study for Proper 20

September 15 - 20, 2014

God’s Generosity

In the Lessons for this week the Gospel, as usual, gives the key to the theme of the day. When a payment time comes for the laborers in the vineyard, it was learned that each was to receive equal pay regardless of hours worked. The reward is the same in the Kingdom whether we enter early or late. They who return to the Lord (Old Testament reading) will receive mercy and pardon. In the Epistle lesson, Paul says he does not know whether to live or die, because death would mean a closer relationship with Christ, his greatest reward. The Lord is good to all. The suggested Psalm relates to the Old Testament lesson – “seek the Lord.” The hymn emphasizes our stewardship of life and harmonizes with the Gospel with its emphasis on working in the Kingdom.

Monday, September 15, 2014 – Psalm 116:12-13, 15 - Antiphon, verse 17: “I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.” – This psalm is a song of deliverance from death. David or another king such as Hezekiah may have written it. (See Isaiah 38:10-20)

Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - Psalm 27:1-9 - This week’s Psalm is David’s triumphant prayer to God to deliver him from all those who conspire to bring him down. The prayer presupposes the Lord’s covenant with David. It is faith which publicly testifies to the Psalmist’s confident reliance on the Lord.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014 - Isaiah 55:6-9 - Generosity of mercy to all who return. In Sunday’s first reading, the prophet’s hearers are encouraged to seek God and return to Him for mercy and pardon. God’s thoughts and ways are totally different from ours. This truth is illustrated in today’s reading, the parable of laborers in the vineyard. If God were like the world, he would not take back his enemies and freely pardon them. The world, rather, would seek revenge and treat enemies with hatred. We, by our nature, do not love or seek reconciliation. We hate and kill and never, never forgive. God is so different — thank God for that! Those who return to the Lord in repentance will receive mercy and pardon. The same thought is echoed in the much loved hymn, “Just as I Am”

Thursday, September 18, 2014 – Philippians 1:1-5; 6-11; 19-27 - Our Epistle lesson for this week speaks of the generosity of Christ both in life and in death. Paul finds life on earth is Christ while the anticipation of death is gain. Paul says he does not know whether to live or die, because death would mean a closer relationship with Christ, his greatest reward. Thus our life here on earth is nothing but preparation for our life to be lived in glory.

Friday, September 19, 2014 – Matthew 20:1-16 - The parable of the laborers in the vineyard in the Gospel lesson for this coming week reminds us that God’s generosity is equal to all. When payment time came for the laborers in the vineyard, it was learned that each was to receive equal pay regardless of hours worked. The reward is the same in the kingdom whether we enter early or late. The thief on the cross receives the same reward as the faithful Christian who lives eighty plus years. Are we to spurn God’s generosity?

Saturday, September 20, 2014 –1 John 3:17 - Our reading is the inspiration for the hymn, “We Give Thee But Thine Own.” How does this hymn harmonize with our theme for today? It emphasizes our stewardship of life and harmonizes with the Gospel with its emphasis on working in the Lord’s Kingdom. How has the Lord blessed your life? How will you return a portion to Him this coming week?

Collect for Proper 20 – Lord God heavenly Father, since we cannot stand before You relying on anything we have done, help us trust in Your abiding grace and live according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Keep, we pray O Lord, Your church with Your perpetual mercy. Because without You we cannot but fall, keep us ever by Your help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable.

For Home and Family - Visit, we implore You, O Lord, the homes in which Your people dwell, and keep far from them all harm and danger. Grant us to dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels, and may Your blessing be with us forever, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

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.

For Schools - Almighty God, our heavenly Father, since You have committed the care and nurture of children to Your people, graciously enlighten those who teach and those who are committed to their instruction that they may know the truth and trust in You all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

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Saturday, September 13, 2014

Holy Cross

Holy Cross

14 September 2014

John 12:20-33

We Share in the Glory of Christ’s Cross

Almighty God, graciously behold this Your family for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and delivered into the hands of sinful men to suffer death upon the cross; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, one god, now and forever. Amen

Today is Holy Cross Day. Since Holy Cross Day falls on a Sunday this year, “it is meet, right and salutary” to think about the cross. It is good to consider the reason for which Christ died on the cross. And it is helpful for us to consider what the cross means for us as redeemed children of God. It’s also an opportunity for us to sing some cool and awesome hymns!

As redeemed children of God, we share in the glory of Christ’s cross.

1. God’s glory was the dominating purpose of Christ’s life.

A. The time for glory was there for Jesus. And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. (v.23)

1. Before this, the time had not been ripe. “My hour has not t come.” (John 2:4)

2. The life of Jesus was arranged so that He could reveal the glory of the Father by word and deed and then seal that glory by His sacrifice on the cross.

3. Jesus prayed for this and received an immediate answer. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” (v.28)

B. The glory that was to come to Christ and the Father is many-sided.

1. God receives glory every time He reveals Himself to us. It started in Old Testament times through the promise of the Savior. The glory of God is evident from the good things said about God, especially that He is merciful.

2. When Christ was born, the heavens were filled with angelic voices praising God.

3. In His ministry, Jesus directed the credit to His Father in heaven. What He said and did was always to give God glory.

4. The revelation of the glory of God was inclusive. (cf. the Greeks vv.20-22) Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

5. When the Bible talks of the glory of God and Christ it is talking of God’s righteousness, mercy, and love, along with the total of all His attributes.

2. Christ’s cross producing His glory.

A. He despised the cross.

1. He was a man. According to His human nature, Christ did not look forward to the dreadful sacrifice. We hear His personal struggle in v.27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.”

2. Jesus knew that His death would not be peaceful. The Father would forsake Him because he would be suffering for the sins of all. His death was a frightfully depressing prospect.

B. But Jesus knew that this cross had to be experienced to bear the fruit of His glory.

1. He likened Himself to a seed that must be planted. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (v.24)

2. He admits that this is why He came into this world. “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.” (v.27)

3. He let Himself be “lifted up” from the earth.

C. This sacrifice accomplished much for God’s glory.

1. It brought salvation to all people. “I…will draw all men to Myself” (v.32; again the Greeks) “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.”

2. This sacrifice says the most about God’s righteousness and mercy; everything that needs to be said about God was said when Christ died. That’s glory!

3. By faith we share the cross and the glory

A. We share the same attitude toward this life that Christ had, illustrated in the paradox. “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (v.25)

1. He who loves life will lose it.

2. He who hates life will keep it to eternal life.

3. This life is lost in Christ- lost as far as the world is concerned.

B. Such a life will bring honor.

1. The glory we share as slaves of the Master is a gift.

2. The heaven prepared for us is the same one Jesus occupies. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:11-3)

The glory the Father has and shares with us could not have happened without the cross. The cross is gory, but it the stuff of which lasting glory is made.

__________

Words – 950

Passive Sentences –5%

Readability – 83%

Reading Level – 4.7

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Time in the Word - Proper 19

Forgiving as the Lord Forgives Us

In settling His accounts with us, our Lord acts not with anger, but with compassion. He does not imprison us as we deserve, but He forgives all our debts and releases us (Matt. 18:23–27). Therefore, our Lord bids each of us to have “mercy on your fellow servant,” and “forgive your brother from your heart” (Matt 18:33, 35). By the Lord’s forgiveness of our sins, we are free to forgive those who sin against us, because He has been handed over to the jailers in our stead, and He has paid our entire debt with His lifeblood. Whether we live or die, we “are the Lord’s” (Rom. 14:8). Since we all will “stand before the judgment seat of God,” we are not to despise our brother (Rom. 14:10), but gladly forgive him. By the grace of God, our brother also “will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand” (Rom. 14:4). Though we daily sin against each other, the Lord intends “to bring it about that many people should be kept alive” (Gen. 50:20). Jesus speaks kindly by His Gospel and promises: “I will provide for you and your little ones” (Gen 50:21).

O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, hear the devout prayers of Your Church, especially in times of persecution, and grant that what we ask in faith we may obtain; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Prayer for deliverance from sin: We implore You, O Lord, in Your kindness to show us Your great mercy that we may be set free from our sins and rescued from the punishments that we rightfully deserve; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns…

Collect for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost: O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, hear the devout prayers of Your Church, especially in times of persecution, and grant that what we ask in faith we may obtain; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Prayers for the occasion of the thirteenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks:

Prayer for peace in the 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 out the evil that would lead to strife and discord, so that in our lives we may be at peace 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; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Prayer for our enemies: Forgive, we implore You, O Lord, our enemies, and so change their hearts that they may walk with us in sincerity and peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Prayer for the armed forces of our nation: Lord God 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 from all evil, giving them courage and loyalty. Grant that in all things they may serve with integrity and with honor; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Prayer for good government: Eternal Lord, ruler of all, graciously regard those who have been set in positions of authority among us that, guided by Your Spirit, they may be high in purpose, wise in counsel, firm in good resolution, and unwavering in duty, that under them we may be governed quietly and peaceably; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Time in the Word
8-13 September 2014
Preparation for next week, Proper 19

Monday, 8 September 2014—Psalm 143:1–2; Antiphon, Psalm 143:9—Psalm 143 is the last of the seven penitential psalms. It is, like many of David’s other psalms, a plea to the Lord to rescue him from his enemies. David does not appeal to his own goodness or righteousness, however, but explicitly confesses that no one living is righteous before you. Therefore, he must beg the mercy of the Lord: In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! This is how we, too, must approach the Lord when we ask Him to rescue us from earthly and spiritual enemies—acknowledging, as we do in the catechism, that we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment, and acknowledging that He delivers us purely out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me.

Tuesday, 9 September 2014—Psalm 103:1–12—What a beautiful psalm of comfort! David praises the Lord for all His benefits to us: He forgives all our iniquity, heals all our diseases, redeems our life from the pit, and more. Why? Because the Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Wednesday, 10 September 2014—Genesis 50:15–21—Joseph’s brothers had done the unthinkable—they had sold him into slavery and told their father that his son was dead, eaten by wild animals. Years later, they were astounded to find out that Joseph was still alive and serving in Pharaoh’s court, as the most powerful man in all of Egypt after Pharaoh. So long as their father was alive, they thought that they were safe from Joseph’s retribution; however, after Jacob’s death, they feared for their lives. Incredibly, Joseph forgave them. He recognized the hand of God at work in his life. Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers ought to serve as an example to us, particularly when we find it so hard to forgive petty sins of others.

Thursday, 11 September 2014—Romans 14:1–12—Our reading through Paul’s letter to the Romans continues with Paul warning us against judging other Christians—especially those new to the faith or weak in faith. Two extremes must be avoided: measuring and judging others by comparing them to ourselves or our own standards; and failing to use the Word of God to judge.

Paul reminds us that we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. What will be the standard? The same as here on earth: God’s holy Word, as revealed to us in the Bible.

Friday, 12 September 2014—Matthew 18:21–35—When we hear this parable, our first reaction is probably the same as the king’s: indignation and fury against the servant who was unmerciful, especially after he had been forgiven a far greater debt. We must ask ourselves: Are we like the unmerciful servant? God has forgiven all our sins at great cost—the life of His own Son. We ought to examine ourselves: Is there anyone against whom we hold a grudge, refusing to forgive because we have been wronged? If so, we are like the unmerciful servant. Rather, we ought to remember the Lord’s Prayer, where we plead, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. That is, we beg God’s forgiveness, and then pledge that we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.

Saturday, 10 September 2011—The hymn of the day, I Lay My Sins on Jesus (LSB #606), is a hymn of great comfort, as we sing of our confession of all our sins—laying them on Jesus—and also as we sing of our absolution, our forgiveness—He bears them all and frees us from the accursed load. What a relief our forgiveness in Christ is! What Good News that God forgives us for Jesus’ sake and receives us into His kingdom.

Lectionary summary on front page from LCMS Commission on Worship