Time in the Word - Proper 5

Time in the Word
1- 6 June 2015
Preparation for next week, The Time of the Church Year Proper 5

Collect for Proper 5 (June 5-11) – Almighty and eternal God, Your Son Jesus triumphed over the prince of demons and freed us from bondage to sin. Help us to stand firm against every assault of Satan, and enable us always to do Your will; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

  

Monday, 1 June 2015—Psalm 8:7-9;Antiphon, Psalm 28:2—The antiphon for Sunday’s Introit is a cry for the Lord’s intervention in our lives. “Hear my cry for mercy as I call to You for help, as I lift up my hands, toward Your Most Holy Place.” The Most Holy Place was the inner sanctuary of the temple, where the ark of the covenant stood. It was God’s throne room on earth. David desired the Lord’s presence. In worship, God comes to us through His Word and in His meal to strengthen, comfort, and support us.    

Tuesday, 2 June 2015—Psalm 130—This psalm is a testimony of trusting in God especially in trying times. The Psalmist begins, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice…” David knew he was a sinner, and yet the Lord hears his cry out of the depths of his predicament. In difficult times we turn to Him who knows our situation and in mercy has redeemed and saved us. This psalm consists of a cry from a person with heaviness of heart, presumably because of sin, who begs God to lift him above himself, his sin, and his troubles.

Wednesday, 3 June 2015— Genesis 3:8-15— God calls Adam to account for his sin. Here we see the consequences of the fall into sin. When god confronts Adam, he flees and hides because of his fear of God. He realizes He is naked, which is considered an abomination. This results in his sense of shame. When god asks for an explanation of his sin, both Adam and Eve blame others.

Sin may be forgiven but punishment goes with sin. “the ages of sin is death.” No one escapes the penalty of doing wring. God’s justice demands satisfaction. The Father is satisfied because of the death of His own Son.

What excuse or what explanation do we have for our disobedience/ Adam sins again by refusing to admit his guilt. He blames Eve. Eve blames the serpent. It is s common expression in our day too, “I have done no wrong.”

Thursday, 4 June 2015—2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1—Christians have the hope of eternal life with Christ. Paul continues to discuss his ministry. Though he is an earthen vessel, he continues to speak because he believes. He is convinced that the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will also raise him and all believers so that they all will stand in the presence of God through His grace. This results in thanksgiving and glory to God. He continues his ministry even though he is wearing out physically.

But, spiritually he never grows old. And when this physical body comes to an end, God will give him a new, spiritual body.

Paul can never get away from “grace.” It is God’s forgiving love that forgives sin, cleanses the soul, and justifies the sinner. Thus grace causes us to be thankful and to persist, regardless of adversities.

Friday, 5 June 2015—Mark 3:20-35— The only unforgivable sin is blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. The first and last sections of this reading deal with Jesus’ family. Between the two is Jesus controversy with the scribes who accuse Him of being possessed by and being an instrument of the devil Jesus’ family considers Him crazy and the scribes consider Him “possessed.” After dealing with the scribes, we are taken back to His family which comes for Him. Jesus explains that His family is not one of blood relationship but those who do the will of god. Both family and religious leaders misunderstand Jesus. To accuse Jesus of having an evil spirit is to commit the unpardonable sin. It is a sin of failing to see in Jesus the presence of the Holy Spirit, who gives Him power and authority to case out demons. Those who do God’s will have a spirit akin to His.

The word “never” is a hard word. One who sins against the Holy Spirit can “never” get forgiveness. The sin is to claim that Jesus hs an evil spirit. If He does, then the sinner will never repent and come to Jesus for forgiveness. He/she is sure that he/she has done no wrong. Jesus is the one who is wrong. Because of this delusion, a person can never be forgiven. This person is never forgiven because he/she never comes to Christ to be forgiven.  

Saturday, 6 June 2015— Ephesians 6:10-18 -Sunday’s hymn of the day, Rise! To Arms! With employ you. (LSB 668)  Human effort is inadequate. Yet God’s power is invincible. Thus the warning, we do not last out against human opponents as though they were the real enemy. Nor can we assume that the battle can be fought using merely human resources. We battle against dark evil forces. Thus we arm ourselves with the Gospel and it is Christ, our champion who battles for us in the war against temptation, doubt, the devil and our own sinful self.

Prayer for blessing on the Word: Lord Jesus Christ, giver and perfecter of our faith, we thank and praise You for continuing among us the preaching of Your Gospel for our instruction and edification. Send Your blessing upon the Word, which has been spoken to us, and by Your Holy Spirit increase our saving knowledge of You, that day by day we may be strengthened in the divine truth and remain steadfast in Your grace. Give us strength to fight the good fight and by faith to overcome all the temptations of Satan, the flesh, and the world so that we may finally receive the salvation of our souls; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer for those outside the Church: Almighty and everlasting God, You desire not the death of a sinner but that all would repent and live. Hear our prayers for those outside the Church. Take away their iniquity, and turn them from their false gods to You, the living and true God. Gather them into Your holy Church to the glory of Your name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for seasonable weather: Lord God, gracious and merciful Father, because You have promised that You will hear us when we bring You our cares, we implore You not to deal with us according to our sins but according to Your mercy. Send seasonable weather so that in due time the earth may yield her increase. Remind us ever to receive with thanks our daily bread, trusting You as our gracious God; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the aged: Almighty God and gracious Father, in Your mercy look on those whose increasing years bring them weakness, anxiety, distress, or loneliness. Grant that they may always know care and respect, concern and understanding. Grant them willing hearts to accept help and, as their strength wanes, increase their faith with the constant assurance of Your love through Jesus Christ, their Savior. Amen.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

Image © Ed Rioja Higher Things

Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

Trinity

Trinity Sunday

31 May 2015

John 3:1-17

Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities;

Today we conclude the festival half of the church year. We celebrate the Holy Trinity. We rejoice. You are born into the Trinity’s kingdom. What does that really mean?  What it means are two important realities.

1.     

  Born of the flesh. 

Nicodemus; a flesh-born man could hardly believe it. Because he was born a human that was the only reality that he knew, he had only a limited knowledge.  He could not understand God in earthly and human terms.  How could he see things from God's perspective?  He could not.  Nor can any man. He cannot understand the things of God. “But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)  

Man is born in the image of man. “When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image and named him Seth.” (Genesis 3:14) We are human. We are mortal. We are less than God. Jesus also shares our nature. He too, took on flesh and dwelt among us. He entered time and space.  As a human, He was less than God. But according to His divine nature, He is equal to God.  This is what the Church has always confessed. You affirmed it this morning. “Equal to the Father with respect to His divinity, less than the Father with respect to His humanity.” In the person of Jesus, two natures come together - the human as well as the divine.  That’s the miracle of Christmas. God becoming human. Entering our tine. Being one of us. Like us in every respect. Except without sin.

We are born. Not once but twice.

2.       Born again of water and the Spirit.  

You’ve been given a second-birth. By the power of the Holy Spirit, you are made a new creature. The Spirit creates in you a living and vibrant faith so that you can know God and believe in Him. The miracle of the Spirit’s work in you – Holy Baptism and all that it offers becomes the reality of this second birth. By nature, we are blind, dead, and enemies of God. But in this Holy washing, you are renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

From Luther’s small catechism.  What does such baptizing with water signify? 

It signifies that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts, and, again, a new man daily come forth and arise; who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?

St. Paul says Romans, chapter 6: We are buried with Christ by Baptism into death, that, like as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Jesus gives us an example from the Old Testament.  As a bronze serpent was lifted up on a pole and all who in faith looked upon that serpent were spared and lived so likewise the Son of Man Jesus Christ was lifted up to bring us salvation and life.  When we look to Him in faith, we too have the promise of life.

The Father sent His Son for your salvation. God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son.  The Father loved you so much that He gave you His very best.  He will give you the very best.  This is His intention for you that you might have all that He has.  Thus He gives you us what you so desperately need; the forgiveness of all of our sins and the promise of life in His name.  He gives you salvation and life so that you may know Him as Father. Ask of Him in prayer. As children, address their parents. God would by these words tenderly urge us to believe that He is our true Father, and that we are His true children, so that we may ask Him confidently with all assurance, as dear children ask their dear father.

Because of the Trinity, you have a Father who loves you.  You have a Son who has died for you. You have the Spirit who draws near to you.  Once you were in darkness. Now you have come to His marvelous light.   

We have just celebrated the high points of the church year – Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and the feast of Pentecost. The Trinity – three distinct persons, one divine godhead directs, sustains, and leads you. He gives you new birth. He grants you new life. He performs His work in you. He will bring it to completion on the Last Great Day.  

______________________

Words –863

Readability – 81.5

Reading level -4.5

Time in the Word - Trinity Sunday

Time in the Word
25- 30 May 2015
Preparation for next week, The Feast of the Holy Trinity

On Trinity Sunday, we make special note of the work of all three persons of the Trinity who procure and assure our salvation. A good supplemental reading to the readings for the day is to be found in St. Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians, verses 3–11 of the first chapter. Paul explains how the Father chose us in eternity and predestined us for salvation. The work of redemption was accomplished through the shedding of blood—the blood of the Son of God, who assumed flesh, that He might redeem us. The Holy Spirit has brought us the Word of truth, the Gospel of our salvation, that we might trust in the merits of Christ. Blessed be the Holy Trinity and the undivided Unity. Let us give glory to Him because He has shown his mercy to us. (from Sunday’s Introit)

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20–21)

Monday, 25 May 2015—Psalm 16:8–11; Antiphon, Liturgical Text—The antiphon for Sunday’s Introit is an ancient liturgical text: Blessed be the Holy Trinity and the undivided Unity. Let us give glory to him because he has shown his mercy to us. The Triune God has first shown His mercy to us in providing for our salvation, and our response is to give glory to Him.

Tuesday, 26 May 2015—Psalm 29—This psalm is a hymn of praise to the Lord for all His mighty acts, but especially His mercy in blessing His people with peace. When created, man was in perfect harmony with God. But the fall made us His enemies. We cannot restore peace with God; it is the work of the Holy Trinity alone: the Father, who conceived the plan of our salvation, the Son, who came to earth and died for our transgressions, and the Holy Spirit, who brings us into a right relationship with God through the Means of Grace, Word and Sacrament.

Wednesday, 27 May 2015—Isaiah 6:1–8—Isaiah received a vision of the Lord enthroned in His majesty and a call to be a prophet of God. Because he is a Son of Adam, and therefore a man of unclean lips, Isaiah is terrified to be in the Lord’s presence, for it spells doom to those under sin’s curse.

But an angel sent by God absolves Isaiah of his sin with a burning coal, and Isaiah accepts the mantle of prophecy. We, like Isaiah, must acknowledge our sin and tremble before a holy God. But we must also trust in the absolution won by the Son of God and pronounced by His called and ordained servants.

Thursday, 28 May 2015—Acts 2:14a, 22–36—On the Day of Pentecost, Peter was given power by the Holy Spirit to preach the Word of God faithfully and authoritatively. He proclaims Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sins and the redemption of sinners, and tells his audience, men of Israel, how the Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth, the promised Messiah. Here, he quotes Psalm 16, a portion of which serves as the Introit for Sunday.

Friday, 29 May 2015—John 3:1–17—Another man of Israel, Nicodemus, came to Jesus by night, probably because he feared his fellow Pharisees. He had seen the signs (miracles) that Jesus was able to do, and knew that such a one must have been sent by God. Jesus tells Nicodemus how to be born from above, in Holy Baptism, the washing of water with the Word of God. He also points to His own death, again in fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures. As God showed His love to a rebellious, yet repentant people in providing the bronze serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4–9), so He shows His love by providing His Son, to take away a problem far worse than snake bites, which kill only the body: Jesus Christ, lifted up on the cross, takes away the sin of the world.

Saturday, 30 May 2015—Sunday’s hymn of the day, God Loved the World So That He Gave (LSB 571) is John 3:16 set to music. Herein is the sweet Gospel clearly proclaimed: Christ Jesus saves your soul from death; That is the firmest ground of faith. The final stanza rightly praises all three persons of the Trinity for their work in accomplishing our salvation.

Collect for Trinity Sunday—Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer for blessing on the Word: Lord Jesus Christ, giver and perfecter of our faith, we thank and praise You for continuing among us the preaching of Your Gospel for our instruction and edification. Send Your blessing upon the Word, which has been spoken to us, and by Your Holy Spirit increase our saving knowledge of You, that day by day we may be strengthened in the divine truth and remain steadfast in Your grace. Give us strength to fight the good fight and by faith to overcome all the temptations of Satan, the flesh, and the world so that we may finally receive the salvation of our souls; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer for those outside the Church: Almighty and everlasting God, You desire not the death of a sinner but that all would repent and live. Hear our prayers for those outside the Church. Take away their iniquity, and turn them from their false gods to You, the living and true God. Gather them into Your holy Church to the glory of Your name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for seasonable weather: Lord God, gracious and merciful Father, because You have promised that You will hear us when we bring You our cares, we implore You not to deal with us according to our sins but according to Your mercy. Send seasonable weather so that in due time the earth may yield her increase. Remind us ever to receive with thanks our daily bread, trusting You as our gracious God; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the aged: Almighty God and gracious Father, in Your mercy look on those whose increasing years bring them weakness, anxiety, distress, or loneliness. Grant that they may always know care and respect, concern and understanding. Grant them willing hearts to accept help and, as their strength wanes, increase their faith with the constant assurance of Your love through Jesus Christ, their Savior. Amen.

Prayer for industry and commerce: Lord Jesus Christ, as once You shared in our human toil and thus hallowed the work of our hands, bless and prosper those who maintain the industries and service sectors of this land. Give them a right regard for their labors, and grant them the just reward for their work that they may find joy in serving You and in supplying our needs; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

Image © Ed Rioja Higher Things 

Pentecost

Pentecost

24 May 2015

John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

Come Holy Spirit Come

O God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy consolation.

Luke reminds us in the opening lines of his Acts of the Apostles the following event - On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. – Acts 1:4

Today is Pentecost Sunday. Jesus’ words are now complete. His prediction is now fulfilled. This is the day when we celebrate the Father’s out pouring of the Spirit and the birth of missions. We find Christ at the center of the Spirit’s work and activity. But how does the Spirit work? And where is His work centered?

The Savior came to seek and save the lost. The Spirit works to bring individuals into Christ’s kingdom. The kingdom always involves people. The kingdom grows one soul at a time. What can be said concerning the work of the Holy Spirit? Recall again verses 26: When the Counselor comes, the One I will send to you from the Father--the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father--He will testify about Me.

1.       He is the helper

2.       He is the promised one

3.       He will bear witness

He is the helper.

He was promised. In the Old Testament. Christ is the center of everything that was written in the Scriptures. Not only in the New Testament. But clearly and plainly, Christ is seen in the pages of the Old Testament.

He is the one predicted by the prophets of Old. He is the One by whom salvation would be won for the entire world. He was the One of whom the Father spoke in the garden when He said, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and her seed. He will crust your head and you will nip at his heel.” Genesis 3:16

He is the spirit of truth. Predicted in the Old Testament through the prophet Isaiah -  The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD—Isaiah 11:2  

Clearly, Jesus predicted that the Spirit would come. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. - John 16:13

He is the promised one.

The Spirit is sent. From the Father. The Spirit speaks not of its own authority. All is brought into a complete order. The Father sends the Holy Spirit. To testify concerning Christ and His righteousness.

Thus, the Spirit is sent to bear witness concerning Christ. All that we know about Jesus Christ we know from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit bears witness through the testimony of the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit bears a complete and total witness concerning the validity of Jesus Christ.

Jesus promises that he will send the Spirit from the Father. He proceeds from both the Father and the Son. The Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. Because the Father has given all things to the Son, including the procession of the Holy Spirit.

He will bear witness.

Concerning Jesus. For the Spirit knows nothing but Christ. He is the spirit of truth.  Therefore, His testimony will bear out the faithful witness concerning Christ. All that we know of Christ is a true and faithful witness. That witness is proven to faithful and true. For it is a trustworthy and worthy witness.

Therefore, He bears witness to the truth. “What is truth?”  Pilate asked that question. The truth, is all that is found in Jesus Christ of which the Spirit bears witness. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me”. When we come to such knowledge of the truth, it is the Spirit, which bears witness to this faithful saying.

And through the testimony of the disciples. Who had been with Jesus from the beginning.

 As The Spirit bears and testifies of Christ so do we. As the Spirit knows nothing but Christ, so you know nothing save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

The Christian testifies about Christ. You are sent. From the Father – Pentecost is the birthday of missions. Where the Spirit said, “Go!” And God’s people went. You are sent. To bear witness – concerning the truth of the Gospel – the truth concerning Jesus Christ. Each believer is a witness to the truth.

For we know nothing but Christ. We bear witness to the truth – Every time we share Christ, we are bearing witness to the truth. Every time we mention His most holy name, we are being a faithful witness. Every time we confess our faith in the words of the creed, in our own witness, we are bearing witness to the truth concerning Jesus Christ.

For the Spirit speaks – No one can say, “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. When you are speaking and confessing the Lordship of Christ, you are speaking by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is how we impact the world.  And others living around.  By living out your faith. You demonstrated your faith each day. A little at a time -You make obvious the compassion of Christ. By expressing the fruit of the Spirit in your life your neighbors are invited to behold Christ. By living out your faith, the world is won for Christ - one soul, one person at a time.

The source of the Spirit always centers on Jesus Christ. Christ who won salvation for this world is the source of all life and the center of the Spirit’s work. Yet, as He dwells in you individually, He touches one life at a time. “Out of his heart shall flow rivers of water.” From Himself - to you - to the ends of the earth - the Spirit flows.

Word-1,075

Passive Sentences – 10%

Readability-81%

Reading level –4.1

Time in the Word - Pentecost

This coming Sunday will be the Sunday after the Ascension. Jesus has departed and the church is on its own. The disciples are left alone to confront the challenges of living in a fallen world. Before He departs, Jesus prays for His friends. The First Lesson shows the infant church with the problem of a vacancy in leadership and prays to the ascended Lord for guidance in choosing a successor to Judas. Though Jesus has ascended, Christians are not alone in the world. This thought is conveyed in the Second Lesson as well as in the Gospel. The suggested hymn deals with the church without the physical Jesus and urges the people not to fear, for God has chosen to give them the kingdom.

A Prayer for Agriculture:  Almighty God, You blessed the earth to make it fruitful, bringing forth in abundance whatever is needed for the support of our lives. Prosper, we implore You, the work of farmers, grant them seasonable weather that we may gather in the fruit of the earth and thus proclaim Your goodness with thanksgiving. May we see by this noble vocation that with Your help they feed the world. And cause all those who give thanks over their food to treat those who produce it with both honor and respect; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

A Prayer for Ascension: Almighty God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

For blessing on the Word: Lord God, bless Your Word wherever it is proclaimed. Make it a word of power and peace to convert those not yet Your own and to confirm those who have come to saving faith. May Your Word pass from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip, and from the lip to the life that, as You have promised, Your Word may achieve the purpose for which You send it; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Collect for the Seventh Sunday in Easter O King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom Y9ou promised from the Father, for You live and reigns with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, 11 May 2015—Psalm 27:1a, 4-5, 10, 14; antiphon, Psalm 27:7— The antiphon is “Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!” The cry of the Psalmist is a prayer for deliverance from treacherous enemies. These remain unspecified, whether from inside or outside the kingdom or both. The chief weapon is a false charge intent on discrediting the king. When people say all manner of things falsely against us, we need not retaliate. Rather we are take our burdens, concerns, and sorrows to the throne room of grace and be thankful as the Savior answers each petition according to His perfect and good will.

Tuesday, 12 May 2015—Psalm 1 key verse v.6 —“For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” This psalm verse gives us both Law and Gospel. The ways of the wicked will be met with the full brunt of Law – the ultimate judgment for unbelief and sin. The righteous, on the other hand, not by any merit on their behalf but completely by grace, will be delivered on the last day. This of course is Gospel. The destinies of two lifestyles are the destinies of those who have chosen them.

Wednesday, 13 May 2015—Acts 1:12-26—The Post–Ascension church prays for guidance. The church is living b3etween Jesus’ departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The time has come to fill the vacancy caused by Judas’ suicide. The one to be chosen as a replacement is to be one who shared the experience with Jesus from the time of His baptism to His Ascension and one who can witness to the Resurrection. Two men met the qualifications: Joseph and Matthias. God and not the church elected Matthias. The church merely asked the ascended Lord which of the two He had chosen. After prayer, Matthias was chosen to be one of the Apostles. The church’s leadership ranks were now filled and ready for the Spirit’s coming.

Thursday, 14 May 2015—1 John 5:9-15—Everything we do in life all boils down to faith. Faith is simply another word for “trust.” Trust simply means to take God at His Word. Note and give special attention to verse 10 which is critical. Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony god has given about His Son.  This is the same thing the Savior said to Nicodemus who came to visit the Savior at night. Read John 3:15-18. See how clearly that this universal truth is woven throughout the Scripture and that the Scriptures interpret themselves namely that each passage explains the other more clearly. Forty different men over a period of some 1,500 years wrote 66 books that in reality make up one book. These books have one doctrinal viewpoint, one moral standard, one plan of salvation, one program for the ages.

Friday, 15 May 2015—John 17:11b-19—The Post-Ascension church confronts the world. In this high priestly prayer, Jesus is aware that He is going to leave the world and His disciples will be left in a fallen world. Think of what the world did to Him! Will not the disciples face the same opposition? Naturally, the disciples would be afraid. Thus, Jesus prays for His followers, not that they should be taken out of the world as He is about to do, but that they should be protected from the Devil and the world. He prays that they may be one as He and the Father are one. They are to be made holy in His Word. As He was sent into the world, He sends them into the world for the same purpose He was sent.

Saturday, 16 May 2015— Luke 12:32, Matthew 25:34; Psalm 103:3-5; Matthew 28:20b – The hymn of the Day is “Have no fear, little flock”– {LSB 735} As the Easter season draws to a close, we have no fear as our  Lord and Savior lives and reigns through all eternity. He has promised to send us His Holy Spirit. Thus this new hymn reminds us that we are safe in His almighty hand. 

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House

Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing Lima, OH

Illustration from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, © WELS Permission to use this copyrighted item is limited to personal and congregational use. 

Easter 7

Easter 7

17 May 2015

John 17 11b-19

O King of Glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father.

When taking leave of fellow Christians, we sometimes say to the effect, “God keep you!” Godspeed…God bless you. We express the wish that God would watch over them and protect them. Jesus expresses something similar in His high priestly prayer – that His Father would keep you. Jesus is concerned that you also be kept.

The purpose of His protection

1.       Christians has a job to do in this world. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.  (v.18)

A.      We are sent - to teach the Father’s Word aright. The importance of supporting our Wyneken School, Sunday School, Oasis Youth Group. The importance of family devotions. The importance of studying the Word at Church and in the home. Be a people in the Word!   

B.      We are sent - to hallow God’s name by a godly life. True, the faith is taught. It is also caught. Be a sermon in shoes. By word and by deed.  In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. ¹⁸ For I will not venture to speak of anything except  to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed,  (Romans 5:17-18)

2.       We need to be renewed in consecration. And for their sake, I consecrate myself, ^[

^c] that they also may be sanctified^[d] in truth. (v.19)

A.      So that we pursue our task with single-mindedness. Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. (John 4:34)

B.      So that, while in the world, we would not be of the world. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (v.16) (See also Romans 12:2) Do not be conformed to this world,^[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.^[b] We are kept in the world for a purpose. Jesus has good reason to pray for His own, “God keep you.” He says. And He has promised to guard and keep you in all His ways.  

When we say to each other, “God keep you,” “Godspeed!” “God bless” we are not saying empty words. We are reiterating Christ’s own prayer for His own. That prayer relates to a real need, reminds us of divine power to protect, and directs us to our purpose I this world.

Words –464

Passive Sentences –16%

Readability –85.5%

Reading level -4.4 

Ascension

Ascension

14 May 2015

Luke 24:44-53

Almighty God, as Your only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, ascended into the heavens, so may we also ascend in heart and mind and continually dwell there with Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Today is Ascension Day – today we remember – that the resurrected Jesus was taken up to heaven. In His resurrected body. In the presence of eleven of His disciples. Forty days after the resurrection.

The Ascension is one of the chief festivals of the Church Year. The Ascension is one of the six major milestones in the life of Jesus – His birth. His Baptism. His Transfiguration. His crucifixion. His resurrection.

The Ascension is a big day. The Ascension is professed in both the Nicene and Apostles’ Creed. The Ascension teaches that Jesus humanity was taken into heaven. The same Jesus who with the same body in which He suffered went into heaven. He will return. In the same way.  On the last great day. To judge men and angels at the end of the world.

Jesus might be visibly gone. Still He is physically present.  He remembers us. As He feeds us with His Word and Sacrament. He also intercedes for you. On your behalf. Standing next to you. He calls out to the Father. To bless and protect you.  

What is the significance of the Ascension?

1.       Jesus, the only begotten Son, has ascended into the heavens.

2.       We too ascend in heart and mind,

3.       So we will continually dwell there with Him.

Jesus, the only begotten Son, has ascended into heaven. 

In a real way, the Ascension is Luke’s Great Commission. This is why Jesus is ascending. He will not return until He goes back to the Father. Back to His seat of power. There He will sit –enthroned in glory.

As He leads them out, He raises His hands to bless them.  This was the work of the High Priest. The Lord commanded Aaron to bless the people. As your high priest, Jesus blesses you daily.

How does Jesus bless you today? The source of blessing are Jesus pierced hands. You are blessed because Jesus suffered, was crucified, has risen and now sits in glory. He may be set apart from you. But really, He isn’t. He is visibly gone. He remains physically present – in His Word, in His Sacraments, in His promise of Absolution. Real places, with real results. You find Him not where the world will be hunting. He is present in those places He has promised.

With Jesus, we ascend in heart and mind.

Just like those fist witnesses –“He opened their minds…to understand the writings.”  Preaching and teaching opened their minds. There must be an understanding of the Scriptures. Not just the heart but of the mind. A growing up in knowledge. In a right dividing of Jesus’ law and gospel.

Jesus’ command is simple. “Repentance unto forgiveness is to be proclaimed beginning at Jerusalem.” Jerusalem wass called, “the city of peace.”  It was the place of Jesus death. It was the place where the temple was the dwelling place of God.

Jesus is now the new Temple. Luke begins His gospel with Jesus in the temple. He concludes His gospel with Jesus as the temple, the dwelling of God. The city of peace, the source of God’s peace, is found now in Jesus as He brings you His gifts – forgiveness, life, salvation.

So we will continually dwell there with Him.

Jesus reminds us, “You are witnesses of these things.” You are a witness. Of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  Paul, as an apostle, saw the living Jesus. “These things” Jesus death and resurrection. They were witnesses and martyrs, they saw, they preached, they died.

“They returned to the city of peace with great joy.” It was an occasion of great joy. The ascension was the opposite reaction to the resurrection. In the resurrection, the disciples really didn’t get it. They asked themselves, “What’s next?” They gathered behind locked doors. In fear. In fear of the authorities. In fear of what would happened next.

After the Ascension, they went back to the public square. They continued daily in the temple blessing God. Heaven had broken into earth. They knew Jesus was with them. And He is with you too – this very night. He might be visibly gone yet He remains physically present. He remembers you. As He feeds you. He intercedes on your behalf. Calling out, next to you.

Words-764

Passive Sentences –13%

Readability –77%

Reading level -4.4

Time in the Word Easter 7

This coming Sunday will be the Sunday after the Ascension. Jesus has departed and the church is on its own. The disciples are left alone to confront the challenges of living in a fallen world. Before He departs, Jesus prays for His friends. The First Lesson shows the infant church with the problem of a vacancy in leadership and prays to the ascended Lord for guidance in choosing a successor to Judas. Though Jesus has ascended, Christians are not alone in the world. This thought is conveyed in the Second Lesson as well as in the Gospel. The suggested hymn deals with the church without the physical Jesus and urges the people not to fear, for God has chosen to give them the kingdom.

A Prayer for Agriculture:  Almighty God, You blessed the earth to make it fruitful, bringing forth in abundance whatever is needed for the support of our lives. Prosper, we implore You, the work of farmers, grant them seasonable weather that we may gather in the fruit of the earth and thus proclaim Your goodness with thanksgiving. May we see by this noble vocation that with Your help they feed the world. And cause all those who give thanks over their food to treat those who produce it with both honor and respect; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

A Prayer for Ascension: Almighty God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

For blessing on the Word: Lord God, bless Your Word wherever it is proclaimed. Make it a word of power and peace to convert those not yet Your own and to confirm those who have come to saving faith. May Your Word pass from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip, and from the lip to the life that, as You have promised, Your Word may achieve the purpose for which You send it; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Collect for the Seventh Sunday in Easter O King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom Y9ou promised from the Father, for You live and reigns with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, 11 May 2015—Psalm 27:1a, 4-5, 10, 14; antiphon, Psalm 27:7— The antiphon is “Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!” The cry of the Psalmist is a prayer for deliverance from treacherous enemies. These remain unspecified, whether from inside or outside the kingdom or both. The chief weapon is a false charge intent on discrediting the king. When people say all manner of things falsely against us, we need not retaliate. Rather we are take our burdens, concerns, and sorrows to the throne room of grace and be thankful as the Savior answers each petition according to His perfect and good will.

Tuesday, 12 May 2015—Psalm 1 key verse v.6 —“For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” This psalm verse gives us both Law and Gospel. The ways of the wicked will be met with the full brunt of Law – the ultimate judgment for unbelief and sin. The righteous, on the other hand, not by any merit on their behalf but completely by grace, will be delivered on the last day. This of course is Gospel. The destinies of two lifestyles are the destinies of those who have chosen them.

Wednesday, 13 May 2015—Acts 1:12-26—The Post–Ascension church prays for guidance. The church is living b3etween Jesus’ departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The time has come to fill the vacancy caused by Judas’ suicide. The one to be chosen as a replacement is to be one who shared the experience with Jesus from the time of His baptism to His Ascension and one who can witness to the Resurrection. Two men met the qualifications: Joseph and Matthias. God and not the church elected Matthias. The church merely asked the ascended Lord which of the two He had chosen. After prayer, Matthias was chosen to be one of the Apostles. The church’s leadership ranks were now filled and ready for the Spirit’s coming.

Thursday, 14 May 2015—1 John 5:9-15—Everything we do in life all boils down to faith. Faith is simply another word for “trust.” Trust simply means to take God at His Word. Note and give special attention to verse 10 which is critical. Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony god has given about His Son.  This is the same thing the Savior said to Nicodemus who came to visit the Savior at night. Read John 3:15-18. See how clearly that this universal truth is woven throughout the Scripture and that the Scriptures interpret themselves namely that each passage explains the other more clearly. Forty different men over a period of some 1,500 years wrote 66 books that in reality make up one book. These books have one doctrinal viewpoint, one moral standard, one plan of salvation, one program for the ages.

Friday, 15 May 2015—John 17:11b-19—The Post-Ascension church confronts the world. In this high priestly prayer, Jesus is aware that He is going to leave the world and His disciples will be left in a fallen world. Think of what the world did to Him! Will not the disciples face the same opposition? Naturally, the disciples would be afraid. Thus, Jesus prays for His followers, not that they should be taken out of the world as He is about to do, but that they should be protected from the Devil and the world. He prays that they may be one as He and the Father are one. They are to be made holy in His Word. As He was sent into the world, He sends them into the world for the same purpose He was sent.

Saturday, 16 May 2015— Luke 12:32, Matthew 25:34; Psalm 103:3-5; Matthew 28:20b – The hymn of the Day is “Have no fear, little flock”– {LSB 735} As the Easter season draws to a close, we have no fear as our  Lord and Savior lives and reigns through all eternity. He has promised to send us His Holy Spirit. Thus this new hymn reminds us that we are safe in His almighty hand. 

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House

Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing Lima, OH

Illustration from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, © WELS Permission to use this copyrighted item is limited to personal and congregational use.