Proper 16 (Pentecost 13)

Pentecost 13 - Proper 16

- Series A

Isaiah 51:1–6

Romans 11:33—12:8

Matthew 16:13–20

The Lord Jesus Christ Is the Son of the Living God

Jesus asked His disciples: “But who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15). The question is also put to us: "Who do you say that He is?" Flesh and blood do not reveal this to us, but by the ministry of the Gospel the Father in heaven reveals His Son to us on earth, who has become flesh and suffered death for our salvation. Thus we believe and confess that He is “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16). As He died for our transgressions and was raised for our justification, He looses us from all our sins and preserves our life within His Church, against which even “the gates of hell shall not prevail” (Matt. 16:18–19). His salvation is forever, and His righteousness “will never be dismayed” (Is. 51:6). He comforts us with the Gospel in His Church, so that “joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.” (Is. 51:3). Therefore, “according to the measure of faith that God has assigned” (Rom. 12:3), we also offer ourselves “as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Rom. 12:1) through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Proper 16 Series A 

Romans 11:33-12:8

Rock Sunday

Old Testament - Abraham the Rock from Which Israelis Hewn  Gospel - Matthew 16:13-20  The confession of St. Peter Hymn of the Day - "Built on the Rock"

Strong parallel with the Old Testament Abraham and Sarah

:33 A Doxology of praise - Paul worshipping as he reflects on the worship of God lived out in the life of the Christian in chapter 12 this is a worship of God's mercy which is bottomless

ta krimata. - "judgments"

"Unsearchable" - "incomprehensible"  Not to be tracked out...beyond description...

34: who first gave to God? Who paid God?  God owes no man...

36 - the end of all things Col.1:20 all things created for Him  what happened before, now, and what is to come.

Romans 12:1ff

Sanctification flows out of Justification Imperatives flow first from the Gospel I comfort you, encourage, urge you,  this is your appropriate worship...in light of the Gospel (the mercies of the Gospel) is the therefore which recalls everything God has done for you.

A sacrifice is something that has been killed. We're not called to bleed, not atoning for sin...but something really is being put to death (daily) daily/hourly offering ourselves to God...a death to sin not for sin.  See Romans 6

This is your daily worship Romans 9 a continuation of the Old Testament worship. Christian life is the liturgy we do after the liturgy.

"Appropriate worship" brought back to be...what is appropriate/logical to do.

Our life is a response to God's service...

Paul says "present your bodies" not gnostic...your body is you...the whole person...present all of you to God in your vocation and station of life...what you do with your body is a reflection of the soul.

:2 do not adapted to the pattern of this present world By renewing of your mind...see Romans 7 the mind affirms will of God, the central control of the new man. To probe the will of God what is God's will into the life God has called me. How do we probe the will of God through the Word...in our  vocation we have free will...in the things below us.

:3 do not consider your calling as superior to others...we are sacramental Ly and forensically one.

:4-8

What you are doing - how does it relate to faith?

Prophecy - narrow or broad?  First classifications (four) clergy, last (three) - laity

One who gives, w/o an agenda

Administrative powers

Acts of mercy 

 

– Romans 11:1-2a, 13-15, 28-32 Haters be Hatin’ but not Jesus!

 

“Father welcomes all His children To His family through His Son. Father giving His salvation. Life forever has been won.” – Lutheran Service Book #605

Let Your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend Your Church; and because it cannot continue in safety without Your help, protect and govern it always by Your goodness; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. ~ Collect for Pentecost 11 

 

“Has God rejected His people?” The Lord has not totally cast off the people He chose long ago. Even if they are at times disobedient to His will. God will always preserve for Himself a faithful remnant. There will be for Him, a faithful remnant as in the days of Elijah.

What can we glean from today’s lesson is simply this. When God makes a promise He keeps it.  Not like out cheap imitations. Israel is still chosen. Even though many have cut themselves off. 

His promises are sure. For some, a promise is meant to be broken. But not with our Heavenly Father! For Him a promise is a promise.  He never breaks a promise, “For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.” This is reassuring to us. Who live in a world where so many times a person’s word has become largely unreliable.  He will not disappoint you.

Paul addresses two sets of ears. The first were Jews who became Christian converts. The other group, are Gentiles. Like their brothers. They were at one time pagan. But now they are a part of the family. Paul says to these Gentiles, “You too were once unfaithful, disobedient.” But because Israel was unfaithful, Gentiles have been brought to Christ.  

Many of you in this room might not have ever met a Jewish person, let alone a Jewish Christian. Tammy and I have a mutual friend who is both Jewish and a Christian. A few weeks ago, I reached out to Michelle and asked her for her input with respect to this portion of Scripture. Her response is as follows…

“This is one of my favorite kinds of questions. I would want them to know - God's promises to the Jews continue to this day. Irrevocable means irrevocable.

 

The church is grafted into the covenant promises God first made to Israel. There are more Messianic Jewish believers today than at any time since the first century.”

 

She concludes with these words, “Anti-Semitism is a toxic virus. Even if you personally don't know any Jewish people, maintaining anti-Jewish attitudes carries like a virus in our culture.”[1] 

Israel’s unfaithfulness had a purpose. That they might be brought back to God. The Lord called the Jews to be His people and Paul is positive God does not break His promises. Paul had this assurance that one day Jews and Gentiles will be in the church reconciled to God by faith in Christ. The disobedience of one provided the Lord with the opportunity. To give His mercy and love to all. Jews and Gentiles were of mutual benefit to each other. When one was shown mercy. The other shared in the blessing.

God kept His promises to the Patriarchs. To Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Maintaining His love throughout. God will never cease to be merciful. God has never rejected His own. Because God’s promises are irrevocable speaks of His relationship to the entire world and especially in the world in which you live.

In this morning’s Gospel Jesus heals a Canaanite woman’s daughter. In this regard faith embraces Christ – which is NOT about doing right things. Or being correct. Performing rituals to perfection. Or even eating certain foods. It is what is on the inside which is the most important.

We must not forget. Jesus was a Jew. As was the Apostle Paul. These words are Paul’s concerned, complex attempt to wrestle with the paradox that at least one Jew saw Jesus as Lord. While most of His people did not. This Canaanite woman is an unlikely candidate to be the ideal follower of Jesus. She’s Gentile. Yet she calls Jesus, “Lord” and “Son of David.”

Unlike Peter. Who fails to understand anything Jesus was doing. Along with Jesus’ other disciples. Who attempt to chase her away.

Discipleship is not automatic. Instead, a true believer is one who has absolute faith in Jesus. Paul is attempting to come to grips with the reality that his own people have not accepted Jesus as the Christ.  Yet all have been disobedient alike – both Jews and Gentiles together. In spite of everything, God is able to work through our disobedience to show us His mercy, love and care. 

In Jesus’ conversation with the Canaanite woman there is a wonderful exchange of words. Jesus responds to her by saying, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the family puppy.” She replies by saying, “Yes, Lord, yet even the mutts off the street eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.”

By her persistent prayer.  That Jesus would have mercy and help her. Even in the face of His initial silence. And apparent rejection. This Canaanite woman boldly confessed her faith in Christ.

Her beautiful example. Encourages us to cling to the words and promises of the Gospel.  Even in the face of the Law.  That accuses and condemns us. Do not think you can walk your way into the Kingdom of God by some grand achievement. Paul commands a life of faith. By faith we receive the Father’s gifts. By faith we get precisely what we don’t deserve. And even more! That is why grace will always be karma’s worst nightmare.

There is a purpose in all this. “That he may have mercy on all.” (Romans 11:32). Hence, the woman’s faith and hope were not disappointed. But her prayers were answered in the mercy of Christ. Not only does He grant us the crumbs from His Table. He also feeds us with “the children’s bread” in the house of His Father.  

Faith believes that God is not a Divine Accountant of Probation Officer. Rather, He’s an indulgent father. Who throws a party. For his indigent son. He’s like an employer. Who pays employees a full day’s wage. Even though they only worked an hour. He’s like a lavish wedding host. Who provides copious amounts of only the best and finest wine. He’s your Good Shepherd. Content to leave behind ninety-nine of His herd in safety. Who will risk all. To save just one, that is lost.

This is the God who desires to bless all people I’m tempted to curse. He includes those whom I’d exclude. And embraces the very people I would shun. This good news, He says, is for all people. No one is to be excluded from the Father’s table.

Tomorrow. We will witness the great eclipse. May this be our prayer. Lord, through the power of the Gospel - eclipse fear and hatred. By the power of Your love - eclipse violence and injustice. By the mercies of Christ - eclipse racism and bigotry [2]

 

Words – 1,125

Passive Sentences – 6%

Readability – 76.8%

Reading Level – 4.7

Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas Higher Things

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[1] In light what has transpired in Charlottesville, VA these words are most appropriate: http://michellevanloon.com/2017/08/13/jews-will-not-replace-us-and-other-heartwarming-sentiments/

[2] https://www.facebook.com/tom.terrell.547

 

August 15— Saturday prior to Pentecost 12 – (Proper 15)

Galatians 3:28 - ‘There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ.’”

The hymn of the day for this week, In Christ There Is No East or West (LSB #653), reflects the theme of the readings: that, according to the order of salvation in Christ, there is no difference between any of the people of His Church. All man-made distinctions are gone as regards His forgiveness: Jew/Gentile, black/white, male/female, Anglo/Hispanic, etc. The Body of Christ, the Church, comes from all nations. Indeed, even our liturgy reflects this, as it is drawn from Jewish, African, and European sources. Likewise, our hymns come from many cultures across many ages.

William A. Dunkerley (1852-1941) wrote these words originally part of a libretto, for the Pageant of “Darkness and Light” at the London Missionary Society’s exhibition “The Orient in London,” which ran from 1908–1914. Many hymnals credit the words to John Oxenham, Dunkerley’s pseudonym.

Oxenham made his home in the U.S. for a time before returning to England, where he died at the age of 89. According to hymnologist Albert Bailey, Oxenham began writing “to relieve the tedium of long journeys . . . and soon discovered that he liked writing better than business.”

He then included this poem in his collection, “Bees in Amber” (1913). This popular volume was rejected by publishers; when Oxenham self-published it, the book sold 285,000 copies. From here the hymn found its way into many English-language hymnals, beginning with England’s Songs of Praise (1931).

English literary scholar and hymnologist J.R. Watson states that the hymn takes its opening idea from Rudyard Kipling’s famous lines, “Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet” from “The Ballad of East and West,” published in Barrach-Room Ballads, and Other Verses (1892). However, Oxenham’s hymn is the antithesis of Kipling’s verse. 

Perhaps the author’s extensive travel helped him develop a sense of Christian unity beyond the racial and cultural differences that he observed. [1]    

A prayer for unity of faith – O God your infinite love restores to the right way those who err, seeks the scattered and preserves those whom you have gathered. Of your tender mercy pour out on your faithful people the grace of unity that, all schisms being ended your flock may be gathered to the true Shepherd of your church and may serve you in faithfulness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. [2] 

Sources: 

[1] http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/i/c/n/icnoeast.htm

[2] Collect for unity of Faith, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Image: God So Loved the World, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Thing

August 14—Friday prior to Pentecost 12 – (Proper 15)

 Father welcomes all His children To His family through His Son. Father giving His salvation. Life forever has been won.” – Father Welcomes,” Lutheran Service Book #605

Matthew 15:21–28 Jesus heals a Canaanite woman’s daughter. In this regard faith embraces Christ – which is NOT about doing right things. Or being correct. Performing rituals to perfection. Or even eating certain foods. It is what is on the inside which is the most important.

This Canaanite woman is an unlikely candidate to be the ideal follower of Jesus. She’s Gentile. Yet she calls Jesus, “Lord” and “Son of David.” Unlike Peter who fails to understand anything Jesus was doing. Along with Jesus’ other disciples, who attempt to chase her away.

Discipleship is not automatic. Instead, a true believer is one who has absolute faith in Jesus. Paul in this week’s epistle (Romans 11:1–2a, 13–15, 28–32) is attempting to come to grips with the reality that his own people have not accepted Jesus as the Christ.  Yet all have been disobedient alike – both Jews and Gentiles together. In spite of everything, God is able to work through our disobedience to show us His mercy, love and care. 

In Jesus’ conversation with the Canaanite woman there is a wonderful exchange of words. Jesus responds to her by saying, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the family puppy.” She replies by saying, “Yes, Lord, yet even the mutts off the street eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.”

By her persistent prayer, that Jesus would have mercy and help her, even in the face of His initial silence and apparent rejection. This Canaanite woman boldly confessed her faith in Christ.

Her beautiful example encourages us to cling to the words and promises of the Gospel.  Even in the face of the Law.  That accuses and condemns us. Do not think you can walk your way into the Kingdom of God by some grand achievement. Paul commands a life of faith. By faith we receive the Father’s gifts. By faith we get precisely what we don’t deserve. And even more! That is why grace will always be karma’s worst nightmare.

Let Your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend Your Church; and because it cannot continue in safety without Your help, protect and govern it always by Your goodness; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. ~ Collect for Pentecost 11

Lutheran Service Book ©2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts “The Crucifixion” copyright © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.  

August 13— Thursday prior to Pentecost 12 – (Proper 15)

 

St. Paul concludes, “That he may have mercy on all.” (Romans 11:32). The Canaanite woman from this Sunday’s Gospel reading, (Matthew 15:21–28) boldly confessed her faith in Christ. This woman’s faith and hope were not disappointed.  Her prayers were answered in the mercy of Christ. Not only does He grant us the crumbs from His table. He also feeds us with “the children’s bread” in the house of His Father. 

Faith believes that God is not a Divine Accountant of Probation Officer. Rather, He’s an indulgent father. Who throws a party for his indigent son. He’s like an employer, who pays employees a full day’s wage even though they only worked an hour. He’s like a lavish wedding host, who provides copious amounts of only the best and finest wine. He’s your Good Shepherd content to leave behind ninety-nine of His herd in safety. Who will risk all to save just one that is lost.

This is the God who desires to bless all people I’m tempted to curse. He includes those whom I’d exclude. And embraces the very people I would shun. This good news, He says, is for all people. No one is to be excluded from the Father’s presence.

May this be our prayer, Lord, through the power of the Gospel - eclipse fear and hatred. By the power of Your love - eclipse violence and injustice. By the mercies of Christ - eclipse racism and bigotry.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts “The Crucifixion” copyright © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

August 12— Wednesday prior to Pentecost 12 – (Proper 15)

 

Isaiah 56:1, 6–8—Writing about 700 years before Christ, Isaiah prophesies of the LORD: Soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance will be revealed. The LORD’s salvation and righteousness have been revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. Because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus for all, regardless of race, the LORD is pleased to gather to Himself people of all nations and races, and accepts their offerings and sacrifices: My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.

The Lord Jesus gave His command to reach out the entire world with the message of His salvation, “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)  

This prophecy was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost as Peter proclaimed, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21) and further, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) The end result was growth, “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41)

Jesus calls us to himself and to his cross. Now, the Lord hears our prayers and accepts our sacrifice of praise upon the altar of His cross. (Isaiah 56:7)

Prayer for the mission of the Church: Almighty God, You have called Your Church to witness that in Christ You have reconciled us to Yourself. Grant that by Your Holy Spirit we may proclaim the good news of Your salvation so that all who hear it may receive the gift of salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,

Go into all the world, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Collect from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

August 11 — Tuesday prior to Pentecost 12 – (Proper 15)

 Psalm 67—All of the readings for this coming week express the fact that God’s salvation is for all people. The psalmist begins with the familiar Aaronic blessing. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24–26) For thousands of years God’s people have received this blessing. It is the benediction spoken to the people of God at the conclusion of the Divine Service.  It is a blessing God speaks to you individually and personally.

This blessing originally applied to the children of Israel, but then extends it to all people;” that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations.”

May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us,
that your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, has blessed us.
May God continue to bless us;
let all the ends of the earth revere him.

When we pray with Psalm 67 that "God continue to bless us" or when we end the end of the worship service with the promise that "the Lord's face shine upon you," we do so for the sake of God's mission. In order that through God's people, all of the world might experience God's saving help.

Prayer for Psalm 67 – Father through your power the earth has brought forth its noblest fruit, the tree of the cross. Unite all people in its embrace, and feed them with its fruit, everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Collect for Psalm 67, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, © 1995 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

The Trinity copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things