Time in the Word - Epiphany 4

 Time in the Word
 January 28 – February 2, 2013
Preparation for Epiphany 4

The Theme for Epiphany 4 “Opposition to the Word of God” is seen in all three readings. In the Old Testament lesson, (Jeremiah 1:4-10) God promises to deliver those who fear the Lord. In the Epistle lesson, (1 Corinthians 12:31b – 13:13) the solution to opposition is love. In the Gospel for Epiphany 4, (Luke 4:31-44) Nazareth rejects Jesus for preaching the truth. Because we live in a fallen world, our prayer is echoed by the hymn for the Day, “Lord, keep us steadfast in Your word.”

Collect for Epiphany 4   Lord, You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, 28 January 2013—Psalm 10:16-18, Antiphon, Psalm 10:12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up Your hand; forget not the afflicted. Those who are at the mercy of the oppressors have no one to go to except the One who created heaven and earth. Thus, the psalmist pleads to the Lord to rescue him from the attacks of unscrupulous men. When wickedness rises against us, we run to the waiting arms of the only one who can help us. 

Tuesday, 29 January 2013—Psalm 71:1-6 (7-11); key verse v12 Be not far from me O God; come quickly O my God to help me. This verse is a part of a prayer the psalmist prays in the waning years of his life. He knows his shepherd’s voice. He has the experience of the Good Shepherd’s guiding hand. Nothing will befall him without the Savior’s will being perfected in his life. In a quiet confidence, he waits patiently upon the Lord. In like manner, we commit our circumstances into the Lord’s safekeeping.

Wednesday, 30 January 2013— Jeremiah 1:4-10– God promises to deliver the prophet Jeremiah from the fear of those opposing the Word. Before Jeremiah was born, he was called to be a prophet. The point of contact of this lesson with the Gospel is Jeremiah’s fear of preaching the Word as implied in verse 8. In the Gospel Jesus faced His opposition with courage. Here we are given the human side of the preacher. What would Jeremiah say concerning himself? He is destined to preach. (v.5)  This is his life’s calling, although at times he feels unworthy to preach (v.6) and is at times afraid to preach. (v.8) But preach he must for he know that he speaks for God. (v.9)

Thursday, 31 January 2013—1 Corinthians12:31b-13:13 – The solution to opposition of course, is love. In a third series on the Spirit Paul explains that love is the best gift of the Spirit. Love, says St. Paul, is the best gift of the Holy Spirit. Love causes the hearer to love and accept the preaching of God’s Word regardless of his hurting. The Law condemns and accuses always. But it is important. It drives us to the Gospel.  

Friday, 01 February 2013 – Luke 4:31-44– In our Gospel lesson Jesus drives out an evil spirit. Here we find a man possessed by a demon. To pagans, a demon meant a supernatural being, either good or bad. Luke makes the point that this was an evil spirit. Such a demon could cause mental illness (see John 10:20) violence (see Luke 8:26-29) bodily disease (Luke 14:11, 16) and open rebellion against God (16:14)

Peter we know was married as we see Jesus heal his mother-in-law. This miracle is found in Matthew 8:14-15 and in Mark 1:29-31 but only Luke the physician tells us that she was suffering from a high fever.  The people were flocking to Jesus hoping He would help them. Luke reminds us this all happened on the Sabbath (vs. 31) and as the sun was setting (v.40) The Sabbath was over at sundown (around 6 PM) until then according to the tradition of the Elders Jews could not travel more than about two-thirds of o mile or carry a burden. Only after sundown could they carry the sick to Jesus. The eagerness of the crowd is seen in the fact that they set out while the sun was still setting. Only Jesus, the great physician, has the power to heal and to save.

 

Saturday, 02 February 2013—-Psalm 119:5-10, John 3:31, Ephesians 4:3-6- Sunday’s hymn of the day is Lord keep Us Steadfast in Your Word (655 LSB). Because we live in a fallen world, because we face danger on every side, because there is only one source the Christian has for strength and sustenance we go to the only place for personal protection – the Words and promises of our Lord. Thus, our prayer must be as found in the opening lines of our hymn, “Lord, Keep us steadfast in Your Word!” 

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

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C – John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

Epiphany 3

27 January 2013

Epiphany 3

Luke 4:14-21

Set Free

The occasion for Jesus’ first sermon was in the synagogue in His own hometown.  Jesus announces to His hearers that He has been anointed to do the work of God. Jesus finds His purpose in life fulfilled in the words of Isaiah the prophet of old.

At the center of His message is verse 19: “the acceptable year of the Lord.”  This “acceptable year” was certainly the year of Jubilee, proclaimed every 50 years. It was the year when debts were cancelled, slaves were freed and family inheritances were restored. Jesus sees His life’s mission to redeem and release the people from bondage. The program of release was the good news to all who were oppressed, afflicted and bound. This morning we see Jesus who releases people bound.

I.                    The poor in spirit find freedom in the Gospel.

A.      It is the gospel alone that frees us.

1.      Clean living won’t do it. How so? How clean do you have to be? Just a little bit pious? Just a little above average? By whose standard do we measure your Word? And if it is by God’s standards can you keep every point of the Law?

2.      Neither can ignoring sin free us. An antinomian attitude in our world today, which lives by the axiom “anything goes” and “don’t ask...don’t tell” and “if it feels good do it” and “when in Rome...” This self-evident truth concludes: “never criticize!”

B.      The message of the gospel is all we need to set us free.

1.      We need to be set free from sin – this enslaves us all. The sin of Adam has been passed down to each passing generation and the total corruption of our corrupt nature is played out by our thoughts, our words and our actions.

2.      We need to be set free from death – this will one day claim us all. The Scriptures are quite clear, “It is appointed for man once to die and after that comes judgment.”

3.      We need to be set free from the power of the devil – who tempts and accuses seeking to destroy us. “Be of sober {spirit,} be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (NAS) 1 Peter 5:8

Christians find their freedom in the message of the Gospel. It is the Son of God, Jesus Christ who has freed us.

II.                 Captives to sin find release in Christ.

A.      We must first realize sin’s sway.

1.      It has a death grip upon us. A grip we can never get away from. We can fight against it, we can try to use will power, but we can never get away from the temptation, and the pull, and the enticement of sin.

2.      Sin simply renders us powerless. Mark the scripture passage well, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8

B.      It is Christ alone who has saved us. Thus, the passage concludes, “but if we confess our sin, God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

1.      He releases us from both fear and doubt. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1 There is much today for people to fear. What is fear? Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. Courage is fear, which has said its prayers. When the Lord is your light and your salvation, you shall not fear. When the Lord is the strength of your life, you will have nothing to be afraid.

2.      He not only frees us but also establishes us to be his own to live under Him in His Kingdom and to serve Him in righteousness, innocence and blessedness.

Christ has set us free by the power of His saving Gospel. The result? Now we have hears to hear and eyes to see.

III.               Those once blinded by sin have received sight through the light of Jesus Christ.

A.         Possibly best expressed in the hymn of the Church “Amazing Grace”. Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.

1.      We are wretches, by nature blind, dead and enemies of God.

2.      But now we have found freedom in Christ.

B.         The Light of Christ has now dawned. That’s what this Epiphany season is all about.

1.      Christ – predicted to come in the season of Advent.

2.      Christ’s coming fulfilled at Christmas.

3.      In Epiphany, we now “see Him”

The Gospel and Christ have freed us. Once blinded by sin we now see – He has truly liberated and freed us!

IV.              Those oppressed by their own sin or by the sins of others find liberty in Christ.

A.                 Our own sin can and will condemn us. Rising up to rob us of peace and security.

B.                 The sins of others can render us defenseless.  Yet has He has empowered us He enables us to forgive also. The 5^th Petition is a hard prayer to pray. It must be experienced. “And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” As He has forgiven us, He teaches us also how to forgive.

In Christ, you are truly free indeed! For 175 years, this message of sin and grace has been at the center of all that we do. It’s what gives us purpose and meaning in this world, it’s the message we need to hear. May we, by God’s grace found to be faithful – faithful to the Lord, faithful to His Word, faithful to each other! In Jesus’ Name! Amen!

A Prayer for our country

A prayer for our country - Almighty God, You have given us this good land as our heritage. 

Grant that we remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every course of action. Make us who came from many nations with many different languages a united people. Defend our liberties, and give those whom we have entrusted with the authority of government the spirit of wisdom that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful; in troubled times do not let our trust in You fail; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. - from Lutheran Worship, c 1980 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Time in the Word - Epiphany 3

The Theme for Epiphany 3 “The Purpose of Your Life” In the Old Testament lesson Ezra the scribe reads the Book of the Law in the presence of the people. Reading from the Book of the Law brought tears to the people. Their purpose was to be directed by the Word of the Lord. In the Epistle lesson Paul reminds us that by the Spirit Christians are members of one body. In the Gospel lesson Jesus finds His purpose in Isaiah’s words. The hymn of the Day is a prayer asking the Christian to ever walk near to the Lord.

Collect for Epiphany 3 Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities and stretch forth the hand of Your majesty to heal and defend us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with  You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever

A prayer for steadfast faith –Almighty God, our heavenly Father, of Your tender love towards us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and come to life everlasting.

A prayer for newness of life in Christ – Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness and put upon ourselves the armor of life, now in the time of this mortal life, in which Your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glory to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal. .   

A prayer 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 morning prayer – Faithful God, whose mercies are new to us every morning, we humbly pray that You would look upon us in mercy and renew us by Your Holy Spirit. Keep safe our going out and our coming in, and let Your blessings remain with us throughout this day. Preserve us in Your righteousness and grant us a portion in that eternal life which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Monday, 21 January 2013—Psalm 102:18-22, Antiphon, Psalm 102:13 – You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come. The antiphon is the centerpiece of the entire psalm. The psalmist’s distress was occasioned by the Babylonian exile. Yet, he sees an appointed time – a time set by god for judgment and deliverance to come. As we pray this prayer we too look for a time of deliverance to come. We pray that deliverance might come to us now and ultimately on the last great day, that day when we shall live beyond time and space.  

Tuesday, 22 January 2013—Psalm19: (1-6) 7-14; key verse v14-May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. These words are quite familiar – they are often uttered by the pastor before the sermon. By these words the preacher is asking that he only proclaim God’s words and not his own. By these words the hear asks that these words of the Lord penetrate the heart and mind so that faith may be strengthened and nourished. May the word of the Lord give us both direction and encouragement not only this coming Sunday but throughout this New Year.

Wednesday, 23 January 2013— Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10– Notice how the worship practices of Ezra and Nehemiah are quite similar to ours today. Ezra the scribe reads the Book of the Law in the presence of the people. After they heard the word they responded in two ways. First they feasted. Delicious festive food prepared with much fat. The fat of sacrificial animals was offered to God as the tastiest element of the burnt offering, the fellowship offering, the sin offering and the guilt offering. The fat was not to be eaten in these cases. They also remembered the poor and those less fortunate on these joyous occasions. Likewise, we today respond in two ways. We come to a worship service to hear the word. We eat the sacrifice of Christ in the Sacrament and then we respond in sacramental living. In service we worship God. We respond by reaching out to our neighbors and especially to those whose need is great. We respond as the word of the Lord has taken root in our lives.  

Thursday, 24 January 2013—1 Corinthians12:12-31a– The Christian finds his purpose in the body of Christ. By the Spirit Christians are members of one body. The unity of the church is the unity of Christ. We are one in Christ, as members of the body of Christ. Regardless of our differences Jews, Greeks, bond, free, we are all one. Last names cease when we enter the church door. We are one in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul will remind us in verse 13, “For by one Spirit we were baptized into one body – and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” The church is not a human institution held together by its leaders and members’ contributions. If that were the case the church would have died long ago. The Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, sanctifies, and preserves the church from age to age. 

Friday, 25 January 2013 – Luke 4:16-30– Many today are seeking self-identity. They are seeking to understand who they are and what their purpose in life is. Many do not have a reason for living. They are confused because they are aimless. They have no goals for life. As Christians, who follow Christ in all things, our purpose in life should be the same as Jesus’ purpose. Luke tells us: Where Jesus came from – He came from God to fulfill god’s promises. He tells us who Jesus is – He is the Messiah, God’s servant – commissioned and called. He tells us what Jesus was to do – preach the good news.  

Saturday, 26 January 2013—- Matthew 16:24; 1 Peter 4:12-13; Matthew 10:38-39; Romans 6:2-5, 8- Sunday’s hymn of the day is Let us Ever Walk with Jesus   (685 LSB) The purpose of Jesus’ life was fulfilled by the words of the prophet. The purpose of your life is that the will of God might be fulfilled in us. Thus this wonderful hymn encourages the believer to daily walk with the Lord, to follow Christ’s example and word that daily we might be conformed to His will and way.

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

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C – John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

Epiphany 2

Jesus’ first miracle in Cana of Galilee. He turned ordinary water into wine. “So what?” Some may be tempted to ask, “So what”?

In an age where miracles are questioned, in an age in which anything suggesting the miraculous is emphatically and forcefully denied, in a time in which man simply turns to his own powers, his own agendas, and his own directives we need to see the significance of the miraculous.

We need to see the significance of the miraculous then but especially today as we are in the first month of a New Year.  What would Jesus’ first miracle say to us today? May I suggest that this miracle of turning water into wine gives us four directives and timeless truths which we need to ponder?

1.                  The first directive, place Christ on the top of your invitation list. John reminds us, Jesus was invited to the wedding. (v.1) There are countless couples mentioned throughout the Scriptures. Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sara, Queen Esther and the great king. This couple is unknown to us, yet they serve us well.  They invite Jesus to their wedding.

Preparing an invitation list for a wedding is extremely important. The invitation signifies you are important to the one who is inviting you.  It indicates further that you are important. The couple invites Jesus to their wedding. They should be glad that they did this. Jesus honors them with His presence. He is present to meet their need. He saves their reception from failure. He saves them from disgrace.

Have you invited Jesus?  Is He welcome to come into your life, into your marriage, into your place of work? Jesus should not be a stranger to anyone here! May He continue to be the ever-present although unseen guest in every home!

Christ desires to be invited into your home. He desires that we take Him at His word.

2.                  Our second directive is for us - trust and obey. Remember the old Nike commercial: “Just Do It!” Mary told the servants in verse 5: “whatever He tells you to do – just do it!” Mary had learned to respect Jesus’ word. If the servants had not obeyed, there would have been no wine made out of water. Miracles take place in our lives when we learn the directive of obedience. Mary reminds us: “do whatever He tells you!”

To obey is a test of faith – especially when the command seems illogical or ridiculous. The need was wine and Jesus commands the servants to draw water.  The Savior has given us likewise seemingly illogical demands. The world laughs – calling it a contradiction! Yet the Savior asks you to trust and obey when He tells you: “Give and it shall be given to you” and again when He says; “He who loses his life for My sake and the Gospel shall find it”

Invite Christ into your life, trust Him at His Word and watch as He fills your empty vessels.

3.                  He fills you. Neil Diamond’s hit song of the 1970’s was entitled: "I've got that lonely feeling..." For many, life is empty and lonely. Our lives may appear to be as empty as the stone jars mentioned in our text for today.

However, when you come to Jesus, as Mary did, for help, Jesus not only fills you up to the brim, but He gives us an excess of blessings. In the case of this nameless couple, six stone jars provided 120-180 gallons of wine! In the case of 5,000 hungry souls – twelve baskets were left over! The miracle drives home a timeless truth – Jesus Christ is able not only to meet your needs – He exceeds them!

As you invited Christ into your life, as you trust in Him, as you witness the countless miracles in your life you witness a transformation in your lives.

4.                  Jesus directs you to witness a transformation in your life. In this Epiphany season, you will see that the baby born in Bethlehem’s stall is truly the Son of God.  He has come that you might have life and have it abundantly.

Because He is the Son of God He is able to turn simple water into Don Perignon – the choices of wines! We live in a time in which there are too many forces afoot attempting to turn the exciting and life giving wine of the gospel into something ordinary, common and flat.

Yet, day-by-day, when the water of our lives are placed into Jesus hands they become rich, sweet and tasty as wine. All that there is to experience in life finds its true significance only in Jesus Christ.

The old adage reminds us wine gets better with age. Into your life, the Savior has come offering His life for an exchange of your life. O taste and see that the Lord is good as you witness His miracles and count them one by one.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld Woodcut used with permission © WELS

Time in the Word - Epiphany 2 The Wedding at Cana

The Theme for Epiphany 2 “God’s Glory Manifested In Transforming Power” can be seen in all three lessons for the week. In the Old Testament lesson God marries His people. God will transform Jerusalem from desolation to delight. In the Epistle lesson The Sprit transforms from “Jesus be cursed” to “Jesus is Lord!” Here the gifts of the Spirit will be outlined for us. In the Gospel lesson, the wedding at Cana Christ transforms water into wine. Here He manifests His glory and His disciples put their faith in Him.

Collect for Epiphany 2 – Almighty and Everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.

Collect for the Baptism of our Lord – Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen

Collect for the likeness of Christ —O God, by the patient suffering of Your only-begotten Son; You have beaten down the pride of the old enemy. Now help us, we humbly pray, rightly to treasure in our hearts all that our Lord has of His goodness born for our sake that after His example we may bear with patience all that is adverse to us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

A prayer for steadfast faith –Almighty God, our heavenly Father, of Your tender love towards us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and come to life everlasting. .

A prayer for newness of life in Christ – Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness and put upon ourselves the armor of life, now in the time of this mortal life, in which Your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glory to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal. .   

A prayer 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.

Monday, 14 January 2013—Psalm 36:5:9, Antiphon, Song of Solomon 2:4 The Lord brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love. See also Numbers 2:2 and Psalm 20:5 – The king’s love for his bride is displayed for all to see like a large military banner. So is the Father’s love for you. Great is His faithfulness.

Tuesday, 15 January 2013—Psalm128; key verse v5 May the Lord bless you from Zion all thee days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem.  The blessedness of the godly man is the theme for this week’s psalm. It is another word for wisdom concerning hearth and home. The key verse is thought to be a Levitical or priestly benediction or a word of instruction to those assembled from their homes coming to worship at Jerusalem,

Wednesday, 16 January 2013— Isaiah 62:1-5– Isaiah uses the analogy of marriage to express the relationship of Judah to God. He marries His people, His land. It is not the first marriage for God. Like Hosea, He takes His people back again and again. He remarries His people to Himself. What does this say about God’s attitude toward His people? God loves His people “The Lord delights in you” v. 4. God make His people new – they take, like a bride takes her husband’s name, His name: “You shall be called My delight is in her” v. 4 God rejoices over His people, “So shall your God rejoice over you” v.5 God and His land make a happy couple.

Thursday, 17 January 2013—1 Corinthians12:1-11– Can we be different and yet one? The church has always threatened with divisions. It happened in the 1^st Century it happens today in the 21^st Century. To have peace and unity must all church members agree and be alike? According to the text, the church is unique in that she can have unity with diversity. This unity is the same Spirit in all, but there is a variety of gifts from the one Spirit. As long as there is one good, sweet spirit in a congregation, it is a blessing for the church to have a diversity of gifts.

Friday, 18 January 2013 – John 2:1-11– The custom is to prepare an invitation list for a wedding. The invitation signifies you are important to the one inviting you. It indicates further that you are wanted. The unknown couple in the gospel put Jesus on their invitation list. And they could be glad they did!  Jesus honors them with His presence. He met their needs of wine. He saved the reception from failure. Have you invited Jesus to come into your marriage, your work, your life?

For many life is empty. Our lives may be as empty as the stone jars. When we come to Jesus, as Mary did, for help, Jesus not only fills us up to the brim, but gives us an excess. The six stone jars provided 120 – 180 gallons of wine!  Note, tool, the generosity of Jesus in feeding the 5,000 – twelve baskets were left over. Jesus is able not only to meet our needs, but to exceed them.  

Just like the Nike commercial Mary told the servants to do whatever Jesus told them to do. “Just do it!” She had learned to respect His words. If the servants had not obeyed, there would have been no wine out of water. A miracle will take place in our lives when we “do whatever He tells us”. To obey is a test of faith when the command seems illogical and ridiculous. The need was wine and Jesus commands getting water! He has other seemingly illogical demands: “Give and it shall be given you,” “He who loses his life shall find it.”

Saturday, 19 January 2013—-Matthew 2:1-12; Ephesians 1:9; John 18:26-27; John 1:29 - Sunday’s hymn of the day is The Star Proclaims the King Is Here   (399 LSB) This is yet another wonderful Epiphany hymn. Despite outward conditions nothing will change concerning God’s dealings with His people. As the Wise Men were directed to find the infant Lord Jesus so to this day the Lord will make His presence known to you as He comes through His means of grace. This is how He chooses to communicate to you – in tangible ways. Not in myth, not in the spectacular or the supernatural but through simple means. Wise men still seek Him. Look for Him in those places He has promised He will be found.

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

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C – John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH 

The Baptism of our Lord

Jesus’ baptism and your own. What would they say to us today?

1.       At Jesus’ Baptism

A.      Jesus was revealed the Son of God.

1.       The Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove.

2.       The Father’s voice was heard saying, “You are My Son”

B.      His ministry of redemption began.

1.       Jesus was called to proclaim a specific message.

2.       That message was one the people had already heard, “the Kingdom of god is at hand”

a.       Yet Jesus spoke with much authority.

b.      Now we see the kingdom being revealed which will be fully realized on the Last Great Day.

c.       It is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.

C.      The people were called to look to Him for life.

1.       He will begin in obscurity.

2.       He will end in glory at His Transfiguration.

2.       At Your Baptism

A.      You became a child of God.

1.       You died to sin

2.       You were raised to new life in Christ.

B.      Your redemption is now a reality; signed sealed and delivered in the life of Jesus Christ.

1.       St. Paul, Romans, “When we were baptized into Christ Jesus”

2.       We are given the assurance of forgiveness, life, salvation

C.      Look to your baptism as a reminder of the life, which you have in Christ.

1.       Daily you die to sin and rise with Christ.

2.       Daily you are renewed to be a witness, to serve Christ and your neighbor.