Proclaimed
Word of God
Proper 10
July 7-12 2014
The main theme
of our readings for the coming week is the Word of God; nature is used to
explain the Word. Like seed, the Word is scattered and is received by various
kinds of hearers. As the rain and snow cause nature to produce, God’s Word also
is certain to accomplish God’s purpose. The Epistle lesson gives us that
purpose: the redemption of the whole creation. The suggested hymn of the day “Almighty God Your Word is Cast” (LSB
#577) harmonizes with the theme of the Word.
Collect for
Proper 10 – Blessed Lord, since You
have caused all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning, grant that we
may so hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that we may
embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus
Christ Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit.
One God, now and forever.
A
simple yet heart felt Prayer – “Almighty God, grant us a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, a cheerful
hope in Your mercy, and a sincere love for You and one another.”
For the work of the congregation – Almighty God and Lord, as You have called us
to labor in Your vineyard, so grant us now Your presence. Enlighten and guide
us by Your Word that in all matters of deliberation we may always consider the
best interests of Your church and this congregation. Let Your Holy Spirit rule
and direct our hearts that, in the spirit of Christian love, we may present and
discuss matters and be kindly disposed toward one another, to the end that all
we say and do may please You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
A
prayer before we study the Word – Almighty
God, our heavenly Father, without Your help our labor is useless, and without
Your light our search is in vain. Invigorate the study of Your holy Word that,
by due diligence and right discernment, we may establish ourselves and others
in Your holy faith.
Monday, July 7, 2014 – Psalm 103:15-19 - This
is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for next Sunday is taken. The
antiphon is taken from verse 8, “The Lord
is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
This verse is a summation of the Father’s love and compassion for this fallen
world. He desires not the death of the sinner but that all would come in
repentance. He desires the redemption of all. Thus He plants the seeds of faith
into our hearts that by His grace a harvest may come.
Tuesday,
July 8, 2014 – Isaiah 55:10-13 –
God’s Word accomplishes His purpose. The
Word of God has within it an inherent, latent power. Jesus compared the Word to
seed. A seed has within it the power of life, to break out of its shell and to
grow into a plant. The Word, like a seed, has power to accomplish the purpose
for which it was created and sent. It is a lively Word, a living Word. Herein
is the secret of powerful preaching. Whenever the Word is proclaimed, the Word,
finding fertile soil, will produce remarkable results by transforming lives and
creating faith. The secret of great preaching is not in the preacher, not in
his personality, wisdom, or techniques. For this reason, biblical preaching is
the most effective kind of preaching.
Wednesday,
July 9, 2014– Romans 8:12-17
–The purpose of God’s Word is redemption. Both creation and creatures groan for
redemption. We can have both death and life in us. Though dead, we can live and
though living we can be dead. There is one type of life — existence, the
physical, natural, earthly life. It is the life of the flesh which results in
sin and death. There is possibly another life. It is the one with God lived in
faith. This life is the product of the Spirit received at baptism. Through
baptism a person is born again in the Spirit, adopted as a child of God and now
lives in the Spirit of righteousness. The new person knows he is related to
God, because the Spirit witnesses to our spirits that we are God’s offspring.
Thursday,
July 10, 2014 – Matthew 13:1-9
(18-23) –Various kinds of hearers of God’s Word are examined – the parable
of the seed and sower. For an effective sermon it takes sower, seed, and soil.
Apparently no fault can be found with the sower (Jesus), or with the seed
(Word). The problem is with the soil (the hearer). Only the good soil brings a
harvest. That may be the situation, but what can be done about the three kinds
of soil that do not produce? The parable has nothing to say about this problem.
It is simply stating a fact of reality. The preacher needs to be concerned
about making good listeners out of his congregation.
Jesus
said, “He who has ears....” Who does
not have ears? The truth is proclaimed to all people regardless of condition of
life. It reminds us that God desires all to be saved, all to have the good
things of God’s grace. Christianity is a universal religion, a faith for every
person. The responsibility to accept the Word is the hearer’s. If one rejects
it, it is his own fault. It is not God’s will for any person to be ignorant of
the truth or to be lost in his relationship with God.
Friday, July 11, 2014 – Psalm 65:1-13 – This Psalm is suggested for next Sunday.
The key verse is verse 5, “By
awesome deed Thou dost answer us in righteousness, O God our salvation. Thou
who are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea.”
Saturday, July 12, 2014 –Mark 4:3-9 – This passage is the
inspiration for the hymn, “Almighty God,
Your Word is Cast” {LSB 577}. The
sower goes out to sow his grain. God’s Word will work where it is planted. We
trust Him to do His work. All He asks of us is to faithful in the sharing of
Christ’s living Word.
Sources:
LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK © 2006
Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis,
LECTIONALRY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES A © 1980
John Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH
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