Pr. DFD : Epiphany 7

Showing posts with label Epiphany 7. Show all posts

Friday, February 21, 2025

Saturday prior to Epiphany 7

Psalm 103 - This week’s hymn of the week, LSB 820 “My soul, now praise your Maker” John Poliander (pen name of John Graumann, 1487–1541) was at one time the secretary of Luther’s great opponent, Dr. Eck. But after the Leipzig Disputation in 1519, he was convinced by the Gospel and joined the Reformation. He spent his life furthering the Reformation and combating errorists such as the Anabaptists, especially in Prussia. He wrote this hymn in 1525 at the request of Margrave Albrecht, who loved Psalm 103, of which this hymn is a summary.

It is a song of praise that matches the closing of the Gospel, “He has done all things well.” Jesus is our maker as much as is the Father and the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus opened the deaf-mute’s lips, and those lips spoke plainly, so we open our lips to praise and bless God for all the benefits we have received from him. It is always through Jesus that we receive not only health for our bodies, but for our souls as well. It is in the person and work of Christ alone that we truly come to worship our maker in spirit and in truth.

Collect for Psalm 103: Lord, you have compassion for the sinner, as a father has compassion for his children. Heal the weakness of your people and save us from everlasting death, that with the saints and angels we may praise and glorify you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. [2] Amen

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. [3]

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Friday prior to Epiphany 7

[1]

Luke 6:27-38 – Love your enemies

For the most part Christians are ordinary people. As Paul has said, not many of us are wise or wealthy. We are plain, simple people with faith and love for God in Christ. But, Christ calls us ordinary people to do extraordinary things. He expects more of us than non-believers. What are we doing more than others? The extraordinary things Christians do is love those who do not love them (v.32), they help those who will not help them, (v.33) they lend to those who do not repay. (v.34)

After Jesus had called the Twelve He began to teach them and the crowds about the Kingdom of God. The portion of the Gospel lesson for this week is from what some have called Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plain.”

The larger context in Luke is Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, which begins in 4:14 and ends in 9:9. This lesson, more than any other, separates Jesus and His teachings from the world. In the “Beatitudes” just prior to this lesson, Jesus sets the tone of reversal of order He brings: The poor, the hunger, the weeping, the persecuted, are all blessed. Woe is pronounced upon the right, the full, the happy and the popular.

Vv.27-28 “Keep on loving.” The love of God (agape love) is a selfless love, as God loves you. “Love your enemies” is unique to Christ and beyond sinful man’s ability to do so.

V.29 “Turn the other cheek.” The disciple is not to flow the law of retaliation, but in love patiently endure evil. This extends even to our possessions.

V.30 Agape love always gives without strings attached. What a blow to the individual rights movement today!

Vv.32-34 Most people have an ethic based on common sense with a “give and take” attitude. Jesus’ followers must take the next step and base their ethic on this love which comes from God. This is a curb to our present day selfish morality.

V. 35 Agape love has no earthly reward. The reward comes from God and is promised to be great. “Sons of the Most High” chose as God’s children, we receive eternal life with God as our only “reward.” It is only because God is kind and merciful that we have such high hopes.

V.37 On the basis of God’s mercy Jesus forbids unjust and hypocritical judging and condemning of others.

V.38 He, who gives and forgives sparingly, receives sparingly. God’s gift of mercy comes most freely to those who freely pass it on to others.

Collect for humility – O God, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.[2] -

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Thursday prior to Epiphany 7

[1]

1 Corinthians 15:21-26, 30--42 – Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God

God will provide a new body for life in heaven. Even Christians can become confused on the matter of the body after death. Is the body to be preserved at the high cost of burial? Will the body be resurrected on the last Great day? If there is no body, can we exist as spirits? If there is a body what is it like? These questions troubled the Corinthian church: ‘How are the dead raised? With what body do they come? In this lesson Paul helps us understand the resurrected body.

A New Body for an Old Soul

Even Christians sometimes become confused on the matter of the body after death. Should the body simply be discarded? Is the body to be preserved at the high cost of burial? Will the body be resurrected on the last great day? If there is no body, can we exist as spirits? If there is a body, what will it be like? These question troubled the Corinthian church as Paul asks them and us today; “How are the dead raised? With what body do they come? In this lesson Paul helps us understand the resurrected body.

1. We will have a body after death – V. 38

A. A body for identification – related to the physical body. We will recognize each other. –V.37

B. A body for communication purposes. We will talk to each other.

2. The kind of body God will give us – Vv. 42-44

A. A spiritual body God will be us – Vv. 42-44

B. A body that will not grow old – V. 42

C. A glorious body – V. 43a

D. A strong body – V. 43b [2]

Collect for the Morning – 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 blessing 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. [3] -

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Wednesday prior to Epiphany 7

[1]

Genesis 45:3-15– Joseph is reconciled with his brothers

Some might say, “The Devil made me do it!” Could not Christians say with Joseph, “God made me do it!”? Joseph was a God-conscious and God-oriented man to the point that he was God working in his life. It we do not say the Devil made us do it, do we explain our experiences as either “luck,” “coincidence,” or even “fate?” Joseph teaches us that God is alive and is guiding, working and directing the events of people, whether individuals or nations.

Can you see God in your life?

God can use even man’s sin for a better good. V. 4

God uses the consequence of sin to bring about something even better. He is in the business of redemption and rescue. V. 5a

God often uses adversity for man’s good. V. 5b [2]

Each of our Lessons for this coming Sunday give an answer to the question what can God do for you? God uses adversity for our ultimate good. Joseph was a God-conscious and God-oriented man to the point that he saw God working in his life. If we do not say the Devil made us do it, do we explain our experiences as “Luck” or “coincidence?” Joseph teaches us that God is alive and is guiding, working, and directing the events of people, whether individuals or nations.

Collect for Epiphany 7– O God, the strength of all who put their trust in You, mercifully grant that by Your power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [3]

Monday, February 17, 2025

Tuesday prior to Epiphany 7

[1]

Psalm 103:1-13 (antiphon; v.8) – This week’s Psalm reminds us the Lord is plenteous in mercy. Rich in it, quick in it, overflowing with it; and so had he need to be or we should soon be consumed. He is God, and not man, or our sins would soon drown his love; yet above the mountains of our sins the floods of his mercy rise. From the hymn, “Jesus Lover of My Soul” we read; "Plenteous grace with thee is found, Grace to cover all my sin; Let the healing streams abound, Make and keep me pure within."

Psalm 103 – Bless the LORD O My Soul

This psalm is simply titled A Psalm of David. We don’t know the circumstances in which it was written, but since David was a man who knew the grace and deliverance of God many times, it could have been written at many different times of his life.

The LORD is merciful and gracious. In the previous lines, David described the righteousness and justice of God. Those aspects of God’s character are true, but so also are His mercy and graciousness. His anger comes, but slowly and after much mercy has been shown.

Abounding in mercy. David’s statements remind us of God’s revelation of Himself to Moses in Exodus 34: The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth (Exodus 34:6).

He will not always strive with us. These very human terms point the contrast between God’s generosity and the heavy-handed wrath of man, who loves to keep his quarrels going (chide [strive] translates a term much used for disputes, especially at law) and to nurse his grievances.

He has not dealt with us according to our sins. David knew the slow anger and abounding mercy of God personally. He knew that his sins (and the sins of his people) deserved much greater judgment or discipline than they had received.

In our lessons for this week, God is the sources of our being and doing. Our lives are to reflect the character of God. In the Old Testament lesson, (Genesis 45:3-15) Joseph explains to his brothers that God used his adversity to preserve life. Paul in the Epistle (1 Corinthians 15:21-26, 30--42) explains and describes the resurrection body, which God provides for us. In all of these we see God as the source and ground of our being: His goodness prompts our goodness, He uses our misfortunes to bless others, He gives us a new body to dwell in a spiritual heaven.

Sunday, February 16, 2025

Monday prior to Epiphany 7

[1]

Psalm 37:1-5 (antiphon, Psalm 37:7)– Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the man who carries out evil plans.

Psalm 37 – Wisdom over Worry

This psalm is simply titled A Psalm of David. Verse 25 tells us that it is David in his older years, giving wisdom in the pattern of a song. This psalm is roughly acrostic in arrangement, with the lines arranged with Hebrew sentences that begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In style this is a wisdom psalm, directed not to God but to man, teaching after the manner of the Book of Proverbs.

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him. Because God has promised to faithfully take care of those who put their trust in Him, we can rest in the LORD. We can wait patiently for Him instead of fretting and fearing that God has forgotten us or intends evil for us.

Rest in the LORD speaks of a particular kind of rest – the rest of silence, ceasing from words of self-defense. The idea is that we will not speak to vindicate ourselves; we will trust in God to protect us.[2]

Collect for Psalm 37: Lord Jesus, you bless the poor with the kingdom of heaven. Teach us to put our trust in the Father and to seek his kingdom rather than to imitate the powerful or envy the right; so may we serve you now and forever. [3]

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-37/

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Epiphany 7 Series C - study notes

Epiphany 7
Series C

Genesis 45:3-15
Psalm 103:13 (antiphon v.8)
1 Corinthians 15:21-26, 30-42
Luke 6:27-38

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in You, mercifully grant that by Your power we may be defended against all adversity;

So what does God do for us? That will be the question asked by each of the lessons used in service next Sunday. In a nutshell God uses the events of this world and also in the world to come to shape and form our lives. Sometimes the going gets tough; there are troubled and dangerous waters that we have to forge through life. But as the old hymn “Jesus Savior Pilot me” reminds us He will chart and compass our course through life. This we can depend upon He will direct us.

Genesis 45:1-7

So you think that you’ve had it rough? Joseph was abandoned by his brothers; left for dead, sold into slavery, arrested tried, convicted and imprisoned on false charges all for one purpose. That purpose was to save his family from starvation so that they could find safety in Egypt. God used extreme adversity to preserve life. Life will not always be easy and often times it’s simply unfair. Yet God is in the business of turning tragedy into triumph and disaster into miracle. All He asks of us is to trust Him and keep to His Word.

1 Corinthians 15:35-38a, 42-50

God is the source of everything that we are. He has gone so far as to prepare for you a new body in heaven. “How will the glorified body be…what will it look like…will it be different?” These are just some of the questions asked about this topic.

The answer is that we do not know how it will look because we have yet to go to heaven. But of this we can say, the glorified body will be free from sin. It will be perfect. The wonder of it all is that God has designed our body so that it will be fit for His purposes.

Luke 6:27-38

The point that all three of our lessons make is the fact God is the source of our being and doing. Thus our lives are a reflection of the character of God. It’s easy to say, “I love God” Jesus shows us the example of loving God by loving those who hate and cure us. Jesus says love your enemies, be merciful, and forgive. This we cannot do in and of ourselves. We need someone stronger then ourselves to do this. We need Christ in our lives to work in us; strengthening us to do His good and perfect will.

Luke 6:27-38

Love Your Enemies

Luke 6:27

Ἀλλὰ ὑμῖν λέγω τοῖς ἀκούουσιν, ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑμῶν, καλῶς ποιεῖτε τοῖς μισοῦσιν ὑμᾶς,

But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Luke 6:28

εὐλογεῖτε τοὺς καταρωμένους [a]ὑμᾶς, προσεύχεσθε [b]περὶ τῶν ἐπηρεαζόντων ὑμᾶς.

bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

Luke 6:29

τῷ τύπτοντί σε ἐπὶ τὴν σιαγόνα πάρεχε καὶ τὴν ἄλλην, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ αἴροντός σου τὸ ἱμάτιον καὶ τὸν χιτῶνα μὴ κωλύσῃς.

To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic [a] either.

[a] Greek χιτῶνα chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin

Luke 6:30

παντὶ αἰτοῦντί σε δίδου, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ αἴροντος τὰ σὰ μὴ ἀπαίτει.

Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.

Luke 6:31

καὶ καθὼς θέλετε ἵνα ποιῶσιν ὑμῖν οἱ ἄνθρωποι, ποιεῖτε αὐτοῖς ὁμοίως.

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Luke 6:32

Καὶ εἰ ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστίν; καὶ γὰρ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας αὐτοὺς ἀγαπῶσιν.

If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

Luke 6:33

καὶ ἐὰν ἀγαθοποιῆτε τοὺς ἀγαθοποιοῦντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστίν; καὶ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦσιν.

And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

Luke 6:34

καὶ ἐὰν δανίσητε παρ’ ὧν ἐλπίζετε λαβεῖν, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστίν; [i]καὶ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἁμαρτωλοῖς δανίζουσιν ἵνα ἀπολάβωσιν τὰ ἴσα.

And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.

Luke 6:35

πλὴν ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑμῶν καὶ ἀγαθοποιεῖτε καὶ δανίζετε μηδὲν ἀπελπίζοντες· καὶ ἔσται ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολύς, καὶ ἔσεσθε υἱοὶ Ὑψίστου, ὅτι αὐτὸς χρηστός ἐστιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀχαρίστους καὶ πονηρούς.

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

Luke 6:36

γίνεσθε οἰκτίρμονες καθὼς ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν οἰκτίρμων ἐστίν·

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others

Luke 6:37

Καὶ μὴ κρίνετε, καὶ οὐ μὴ κριθῆτε· [l]καὶ μὴ καταδικάζετε, καὶ οὐ μὴ καταδικασθῆτε. ἀπολύετε, καὶ ἀπολυθήσεσθε·

Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;

Luke 6:38

δίδοτε, καὶ δοθήσεται ὑμῖν· μέτρον καλὸν πεπιεσμένονσεσαλευμένον ὑπερεκχυννόμενον δώσουσιν εἰς τὸν κόλπον ὑμῶν· ᾧ γὰρ μέτρῳ μετρεῖτε ἀντιμετρηθήσεται ὑμῖν.

give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Sources:

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘The Sermon on the Mount’ © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Saturday, February 19, 2022

Epiphany 7

Luke 6:36-38
"Imitate God"

[1]

The question, which is asked of our lesson for this morning is why? Why be good? What is the advantage? What is the motivation for being good?

Modern people have all sorts of ideas about acceptable morality, about what it means to be good. What does it mean to be "good"? What is good to some is what "everyone accepts to be considered decent, respectable, and noble."

For others that which is deemed as good is what consenting parties agree. Still, good is what makes you feel wholesome.

Are there any absolute moral ethics for this world today? Our Gospel text points to the source and standard of ethical conduct for the Christian today…"even as your Father is merciful." Because the LORD is loving, good, and merciful, His people are to reflect HIS nature.

The popular phrase says: "Like father like son". Jesus obediently followed the will and command of the Father. We should do the same. In this season of Epiphany, we are called to imitate God. Jesus shows us how.

How do we imitate God?

1. Be merciful as God is merciful - v.36”Be merciful as your Father also is merciful."

A. "Lord have mercy upon us; Christ have mercy upon us; Lord had mercy upon us"; thus the church prays. We cry for mercy. For pity and compassion. And Jesus responds in kind.

To be merciful is part of the Father’s nature.

Notice what David says in Psalm 145:8,”The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works."

B. As the Father has had mercy on us, we respond in kind. We extend mercy and compassion to others. This of ourselves we cannot do. Our old sinful self, he constantly quibbles and snivels, grumbles and fights. We need a new master; a new man to daily come forth and arise to live before God in righteousness and holiness.

This can only happen when we die to self by drowning and killing the old man from within. That happened at baptism. Daily we need to renew our baptism through repentance. Recall the process, which takes place.

The question is asked; "I now ask you before God; is this your sincere confession; that you heartily repent of your sins; believe on Jesus Christ and by the assistance of God, the Holy Ghost henceforth to amend your sinful life then declare so by saying 'yes'".

We go through this process every time we remember our baptism.

We do this in five specific ways each beginning with the letter "R".

a. we take responsibility -owning up to our sin

b. we feel genuine remorse - we feel lousy about our sin.

c. we take steps to repair –that which we have broken

d. we repeat not!

e. Finally we find redemption through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Forgive as God forgives -v. 37 "forgive and you shall be forgiven."

A. St Paul tells us: “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself not counting our trespasses and sins.” That’s what it means to forgive – That the LORD will not hold your sins against you!

The message we need to hear is that in Jesus Christ all sin is forgiven – period! “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” “None no one can lay any charge against God’s elect.”

B. So what do we do? We forgive. This is what we pray for when we pray in the petition “And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us!” We must forgive! Notice the Savior’s words; “for if you do not forgive your brother neither will your heavenly Father forgive you!”

3. Give as God gives - v.38 "Give and it shall be given unto you: in good measure, pressed down, and shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you measure shall be measured to you again."

A. We cannot out give God! Consider the blessings! Consider His mercy and grace. All things spiritual and temporal come from the hand of the Savior.

B. We give as a response to His blessings. That’s how we respond with grateful and thankful hearts in response to His mercy and grace.

“For with the same measure that you measure shall be measured to you again.” As the Lord has so blessed and sustained you so you respond. We can only do as the Father does. God bless you as you imitate Him in your life.

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