Pentecost 12 - Proper 15

Proper 15

August 16, 2015

John 6:51-59

Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life. Grant us to know Your Son Jesus to be the way, the truth and the life, that trusting in Him we might receive forgiveness of our sins and the inheritance He has won for us.

Words mean something. Jesus uses the word “life” six times. He uses the word “eat” eight times. “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man you cannot have eternal life.”

Jesus says, “Believe in Me…come to Me.” The believer eats Christ to live spiritually just as one eats physical food to live. Either that or starve to death. Christ is your spiritual food, which is necessary to live. Can you have spiritual hunger pains? Can a person die spiritually from lack of food? It is eternal. Because Christ is eternal.

Christ is to be taken into one’s life, so that Christ permeates the whole of life. As food is taken into the body, and brings strength to the body so Christ is to be a part of you. It is a way of becoming one with Christ. 

But you can’t earn favor with God on your own terms. No one can do this. We have, for the last several weeks, been reading through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Paul leaves no room for doubt when he tells us, and all people, “you were dead in your trespasses and sins.” Dead men do not make decisions for Christ. Dead men do not co-operate with God in their own salvation. Nor contribute to it in any way. The Holy Spirit, working through Word and Sacrament, accomplishes this. Not through any of our own efforts.

Many today are searching for a deeper personal experience with Christ. If so, what does Christ desire of you?

1.            To be personalized. He desires a personal experience.  Christ gave His flesh and blood for the sins of the world. ".. And the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world” The gifts seem too simple - The people said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, "I have come down from heaven?" and then later on in our text the Jews argue among themselves saying, "How can this man give us His flesh (to eat)?" They simply could not believe that the gifts of God could come in the form of a man - in the form of this man Jesus Christ. (Vv. 42, 52)

2.            To be individualized. A one to one experience.  The gifts are thought to be worthless. The bread in the desert did not last forever. As Jesus explains, "your fathers ate manna in the wilderness and they are dead". (Vv. 49, 58)  That manna could not last. It wore out over time.

People today value too highly their own good works thinking that somehow God will reward them for their effort. For there is something, they will tells you that man has to do.

3.            To be internalized. Christ comes into a person’s life. God calls us by His Spirit. "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and will raise him up at the last day". (v.44) Believing seems too simple to have any value. And yet we recall with the words to the explanation to the third article "I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to Him. It is the Holy Spirit which has called me by the Gospel..."

4.            To be homogenized. Christ and the believer are fused into one. He sustains us through this life "I am the living bread from heaven.  If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world "(v.51) In these Words we have recorded the 10th time Christ reminds us that He has come down to us. We live in Christ who refused to be absent or indifferent. His intention is to remain with us.

Here is His promise – “The one who feeds on Me will live because of Me.” We find purpose and meaning by what we do.

As our students will soon be returning back to school a question that keeps being asked is “what shall I do?” It’s an important question to be sure. Yet we also remember today, not only who you are and what you shall be but always remember WHOSE you are.

You are a child of the lamb who was slain who now lives and reigns throughout all eternity. He has determined to come to you in this special way – in His Word and in His meal. His intention has always been to abide and dwell with you.

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Words –825

Passive Sentences –9%

Readability – 81%

Reading Level -4.4 

Time in the Word - Pentecost 12 - Proper 15

Time in the Word

August 10-15 2015

Proper 15

Preparation for next week, Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

The subject of bread continues as we make our way through John 6. The theme for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost is Incarnating the Christ. Christ is the Living Bread who came down from Heaven, the Word made flesh (John 1:14), who gives His flesh for the life of the world.

We can find this Living Bread nowhere else but in Christ. As Peter answered, when asked by Jesus if he wanted to leave, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” After Jesus ascended into heaven, when called before the Jewish council, Peter would proclaim again, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). Come, feast on the Living Bread. Gladly hear His Word, and eat His Body and Blood, given for you for the remission of all your sins.

Collect for Proper 14 –Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life; give us to know Your Son Jesus to be the way the truth and the life that we may steadfastly follow His steps in the way that leads to life eternal.

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. Amen.

Prayer the Unemployed: Heavenly Father, we remember before You, those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Lead us so to use the wealth and resources of this rich land that all persons may find suitable and fulfilling employment and receive just payment for their labor; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Pray for Peace: O God, whom come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works, give to us, Your servants, that peace which the world simply cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey Your commandments and also that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Monday, 10 August 2015—Psalm 111:1–5, 9; Antiphon, Psalm 111:10—Atheist groups are taking out ads on city buses in cities across the U.S., even in Indiana (South Bend and Bloomington, so far), that proclaim that there is no God (‘You Can Be Good Without God’; ‘In the Beginning, Man Created God’). What utter nonsense! What through-and-through foolishness! The psalmist tells us what it truly means to be wise: to fear the Lord, to recognize all that He has done for us. Those so-called ‘atheists,’ far from disbelieving in a god, have made themselves their own god, and a very poor one at that.

Tuesday, 11 August 2015—Psalm 34:12–22—This is a continuation of the psalm for last Sunday. In the antiphon for to-day (verse 11), David calls us to listen to him, that he may teach us the fear of the Lord: one who is not foolish, and acknowledges the Lord, will turn away from evil and do good; he will seek peace and pursue it. These righteous ones will the Lord deliver out of all their troubles.

Wednesday, 12 August 2015—Proverbs 9:1–10—In the Old Testament reading, we continue our education in the way of wisdom from the wisest man who has ever lived, Solomon. Here, he gives wisdom a personality, and we start to understand that the personification of wisdom is Christ our Lord, for it is Christ who invites us to eat of His bread and drink of His wine. These are His body and blood, which He gives for the life of the world.

Thursday, 13 August 2015—Ephesians 5:6–21—In this section of our reading from the book of Ephesians, St Paul continues his instruction of how we ought to live. Since Christ has made us His own, and, since, by Word and Sacrament, we have eaten the living Bread that comes down from heaven, we ought to walk, not as unwise, but as wise.

We ought not allow ourselves to be deceived by charlatans masquerading as men of God; we ought not take part in the sins that the world takes pleasure in; we ought, rather, make the best use of time, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Friday, 14 August 2015—John 6:51–69—Jesus declares that He is the Living Bread that came down from heaven. It is through Him alone that we can be forgiven, that our sins can be removed, that we can partake of eternal life. Through Word and sacrament, Christ feeds us, bestowing faith and nourishing it. The bread that He gives does not just satisfy for a short time, like earthly food; whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.

Saturday, 15 August 2015—This week, the final two stanzas of O Living Bread from Heaven (LSB 642) serve as the hymn of the day. Having received from the Lord Jesus Christ living bread, we seek to serve Him with holy fear, living as wise, not foolish ones, during our days on earth, and looking forward to the day when we leave this world below, and enter Heaven, where joys unmingled flow.

Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life, grant us to know Your Son, Jesus, to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow His steps in the way that leads to life eternal; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Collect for Pentecost 12—Almighty and everlasting God, always more ready to hear than we to pray and always ready to give more than we either desire or deserve, pour down on us the abundance of Your mercy, forgiving us the things of which our conscience is afraid and giving us the good things we are not worthy to ask but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

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

Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcut used with permission from WELS

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

Pentecost 12 - Proper 15

Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life; grant us to know Your Son Jesus to be the way, the truth and the life that we may steadfastly follow His steps in the way that leads to life eternal;

Do you live to ear or eat to live? That all depends on your age, and your metabolism. While miss manners may offer advice of the proper answer, the unique spiritual answer to this question in light of today’s Gospel is that you need both. With eagerness, we receive all that God gives. Through His working in our life, we have real life in Christ.

1. People often undervalue God’s gifts.

A.      The gifts seem too simple (Vv.41- 42, 52) “They were therefore grumbling about Jesus because He had said, I am the bread that came down from heaven. And they were saying, is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does He say, “I am the bread of life?” And the leaders of the people continued to argue saying, how can this man give us His flesh to eat?”

1.       How could Jesus come from heaven? The crowd knew His family. They were familiar with His father and mother. He was no different from them. He most certainly   could not have come from heaven. They had no idea; standing before them was the Lord of life. [illustration spotting Yoko Ono in NYC]

  

2.       The world wants a Jesus they can claim to be their own. If they have control, over which Jesus they will trust in they can tell us everything of which He is about. Unfortunately, this Jesus is often the invention of their own sinful imagination and will.  And the Jesus the world falls in love with is by no means a man from God.

B.      The gifts are often thought to be worthless (V.58) “This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

1.       People value too highly their own works.

2.       Believing seems too simple to have any real value.

People living in ignorance and blindness have no clue whatsoever who Jesus is, where He has come from let alone His mission. Through the proclamation of the clear Word of the Lord people are brought into a right understanding of Jesus the Savior of the world

2.  Christ offers the life and death gifts to God’s people.

A.      God the Father calls us. (v.44) “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

1.       The Father is always pleading and calling us.

2.       He uses those means, which draws us as. This is what He has always done. This is what He will always do.

B.      He sustains us through this life (V. 51) “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

1.       The Scriptures reveal the Gospel.

2.       The Sacraments bring the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation, as they are the means by which the Gospel flows from the Father’s hand into the believer’s heart.

C.      Christ gave His flesh and blood a payment of sin and for the life of the world.

1.       This is why the Son was sent to destroy the works of the Devil.

2.       As Jesus made His trip to the cross, we see those deliberate acts, which He performed to draw you to Himself.  His miracles, His sufferings, He trip to the cross were not random acts of Jesus kindness. They all a part of the Father’s plan to win for you salvation.

God’s mercy has provided a way that we will always know where the next meal is coming from. Believing, we trust and find contentment in His merciful sustain feeding hand.  

Time in the Word - Pentecost 12 - Proper 15

Preparation for next week, the 12th Sunday after Pentecost 

Jesus Is the Word and Wisdom of God, Who Gives You Life and Light in His Flesh 

Jesus is the divine Word by whom all things were made, who has become flesh and dwells among us. He gives His flesh “for the life of the world,” not only as a sacrifice for sin, but as “the living bread” from heaven (John 6:51). Eat His flesh and drink His blood (John 6:54–57), and no longer walk in the darkness of sin, but walk in His light. “Arise from the dead” and live in Him, because you are “light in the Lord” (Eph. 5:8, 14). Being filled with His Spirit, confess Him to “one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart” (Eph. 5:18–19). Fear, love, and trust in Him, “and serve Him in sincerity and faithfulness” (Josh. 24:14). For He has brought you “out of the house of slavery” by His Cross and Resurrection, and now He does “great signs” in your sight (Josh. 24:17). Indeed, He is the divine Wisdom, who has built His house, prepared His feast, and set His table; who bids you to recline, to eat of His bread and drink of the wine He has mixed (Prov. 9:1–5). 

Collect for Pentecost 12—Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life, grant us to know Your Son, Jesus, to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow His steps in the way that leads to life eternal; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

Collect for the Feast of St Mary, Mother of Our Lord (15 August)—Almighty God, You chose the virgin Mary to be the mother of Your only Son. Grant that we, who are redeemed by His blood, may share with her in the glory of Your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, 

Collect for the Commemoration of Johann Gerhard, Theologian (17 August)—O Lord God, heavenly Father, pour out Your Holy Spirit upon Your faithful people, keep them steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and comfort them in all temptation, defend them against all enemies of Your Word, and bestow on Christ's Church Militant Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, 

Prayer for responsible leaders: O merciful Father in heaven, from You comes all rule and authority over the nations of the world for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do well. Graciously regard Your servants, those who make, administer, and judge the laws of this nation, and look in mercy upon all the rulers of the earth. Grant that all who receive the sword as Your servants may bear it according to Your command. Enlighten and defend them, and grant them wisdom and understanding that under their peaceable governance Your people may be guarded and directed in righteousness, quietness, and unity. Protect and prolong their lives that we with them may show forth the praise of Your name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, 

Prayer for responsible citizenship: Lord, keep this nation under Your care. Bless the leaders of our land that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to the other nations of the earth. Grant that we may choose trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, and serve You faithfully in our generation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, 

 Monday, 13 August 2012—Psalm 111:1–5, 9; Antiphon, Psalm 111:10—In recent years, many atheists have become much more vocal and strident. They have even taken out ads on city buses in cities across the U.S. (even in Des Moines), that proclaim that there is no God (‘Don't believe in God? You are not alone.’). What utter nonsense! What through-and-through foolishness! In the Introit for Sunday, the psalmist tells us what it truly means to be wise: to fear the Lord, to recognize all that He has done for us. Those so-called ‘atheists,’ far from disbelieving in a god, have made themselves their own god, and a very poor one at that. 

Tuesday, 14 August 2012—Psalm 34:12–22—This is a continuation of the psalm for last Sunday. In the antiphon for to-day (v. 11), David calls us to listen to him, that he may teach us the fear of the Lord: one who is not foolish, and acknowledges the Lord, will turn away from evil and do good; he will seek peace and pursue it. These righteous ones will the Lord deliver out of all their troubles. 

Wednesday, 15 August 2012—Proverbs 9:1–10—In the Old Testament reading, our education in the way of wisdom continues, as we learn from the wisest man who has ever lived, Solomon. Here, he gives wisdom a personality, and we start to understand that the personification of wisdom is Christ our Lord, for it is Christ who invites us to eat of His bread and drink of His wine. These are His body and blood, which He gives for the life of the world. 

Thursday, 16 August 2012—Ephesians 5:6–21—In this section of our reading from the book of Ephesians, St Paul continues his instruction of how we ought to live. Since Christ has made us His own, and, since, by Word and Sacrament, we have eaten the living Bread that comes down from heaven, we ought to walk, not as unwise, but as wise. We ought not allow ourselves to be deceived by charlatans masquerading as men of God; we ought not take part in the sins that the world takes pleasure in; we ought, rather, make the best use of time, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Friday, 17 August 2012—John 6:51–69—Jesus declares that He is the Living Bread that came down from heaven. It is through Him alone that we can be forgiven, that our sins can be removed, that we can partake of eternal life. Through Word and sacrament, Christ feeds us, bestowing faith and nourishing it. The bread that He gives does not just satisfy for a short time, like earthly food; whoever feeds on this bread will live forever. 

Saturday, 18 August 2012—Sunday’s hymn of the day is O God, My Faithful God (LSB 696). This hymn is really a prayer set to music, asking the Lord that He would give us a confident faith and that we would lead a life pleasing to Him. The hymn fits the Scripture texts perfectly, praying that we make walk as wise men, and not as foolish, staying in the way of the Lord. 

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House 

Artwork by Ed Riojas © Higher Things 

Lectionary summary on first page from LCMS Commission on Worship 

The Revd Jeffrey M. Keuning, wrote this week’s issue of Time in the Word