Pentecost 13 - Proper 18

Pentecost 13 – Proper 18

Luke 14:28-32

08 September 2019

Look Before You Leap

Grant, merciful Lord, to Your faithful people pardon and peace that they may be cleansed from all their sins and serve You with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord.[1]  

You buy a car. But can you make the monthly payments, pay the taxes, insure the car, and pay the maintenance, repairs and the gas?

You matriculate to college. But are you focused and disciplined? To write the term papers, and pass the exams. 

You agree to take a job. But are you willing to get up early each workday? Deny yourself leisure. And put forth the effort of doing a good job? 

You jump into marriage. But are you able to pay the bills, make the sacrifices, educate the children, and stay home at night to baby-sit? 

These we can understand. But have you ever considered the const of being a follower of Christ? If you desire to follow the Christ you must ask yourself, am I prepared to count the cost? 

Choose my friend. But choose wisely.

There’s a tendency to enter into ventures without considering, what is required. When this is done, many are unable to fulfill the conditions. All might be lost. Jesus in our parable urges us to count the cost. 

Jesus uses two different circumstances to illustrate His point. Discipleship requires a conscious commitment, make with a realistic estimate of the ultimate personal cost. The practical nature of the circumstances Jesus so vividly pictures underlines the fact that Christian discipleship is not some theoretical abstract ideal but a hard reality of life.

1. Do I want to be a Christian? If so, do not become a “rash disciple.”

A. The foolish tower-builder began to build. Without knowing whether he could complete the project.

B. The king will not go to war with insufficient troops. Lest he is forces to sue for peace.

C. Do not enlist as a disciple, a follower of Christ, without first counting the cost.

1. Some follow Jesus only for the loaves and fish.

a. The desired for Him to be their bread king.

b. They were following for selfish ulterior motives.

2. Some follow Jesus for selfish reasons.

a. Some follow Christ for business or social advantages. In another parable, Jesus explains: “The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.” – Matthew 13:22

They do not hear the word “with joy.” Yet never permit the message about the kingdom to control them. Life has too many other commitments. That slowly chokes the struggling plant. So that it never matures and bears fruit.

The competing “thorns.” – The worries of this life. Devotion to wealth snuffs out spiritual life. “Deceitfulness” is how the Savior describes these temptations. One many not even be aware of the choking that is going on until it is too late. 

This warning is timeless. What you think will save or satisfy may in fact be the one thing that will rob you of life and happiness. Choose. But chose wisely. Your dream might turn into a nightmare. 

b. Jesus asks His disciples, “Will you also go away?” –John 6:67-68

c. Jesus wants steadfast disciples. “He who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13) 

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)

Transition:  Do not become a rash disciple. Instead, know the cost.

2. Do I know the cost?  “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciples.” – Luke 14:33

A. Our possessions are gifts of God. Always for our good. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

B. Possessions can prove to be a stumbling block to discipleship. “For the Love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” -1 Timothy 6:10

C. Desire Christ over riches. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” –Matthew 6:24 Because God gives you abiding riches. Which include:

1. The forgiveness of sin. “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. “ -1 John 1:7

2. The assurance of the abiding love of God. “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.  – Psalm 73:23-35

3. The hope of heaven. “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” -2 Timothy 4:8

Transition: The demands and costs are high. Choose, but choose wisely.

3. Am I willing to pay the price?

A. Life is a gift, which we seek to preserve and enjoy.

B. The time may come when you must determine - between your life and Christ. Which is more important? Choose – but choose wisely.

1. Christ predicts that persecutions will come. “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” – Matthew 10:20

2. There is danger to choosing life instead of Christ. “But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” – Matthew 10:33

3. Christ encourages us to take up our cross daily. “Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.” – Luke 6:22-23

C. Prefer Christ over life. Because Christ gives real life.

1. He gives you life in fellowship with God now. “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. “ – 1 John 1:3

2. He gives eternal life. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26

“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” – Revelation 2:10

A wise man once said, “He who loves liberty more than life, let him follow me.” Jesus said, “He who loves Me more than family, possessions, and life itself let him follow Me.”  Lord, help me to choose wisely. Help me always to desire Christ – over anything else.

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Words-1,230

Passive Sentences – 1%

Readability – 81.1%

Reading Level – 4.4

Luther’s Seal © Higher Things

Collect for Pentecost 16, Lutheran Worship © Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Time in the Word - Pentecost 13 ~ Proper 17

The Glory of God is the Passion and Cross of Christ Jesus

After St. Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, our Lord “began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (Matthew 16:21). Upon hearing this “theology of the Cross,” Simon Peter stumbled into a satanic “theology of glory.” But the glory of God is revealed in the Passion and Cross of His incarnate Son. The faithful prophets, such as Jeremiah, suffered persecution and rejection in anticipation of Jesus’ Cross. Yet the Lord did not abandon them; He remembered them, and He was with them to deliver them (Jeremiah 15:15–20). By His Cross Jesus has redeemed the world, and in His Resurrection He has vindicated all who trust in Him. Thus the Christian life is a discipleship of self-sacrificing love. Since Christ Jesus has reconciled us to God, we “live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18). By the certainty of His Cross and Resurrection, we “rejoice in hope,” and we are “patient in tribulation” and “constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

Almighty God, Your Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption. Grant us courage to take up our cross daily and follow Him wherever He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Prayer for patience: O God, by the patient endurance of Your only-begotten Son You beat down the pride of the old enemy. Help us to treasure rightly in our hearts what our Lord has borne for our sakes that, after His example, we may bear with patience those things that are adverse to us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns…

Prayer in times of affliction and distress: Almighty and most merciful God, in this earthly life we endure sufferings and death before we enter into eternal glory. Grant us grace at all times to subject ourselves to Your holy will and to continue steadfast in the true faith to the end of our lives that we may know the peace and joy of the blessed hope of the resurrection of the dead and of the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns…

Prayer 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, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns…

Time in the Word

28 August – September 2 2017

Proper 17

Monday, 28 August 2017—Psalm 37:5–7; Antiphon, Psalm 37:4—Those who trust in the Lord and in His promises may sometimes be frustrated and tempted to question the goodness and righteousness of God when they suffer trials, tribulations, and afflictions in this life. David exhorts us here to ‘trust in the LORD . . . delight in the LORD . . . commit your way to the LORD . . . be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him.’ We Christians should remind ourselves that the Lord has demonstrated His goodness and righteousness in many ways, but especially by sending His only-begotten Son to be our Savior. Through Christ, He has already ‘brought forth our righteousness and . . . justice.’ He has given us ‘the desires of our heart’ in the person of our Savior, Jesus, and will, at the Last Day, deliver us out of this vale of tears and take us to himself in heaven.

Tuesday, 29 August 2017—Psalm 26—The psalmist, David, asks the LORD to vindicate him—clear his name—of false accusations. For what reason? Because David has ‘trusted in the LORD without wavering’—he belongs to the LORD by faith. Though Christ has died to forgive every one of our sins, the devil will try to throw our transgressions in our face, and make us despair of salvation. In such situations, we must call upon the LORD to vindicate us—not because we are without sin, but because Christ has redeemed us from sin and its eternal consequence and, by faith, we belong to Him. ‘There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’ (Rom 8:1)

Wednesday, 30 August 2017—Jeremiah 15:15–21—Jeremiah calls upon the LORD to deliver him from the assaults and slander of his enemies. On what basis—his own righteousness? No; like David in the psalm for Sunday (above), Jeremiah pleads on the basis of his trust in the Lord: ‘I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.’ We can call upon the LORD in our times of trouble for the same reason: we belong to Him. Though the proclamation and preaching of His Word, and through the holy Sacraments, God makes us His own and delivers us from the tyranny of sin.

Thursday, 31 August 2017—Romans 12:9–21—St Paul has spent much of his letter to the Romans showing how we are saved by grace alone through faith alone. But faith always manifests itself in love, especially toward our neighbor. 

Here, Paul illustrates what Christian love, borne of faith, looks like. This is a description of the Christian—not in order to earn our salvation, but because our salvation has been earned for us by Christ.

Friday, 1 September 2017—Matthew 16:21–28—In Sunday’s Gospel account, Jesus tells the disciples very clearly what must become of Him: ‘suffer many things . . . be killed, and on the third day be raised.’ This is the plan of God for our salvation, which is why Jesus speaks so harshly to Peter when he contradicts Him. The theology of the cross—that salvation entails suffering—is difficult for the natural man to accept. This is why so many Christians in our world are theologians of glory—looking away from the cross and focusing on temporal blessings, rather than seeing the blessings we have by the cross and by suffering.

Jesus begins to show His disciples what He must endure to win salvation. ”From that time on Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things.”(v.21) Suffering is a part of the Christian life. What is the sacrifice God demands?

1. Consider Christ’s sacrifice.
        A. Denied self.
        B. Took up the cross.
        C. Followed the will of the Father.
2. Consider the Christian, a little Christ.
        A. Deny self.
        B. Take upon yourself your own suffering.
        C. Follow Christ.
3. Consider the stakes in terms of winners and losers.
        A. Losers – Gains the world, loses his soul.
        B. Winners –loses life for Christ’s sake and finds his life.

Saturday, 2 September 2017—The hymn of the day, Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus (LSB #531), connects the suffering of Jesus with our salvation and shows that the glory of God is revealed in the suffering and death of His Son. ‘Worship, honor, power, and blessing / Thou art worthy to receive’ because ‘Thou didst suffer to release us…Thou universal Savior, Bearer of our sin and shame.’

Lectionary summary on front page from LCMS Commission on Worship
Woodcut by Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, © WELS
Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006Concordia Publishing House

Photo © Greg Gallmeyer

Pentecost 13 - Proper 19

Proper 19 (11–17 September)
O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, hear the devout prayers of Your Church, especially in times of persecution, and grant that what we ask in faith we may obtain; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Jesus just finished teaching how a church offender should be treated. This prompts Peter to ask how often one should forgive. Matthew adds a parable on forgiveness. Note the contrast in the debts: ten million versus ten dollars. Also, see the contrast in the mercy shown by the king versus the servant who was forgiven the huge debt. The contrast is relevant to the enormity of our sin against God in comparison to the sin committed against us. It is also plain to see that we can expect no more mercy from God than we give to our fellow men. The parable teaches that we are not to seek vengeance, but rather, to forgive. Unless we forgive, God will take back his forgiveness of us until we forgive. This is not an easy saying.

Why should I forgive? This is the question in many minds. The guilty person may not apologize, confess, or ask for forgiveness. Do we Christians forgive because the offender is worthy or deserving of forgiveness? Do we forgive because it is expected of us? A Christian does not forgive but for one reason — for Jesus’ sake. We forgive because of our relationship with God in Christ. Jesus spells this out. Why should I should forgive you?

1. Because Jesus ordered it — vv. 21-22. Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

This passage deals not with the world, but with the church. The “brother” is a fellow Christian. This verse is related to last Sunday’s Gospel, which said, “If your brother sins against you.” It is assumed that the procedure was followed in 18:15-20, the brother realizes he has sinned. Again, “brother” indicates that Christians are sinners and stand in the need of forgiveness. The church, as is often said, is not a museum of saints, but a hospital of hopefully repenting sinners.

When faced with the option of forgiving or not forgiving there can be one answer – you forgive. My forgiveness does not hinge on my desire, my feelings, or even my wiliness to forgive. My forgiveness finds its basis on what Jesus has said to me. When someone sins against you – you, yes you are the one who must forgive.

The Greek word for “forgive” is “exaleiphein,” meaning, literally “to erase or wipe out.” Because Christians are imperfect human beings, the church is in need of forgiveness. Without it, members would live in friction, tension, disharmony, and disruption. Forgiveness is the oil that makes human relations move smoothly: Is the trouble with the church today the lack of forgiveness resulting in cliques and divisions?

2. Because God forgave me — vv. 23-27. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he, his wife, his children, and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. “The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

The King forgave His servant was unable to pay the debt. The debt was so huge that he could never bet back into the good graces of the King. The King forgave because the servant could not. The King forgave because He was good. That is what Jesus has done for you. God forgave not because you were good, not because you were deserving. He forgave because He loves you.

As God has shown mercy – were return mercy to others. That’s how forgiveness works. Out of His grace, Christ has made us new creatures. As Christ forgave so now you follow in the same tone when we deal with others.

3. Because God will judge if I do not forgive — vv. 28-35. But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, went, and told their master everything that had happened. “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger, his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Let not the sun go down on your anger. Refusal to forgive turns into rage and self-hate. It turns inward into depression. It can consume. It can destroy. These warnings serve us well to heed and consider. When we harbor and unforgiving spirit toward anyone judgment will befall us. When someone sins – forgive! Don’t dwell on the hurt and the hurt. Forgive as God in Christ has forgiven you.

This Sunday we begin another program year of education within our Friedheim family. On this day, especially we remember those whose lives have been sacrificed in a war on terror. The greatest lesson we could teach our youth comes from the lips of our Savior – forgive.

The point the Savior makes is simple. The difficulty comes when we are called to act. That time will come; later today, tomorrow, in a few days, before the end of this week we will be called to forgive. It might become difficult to forgive and you might even be tempted not to forgive, or to hesitate because of pride, or simply because of the rush that we feel when we see how much power gives us! This is true, the most powerful person on the face of the earth is the person who has the opportunity to forgive and will not.

Will seize the opportunity or will it be squandered? When the times comes, to do as the Savior has taught, forgive as He has commanded. Ask Him to help you. Remember His grace offered to you. May Jesus help each of us to forgive from the heart as the Master Teacher has taught us.

Pentecost 13 - mid-week

Romans 3:21-25a, 27-28

It is natural for us to justify ourselves. When someone questions our behavior we declare it acceptable by pointing to its rightness and propriety. We are quick to defend our actions. That is not what St. Paul means by the term "justify" in our text. He is talking about God's act of justifying, not ours. In other words, Paul by these words is describing how we stand before God based on what He has done for us. To say that God justifies means that God declares human beings acceptable to Him. If that is so, we have no need to justify ourselves before God or anyone else. We don't have to explain ourselves to God, He has made up His mind and He accepts us for Jesus' sake. Therefore, the most freeing thing that could happen is for God to justify us, to declare us as being forgiven before Him. This is precisely what God in Christ has done for us. This morning, let's consider the fact that our justification by God frees us.
[1] Our justification before God frees us from making the Law our justifier.
A. Our natural tendency is to use the Law to justify ourselves before God.
1. We do so when we try to keep God's commandments to win God's approval. The man who thought that he could be acceptable to God on the basis of what he had done asked Jesus the question "but what else must I do?"
2. We do so when we refuse to let the Law reveal our failure in keeping it. When we look at the law as a mirror what does it show us? It shows us our sin.
3. We do so when we do not see ourselves as sinners who fall short of the holiness God requires. (vs. 23) simply reminds us that 'all have sinned" We can't gain access to God because all have sinned.
B. What God did through Jesus makes using the Law as our justifier totally unnecessary.
1. God sent Jesus to atone for our sins. (v.25a) Again, Paul reminds us that Jesus was sent into this world to be the atoning sacrifice for our sin. He is the one time sacrifice for our sins. He no longer has to die because He has paid for all sins once and for all at the cross.
2. God has declared us forgiven, freely, despite our sinand without preliminary improvement of our behavior. And it's all based on the redemption secured for us by Christ.
C. It is good that the Law is NOT our justifier.
1. We have no need to worry about whether we have done enough to please God. Because Jesus has done it all.
2. We have no need to justify ourselves before God or before people by comparing our keeping of God's law to other's keeping of it. None of us could keep the Law perfectly so Christ has fulfilled the law perfectly for us.
3. Of course, we try to keep God's Law, but not for our justification; God is the one who redeeds! He justifies. "apart from works of the Law" (v.28)
Transition: Paul says in our text "we are "justified by faith" Some have interpreted "by faith" to mean faith in our justifier. But our justification by God also frees us...
[2] Our justification by God frees us from making faith our justifier.
A. If faith is our justifier, faith becomes a work of the Law.
1. Faith would then becomes something we contribute to our justification and faith would cease to be a gift.
2. We could never be sure whether we had enough faith.
B. Faith is God's gift, not our achievement that caused us to be justified.
1. We can not boast even of our faith (v.27) We boast rather in Christ who has given us this faith.
2. Faith is the very opposite of works (v.28) "We are justified by faith apart from works of the Law" Paul reminds us. Faith is instrumental it is the hand by which we receive God's forgiveness.
C. It is good that faith is not our justifier.
1. The strength or weakness of our faith need not determine our justification. Our faith is never as strong as it should be. That's why we lean on Christ.
2. We need not have faith in our faith but only in the Lord Jesus Christ. What matters is this: I believe God when He says that He has freely, for Christ's sake, forgiven me of all of my sins.
What a freeing thing it is to be justified by God in the Lord Jesus Christ! By faith, through faith and only by faith do we stand justified before God. Thank Him for this gift which He has worked in us.

Pentecost 13 - Proper 16

Almighty God, You gave Your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon Himself. Grant that we, Your adopted children by grace, may be renewed by Your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

People from every nation enter through the narrow door of righteousness. Every person would like to know if he is going to make it to heaven. “Heaven” is the same as being “saved”, being in a right relationship with God. Jesus makes it clear that not all who think they are going will get there. We need to know where we stand and know of the necessity of being in a right relationship with Jesus Christ. On this subject we must be clear.

Who then shall be saved?

1. Not necessarily one nation or race – v. 29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

A. God is no respecter of persons. Scripture is so clear on this matter. Whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved”. {Acts 2:21} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. {Romans 10:13}

B It’s a matter of faith. . He who believes and is baptized shall be saved. {Mark 16: 16} He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. {John 3:18} He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." {John 3:36} They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household {Acts 16:31}

Transition: Who then shall be saved? Not necessarily one particular nation or race nor those who claim church membership.

2. Not necessarily church people – Vv.26-27 Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' "But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!'


A. Your pious deeds as good as they appear before your neighbor can’t cut it. The Lord is seeking a people with contrite hearts living in repentance. "Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham {Luke 3:8} The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?" {Luke 5:21}
B. But to those who seek Him He is more then able to absolve and heal. The prayer of confession needs to be ours prayer daily. Almighty God, our maker and redeemer, we poor sinners confess unto You that we are by nature sinful and unclean and that we have sinned against You by thought, word and deed. We flee for refuge to Your infinite mercy, seeking and imploring Your grace for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Transition: Who then shall be saved? Not necessarily one particular nation or race nor those who claim church membership. It belongs to those who walk by faith.

3. But they who walk through the narrow door of obedience – Vv. 24-25 Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.' "But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'

A. The word strive in the Greek is “agonizomai”, from whence our word agonize comes. Think how many who were very confident that they should be saved will be rejected in the day of trial, and their confidences will deceive them, and you will say that there are few that shall be saved and that we are all concerned to strive. Do you agonize over your salvation or your neighbor’s? Do you agonize over the prevailing attitude of this world which responds with a shrug and says, “whatever”?

B. Our Savior came to guide men's consciences, not to gratify their curiosity. Ask not, how many shall be saved? But, Shall I be one of them? Ask not, what shall become of such and such? But rather, what shall I do, and what will become of me? Strive to enter in at the strait gate. This is directed to each of us; it is, Strive ye. All that will be saved, must enter in at the strait gate, must undergo a change of the whole man. Those that would enter in must strive to enter. Here are awakening considerations, to enforce this exhortation. Oh that we may be all awakened by them! They answer the question, Are there only a few that shall be saved? But let none respond either as to themselves or others, for there are the last who shall be first, and the first who shall be last. If we reach heaven, we shall meet many there whom we little thought to meet, and miss many whom we expected to find.

We are saved by grace through faith and not by good deeds. The test of true faith is obedience to God’s will. First we are saved by faith in Christ’s atoning work on the cross and the confirmation of that condition is manifested in our obedience.

Face of Christ
http://spiritlessons.com/Documnets/Jesus_Pictures/Jesus_Christ_Pictures.htm

Time in the Word Pentecost 13 - Proper 16

The Cross of Christ is the Way into the Kingdom of God

With the cross of Christ, the time has come “to gather all nations and tongues” (Is. 66:18). The sign of the cross is set forth in the preaching of the Gospel, the declaration of the Lord’s glory “among the nations” (Is. 66:19). Many “will come from east and west, and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God” (Luke 13:29), but only by the narrow way of the cross. Those who refuse to follow Christ crucified will ultimately find only “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Luke 13:28), whereas Christ’s disciples, called from all the nations, will eat and drink with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God. They will come into “the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (Heb. 12:22).

Collect for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost: O Lord, You have called us to enter Your kingdom through the narrow door. Guide us by Your Word and Spirit, and lead us now and always into the feast of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer for pardon, growth in grace, and divine protection: O Lord, our God, we acknowledge Your great goodness toward us and praise You for the mercy and grace that our eyes have seen, our ears have heard, and our hearts have known. We sincerely repent of the sins of this day and those in the past. Pardon our offenses, correct and reform what is lacking in us, and help us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Inscribe Your law upon our hearts, and equip us to serve You with holy and blameless lives. May each day remind us of the coming of the night when no one can work. In the emptiness of this present age keep us united by a living faith through the power of Your Holy Spirit with Him who is the resurrection and the life, that we may escape the eternal bitter pains of condemnation.

By Your Holy Spirit bless the preaching of Your Word and the administration of Your Sacraments. Preserve these gifts to us and to all Christians. Guard and protect us from all dangers to body and soul. Grant that we may with faithful perseverance receive from You our sorrows as well as our joys, knowing that health and sickness, riches and poverty, and all things come by permission of Your fatherly hand. Keep us this day under Your protective care and preserve us, securely trusting in Your everlasting goodness and love, for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Monday, 16 August 2010—Psalm 117; antiphon, Psalm 96:6a; 115:18—Psalm 117, the shortest of the psalms, comprising only two verses, is paired with an antiphon that announces, Splendor and majesty are before him; we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord. The splendor and majesty of the Lord are shown chiefly in His steadfast love toward us and in His faithfulness, which endures forever.

Tuesday, 17 August 2010—Psalm 50:1–15—This psalm of Asaph speaks of the Lord as a mighty Judge. The Lord will judge all men based on their faithfulness and trust in Him, not on the outward show of ritual and religion. We must ever be on our guard, that we do not just ‘go through the motions,’ but that our hearts are right: that is, that we trust not in ourselves, nor in any earthly rulers or things, but solely in God the Lord for our salvation. He alone can accomplish it, and He delights in our trust in Him. Call upon me in the day of trouble, He exhorts us, and promises, I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.

Wednesday, 18 August 2010—Isaiah 66:18–23—In this, the last chapter of the great Gospel-drenched Book of Isaiah, the Lord speaks to His faithful. They will rejoice at the revelation of His glory, especially at the Last Day, when this present age shall pass away and God will bring forth new heavens and a new earth. The adoration of the Lord by the faithful shall never cease. Tragically, however, the torment of those who have rebelled against the Lord shall also not cease. Let us, then, ever remain faithful to the Lord and to His Word, that we may be counted among those whom the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, brings in from all the nations.

Thursday, 19 August 2010—Hebrews 12:4–24—We continue our reading through the latter chapters of Hebrews with an exhortation to remain faithful, even when suffering or persecution befalls us. We are not to regard such as punishment, but as discipline, as from a loving Father. the goal of such discipline is not the suffering, but the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Friday, 20 August 2010—Luke 13:22–30—Christ Jesus was born for one purpose: to suffer and die for the sins of the world. In the Gospel reading for Sunday, we see Him journeying toward Jerusalem, where His mission will be accomplished. Along the way, He performed many miracles and also taught the people, as He does here. A common question, then as now, is, ‘Who will be saved?’ Instead, Jesus answers the question, ‘How will they be saved?’ The answer is, only through Christ. He is the narrow door through which the heavenly banquet is entered. He counsels us to strive and to struggle to enter. Our struggle is against our own flesh and blood, which wants eternal life on its own terms, and against the demonic forces of the devil, who wants all men to be damned. We are not to delay in entering the door, that is, trusting in Christ alone for our salvation, and turning our backs on the devil, the world, and our sinful desires. For those who reject Christ, there is only weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Saturday, 7 August 2010—Sunday’s Hymn of the Day, A Multitude Comes from the East and the West (LSB #510), uses the imagery of the feast from the Gospel reading. Partaking of the unending feast in the kingdom of heaven will be the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, along with all the faithful from the East and the West, people from every nation under heaven. What they have in common is their trust in the goodness of the Lord.

This week's Time in the Word is written by Pr. Jeff Keuning service Zion, Dexter and St. John, Casey, IA of the Iowa West District of the LCMS
Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

Face of Christ

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Pentecost 13 - Proper 17

As Christians we are soldiers, drafted at our baptism to fight in God’s army against a formidable foe. Jesus said, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (v.12)

We must never underestimate the strength and tactics of our adversary, the devil. As the father of lies, he leads “spiritual forces of evil,” who are intent on destroying our souls. The devil has a ready ally in our sinful nature with its reliance on the self. But reliance on ourselves, on our strength and resources, will only result in capitulation and eternal defeat. The only way to stand firm in this battle is to “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” (v.10). God Himself provides us with the equipment we need to be strong in Him. God has equipped you for battle.

1. With the belt of truth.
A. The belt was an essential part of the Roman soldier’s equipment, for it kept the other parts in place and allowed for more freedom of movement. All seven weapons enumerated for defense and offense are supplied by God Himself. Thus the truth of God’s truth in Christ, not our own truthfulness, which may sometimes be mere rationalization, that he devil, the father of lies, can subvert to his own purposes.

B. This is the truth God has made known to us about ourselves and about Christ.

C. The truth about our sin and our Savior helps us “get it all together” against Satan, the father of lies.

D. When Satan accuses us with the truth that we are sinners, we can stand firm with another truth of God – that Christ has saved us from our sins.

2. With the breastplate of righteousness.
A. This is the righteousness of Jesus, which is imputed and attributed to us. This is to be used for defense. Not even the righteous conduct that flows from faith, but rather the righteousness of Christ.

B. Our works of righteousness are like flimsy rags.

C. When Satan reminds us of our unrighteousness, Christ’s righteousness is the breastplate that protects us from despair.

3. With the shoes of peace.
A. A soldier with bare, sore feet is almost immobilized. In our battle against evil we can be immobilized by fear and doubt.

B. The good news of the Gospel’s assurance of peace with God gives us courage to tread on the scorpions of evil because we know God is with us.

4. With the shield of faith.
A. Besides the small circular shield for defense in close combat, there is a large oblong shield that protects the entire person. Faith that clings to Christ makes us partakers of His invulnerability.

B. We have an impenetrable defense against the flaming darts of Satan when he uses sickness, discouragement, and loss to disturb of faith.

5. With the helmet of salvation.
A. Christ has already saved us through His suffering, death and resurrection. In his Salvation we are safe. For our head, the most vulnerable part of our body, the helmet of salvation is our defense. The salvation we have in Christ assures our deliverance from sin and death.

B. As possessors of salvation we are safe; Satan’s blows cannot cause us permanent injury.

6. With the sword of God’s Word.
A. Our offensive weapon is “the sword of the Spirit”. It is the Word of the Lord which is powerful to defeat the forces of evil in this world. Because the Holy Spirit works in the Scriptural Word, that Word is a source of power by which we can drive away Satan-induced bitterness and resentment, anger and despair.

B. When we immerse ourselves in the Word and use it against Satan, Christ Himself is fighting for us.

7. With prayer.
A. The seventh weapon is both offensive and defensive. Prayer in the Spirit, that is, in faith worked by the Spirit is necessary at all times because Christians are engaged in a life-long battle requiring watchfulness and perseverance. Fellow Christians need our prayers, even seemingly strong Christians like the Apostle Paul, so that despite the severity of circumstances, they can stand firm and be good witnesses for the Gospel. Prayer is god’s all encompassing piece of equipment because prayer alerts us to the need for perseverance in the battle and opens the door of the arsenal of all of God’s resources.

B. We pray not only for ourselves but for our fellow Christians that God may equip them to fight the battle well.

If we will use the equipment God Himself supplies, we will be able to stand our ground against the devil’s schemes in very evil day.

Time in the Word Pentecost 13 - Proper 17

The theme for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost is Faith in Action. The Pharisees of Christ’s day adhered strictly to the dietary restrictions laid down by God in His Law. They even extended them. However, they believed that this strict outward fulfillment would save them. They gave little thought to the condition of their hearts, for even as they were outwardly pious in following the letter of the Law, inwardly, they were filthy with sin, hating Christ and His disciples and even hatching a plan to murder Him.

Jesus tells us that what matters is not the outward act, but the condition of one’s heart. Now this does not mean that we are free to act however we will. True faith will always manifest itself in doing good works, and a desire to adhere to the Word of God. People will be able to see that we have put our faith in action by our love for others.

As for the dietary laws of the Jews, we can be thankful that Christ has fulfilled the Law and has declared all foods clean. We are free to enjoy bacon cheeseburgers, pork chops, shrimp, and much more without guilty consciences.

Monday, 17 August 2009—Psalm 51:7, 10–12; Antiphon, Psalm 51:2—Sunday’s Introit is a portion of David’s pœnitential psalm, the one he wrote after being confronted with his sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11:1—12:14). David evinces true repentance: grief, shame, and contrition over his sin, but also faith and trust in God that he would be redeemed of all his iniquity. When we sing this as the Offertory, we make David’s plea our own: we ask for—and receive—a clean heart, a right spirit. We have been washed thoroughly from iniquity and cleansed from all sin by the atoning sacrifice of Christ.

Tuesday, 18 August 2009—Psalm 119:129–136—Psalm 119 is the longest psalm, and it extols the virtues of delighting in the Word of God. One who is righteous by faith has a great desire to live according to the precepts of God’s holy Word. The Word of God gives light and understanding; it keeps us from having our iniquity getting dominion over us. We the redeemed long to live by faith according to the Word; we shed tears because people do not keep God’s Law.

Wednesday, 19 August 2009—Deuteronomy 4:1–2, 6–9—As the Children of Israel were about to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving them, Moses reminds them of all that the LORD had taught and commanded them. His advice is to them and to us, heirs through Christ of the spiritual Promised Land, the Kingdom of Heaven. We must be diligent to hear the Word of God and preserve it, making it known, not only among ourselves, but to our children and our children’s children.

Thursday, 20 August 2009—Ephesians 6:10–20—This last reading from St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians fit exceptionally well with Sunday’s other readings. Moses had given his instruction to the Israelites because he knew how easy it is for people to fall away from God. In times of both adversity and prosperity, people may be tempted to forsake the Lord. Attacks will come, for the devil hates God and all whom He loves. The Christian must gird himself for spiritual warfare with the weapons which God has provided: truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith, salvation—with these, we are equipped for the assaults of the Evil One.

Friday, 21 August 2009—Mark 7:14–23—What defiles a person? Is it what goes into him? No. We are all defiled by sin. We have inherited our sinful nature from our first parents, and are inclined toward evil. Jesus gives a whole laundry list of wicked thoughts and actions which proceed out of our sinful hearts. We must ever be on guard, not only against the attacks of Satan, as in the epistle lesson, but even on the treachery of our own hearts. We must not depart from the Word of God, but read, hear, and learn it daily to know of both our salvation and of the will of God.

Saturday, 22 August 2009—Sunday’s hymn of the day, Be Strong in the Lord (LSB 665) exhorts us to make full use of the armor of God, that we may withstand the wiles of the devil and our sinful nature. Having been equipped by our Lord, we can be certain of the victory.

Collect for Pentecost 13—O God, the source of all that is just and good, nourish in us every virtue and bring to completion every good intent that we may grow in grace and bring forth the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

This week's Time in the Word was written by Pr. Jeff Jeuning who serves Zion Casey and St John Dexter, IA