Saturday prior to Proper 19

[1]

Acts 4:11-12 - Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, (LSB #575). The defense of the faith from the first Century to this 21st Century is the fact that Christ is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. What the prophets of old foretold all find their completion in Jesus Christ. Therefore there is salvation in no one else. Jesus is not one of several options. There is no other name given among men by which we can be saved.

Edward Mote was born and raised in the London area of England and lived from 1797-1874. Unlike most hymn writers, he was not brought up in a godly home nor was exposed to Scripture. His parents operated a pub in London and often neglected young Edward, who spent most of his Sundays playing in the city streets. He once reflected on his "theological" upbringing stating, "So ignorant was I that I did not know that there was a god."

When Edward was 15 years old, his parents apprenticed him to become a cabinetmaker. He honed his craft, and as a man, became a skilled cabinetmaker and had a successful business for 37 years. His faith journey, however, is a testimony that should inspire all Christians.

Through the influence of his cabinetmaker master, Mote attended church and came to faith through the preaching of John Hyatt (a gifted evangelical preacher who was often compared to George Whitefield, a driving influence in the Great Awakening), and was baptized at age 18. Thereafter, he devoted his free time to ministry. Mote always found time to worship and became particularly interested in Christian music and hymn writing. He was prolific in his writing and wrote more than 100 hymns. One, in particular (shown above), became one of the most beloved hymns in the church today. In 1834, while on his walk to work one day, an idea came to him to write a hymn on the "Gracious experiences of a Christian." By the time he arrived to his shop, he had finished the refrain, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." Before the day had finished, he had completed four verses. The following Sunday he visited a friend whose wife was very ill. The friend described how he and his wife liked to observe the Sabbath by singing a hymn, reading a scripture, and having prayer together. Mote pulled a copy of his hymn from his pocket, and they sang it. The friend's wife was so taken with the words that she requested a copy for herself. In 1836, he published his hymns with selections by others in a collection called Hymns of Praise, A New Selection of Gospel Hymns. The present day tune for the hymn was composed by the American gospel song composer, William Bradbury, a fellow Baptist, in 1863. The hymn appeared during the American Civil War in Bradbury's Devotional Hymn and Tune Book (1864).

The text of this hymn is packed with grace and truth, revealing a deep reflection on his salvation and the price Jesus paid on Mote's behalf. The refrain, My hope is built on nothing less, refers to the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Matt. 7:24-27) and was constructed around the metaphor of Christ as a rock. The first stanza declares God's grace. Mote recognizes that our hope for eternal life depends completely upon Jesus' righteousness. We have nothing of human merit to offer. Stanzas 2 and 3 concern the application of that grace in times of trouble - when the doubts, cares, and darkness of the world weaken our fellowship with God and veil His face from us. Despite such doubts, God has not left us; He sustains us. It is precisely at such times we need to "rest on His unchanging grace." The final stanza brings the hymn full circle with the ultimate realization of God's grace, when we stand before God's throne clothed in the righteousness of Christ! When we seize such objective truth on which to build a life and future hope, "all other ground is sinking sand."

In 1852, at the age of 55, Mote realized a life-long dream. He laid down his cabinetry tools and responded to a call to formal ministry. He ministered as the pastor of Rehoboth Baptist Church in Horsham, West Sussex. For the next 21 years, he did not miss a Sunday in the pulpit. He resigned from his pastorate in 1873 due to poor health and died the following year at the age of 77. The beloved pastor was buried in the churchyard. Just prior to his death he said, "The truths I have been preaching, I am now living upon, and they do very well to die upon." Near the pulpit in the church is a tablet with the inscription, "In loving memory of Mr. Edward Mote, who fell asleep in Jesus November 13th 1874, aged 77 years. For 21 years the beloved pastor of this church, preaching Christ and Him crucified, as all the sinner can need, and all the saint desire."[2]

Collect for Saturday of the week of Pentecost 13: Eternal God, by whose Word the worlds were made and our wills quickened to serve you in sincerity and truth, open our minds and hearts to receive again that same Word today and in and through your name may we be taught how to live. Amen [3]

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[1] The image of Christ the Good Shepherd by Wm Dyce is found here: http://www.biblicalart.com/biblicalsubject.asp?id_biblicalsubject=789&pagenum1

[2] https://thetimes24-7.com/Content/Columnists/Columnists/Article/My-hope-is-built-on-nothing-less/13/163/56186

[3] Collect for Saturday of the week of Pentecost 13, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Friday prior to Proper 19

[1]

Luke 15:1-10— Twice in the Gospel for Sunday tells us of the joy in heaven when a sinner repents. We can see the smile on the Father’s face. The choirs of angels are singing. The archangel’s trumpets are blaring. How much joy is indicated when sinners repent in the average church today? Is there a party spirit of great joy when a person is baptized or confirmed or renews his faith? Evangelism is the happy time of the church because it is an echo of what goes on in heaven. So we ask why God is happy when we repent. God’s will is fulfilled. He desires everyone to return to Him for He loves each person. Repentance means a wayward child has come back. This makes God happy, for His will is done. God’s portion is His people. God is happy for the sinner’s sake. Prior to repentance the sinner was going down the road leading to death. Now he has avoided destruction and is coming to life, love and light. This is God’s desire for every person because He loves each.

The diligent search, the tender care, and the later joy represent Christ’s attitude and activities with publicans and sinners.  Says, Luther, “We can neither help nor counsel ourselves to come to quietness and peace of conscience, into escape from the devil, death and hell unless Christ Himself gets us and calls us to Him through His Word. And even if we come to Him and are in faith, we are not able to keep ourselves therein.” [St. Louis, (German) Edition, 11:1268]

“He calls His friends.” He looks for sympathy of feeling from His friends. Christ did not find that among the scribes and Pharisees.

We usually think of repentance as the condition of forgiveness. We say that God will forgive only when we repent. This text turns this around. We are forgiven before we repent, and we repent because we have been forgiven. We are forgiven not because we pay God the price of repentance, but God loves us whether or not we repent. Those who know and accept God’s love, respond with repentance. It is a fact that no calamity, natural disaster, or adversity makes people repent. It is the kindness of God that causes us to repent. This lesson focuses upon the mercy of God which should stir us to repent.

God is the one who seeks the lost. (v. 4) In love God goes after His sinner. By His search God shows His concern and mercy for the lost.

Heaven rejoices when the lost one repents (Vv. 7, 10) Repentance means the acceptance of God’s love. 

A Prayer for spiritual renewal: Almighty God, grant that we, who have been redeemed from the old life of sin by our Baptism into the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, may be renewed by Your Holy Spirit to live in righteousness and true holiness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.[2]

 

Collect for Friday of the week of Pentecost 13: If ever the dark come upon us, O God, our God, let it be Thy darkness. And when we hope for the wrong thing, let us wait in that dark until Thou canst make us ready for what Thou has promised. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen [3]

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[1] The image of Christ the Good Shepherd by Wm Dyce is found here: http://www.biblicalart.com/biblicalsubject.asp?id_biblicalsubject=789&pagenum1

[2] Collect for spiritual renewal, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

[3] Collect for Friday of the week of Pentecost 13, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Thursday prior to Proper 19

[1]

1 Timothy 1:12-17— God through Christ shows mercy to repentant sinners.

Forgiveness is the theme running through the lessons for this coming Sunday. God’s attitude toward sinners is shown in Jesus’ association with sinners and in His joy when sinners repent. If God did not forgive sinners they would be destroyed by God’s wrath. God forgives and accepts those who come in faith as His own. In today’s reading Paul tells of the mercy of forgiveness he received by his faith in Christ even though he called himself the chief sinner.

Paul witnesses to God’s mercy in forgiving him as chief of sinners. Here is a statement that everyone can and should accept. It sums up the whole mission and nature of Christ. We usually avoid general statements because investigation often shows that there are exceptions. Here there are no exceptions. This statement is most certainly true and should be accepted as the truth.

No one can deny theses three statements; 1. “Christ came into the world” God became human.

2. “Sinners” the truth about every man, woman, boy and girl.

3. “Save” Christ came not to judge, condemn but to reconcile sinners back to God.

The magnitude of the mercy for which Paul praises Christ is brought out in verse 13 where Paul describes himself as a former blasphemer, persecutor, and violent aggressor. These words describe both deeds and words of spitefulness; someone whose insolence and contempt burst forth in outrageous acts.

Before his conversion Paul acted in the ignorance of sinful unbelief.  Paul explains he was not acting against his better knowledge. The same mercy Jesus asked of His murderers (see Luke 23:34) He showed to Paul in 1 Timothy 1:16 which makes clear that patience was behind Christ’s mercy. Paul’s experience is a model of what Christ does in general. Because Christ’s patience will not undergo a more severe test than with Paul. No sinner ever needs to despair.

Paul could never get over what the mercy of Christ had done for him. His magnification of that mercy constitutes the theme of the Christian’s life.  

 Prayer for likeness to Christ: O God, by the patient suffering of Your only-begotten Son You have beaten down the pride of the old enemy. Now help us, we humbly pray, rightly to treasure in our hearts all that our Lord has of His goodness borne for our sake that following His blessed example we may bear with all patience all that is adverse to us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.[2]

Collect for Thursday of the week of Pentecost 13: O Thou whom we seek in all our need and through all the mystery of life and without whom we cannot live bravely or well, forgive us that we so often miss Thee. Show us Thy paths already at our feet. Give us courage and vision to follow in faith Thy ways of love and right until our own lives become Thy revelation and Thy Spirit transforms our deeds. As we thus draw near to Thee, do Thou graciously draw near to us until we become more sure of Thee than the light. In His Name in whose life Thy love becomes light and life. Amen. (Gaius Glenn Atkins) [3]  

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[1] The image of Christ the Good Shepherd by Wm Dyce is found here: http://www.biblicalart.com/biblicalsubject.asp?id_biblicalsubject=789&pagenum1

[2] Collect for likeness to Christ, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. St. Louis

[3] Collect for Thursday of the week of Pentecost 13, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Wednesday prior to Proper 19

[1]

Ezekiel 34:11-24— The Lord makes a bold statement. He commits Himself to shepherd the flock. He promises to restore His people as He Himself will bring them out. This is all fulfilled in the person and work of our Savior Jesus as the Lord predicts that His servant David will be prince among them. This prophecy was written well after David had died. Thus a ruler like David and from his line, great David’s greater Son would shepherd the people. This prophecy can only be fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Under His rule and authority there would be one flock and one shepherd who would feed them with the bread from heaven. See John 6:32-40; 10:16 as Jesus fulfilled these words.

Collect for Proper Nineteen: Lord Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd, without whom noting is secure. Rescue and preserve us that we may not be lost forever but follow You rejoicing in the way that leads to eternal life; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen  [2]

Collect for Wednesday of the week of Pentecost 13: Merciful Father, since you have given your only Son as the sacrifice for our sin, also give us grace to receive with thanksgiving the fruits of his redeeming work and daily follow in his way; through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen [3]

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[1] The image of Christ the Good Shepherd by Wm Dyce is found here: http://www.biblicalart.com/biblicalsubject.asp?id_biblicalsubject=789&pagenum1

[2] Collect for Proper 19, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

[3] Collect for Wednesday of the week of Pentecost 13, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Tuesday prior to Proper 19

[1]

Psalm 119:169-176 —In the psalm for the day, David uses the Hebrew letter “Taw” to explain that it is the Lord who will direct and save His people. No one else can defend or save. As Psalm 119 is drawing to a close, prayers for deliverance now become dominant. Drawing the analogy of a shepherd rescuing the flock the Psalmist directs us to repent “I have strayed like a lost sheep Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commands.” (v. 176)

Tau ת: Sought by God and His Word.

“The psalmist is approaching the end of the Psalm, and his petitions gather force and fervency; he seems to break into the inner circle of divine fellowship, and to come even to the feet of the great God whose help he is imploring. This nearness creates the lowliest view of himself, and leads him to close the Psalm upon his face in deepest self-humiliation, begging to be sought out like a lost sheep.”

1. (169-170) Deliverance according to God’s word.

Let my cry come before You, O LORD;
Give me understanding according to Your word.
Let my supplication come before You;
Deliver me according to Your word.

Let my cry come before You…give me understanding according to Your word: The cry of the psalmist is an expression of prayer, a plea to gain understanding according to Your word. He wanted his thoughts to be transformed according to the word of God.

 This is very much the same kind of thought the Apostle Paul expressed in Romans 12:2: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. The psalmist wanted his understanding of life and the world shaped – transformed – by the word of God.

Come before You: “The verb q-r-b in the Hiphil is a technical term for the act of presenting an offering…. He has nothing left to present but a ‘cry.’”

Let my supplication come before You: This is another reference to prayer by the psalmist, this time a prayer for deliverance according to Your word. He wanted deliverance, but wanted it only as it was consistent with God’s revealed word and will. He did not want an unrighteous or unwise deliverance.

He also asked for this deliverance according to the promises of God’s word. “It is beautiful to observe the oil of the Psalmist’s faith feeding the flame of his supplication. Every petition is urged upon the warrant of a promise – according to thy word.”

2. (171-172) Praising God and speaking of His word.

My lips shall utter praise,
For You teach me Your statutes.
My tongue shall speak of Your word,
For all Your commandments are righteousness.

My lips shall utter praise…. My tongue shall speak of Your word: The psalmist wanted his words (lips…. tongue) to both praise God and to speak of His word. He knew that often words are either wicked or vain or both. He was determined that others would hear him praise God, and speak of His word.

My lips shall utter praise, for You teach me Your statutes: His lips could praise God because they had been taught His word. The psalmist’s lips did not praise God by nature; he had to be taught God’s truth, and taught from God Himself. Also, the word of God informed his praise; it was intelligent.

 For all Your commandments are righteous: Knowing the purity and inerrancy of God’s word made the psalmist want to speak of it to others. He was confident in his convictions.

3. (173-174) Longing for salvation and loving God’s word.

Let Your hand become my help,
For I have chosen Your precepts.
I long for Your salvation, O LORD,
And Your law is my delight.

Let Your hand become my help, for I have chosen Your precepts: The psalmist felt he could boldly ask for God’s help, because he had chosen to love and keep the word of God.

The prayer reminds us of Peter walking on the sea and beginning to sink; he, too, cried, ‘Lord, help me,’ and the hand of his Master was stretched out for his rescue.

I long for Your salvation…Your law is my delight: These two expressions go together. Because God’s salvation is from and according to His word (1 Peter 1:23), it was natural for him to delight in God’s word as he longed for God’s salvation.

4. (175-176) Depending on the word of the God who seeks us.

Let my soul live, and it shall praise You;
And let Your judgments help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
Seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments.

Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; and let Your judgments help me: The psalmist recognized that his soul needed both life from God and guidance from God’s word. With this combination of life and guidance, he would build a healthy relationship with God.

The ending section of this great psalm emphasizes the psalmist’s great need for God and his dependence upon Him. His love for and dedication to the word of God has not made him more spiritually independent, but more spiritually dependent upon God. What did the psalmist need?

· Understanding (verse 169).

· Deliverance (verse 170).

· Ability to worship God rightly (verses 171-172).

· Power to live an upright life (verses 173-174).

· Strength to persevere (verse 175).

 I have gone astray like a lost sheep: This great psalm ends on a touching note. The psalmist remembered his own frailty and sinful tendencies (astray like a lost sheep), and therefore asked God to seek him.

“This verse is extremely emotional and full of tears, for truly we are all thus going astray, so that we must pray to be visited, sought, and carried over by the most godly Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is God blessed forever. Amen.” (Luther)

Seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments: We can surmise that God sought His servant in His word. God does seek after us in His word. His word tests us; it encourages us; it strengthens us; it rebukes us; it helps us; it teaches us; it gives us understanding; it protects us.

Seek Your servant: “A poor, lost, weak, sinful – yes, even unprofitable – servant (see Luke 17:10), but still a servant of God.”

The psalmist describes a Romans 7:21 kind of experience: I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. “And the Psalmist had the same remedy at the early period, as had the apostle in the later times; for God’s salvation is one. The psalmist’s remedy was, ‘Seek thy servant;’ the apostle’s, ‘O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.’”

“The note of urgent need on which the psalm ends is proof enough that the love of Scripture, which has motivated the scribes of every age, need not harden into academic pride. This man would have taken his stance not with the self-congratulating Pharisee of the parable, but with the publican who stood afar off, but went home justified.”

The psalm ends on the reminder that the power and greatness of God’s word does not rest only in its literary brilliance. Its greatness and glory is in the fact that God comes to us and seeks us in and through His word.

“As far as I have been able, as far as I have been aided by the Lord, I have treated throughout, and expounded, this great Psalm. A task which more able and learned expositors have performed, or will perform better; nevertheless, my services were not to be withheld from it on that account.” (Augustine,)[2]

Collect for Psalm 119: Lord, You are just and Your commandments are eternal. Teach us to love You with all our hearts and to love our neighbor as ourselves, for the sake of Jesus our Lord.[3]

Collect for Tuesday of the week of Pentecost 13: Grant us lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [4]

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[1] The image of Christ the Good Shepherd by Wm Dyce is found here: http://www.biblicalart.com/biblicalsubject.asp?id_biblicalsubject=789&pagenum1

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-119/

[3] Collect for Psalm 119, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and by the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

[4] Ibid, Collect for Tuesday of the week of Pentecost 13

 

Monday prior to Proper 19

[1]

Psalm 30:2-5; antiphon, Psalm 30:11a, 12b—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.” God answers and the psalmist David vows to prolong his praise forever. Dancing and joy replace wailing and sackcloth so that songs of praise not silence may attend the acts of God.

Psalm 30 – Remembering the Greatness of God at a Great Event

This psalm has a unique title: A Psalm. A Song at the dedication of the house of David. Though the title of the psalm (as it is in the English translation) indicates it was written for the dedication of David’s palace, Charles Spurgeon (and Adam Clarke) thought that it was actually written prophetically for the dedication of the temple – which David prepared for, but Solomon built. Nevertheless, we take this psalm as being written for the dedication of David’s palace. It says nothing about the house itself; rather the focus is on God and the greatness of His deliverance. At the dedication of David’s house, David wanted God to be praised, not himself.

Matthew Poole comments on A Song: “This Hebrew word schir may be here taken not simply for a song, but for a joyful song, as it is in Genesis 31:27; Exodus 15:1; Psalm 33:3.”

Forgiveness is the theme running through the lessons for this coming week. God’s attitude toward sinners is shown in Jesus’ association with sinners and in His joy when sinners repent. If God did not forgive sinners would be destroyed by God’s wrath. In the Old Testament lesson (Ezekiel 34:11-24) the Lord promises to send a true shepherd who will not only tend to them but search them out and rescue them. Of course, our true shepherd is the good shepherd our savior Jesus Christ. God forgives and accepts His own people. In the Epistle (1 Timothy 1:12-17) Paul tells of the mercy of forgiveness he received by his faith in Christ even though he called himself the chief sinner. The basic factors of forgiveness are found in all our lessons. Forgiveness discloses the nature of God – a God of mercy. On the other hand, forgiveness reveals the nature of humans as sinners standing in need of forgiveness. God’s act is forgiveness. Our part is repentance.

Collect for Psalm 30: God our Father, glorious in giving life and even more glorious in restoring it. In his last night on earth your Son knew anguish and deep sorrow. Do not turn away from us, or we shall fall back into dust; but rather turn our mouring into joy by raising us up with your Son, Christ our Lord.[2]

Collect for Monday of the week of Pentecost 13: Lord our God, all truth is from you and you alone bring oneness of heart. Give your people the joy of hearing your word in every sound and lf longing for your presence more than for life itself. May all the attractions of a changing world serve only to bring us the peace of your Kingdom which this world does not give.  Grant this through Christ our Lord.[3]

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[1] The image of Christ the Good Shepherd by Wm Dyce is found here: http://www.biblicalart.com/biblicalsubject.asp?id_biblicalsubject=789&pagenum1

[2] Collect for Psalm 30, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

[3] Ibid Collect for Monday of the Week of Pentecost 13

 

Proper 19 Series C study notes

Proper 19 C
(September 11-17)

Ezekiel 34:11–24
1 Timothy 1:(5–11) 12–17
Luke 15:1–10

Jesus Christ Is the Good Shepherd of His Sheep

 

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). As He had mercy on Paul in order to “display his perfect patience” (1 Timothy 1:16), so also does He seek out His sheep “from all the places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness” (Ezekiel 34:12). To deliver His flock, He “will seek the lost … bring back the strayed … bind up the injured, and … strengthen the weak” (Ezekiel 34:16), and “they shall no longer be a prey” (Ezekiel 34:22). He sets over them one great Good Shepherd, the Son of David, who “shall feed them and be their shepherd” (Ezekiel 34:23). For Christ Jesus is the one man who, “having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them” would “leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it” (Luke 15:4). When He finds the lost one and brings it home rejoicing, “the angels of God” and all the company of heaven rejoice with Him, with great joy (Luke 15:7, 10).

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege

The accusation was leveled against Jesus: “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:1). What the Pharisees meant by this accusation was that Jesus was eating with those who were identified as public sinners—e.g. tax collectors and harlots. To eat with someone was to demonstrate fellowship with that person. How could Jesus display eating-fellowship with such public sinners, thus apparently condoning their sin?  Of course—as Scripture explains that all have sinned—every time Jesus eats with people He is eating with sinners.

As one considers the fifteenth chapter of Luke one realizes that an appropriate title for the entire chapter is Repentance.  Thus at the close of His first parable Jesus explains, “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”  Similarly in explaining the parable of the lost coin Jesus summarizes: “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  The remainder of the chapter also deals with repentance, as it concludes with the parable of The Prodigal Son.

So when Jesus “ate with sinners” He was not condoning sin, but He who could read the heart was dining with those whom He knew to be penitent sinners.  “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Ps. 51:17).

Now Jesus, the sin offering for mankind, has given to His Church the ultimate meal relating to repentance and forgiveness—the Sacrament of the Altar.  Though we correctly magnify the reality that in this meal sinners are eating the very body and blood of Christ given and shed at the cross for the forgiveness of sins, yet the early church—more so than today—magnified the fact that Christ at this Supper was/is also dining with His people.   Jesus had promised not to eat or drink until there would be fulfillment in the kingdom (Luke 22:16-18).  Christ’s death, resurrection and the pouring forth of the Spirit at Pentecost, marked the fulfillment in the kingdom. Now whenever God’s kingdom comes through Holy Communion it is apparent from Jesus’ own words that He is drinking the fruit of the vine and eating the “Passover” with His disciples.  He is both the Supper’s host and its food. 

It may seem strange that while Christians eat and drink of Christ’s body and blood in the Lord’s Supper He is there dining with them.  Such mysteries in Holy Communion parallel the very mysteries of the person and work of Jesus.  Consider that He is both the Priest and the sacrifice, both the Shepherd and the lamb, and both God and man.  In His Blessed Sacrament we miraculously yet truly eat the body and blood of the crucified One, and yet the risen One now dines with His people as surely as He did during those forty days after His resurrection. The Sacrament of the Altar stands as a perpetual reminder of these foundational gospel-mysteries. Truly the Lord Jesus gives to us a sort of double fellowship in the Lord’s Supper.  Penitents fellowship with Him as they eat His body and blood given and shed at the cross, and they fellowship with Him as He yet chooses to “receive sinners and eat with them.”

15.1 

Ἦσαν δὲ αὐτῷ ἐγγίζοντες πάντες οἱ τελῶναι καὶ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἀκούειν αὐτοῦ.

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 

15.2 

καὶ διεγόγγυζον οἵ τε Φαρισαῖοι καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς λέγοντες ὅτι Οὗτος ἁμαρτωλοὺς προσδέχεται καὶ συνεσθίει αὐτοῖς.

And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

15.3 

 εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς αὐτοὺς τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην λέγων·

So he told them this parable: 

15.4

Τίς ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ὑμῶν ἔχων ἑκατὸν πρόβατα καὶ ἀπολέσας ἐξ αὐτῶν ἓν οὐ καταλείπει τὰ ἐνενήκοντα ἐννέα ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καὶ πορεύεται ἐπὶ τὸ ἀπολωλὸς ἕως εὕρῃ αὐτό;

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 

15.5 

καὶ εὑρὼν ἐπιτίθησιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ὤμους αὐτοῦ χαίρων,

And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 

15.6 

 καὶ ἐλθὼν εἰς τὸν οἶκον συγκαλεῖ τοὺς φίλους καὶ τοὺς γείτονας, λέγων αὐτοῖς· Συγχάρητέ μοι ὅτι εὗρον τὸ πρόβατόν μου τὸ ἀπολωλός.

And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 

15.7 

λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι οὕτως χαρὰ ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ ἔσται ἐπὶ ἑνὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ μετανοοῦντι ἢ ἐπὶ ἐνενήκοντα ἐννέα δικαίοις οἵτινες οὐ χρείαν ἔχουσιν μετανοίας.

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

15.8 

Ἢ τίς γυνὴ δραχμὰς ἔχουσα δέκα, ἐὰν ἀπολέσῃ δραχμὴν μίαν, οὐχὶ ἅπτει λύχνον καὶ σαροῖ τὴν οἰκίαν καὶ ζητεῖ ἐπιμελῶς ἕως οὗ εὕρῃ;

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins,[a] if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 

- Greek ten drachmas; a drachma was a Greek coin approximately equal in value to a Roman denarius, worth about a day's wage for a laborer

15.9 

καὶ εὑροῦσα συγκαλεῖ τὰς φίλας καὶ γείτονας λέγουσα· Συγχάρητέ μοι ὅτι εὗρον τὴν δραχμὴν ἣν ἀπώλεσα.

And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 

15.10 

οὕτως, λέγω ὑμῖν, [j]γίνεται χαρὰ ἐνώπιον τῶν ἀγγέλων τοῦ θεοῦ ἐπὶ ἑνὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ μετανοοῦντι.

Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Footnotes:

ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

 Proper 19

The Lost Sheep

Law/Gospel Theme: God seeks out his lost children! That’s the powerful message in the Parable of the Lost Sheep. God cares greatly for each and every person. He loves us enough to seek us out. And even pay the ultimate price to redeem us.

It might seem like others deserve punishment.  We may think of running away as being naughty. And that leaving faith or running from God would have ill effects. The great news of the Gospel is that God does not give up on us! He will always love us. Pursue us. And welcome us with open arms.

Prayer: Lord Jesus. You are the Good Shepherd. Without whom nothing is secure. Rescue and preserve us that we may not be lost but follow you rejoicing in the way that leads to eternal life.

It’s so easy to for me to loose things. It might be house keys. A phone. Or some other object I need. I set it down just for a second and when I go back to retrieve it…well its gone! 

And then the search begins. I have to retrace my steps. Where was I the last time I had that object in my hand. Did I set it down? Did I leave the room? Was I suddenly distracted. 

It can be so frustrating when you loose something and you can’s find it!  That’s one reason I have this key holder on my belt. I can tell others that I wear them so the yet doesn’t make a hold in my pocket. By you know that I have them here so that I don’t loose them. At least for now!

Now, some might think that it might be a little over the top to be so concerned for one tiny lost item. Especially when I have so many other things to be concerned. 

But do you know? That is how God feels about you and me and every single person.

In our gospel reading for today Jesus tells us that our Father in heaven is always seeking us out. He always sees. He always cares. And that’s why Jesus came into this world in the first place. To win us back. And to care for us. 

Lets think about it. There are millions of people all over the world. More than we can even understand. Yet God cares about YOU as an individual.  

He knows how many hairs are on your head. He made you. Every one of you! Because He made you, He thinks you are important. And special. And valuable. And He loves you.

Jesus told a story about a shepherd who had a hundred sheep. He lost one of them. And went searching high and low until he found it. What’s one little lamb when there are 99 others? It’s one less. That needs to be found.

Yet the shepherd knew it was missing. And sought it out. Jesus wanted us to know that God cares for us as people. And He will not let us wander and stray away. Sometimes we might do things that go against God’s laws. 

Sometimes we might feel lonely. For frightened. Or even lost. But is good and encouraging news.  Jesus will never leave us.

Nothing we can do will ever separate us from God’s love. And He’s always waiting with open arms to welcome us back into His family. 

If we should walk away. Or wander off. God loves us so much that, even though we do sinful things, He sent Jesus to pay the ultimate price and give His life for us!

That’s why Jesus told this story in the first place. There were some who were grumbling and complaining because Jesus was associating with people they did not like. He was eating with those considered “other.”  And so they looked at them as being “less.”

Yet, Jesus didn’t just come for good people. But for all people. That is something to be thankful for.

You know what else? Since we know God made us all special. And loves each one of us. It is important to love and care for one another, too. 

Look around. See the people who care for you. These are the people God has placed in your life to make you safe. Secure. And Sheltered. There are no soloists in God’s choir. None going it alone. You are a sheep of His fold. A lamb of His flock. One of His own redeeming. 

If people are valuable to God. We should value them, too. And treat them that way. Sometimes it isn’t easy. But we know God will help us if we ask.

Prayer: Thank you, LORD for your love and care. Thank you for Your words and promises. Help us to follow wherever You lead. Help us remember to love one another. Just as you love each of us. Sheperd and guide us every day.  

Ministry to Children  "The Lost Sheep" Luke 15:1-10 Object Lesson

14thSunday after Pentecost – Proper 19 – Series C

 [1]

Almighty God, every good thing comes from You. Fil our hearts with love for you, increase our faith, and by Your constant care protect the good you have given us. We ask this through our LORD Jesus, Your Son, who lives, and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever.[2]

Inside of me -
          Where exactly, I do not know -
Live three voices.
The first voice roars:
          Produce. Do. Achieve.
          You need to attend this meeting.
          Policies and procedures need to be revised.
          There are deadlines to meet and
               Reports that need to be completed.
          Budget variances should be corrected.
          Goals for the new fiscal year are due.
          Job descriptions should be re-written.
          Performance evaluations need to take place.
          All is of ultimate importance so
               Don’t forget anything.
          Your worth as a person depends on this.
          Don't make any mistakes.
          Produce more. Do more. Achieve more.
The middle voice sneers and mocks:
          You fraud.
          You know you will be found out -
                    Then what?
          You cannot do this work.
          You are a sham, an impostor.
          Shame on you;
                    You always make mistakes.
          What do you think you are?

 The lower voice just whispers:

          You are forgiven.
          There is mercy.
          All shall be well.[3]

Today marks the 21^th anniversary of the loss of the twin towers in New York City. We face the twin dangers of going astray by toying with sin or by wicked pride. We need to live in daily repentance over both. Learn from Jesus. The friend of sinners. Join the angels praising God. Both, for your own salvation. And, for the progress of the Gospel in the world.

The factors of forgiveness are simple. There is simply our need. We stand in need of forgiveness. There is, of course, means, which lead toward forgiveness. There must also be a response.

The response to forgiveness; is repentance.  Mark the Scripture well. “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents then over ninety-nine respectable people who do not need to repent…I tell you, the angels of God rejoice over one sinner who repents.”

Jesus seeks the lost.

The lost are sought in the parable. A poor woman loses a coin. It’s something precious to her. The loss of a single coin is serious. It’s all she has. Without it, she has nothing!

A sheep goes missing. In that condition, it becomes the prey of wild animals. Yet 99 are safe. Isn’t that one solitary sheep expendable? Why the anxiety? After all, isn’t this fuss and bother rather superfluous? Is it all necessary? Why not simply cut your losses?

That is the point of the parable! All are necessary! All are important!

Let no one think you are beyond the reach of Jesus’ love. Let no one think you are unnecessary, helpless, or hopeless. How good it is that Jesus has found you!

The Pharisees, they too were lost. But they couldn’t accept it. Their sin was pride. Evidenced in their smugness and disdain for sinners and for Jesus.

“Two men went up to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed this prayer, “O God, I thank You that I’m not like everyone else.

I’m not greedy, dishonest, or living in sexual sin, like this tax collector. I always fast twice a week. I always give You a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector stood some distance away, and wouldn’t even look into heaven. He pounded his chest and said, God have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this tax collector went home justified but the Pharisee was not.”[4] ~ Luke 18:10-13

These Pharisees and all the self-righteous find themselves in the same lost condition because of boastful, selfish, pride and arrogance.  Be warned, pride goes before a fall.

But when the Pharisees saw Jesus surrounded by tax collectors and well-known sinners, they grumbled and complained. “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” With respect to the Pharisees, it was too late for those people, who had messed up so badly.

These Pharisees. They didn’t even want such people. They were damages goods.

They did not, could not, could not – tolerate- let alone – believe – in a God who would allow such sinners into His house.

So Jesus told the parable of the lose sheep followed by the parable of the lost coin. Jesus came, looking for them; Jesus came to find just these very people – sinful people, rebellious people, lost people. Jesus came to pay for their sins, suffer for their sin, die for their sin, because He wanted them back – back in His kingdom. Back in His house.

He called them to repent of their sin and to trust in Him – that He would forgive them for everything, and bring them back into the LORD’s house, for free.

Jesus continues to seek the ones missing from the Father’s table. He could have left us to wallow in our filth. He could have left this world of sinners to their doom. He could have left us to flounder after we had stumbled, fumbled, flopped and fell. He could have said, “Depart from me, cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” - Matthew 25:41

Instead, He determined to redeem and save us. He demonstrated the Father’s mercy and love when He came into this world to fulfill God’s law for us and to pay the world’s debt of sin. “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” –_{Matthew 20:28};

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who are under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” -_{Galatians 4:4-5}

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”(1 Timothy 1:15) As He had mercy on Paul in order to “display his perfect patience.” (1 Timothy 1:16), so also does He seek out His sheep “from all the places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.” (Ezekiel 34:12) To deliver His flock. He “will seek the lost…bring back the strayed…bind up the injured, and strengthen the weak.” (Ezekiel 34:16), and “they shall no longer be a prey.” (Ezekiel 34:22)

So, what’s your attitude concerning those who return to the fold? Is it similar to the Pharisees and the scribes who grumbled, saying, ‘this man receives sinners and eats with them” They are self-condemning.

Or, shall it be compared to this woman – she throws a party with the money from the coin she just found. A coin, it’s worth and value is that of a single sheep.

Reckless? You might conclude. But that’s point the Savior makes who is reckless in grace and mercy. Who rejoices over one lost sheep.

Who throws a part for a coin recovered – because it was irreplaceable.

Such is your value and worth in the Father’s economy – precious, priceless, and pure are you – treasured and valued – welcome back to the fold – right where you belong!

 

Words –1,290
Passive Sentences – 0
Readability- 81.2%
Reading Level – 4.0

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[1] The Lost Sheep © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] For All the Saints A Prayer Book for and By the Church Vol. 2 Year 1: The Season After Pentecost © 195 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
[3] Three Voices  by Logan C Jones
[4] A New Accurate Translation of the Greek New Testament into simple Everyday American English © Julian Anderson Naples, FL