Pentecost 20 - Proper 22

Image © Agnus Day – the lectionary comic @AgnusDay

Time in the Word - Pentecost 20 - Proper 22

Time in the Word
  October 1-6, 2018

Proper 22
Preparation for next week, Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday’s theme is God’s Intentions for the Family. The lessons deal with home, marriage, divorce, and children. The Gospel considers Jesus’ position on divorce and His attitude toward children. The Old Testament lesson fits into the Gospel with its account of Eve’s creation and the relationship between husband and wife. The Psalm for the week concerns a God-fearing person’s blessing of a fruitful wife, children, and grandchildren. The “Hymn of the Day” is a prayer to the Lord to bless the home and family.

Collect for Proper 22 –Merciful Father, Your patience and loving-kindness toward us have no end. Grant that by Your Holy Spirit we may always think and do those things that are pleasing in Your sight; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect for Pentecost 20—O God, whose almighty power is made known chiefly in showing mercy and pity, grant us the fullness of Your grace that we may be partakers of Your heavenly treasures

A prayer for steadfast faith – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, of Your tender love towards us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and come to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 For those in distress - Almighty and everlasting God, the consolation of the sorrowful and the strength of the weak, may the prayers of those who in any tribulation or distress cry to You graciously come before You, so that in all their necessities they may mark and receive Your manifold help and comfort; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

A Prayer for Peace - O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works proceed, give to 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 by You, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord.

A 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. 

This Week’s Morning Prayer Readings

Read and review the following Bible stories for each day… 

Monday, October 1- Moses before Pharaoh –Ex.5-12- selective verses

Tuesday, October 2–  The Exodus-Ex.12-14-selective verses

Wednesday, October 3– Chapel Day

Thursday, October 4- Manna in the Wilderness-Ex.15-16- selective verses

Friday, October 5- 10 Commandments-19-20 selective verses

From the Small Catechism – Close of the Commandments & 1^st Article

Monday, 01 October 2018—Psalm 127:3-5, Antiphon, Psalm 127:1a – Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. In keeping with the theme of the week, God’s Intention for the Family, the psalmist gives us a timeless truth. Unless the Lord is the center of all that we do, unless the Lord builds the house, all of our efforts are in vain. The house in essence becomes a house of cards. May Jesus Christ be the ever present yet unseen guest in each of our homes. 

Tuesday, 02 October 2018—Psalm 128; key verse, verse 1 - Blessed are all who fear the Lord. Psalm 128 speaks of the blessedness of the godly man, another word for wisdom concerning health and home. The concluding benediction suggests that the psalm originally served as a priestly word of instruction to those assembled from their homes to worship in Jerusalem. The main body of the psalm is found in verses 1-4.

Wednesday, 03 October 2018—Genesis 2:18-25 – God intends husbands and wives to be one. God creates woman as man’s helper and companion. This lesson is part of the Lord’s account of creation, beginning with Chapter 2, verse 4. It is the earlier of the two accounts. According to this account, man is created first, then the animals, etc., and finally woman. The animals were not a suitable helper for Adam, and, consequently, Eve was created. Why the rib? It’s closest to the man’s heart. After her creation from his rib, Adam recognizes her as an equal part of him (verse 23).  She is recognized as a fellow human with equal dignity and worth. Because of the creation of man and woman, marriage is one of the orders of creation in which the two become an entity of one flesh. Flesh here is more than physical; it refers to the whole person. 

Thursday, 04 October 2018—Hebrew 2:1-13, (14-18) – God intends the family of humankind to be a family in Christ. By the grace of God, Jesus became a man who suffered and died for all. Today’s Epistle reading is the first in a series of passages from Hebrews. The author in Hebrews is facing the situation of the church’s waning faith, probably because of the delay of Christ’s return. To stimulate their faith, he writes the epistle of Hebrews.

Today’s reading deals with the event of Christ’s incarnation leading to His suffering and death for the salvation of humanity. Jesus’ incarnation gave Him solidarity with humankind in order to save it.  At present, we do not see Christ’s lordship over everything, but we do see Him (verse 9).  His atoning death created a oneness of Christ and His followers whom He calls “brethren” (verse 11).  In comparison with the Old Testament lesson, humans are created and re-created by redemption. 

Friday, 05 October 2018 –Mark 10:2-16 – God intends marriage to be lifelong. Sunday’s Gospel deals with two accounts: marriage/divorce and Jesus’ love of children. In regard to marriage and divorce, Mark has Jesus take the position that neither husband nor wife should get a divorce. For the Pharisees, divorce is a legal matter: for Jesus it is a divine matter – not what is legal, but what is right. Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees that the legal right to get a divorce was due to a human’s sinfulness, but this was contrary to God’s intention that marriage is permanent. To substantiate this, Jesus refers twice to the creation account. The Gospel continues with an account of Jesus receiving little children, for marriage and children go together. Jesus urges that children should be brought to Him and teaches that one should receive the kingdom of God as a child in terms of openness and receptivity. 

Saturday, 06 October 2018—Joshua 24:15b; Ephesians 6:4; Luke 2:41-52; 10:38-42-Sunday’s hymn of the day is Oh, Blest the House (LSB 862).  This is an appropriate hymn as it deals with the Christian home. May the Lord bless not only our Friedheim, St. John, and Zion families, but each and every individual family of our congregations. Taking the lead from Joshua, “as for me and my house we shall serve the Lord!” May the Lord bless each of us as Christ remains at the center of our homes.

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

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Pentecost 20 - Proper 22

Proper 22

October 2, 2016

Luke 17:1-10 

What your faith can do for you

The apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith. The Savior responds.  Reminding us. Even a little faith is a lot. This might catch some off guard. Like the disciples, many are eager for a larger portion of faith – the faith to guide people aright. Faith to forgive. Faith to serve just for the privilege. As we face the tough issues of life, we cry out for more faith. No one can honestly say, ‘I have all the faith in the world.” If we really have faith. Do we need more? Jesus corrects the disciple’s desire for more faith. He says the quantity or degree of faith does not matter. It is sufficient just to have faith. The parable of the mustard seed emphasizes that the smallest amount of faith can do wonders.

Faith is a practical thing in a Christian’s daily life. Does the common man know this? Is faith for him only a creed? Could faith be something for preachers only? Faith is meaningful in the day-to-day life of a Christian. Note that this gospel lesson on faith is addressed to the disciples, men of faith in Christ. Jesus is teaching them about the implications or responsibilities of that faith.

What faith can do for you.

1. Keep you from leading others astray – Vv. 1-2 Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.”

We are unworthy servants.

Have we not sometimes caused offense?

A.             We have at times lived selfishly. Without regard for the needs of those around us. Like selfish children. Always looking out for what is mine.

B.            We have lived “immoderately” always wanting more – But it is always just beyond our reach. And so, we are impatient. Never satisfied. Never content. Never at peace.

Little ones. (Those who struggle. Or who are weak in the faith.) May thereby have been led astray – A serious matter. (See vs. 2) To cause offense is to be an unworthy servant.

Lord, increase my faith! That I may not cause offense!

2. Cause you to forgive – Vv. 3-4 So watch yourselves. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

A.            Have we not sometimes refused to deal lovingly with sinning brothers and sister?

B.            Have we failed to rebuke them personally for a sin we see them committing.

1. Rebuking a brother is difficult.

2. We can come off as a busy body

3. In our “live and let live” world, most people’s reaction is “whatever”.

C.            We have failed to forgive them as often as they repent

1. Forgiving can be difficult too!

2. After a rebuke. We might feel as if we have the power and the upper hand.

3. If we refuse to forgive. We break the bond of peace, which the Savior has given us.

4. There should be no limit to our forgiveness.

a. If he sins against you 7 times in a day. And 7 times comes back to you and said “I repent” ~ you must forgive him.

b. There is to be no limit to our forgiveness.

c. Forgiveness needs to be complete.

Lord, increase my faith when I’m called upon to forgive!

3. Perform wonders – Vv. 5-6 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

Faith makes it possible for us to do our duty.

A.            We need only to exercise the faith we have.

1. What matters is not the amount of faith. Or ever faith itself. As though we were now obligated to get faith to do our duty. Rather, faith is instrumental.

2. Faith joins us to Christ. So that through faith we receive His power. Thus, even a little faith can do great things.

3. Wherever there is faith in Christ. Christians will deal lovingly with each other.

B.            We should not expect praise for doing our duty.

1. Jesus alone gives faith and then increases it.

2. He does not owe us a thing. It is by His grace alone that we have faith. And are able to do our duty.

Lord, increase my faith when I’m called to render service to my neighbor!

4. Motivate you to serve with no desire for reward – Vv. 7-10 “Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ ”

We have been called into Christian service.

A.            In such service there are certain expectations. The servant is called to perform specific

 tasks.

1. To plow. Look after sheep. Etc. when the Master calls.

2. To render service – To cook supper. And wait on the Master.

B.            The expectation is service rendered.

1. No need to say thanks. “Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?” Apply this lesson to school or your first job – boot camp for life!

a. Show up on time.

b. Do what you’re told.

c. Don’t have an attitude!

2. The final reward of the child of God is to be ushered into mansions glorious.

a. We enter glory not due to any merit on our part. All we have is a gift.

b. Rather, we are unworthy servants. We are only doing our duty as the Master has pressed us into His service.

Lydia’s violin instructor in high school would often say, “We are all students” – Rightly applied to our Christian walk – we are all servants. We are to each humbly walk before God and our neighbor, forgiving and restoring our brother gently for in the final analysis we are to remind ourselves – we are only servants – simply doing our duty.

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

Words – 1,145

Passive Sentences –5%

Reading Ease –82.4

Reading Level – 4.1

Time in the Word - Pentecost 20 - Proper 22

Collect for the Twentieth Sunday of Pentecost: O God, the Strength of all who put their trust in Your, mercifully accept our prayer, and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing without Your aid, grant us the help of Your grace that, keeping Your commandments, we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Father, Your love for us surpasses all our hopes and desires. Forgive our failings, keep us in Your peace and lead us in the way of salvation. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen

Collect for Proper Twenty-two: O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, by Your grace hear the prayers of Your Church. Grant that those things which we ask in faith we may receive through Your bountiful mercy; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Collect for Psalm 62: Lord God, in a constantly changing world we look to You as our rock of hope. Hear us as we pour out our hearts to You, and give us Your grace and secure protection; through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord.

Prayer for a steadfast faith: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, because of Your tender love toward us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and finally come to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

The Faith of a Christian

This coming week’s theme “The Faith of a Christian” can be found in all three lessons. In the Gospel lesson Minimal faith produces maximum results. In the Old Testament lesson faith waits for God to vindicate His own. In the Epistle lesson we find the sincere faith of the faithful. The famous phrase of the Reformation comes from the Old Testament lesson – ‘The just shall live by faith.” The Epistle deals with the “sincere faith” of Timothy, the faith of his mother and grandmother, and Paul’s faith. The heart of the Gospel lesson deals with faith: the disciples’ request for more faith and the faith the size of a mustard seed. The verses preceding and following the passage on faith (Vv. 5, 6) may give us difficulty in seeing faith in the entire gospel. These verses can be reconciled if we see them as the behavior of those with faith. Thus the hymn of the day will bear out this theme in the words, “I Know My founded on Jesus Christ my God and Lord.” The focus of faith is always directed at the Savior.

Monday, 26 September 2016—Psalm 119:162, 164-165, 167 antiphon, Psalm 119:166—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, I hope for Your salvation, O lord, and I do your commandments. Faith is another word for trust. Trust is another word for taking God at His Word. The Psalmist has trust because He follows after the Lord and does His will. This is not something the natural man can do be himself. It is something we do as we walk by faith. Thus we are forced to look to Christ where the hope of our salvation finds its root. We trust in Him to bring all of this to pass.

Tuesday, 27 September 2016—Psalm 62 — Psalm 62 is a psalm of longing and trust. Humbly, trustingly, the psalmist commits his cause to God. Man is bent on destruction (vv.3-4) but what is he (vv.9-10)? Power belongs to God alone, who wields it with love and justice (vv.11-12).

Wednesday, 28 September 2016—Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4— In a world of adversity a righteous one lives by faith. Our Old Testament lessons brings up the perennial problem: Why? Why does God permit evil to thrive in the world? When a Christian cries for help in distress, why does he not get an immediate answer? Why doesn’t God do something about what Habakkuk experienced? – “violence,” “wrongs,” “trouble,” “destruction,” “strife and contention.” The answer received: Wait for the lord and He shall bring it to pass. The righteous waits for God to make things right, to come to the rescue because He has faith in God’s character. The world seems to be waiting for God who never comes. Christians by faith know God is coming eventually to save. We need faith to wait for God. 

Thursday, 29 September 2016—2 Timothy 1:1-14— Paul remembers the faith of Timothy and confesses his faith in Christ. We face challenging times. The loss of faith is seen in a decline in church membership, a fall-off of church attendance, in the popularity of radical sects, and the secularization of society. Some have a view of the church today with faith becoming traditional and zeal burning low. Hence the encouraging words of St. Paul to a young Christian pastor whose church was facing considerable challenges. As we go through life and as the years pass we need to be exhorted to keep the faith vibrant. We do this as we continue in the faith of the fathers – vs. 5 and as we hold fast to the faith even in times of suffering – vs. 8.

Friday, 30 September 2016—Luke 17:1-10 —The apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith. The Savior responds in reminding us that even a little faith is a lot. This might catch some off guard. Like the disciples, many of us are eager for a larger portion of faith – the faith to guide people aright, faith to forgive, faith to serve just for the privilege. As we face the tough issues of life, we cry out for more faith. No one can honestly say, ‘I have all the faith in the world.” If we really have faith do we need more? Jesus corrects the disciple’s desire for more faith. He says the quantity or degree of faith does not matter. It is sufficient just to have faith. The parable of the mustard seed emphasizes that the smallest amount of faith can do wonders.

Saturday, 01 October 2016—2 Timothy 1:12 - Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is I know My Faith is Founded, (LSB #587). Faith finds its focus in Jesus Christ. This is the message of our hymn for the week. As we focus on Christ our faith will be sustained and grow as the Lord directs us. The next three months will be extremely busy for most. Some may feel overwhelmed. Can your faith take all that life has to offer? Our faith is sufficient when it finds its focus in Christ.

Sources:
Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

Collect for Pentecost 17 from Lutheran Worship © Concordia Publishing House

Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C by John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing Lima OH

For All the Saints A Prayer Book for and By the Church Vol. II © 1995 by the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, N

Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Pentecost 20 - Proper 22

Proper 22

4 October 2015

Mark 10:2-16

The Savior’s perspective on children 

Over a million children are victimized by parents; broken bones, missing teeth, burns, bruises, etc. In contrast, Jesus urges parents to bring children to Him. That He might bless and love them. He calls parents to provide, protect, and love His children. Though parents may not physically abuse their children. They may be cruel to them by neglecting them. Good parents want only the best for their children. Jesus asks parents to permit their children to come to Him. By doing this, we are doing a very good thing. 

Bring your children to Jesus and permit them –

1.    To be blessed by Jesus – V.16

2.    To know Jesus by our instruction

3.    To come to Jesus by Baptism – V. 14

I.        Bring your children to Jesus and permit them to be blessed by Jesus. (v. 16) “And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.”  Jesus took the small children in His arms and blessed them (cf. 9:36-37) - “He took a little child and had Him stand among them. Taking him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me but the one who sent Me.” 

This is a striking act taken by the Savior. He is showing His love for them. Apparently, these were small children. This was the overflowing of Jesus' divine love for children. It was this experience - that the disciples in their insensitivity - were preventing the children from having and Jesus from giving. No wonder Jesus was indignant! 

A.     One of the greatest gifts we can give is an investment to our children. What wouldn’t we do for our children? Time and circumstances may change from one generation to the other - yet one truth remains central – we want to do right by our children.  But far and above and temporal gift we can bestow on our children are the spiritual blessings we offer them. These parents begged Jesus that He would touch them. But He did more. This says something about the Savior. – He gives far and above what we could ever ask or think.

1.      He took them in His arms. Now the Scripture was fulfilled. Isaiah 40:11 reminds us, He shall gather the lambs in His arms, and carry them in His bosom. There was a time. When Christ Himself was taken up in the old man Simeon’s arms. (Luke 2:28).  Now He took up these children. Not complaining of the burden. – Not as Moses did. When he was told to carry Israel. That peevish child. In his bosom, as a nursing father bears the sucking child, (Numbers 11:12).

Jesus was pleased with it. If we in a right manner. Bring our children to Christ. He will take them up. Not only in the arms of His power and providence. But in the arms of His pity and grace. (See Ezekiel 16:8) For under them are His everlasting arms. 

2.      He put His hands upon them. Indicating the bestowing of His Spirit upon them (for that is the hand of the Lord). And His sets them apart for Himself. Children are an inheritance from the Lord. They are set apart to be a blessing.

3.      He blessed them. - With the spiritual blessings which only He can give. Our children are happy. If they have but the Savior’s blessing.  This is what we attempt to do. When our babes-in-arms are brought to the communion rail. 

What is the reason for bringing them? What is the reason for blessing them? Is it to make them better? Will Billy or Mary be better-behaved children if we bring them up front?  Is it magic? Something akin to a “good luck charm”?  

No! We bring them. To remind them. Of the blessings which are theirs in and through their baptism. If, our children are to be blessed. It is wise to remind our children (and ourselves) of the blessing which is theirs in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

This is what you do every time you make the sign of the cross. Whenever we have a baptism. The candidate receives the sign of a cross. On the forehead. And the heart. As a sign. That Christ the crucified has redeemed them. When you make the sign of the cross. You are reminded that Christ the crucified has redeemed you. You are reminding yourself. Of the blessing. Which are yours in and through your baptism.

What are these blessings? In baptism, you receive the forgiveness of sins. Life. And salvation.  That is why we use the benediction spoken over these babies at their baptism, “May the God and Father of your Lord Jesus Christ who has begotten you of the water and the Word keep you in His grace both now and forever more, peace be with you. Amen”  

B.     It is true. We do not read in our text this morning that Jesus baptized these children. Baptism had not yet been fully placed as the door of admission into the church until after Christ’s resurrection. Still. He asserted that infants are to be welcomed. He bestows His blessings upon them. Which are now appointed, conveyed and conferred in Baptism. For the seal of the promise, is to you and to your children.

II.     Bring your children to Jesus and permit them to know Jesus by our instruction.

A.     This is why we have a Sunday School. And a parochial day school at Wyneken. This is why we support our Oasis youth group. And encourage family devotions with the children. 

B.     If the church is to continue. It will be through these little ones. They are the future. Each generation enters this world apostate. It is our duty to connect them to the Savior. We do this by following the words of the Savior’s Great Commission. We make disciples. - By baptizing and by teaching.  

III.   Bring your children to Jesus. And permit them to come to Jesus by Baptism. (v.14) “When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” 

A.     Baptism is the means of bringing children into the kingdom. You can almost hear the Savior. “What do you mean? Will you hinder Me from doing good; from doing good to this rising generation, to the lambs of the flock?”

1.      Christ is very angry with His own disciples. If they discourage any in coming to Him. Or in bringing their children to Him. 

2.      He ordered that they should be brought to Him. And nothing should be said or done to hinder them. Jesus says, “Suffer these little children…” As soon as they are able, to come to Me. To offer up their supplications to Me. To receive instructions from Me. Little children are always welcomed to the throne of grace with their Hosannas.

B.     Baptism is the means of keeping all in the kingdom.  Jesus was "indignant." When He realized that the disciples thought children were unimportant and bothersome.

1.      Mark not as softness these human emotions of Jesus. Jesus was indigent with His disciples.  He is quite candid about the failings of these disciples.

2.      Jesus wanted children to come to Him. They should not be hindered in their coming. After all. Children in their receptivity. And dependency. Exemplify for us the characteristics of those who possess God's kingdom.  

May the Savior’s clear instruction. Bring your children to Jesus and permit them –

1.    To be blessed by Jesus – 

2.    To know Jesus by instruction - 

3.    To come to Jesus by and through their Baptism –

Words – 1,305

Passive Sentences-8%

Readability-80%

Reading Level -4.1

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