Proper 27 Series B study notes

Series B

Proper 27

Mark 12:38-44

O Lord, by Your bountiful goodness release us from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our weakness we have brought upon ourselves, that we may stand firm until the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Lord, grant us humble hearts and willing spirits to fulfill our callings faithfully.

“Take my life and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee; Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise." (LSB 783:1)l

The Lord Freely Feeds and Provides for Us with Everything He Has

“Corban” [N] [S]

A Hebrew word adopted into the Greek of the New Testament and left untranslated. It occurs only once ( Mark 7:11 ). It means a gift or offering consecrated to God. Anything over which this word was once pronounced was irrevocably dedicated to the temple. Land, however, so dedicated might be redeemed before the year of jubilee (See Leviticus 27:16-24). Our Lord condemns the Pharisees for their false doctrine, inasmuch as by their traditions they had destroyed the commandment which requires children to honor their father and mother, teaching them to find excuse from helping their parents by the device of pronouncing "Corban" over their goods, thus reserving them to their own selfish use. Was this the issue with the rich young man in Proper 23?

Those who contribute “large sums” from “out of their abundance” have done very little. They cannot purchase God’s favor with their money. But “the poor widow” with her two small coins, who “out of her poverty has put in everything she had,” entrusts herself and her life to the mercy of God (Mark 12:41–44). Such faith is not disappointed, for the Lord is faithful, and He provides for His people by His grace. Thus was the poor widow of Zarephath able to feed the Prophet Elijah “for many days,” as well as herself and her household, “according to the word of the Lord that He spoke by Elijah” (1 Kings 17:15–16). He feeds us, too, by His Word, not only with daily bread for this body and life, but unto the life everlasting in Christ Jesus. “By the sacrifice of Himself,” by the giving of His body and life and all that He had, He has entered “into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf” (Hebrews 9:24–26). He is our great High Priest and the Temple of God, as well as the priestly food with which He feeds us.

Jesus warns against using self-serving religion to elevate ourselves above others. Clergy especially need to listen to Jesus at this point. Jesus shows all religious leaders and scholars the model for their leadership; humility, service, and sacrifice. For His sacrifice has atoned for us all.

Jesus uses the sacrifice of a widow to illustrate for His disciples the character of absolute dependence on God. Wealth and possession can pose a spiritual threat - wealth has a way of owning its possessor. Jesus' love and sacrifice motivate us to offer our whole lives to Him as our daily offering of gratitude. He gave up everything, including His life, on the cross for us.

- The sacrifices of God - a sacrifice of faith. Jesus compliments a poor widow for her sacrificial gift to the temple.

Vv. 38-40 serves as an introduction. Jesus warns the disciples against the scribes, for in their greed they devour widows' houses. By contrast we see an impoverished widow who places two of the smallest coins, worth a penny, into the temple's treasury. Jesus is sitting across from the offering boxes and observes the gift being given. He calls attention to the widow's penny in contrast to the million-dollar gifts of the rich.  He claims that she gave more than any other, because she gave out of her poverty while others gave out of their abundance.

A widow was almost always poor because she had no husband to support her. There was no insurance policies, no death benefits plan, no Social Security. Because she was extremely poor, she could have been excused from giving to the Lord's treasury. Rather she should have been given something from the treasury. Her gift proved that she was not poor spiritually. She had the riches of faith in God to motivate her.

 Hebrews 9:24-28

Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege

Our Epistle for the 25th Sunday after Pentecost (Hebrews 9:24-28) is of tremendous importance in that it demonstrates Christ’s work to be the fulfillment of what was done in Old Testament worship.  This worship, linked to the priestly work in the Tabernacle, pointed to Christ, His cross and His empty tomb

A key statement is the second half of verse 26: He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.  Christ is here clearly described as the fulfillment of the sacrificial actions performed on the Old Testament Day of Atonement.

On that most holy day of Old Testament worship the sins of the entire nation of Israel were being “atoned” for.  Several unique things happened on the yearly Day of Atonement:  The high priest was the only one to perform the sacrifices.  Unlike any other sacrifice, the sacrificial blood was sprinkled toward the Mercy Seat located in the Most Holy Place.  The high priest alone could enter this Most Holy Place uniquely on this one day out of the year, and then he quickly had to exit.  The Day of Atonement was also recognized as the conclusion and embodiment of all the sacrifices offered for sin during the previous year. The high priest was like a basket carrying the sins related to the various sin offerings from the previous year.  Then, needing atonement also for his own sins, he emptied the basket of the sins of the nation on the Day of Atonement sacrifices. (Note: There were other solemn and special activities on that day as well.)

So then why did Christ have to die if these sacrifices were “taking care of” sin?  These sacrifices were like credit cards paying a debt, and they only dealt with the sins of the people of Israel.  As with every credit card debt the day of reckoning must come.  In the fullness of time Christ comes, and by His once-for-all sacrifice He pays off the sin-debt incurred by the Old Testament people of Israel, the sin-debt that was forestalled by the “credit card” of the atonement sacrifices. But he doesn’t just pay off their sin-debt, He pays the sin-debt incurred by every human…past, present and future!  No more sacrificial “credit cards” are needed after Christ offered himself as the once-for-all sacrifice.

Christ is the ultimate and final high priest who carries not just the sins of Israel but the sins of the entire world.  He does not have to place any sins on an unwilling sacrificial beast, for he, unlike Aaron et al, is sinless and thus His body is a pure—yet empty—basket. And because He is God this empty basket is able to be filled with all the sins of mankind. He then “put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”  After entering the Holy Place of heaven, pleading our case with His blood at the heavenly mercy seat, He does not need to exit—and indeed He will not exit until Judgment Day.  On that day He will exit and we will stand before Him justified by His sacrificial blood! 

Mark 12:38-44

Beware of the Scribes

Mark 12:38

Καὶ [a]ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ ἔλεγεν· Βλέπετε ἀπὸ τῶν γραμματέων τῶν θελόντων ἐν στολαῖς περιπατεῖν καὶ ἀσπασμοὺς ἐν ταῖς ἀγοραῖς 

And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces

Mark 12:39

καὶ πρωτοκαθεδρίας ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς καὶ πρωτοκλισίας ἐν τοῖς δείπνοις,

and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts,

Mark 12:40

οἱ κατεσθίοντες τὰς οἰκίας τῶν χηρῶν καὶ προφάσει μακρὰ προσευχόμενοι· οὗτοι λήμψονται περισσότερον κρίμα.

who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

The Widow's Offering

Mark 12:41

Καὶ [b]καθίσας [c]κατέναντι τοῦ γαζοφυλακίου ἐθεώρει πῶς ὁ ὄχλος βάλλει χαλκὸν εἰς τὸ γαζοφυλάκιον· καὶ πολλοὶ πλούσιοι ἔβαλλον πολλά·

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums.

Mark 12:42

καὶ ἐλθοῦσα μία χήρα πτωχὴ ἔβαλεν λεπτὰ δύο, ὅ ἐστιν κοδράντης.

And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.[a] 

Mark 12:42 Greek two lepta, λεπτὰ, which make a kodrantes; a kodrantes (Latin quadrans) was a Roman copper coin worth about 1/64 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer) Example: $100/64=$1.56 

Mark 12:43

καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ [d]εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἡ χήρα αὕτη ἡ πτωχὴ πλεῖον πάντων [e]ἔβαλεν τῶν βαλλόντων εἰς τὸ γαζοφυλάκιον

And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.

Mark 12:44

πάντες γὰρ ἐκ τοῦ περισσεύοντος αὐτοῖς ἔβαλον, αὕτη δὲ ἐκ τῆς ὑστερήσεως αὐτῆς πάντα ὅσα εἶχεν ἔβαλεν, ὅλον τὸν βίον αὐτῆς.

For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

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

 

Pentecost 25 - Proper 27

Pentecost 25 – Proper 27

November 11, 2018

Mark 12:38-44

O God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, being ever mindful of the end of all things and Your just judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of living here and dwell with You forever hereafter; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Jesus warns the disciples against the scribes, “For in their greed they devour widow’s houses.” By contrast, we see an impoverished widow. Who places two of the smallest coins, worth a penny, into the temple’s treasury.

In the weeks leading up to this morning’s gospel what has Jesus encountered?

We have learned that…Our Lord condemns – The scribes and Pharisees. For their hypocrisy. By their traditions, they had destroyed the commandment, which requires children to honor their father and mother, teaching them to find excuse from helping their parents. “For in their greed they devour widow’s houses.”

The Law of Moses required His people to “honor” their parents. That term “honor” did not suggest mere “lip service”; it included the idea of caring for them in their various needs. However, they had concocted a scheme to avoid this specific responsibility. 

Jesus takes issues with the religious elitists and their false and petty piety - specifically concerning the care of parents - when He says, “You neatly reject the commandment of God in order to set up your tradition. ^{Mark 7:10} For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever insults his father or mother must be put to death.’ ¹¹ But you say that if anyone tells his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you would have received from me is now corban’ (that is, a gift for God), ¹² then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother. ¹³ Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like this.” ^(Vv.9-13)     

A rich young man approaches Jesus asking Him, “What must I do to inherit salvation?” Jesus responds, “You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, (#5) Do not commit adultery, (#6) Do not steal, (#7) Do not bear false witness, (#8) Do not defraud, (#9-10) Honor your father and mother. (#4)’” ^{(Mark 10:17})

Notice what is happening here. Jesus lists the commandments from #5-10 and circles back to #4. Reason why? The man was defrauding his parents.

And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.”

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.   All he had to do was sell what he had to honor and provide for his family. Yet he walked disheartened and sorrowful because of his wealth. Wealth he had received on the backs of his parents.

Jesus is sitting across from the offering boxes. He observes the gifts being given. He calls attention to the widow’s penny. In contrast to the million-dollar gifts offered by the rich. He claims that she gave more than any other. She gave the most. Because she gave out of her poverty. While others gave out of their abundance.

The heroine is an unnamed widow. She needed the money more than the temple or the priests. It would be expected that those who have should give. But those who have nothing – would not be expected to give. But here is a woman. Whose total wealth - are two tiny coins. Her net worth – a penny! Jesus singles her out. She is the example for us.

This widow. Is singled out. She had given more than all the rich put together. She gave her whole living. She gave everything! She gave. ALL!

A widow was almost always poor. Because she had no husband to support her. There were no insurance policies. No death benefits plan. No Social Security.

This impoverished widow. Why was she poor? Back then. Most were poor. The widows were even more destitute and deprived – of property and possessions. Impoverished and insolvent. Overdrawn and in debt. She was broke and bankrupt. And, it could very well be. She found herself in this horrible condition. At the hands of her own children. 

The widow gave voluntarily all that she had. She had very little – “two mites” (KJV), “two very small copper coins, worth on a fraction of a penny” (NIV) What she gave equaled to 1/64 of a Denarius– A Denarius was one day’s pay. 

Let’s do the math in today’s dollars and cents.

According to a Money Magazine article dated March 15, 2018 we find that…   

• The median household income for residents in the state of Indiana is: $50,532
• Divide that total by 250 (50 weeks x 5 working days  = $202.12/day)
• $202.12/64 =$3.15
• She dropped in two coins = $6.30

Now she had nothing. Nothing left except for two coins worth $3.15 each. She trusted she would be taken care of.  Even though the institution in which she was affiliated was wicked; corrupt crooked criminal.   

She gave everything –They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.  She had given more than all the rich people put together because she had given her whole living. Now she had nothing left! Yet, Jesus knew she would be taken care of by God, in whom she trusted. For this reason her faith is counted as great! It was not the amount of the widow’s gift but the attitude in which she gave. She gave as the Savior gave of Himself. 

Jesus is present where His word is taught and preached. Jesus is present where the Sacraments administered. When hymns are sung. And prayers said. But He is also present where money is given for the work of His kingdom.  Such giving is holy. An activity that Jesus willingly observes. He observed that many gave much. This poor widow - gave the most!

During difficult times. Especially in times of hardship. You need to remember Christ’s presence and power to save. The Savior still calls us to be witnesses for Him in this world for He uses you to be His ambassador of peace and good will. As we gather to worship, to pray, to meet the Savior as He comes to us through His means of grace His message of life and salvation will encourage, strengthen and comfort you.

Jesus does all the work, as He points us to the place where our salvation was won; at a cross and empty tomb. The Father is the one who lifts us up to Himself through His mercy and grace. All He asks of us is to place our faith and confidence in Him and to trust Him to do the work He has promised to do.

Jesus moves you to voluntary sacrifice. By reminding you, that He willingly gave His all. His vey life for yours. He left heaven's glory. He became poor for you. He freely bestowed on you forgiveness. And clothed you in His righteousness. By renewing your minds through Word and Spirit so that you give first yourself and then your money, as thank offerings to Him. [1] By pointing you to His ample provision of all your needs. [2]  

Jesus is not dependent on your gifts. Yet He has arranged to carry out His church's work through people just like you. He encourages you to serve your neighbor joyfully.

Jesus sees everything. He sees how much you give.  And your giving is not limited to cash. He sees how you invest your time. He sees how you use your talents. He sees how you employ your gifts. He knows what you value. He sees how you care for others. This widow still serves as an example for us. She gave in faithful response to the only one who would provide – when all had abandoned her – there she was – serving with all that she had.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console,

To be understood as to understand,

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.[3]

Words -1,500

Passive Sentences -7%

Readability –79%

Reading Level -4.7 

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[1] 2.Corinthians 8:2-5; 9:7

[2] Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Philippians 4:19

[3] Peace Prayer of Saint Francis https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/prayer/traditional-catholic-prayers/saints-prayers/peace-prayer-of-saint-francis

Time in the Word - Pentecost 25 - Proper 27

Time in the Word

 November 5-10, 2018

Proper 27
Preparation for next week, Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday’s Theme of sacrifice is evident in all three of our lessons for this coming week. In the Gospel a widow makes a sacrifice of money by giving her last penny. The widow of Zarephath gave her last portion of meal and oil to Elijah out of obedience to his command. Jesus made the once-for-all-time sacrifice for the sins of the world out of love for humankind. The Lessons call upon us to give our all as a sacrifice to God. As we are nearing the end of the church year, the sermon hymn reminds us to keep our heads up to be vigilant as the Son of Man will return at the right time to bring this earth to a close.

This Week’s Morning Prayer Readings

Read and review the following Bible stories for each day… 

Mon., November 5-Saul- 1 Samuel 8-10- selective verses

Tues. November 6–-Saul disobeys-1 Samuel 15- selective verses

Wed. November 7– Chapel Day

Thurs. November 8-David anointed-1 Samuel 16-selective verses

Fri. –November 9- -David & Goliath Pt.1 -1 Samuel 17- selective verses

From the Small Catechism – 3rd Article and Meaning

For our Country: Almighty God, You have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Make us who came from many nations with many different languages a united people. Defend our liberties, and give those whom we have entrusted with the authority of government the spirit of wisdom that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful; and in troubled times do not let our trust in You fail; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

For Responsible Citizenship:  Lord keep this nation under Your care. Bless the leaders of our land that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to the other nations of the earth. Help us provide trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, and thus serve You faithfully in our generation to the honor of Your holy name. 

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.

Collect for Proper 27 –O Lord, by Your bountiful goodness release us from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our weakness we have brought upon ourselves, that we may stand firm until the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Monday, 05 November 2018—Psalm 107:1-2, 41-42, Antiphon, Psalm 107:8 – Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wondrous works to the children of men!  The Antiphon along with the entire psalm is a call to praise the Lord for His unfailing love in that He hears the prayers of those in need and saves them. The Lord has heard the cries of His people in times of great need. Our God will act to help and save His people. 

Tuesday, 06 November 2018—Psalm 146; key verse, verse 9a—The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow but He frustrates the ways of the wicked. In both the Old Testament lesson as well as the Gospel, a poor widow gives all that she has because of great obedience and a strong faith. The key verse reminds us that the Lord will vindicate His own especially the stranger, the widow, and the orphan. The Psalmist invites us to praise the name of the Lord especially for His tender mercies to His people.

Wednesday, 07 November 2018—1 Kings 17:8-16–The sacrifices of God – a sacrifice of obedience. A widow feeds Elijah out of her minimum supplies for many days because the supply of oil and meal was never exhausted. The setting is the northern kingdom of the 9^th Century with Ahab as king and Elijah as prophet. Because of Israel’s faithfulness, Elijah calls down a drought which lasts three years. When the brook dries up, God sends Elijah to a widow in Zarephath for food and drink lest he starve. However, the widow and her son are also dying of starvation. They have a tiny amount for a last meal before dying. Elijah commands her to give food to him and promises that the meal and oil will not fail. True to his word, each day there was enough for one more meal. The Lord preserves His prophet and is faithful to His Word.  

Thursday, 08 November 2018—Hebrews 9:24-28–The sacrifices of God – a sacrifice of love. Christ offers Himself but once for the sins of the world and is coming again.  The author of Hebrews uses the cult to explain the atonement and return of Jesus. As the Jewish high priest annually entered the holy of holies in the temple, Jesus, the high priest, entered the heavens, the temple of God.

The high priest offered a sacrifice annually, but Christ as high priest offers His sacrifice but once.

The high priest offered not his own blood, but Jesus did. His one-time sacrifice took away sin. As judgment comes after a person’s death, so Christ will return for the judgment of the world and to receive those who are waiting for Him.

Friday, 09 November 2018–Mark 12:38-44–The sacrifices of God – a sacrifice of faith. Jesus compliments a poor widow for her sacrificial gift to the temple. Verses 38-40 serve as an introduction to our Gospel lesson for Sunday. Jesus warns the disciples against the scribes, for in their greed they devour widows’ houses. By contrast we see an impoverished widow who places two of the smallest coins, worth a penny, into the temple’s treasury. Jesus is sitting across from the offering boxes and observes the gift being given. He calls attention to the widow’s penny in contrast to the million-dollar gifts of the rich.  He claims that she gave more than any other, because she gave out of her poverty while others gave out of their abundance. 

A widow was almost always poor because she had no husband to support her. There was no insurance policies, no death benefits plan, no Social Security. Because she was extremely poor, she could have been excused from giving to the Lord’s treasury. Rather she should have been given something from the treasury. Her gift proved that she was not poor spiritually. She had the riches of faith in God to motivate her.

Saturday, 10 November 2018—Luke 21:25-36; Matthew 25:31-46-Sunday’s hymn of the day is The Day Is Surely Drawing Near (LSB 508).  Just as the days are growing shorter so also time is counting down to the end of the church year and the end of the world as we know it. This calls for vigilance, patience, and faith. These themes and ideas are all communicated in this much treasured hymn.

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

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

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

Pentecost 25 - Proper 27

Proper 27

November 6, 2016[1]

Luke 20:27–82

After death, anything

The Triune God Curbs Evil and Overcomes Death with Resurrection

Christians live as “sons of God, being sons of the resurrection” (Luke 20:36), for the Lord our God “is not God of the dead, but of the living” (Luke 20:38). “Those who deny that there is a resurrection” (Luke 20:27) neither know the Scriptures nor the power of God, but the baptized faithful know “that the dead are raised” (Luke 20:37). For the Lord, who was, and is and is to come, knows Israel’s sufferings and has “come down to deliver them” (Ex. 3:8). Moses reveals the name of Yahweh to God’s chosen people, by which He is “remembered throughout all generations” (Ex. 3:15). In contrast to that sacred remembrance of His name, St. Paul warns against the antichrist, who “takes his seat in the temple of God” (2 Thess. 2:4). That lawless man preaches and practices the activity of Satan. Christians, however, are comforted by the coming of the Lord Jesus, who slays the antichrist and refutes his false doctrine “with the breath of his mouth” (2 Thess. 2:8). By His preaching, “stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught” (2 Thess. 2:15). Hear, receive and believe God’s promise of love, comfort and good hope.

According to a Gallup poll taken in 1976 - 60% of American people believe there is life after death. While the figure is encouraging it says that almost one-third do not believe anything follows death. That was 40 years ago. What about today? The most recent poll suggests that since 1997, belief in heaven has ranged between 72% and 83%. According to Gallup's most recent Values and Beliefs poll[2], 81% of Americans currently say they believe in heaven, 10% are unsure, and 8% do not believe. There are far less today than when Jesus lived. Do we have any basis for a belief in life after death? Other than wishful thinking? Or a personal longing to continue to live?

In Jesus’ day, the Sadducees used the ridiculous story of a man with seven wives to prove there was no resurrection. We need to know that life after death is not our doing but is God’s work. It is based on the truth that God is an ever-living God and is the God of the living because they live in Him. There is life after death because -

God is God only of the living – V. 38

God loves us in Christ – V. 36

God lives in us by faith in Christ – V. 38

By faith, we believe in the Resurrection for we are Easter people.

1. The Old Testament teaches the Resurrection.

A. The Sadducees try to us the Old Testament to disprove the resurrection. (Vv. 28-33)

B. Yet, Jesus uses the Old Testament to prove the resurrection. (Vv. 34-38)

C. Other Old Testament passages support this truth. (See. Job 19:25-27; Isaiah 26:19;

Daniel 12:2)

2. The New Testament teaches the Resurrection.

A. Jesus is “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25)

B. The resurrection consists of

1. The restoration and glorification of the body (1 Corinthians 15:42-49)

2. The reunion of the body and the soul.

C. Our resurrection has its basis in Christ’s redemption of the human family in His resurrection (Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:14)

D. Jesus’ resurrection has significance for you not only on Judgment Day but also right now. Already in this life it effects in you a spiritual resurrection, empowering you to live even more and more in harmony with the Father’s will.

3. The Resurrection is consistent with the nature of God.

A. God created human beings for life, not death. (Luke 20:37-38)

B. The Father sent His Son to rescue fallen humanity.

1. He buys us back and redeems us. (Mark 10:45)

2. He gives us a new life. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

C. This gives power, purpose and meaning to our life. (Luke 20:38, “for all live to Him”; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:3)

The hope of the resurrection gives life an aim, purpose and goal. The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life funning up and down the field, but you never score a point. We are more then conquerors through Christ who loves us. Because of the cross and empty tomb we are in fact Easter people!

Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for congregational and personal use

Words –765

Passive Sentences – 4%

Readability –68.4%

Reading level – 7.2

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[1] NB The United States presidential election of 2016 11.08.2016

[2] 2014

Time in the Word - Pentecost 25 - Proper 27

Time in the Word:
 Preparation for next week, Pentecost 25 Proper 27

Collect for Sunday O Lord, we pray that the visitation of Your grace may so cleanse our thoughts and minds that Your Son Jesus, when He shall come, may find in us a fit dwelling place; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

God of power and mercy, protect us from all harm. Give us freedom of spirit and health in mind and body to do Your work on earth. 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-seven: Living God, Your almighty power is made known chiefly in showing mercy and pity. Grant us the fullness of Your grace to lay hold of Your promises and live forever in Your presence; 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 148: God Most High, by Your Word You created a wondrous universe and through Your Spirit You breathed into it the breath of life. Accept creation’s hymn of praise from our lips, and let the praise that is sung in heaven resound in the heart of every creature on earth, to the glory of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Collect for All Saints (1 November): Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion, they mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for all those who love You; 

God of Glory

The goodness and greatness of God are brought out in the lessons for next Sunday. According to the Gospel (Luke 20:27-40) we serve an eternal God - A God of the living. God is eternal life and all who live in Him have this life. His glory is seen in His conquest of death. In the Old Testament lesson (Exodus 3:1-15) Moses encounters the living Lord through the burning bush. The bush is on fire yet is not consumed. Moses is commanded to take off his sandals for he is standing on holy ground. In the Epistle (2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, 13-17) God is a faithful God a God of steadfast love. The days are getting shorter. The end of the church year is approaching. We are in the midst of harvest. The eternal and faithful Lord has prepared for Himself a harvest of souls. Will you be numbered with His saints? Our good and gracious God has a destiny for you. He is the God of glory.

Time in the Word
October 31 - 5 November 2016
Preparation for next week, Pentecost 25 Proper 27

Monday, 31 October   2016—Psalm 115:2-4, 8, 17-18 antiphon, Psalm 115:11—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield. We trust in God because He holds Himself to His Word. We trust in Him because He has proven Himself to be faithful; faithful to His Word, faithful to His promises, faithful to His people.

Tuesday, 1 November 2016— Psalm 148 — Let the angels praise God. Let the sun, moon and stars praise God. Let the heavens shout, Hallelujah! Everything that it owes praise to the Creator; the angels in heaven, sun, moon, and stars; nature, the deep, every creature on earth and all mankind.

Wednesday, 2 November 2016— Exodus 3:1-15— The Lord promises Moses to come down and to rescue His people. Notice in verse 12 the Lord promises I will be with you. The Hebrew word translated “I will be” is the same as the one translated “I am” in verse 14. The sign the Lord gives to Moses is a visible proof or guarantee that what God has promised He would surely fulfill.

Thursday, 3 November 2016—2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, 13-17— Paul wishes that God’s blessings may come to His people. In a day of discouragement, depression, and despair many feel there is no hope out of their troubles. Some consider themselves or others as hopeless. Hope disappears when we think that things will never improve. Are we doomed to things as they are? But, there is hope, for hope is not based on us or on the world but on God. Hope is a gift of God. If we go to god, we can have hope. For hope is ultimately based on God’s nature. In verse 16 two eternal truths are brought forward. God loves us in Christ and God has saved you through the grace of Christ.

Are we a praying people? Prayer is a two-way communication between God and the believer. It should also be a two-way deal among Christians. As one prays for another, the other reciprocates in prayer. We need to pray for each other, for we all are in need of prayer. In our lesson Paul prays for his people and he asks them to pray for him. Here is an ideal situation between a pastor and the people. It would also work in the family and on the job.

Friday, 4 November 2016- Luke 20:27-40 — Heaven lacks a number of things; no stress, no hunger, no tears. Best of all there is no cemetery there, because there is no need for one. Heaven is where the living God is and where His people live in and with Him. These people do not die but share eternal life with Christ. There is no death in heaven because God is a God only of the living as people live in and to God. (vs. 38)

Saturday, 5 November 2016—2 Corinthians 12:9 - Matthew 8:23-27 - Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me. (LSB #715). This background of our hymn written in 1870 lies in the work of Edward Hopper, during his ministry at the “Church of the Sea and the Land,” in New York. He was noted for his work among the sailors, to whim he devoted the last years of his ministry in the Presbyterian Church. In common with many hymns, “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me” was first written as a poem. It was first published in The Sailor’s Magazine in 1871 and later came to be used in hymnals. The second stanza of the hymn suggests the miracle of Jesus calming the waves, when He was with His disciples on the sea. The way of life is compared to a voyage on the sea. There are great waves threatening to destroy, rocks upon which our ship may break. But the power of Jesus in our hearts can smooth the waters and carry us on to safety in the harbor of Heaven.

Sources: Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
Collect for Pentecost 24 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, NY The Story of 50 Hymns © 1934 By General Mills, Inc Minneapolis, MN
Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use