Pentecost 7 - Proper 12

Pentecost 7 – Proper 12
28 July 2019
Luke 11:1-13
Your prayers are the voice of faith
 

O Lord, the Protector of all who trust in You, without whom nothing is strong and nothing is holy, increase and multiply Your mercy on us that with You as our Ruler and Guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

"I’ll give you what you want so long as you will…go away!” We’ve each experienced such annoyances and frustrations. From the belligerent and aggressive telemarketer who knows exactly when you sit down to eat to an obnoxious friend. We contribute to a cause not because we are so noble. To the contrary, all too often we give in, submitting to their wishes and demands to acquire for ourselves, a little peace. 

How then are we to approach God? Jesus gives us insight as we consider approaching our Father in prayer. 

After repeated request -you receive mercy.

1. Sometimes we get what we want because we badger people – pounding them into submission.

A. We submit to others, we get what we want, or we press others to do for us – because we know which buttons to push. Try reasoning with a three – year -old. It does not work! They know exactly which button to push! Yours!

B. Some equate prayer, or answers to pray similar to debates parents have with toddlers.  They believe  the only way to get something from God is to first get His attention by complaining until we are heard.

Transition: We do not have to argue with God forcing Him to hear us. He understands us.

2. Not so with the Father. He knows your need.

A. Your heavenly Father knows your needs already. He not so distant that He has to be pushed or driven into submission. We do not have to provoke the Lord. We do not have to wake Him up or stand on our head to gain His attention. 

B. We do not even have to initiate the conversation. Before there is a word spoken from your tongue. He knows it altogether. Before there is even a thought in your mind. Your heavenly Father knows it already.

Transition: As the Father knows you, He is able to provide for all your needs.

3. When you request of the Lord in prayer He will always answer according to your need.

A. Every petition, every request, every plea that we cry out to God has already been answered. The answer is already there for you to receive. Your only prayer needs to be, “Thy will be don Lord!” Recall the explanation give to us from Luther’s Catechism, “The will of God is done indeed without our prayer; but we pray is this petition that it may be done among us also.” 

B. The good and gracious will of God includes – everything that God wants to do for us according to His promise. “God would have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” – 1 Timothy 2:4

C. The good and gracious will of God includes – everything that God wants us to suffer patiently according to His good pleasure. “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” – Matthew 16:24

D. The good and gracious will of God includes – everything God wants us to do as well as avoid – according to His will.  “This is the will of God, even your sanctification.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:3

Transition: You do not have to worry approaching the Father. Every request will be answered by grace for Jesus’ sake.  

4. Every request, every petition, we be answered with grace. 

A. There is no need to worry about holdouts. You do not have to wait for Him to be in a good mood for Him to act. You do not have to worry about Him changing His mind or going back on His Word. His mind is already made up. His Word is clear – “I am the Lord and I change not!”  - Malachi 3:6

B. The Father knows only how to give only good and perfect gifts. This is why we pray. We pray that God would strengthen and preserve us steadfast in His Word and faith unto our end; so that we may at all times do His will as gladly as the angels in heaven. 

C. We pray that God would in all suffering keep us faithful to our end. “He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” – 1 Corinthians 12:9

So what does this mean? God would be these words tenderly invite us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that we may with all boldness and confidence ask –as dear children ask their dear father.

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Words – 835
Passive Sentences – 5% 
Readability – 79.1
Reading Level – 5.3

Pentecost 7 - Proper 13 - Time in the Word

The day emphasizes God’s love in providing for all our needs. Our physical needs are met by Christ in the feeding of five thousand. In the Old Testament lesson we are invited to come to God for spiritual food. God also provides us with love form which we cannot be separated by the world. (Epistle lesson) Compassion motivates Jesus to feed the five thousand. Love causes God to invite us to come and enter into a covenant with Him. God, moreover, will not allow the world to separate us from His love. In the Collect for the day we acknowledge that God has given us all we have and we ask that our material wealth might be a blessing rather then a curse.

Collect for Proper 13 – Heavenly Father, though we do not deserve Your goodness, still you provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge Your gifts, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

For blessing on the Word – Lord God, bless Your Word wherever it is proclaimed. Make it a word of power and peace to convert those not yet Your own and to confirm those who have come to saving faith. May Your Word pass from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip, and from the lip to the life that, as You have promised, Your Word may achieve the purpose for which You send it; through Jesus Christ, my Lord.

A prayer before we study the Word – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, without Your help our labor is useless, and without Your light our search is in vain. Invigorate the study of Your holy Word that, by due diligence and right discernment, we may establish ourselves and others in Your holy faith.

Monday, July 25, 2011 – Psalm 105:39-43 - This is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 1, “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples!” The psalmist encourages us to give thanks. We give thanks to God through our praises. We call upon Him in prayer. These two commands – to call upon the name of the Lord and to praise Him – highlight the rest of the psalm in which the author give ten imperatives or exhortations. Praise and prayer are expressions of devotion to the Lord. The Psalmist throughout the Psalm will encourage the reader to celebrate the Lord’s past saving acts and to trust Him for future deliverance and blessing.
Notice at the end of verse 1 we are to tell of the Lord’s mighty deeds among the peoples among the nations). Missions cannot be separated from the work we do. We reach out to others as we praise the name of our Lord.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 –Isaiah 55:1-5 – God offers food for our souls (spiritual needs) God calls thee hungry and thirsty to come to Him for spiritual food and drink. Can we buy without money or credit cards? There are some things that cannot be bought at any price. Can we buy love, friendship, happiness, or peace? Can we buy friendship with God? The best things in life are not for sale. They come as gifts from God.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 – Romans 9:1-5 – God blesses us with inseparable love (emotional needs). Paul is desperately concerned for non-Christian Jews. Christ deals with the anxiety for non-Christians especially Jews who had accepted the Gospel. He is so concerned that he would be willing to be excluded from the Kingdom if it were the price of getting the Jews into the Kingdom.

Thursday, July 28, 2011 – Matthew 14:13-21 – God through Christ provides food for our bodies (physical needs). Jesus feeds five thousand people with five loaves and two fish. Here is the heartbeat of the miracle. It is a greater factor than the power to bring food for 5,000 out of five loaves of bread. Because of his love for the hurting and the hungry, Jesus is moved to help and heal.

The people are not in a position to help themselves; it is at the end of the day; they are far from civilization; they are out of supplies.

To get food at that time and in that place demanded a miracle. This account teaches that Jesus is not only able but willing to help. Contrast this with many contemporary instances when people in trouble are ignored when they cry for help.

The power of the miracle is Christ. The 5,000 are fed with five loaves. He asks that the loaves and fish be brought to him. He takes the food, gives thanks and breaks the bread until all are fed. The tremendous truth in this act is that man is little and Christ can do great things. This reminds us also that a common meal in the home or out in a field can be a sacramental act of love when the bread is blessed and shared.

Friday, July 29, 2011 – Psalm 136:1-9 – This Psalm is suggested for next Sunday. The theme of thanksgiving continues in the suggested Psalm for this coming week. It is a liturgy of praise to the Lord as Creator and as Israel’s redeemer. Vv. 7-9 echoes Genesis 1:16.

Saturday, July 30, 2011 – Luke 1:68-79 – This passage is the inspiration for the hymn “Jesus Has Come and Brings Pleasure.” {LSB 53} They are the words of Zachariah as he prophesied concerning Christ at the circumcision of his son John. The words of the prophet are clear. Jesus, the Messiah from the house of David has the power to save and heal.

Sources:
LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LECTIONALRY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES A © 1980 John Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH
Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts Zachariah names John, Jesus feeds the 5,000 © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

Pentecot 7 - mid-week

Luke 10:1-9; 16

In Christ God’s kingdom comes to you. Jesus sends out His disciples into the world to witness. As He sent them in to the world He also sends you. Considers the Savior’s directive.
1. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Luke 10:3 Consider the territory the Lord is sending you.
A. The world is hostile to the cause of Christ. This is why you represent Christ to the world. Some may say, there’s a church on almost every corner. If someone wants to go to church, they can! Yet, throughout this text Jesus emphasizes the urgency of going out and witnessing through visitation which is essential today. People quite frankly will not come to the church. The church must go to the people. This is where the faithful witness of Christians from every walk of life impacts the world for Christ. People do not come to a church because of a program. They come because someone in their life has impacted them and invited them to come and meet Jesus.
B. The Savior sends you as lambs among wolves. Wolves would destroy helpless sheep. The forces of the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh are about seeking to destroy your faith. We must be aware of what we are up against. The devil is serious when it comes to your faith – he seriously wants to destroy it. He doesn’t want you to receive that peace which only the Savior can give. His desire is to see the church splinted, fractured and broken.
C. Thus our attitude must be that of meekness. Humbleness of heart is essential. Consider the encouragement of the Savior when He said in Matthew’s gospel, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:29-30
D. This is our reality – we’re walking in a troubled world. Yet, we are shielded. Says St. Paul, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:11-17
Transition: As we are being sent into hostile territory we put on the full armor of God and place our reliance on Him who has saved us.
2. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. Luke 10:4
A. A classmate from the seminary did this – literally. He carried no identification, not even a bill fold. He carried no back pack, nor a suitcase, not even a change of clothing. He walked into Mexico - and greeted no one on his journey until he happen to come upon a house. From within the house someone called the police and he was whisked away by the authorities and spend a half a year in a Mexican prison. He took this verse literally, and it got him into trouble – literally! What is it that the Savior is getting at here? He’s speaking about our attitude. You need an attitude which is totally dependent upon Christ.
B. Your attitude needs to be – totally focused on Christ. Our reliance needs to be placed firmly on Christ. Without Him we are lost and abandoned in this troubled world. There should be nothing other then Christ as our center.
Transition: Have a faith completely reliant upon Christ we share with those who are of the same faith.
3. When you enter a house, first say, FRIEDHEIM! ‘Peace to this house. Luke 10:5
A. Whenever I read this verse I like to translate it as follows, “When you enter a house, first say, “Friedheim!” The Savior has truly blessed us here! This is a haven of peace and a harbor of hope – for lost and troubled souls. For here we find peace and rest for troubled souls.
B. Building peace and maintaining it is serious and difficult business. But a necessary task. My hope and prayer is that the peace of Christ would always rest at this place. Recall the words of our Savior, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” –John 14:27
Transition: Greeting our brothers and sisters in Christ sharing in this same faith will enable faith, hope and love to grow and flourish.
4. If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Luke 10:6
A. A man of peace will be a man of faith – Faith and peace will be self evident. As we share and life our faith that faith will grow. When faith and peace are evident it will not return back.
B. If there is no peace I that house ours remains. No one can believe for another, each is on their own. We reap what we sow – if we sow only to ourselves and to a corrupt nature we reap destruction. If we sow toward God we reap life – life with God now and life in the future which leads to eternal life.

Pentecost 7 - Proper 11

The apostles gathered round Jesus and reported to Him all they had done and taught.

We think of the first Christians as apostles, men sent to preach by Christ Jesus. In our Gospel Mark makes the only mention of the disciples as apostles. Jesus had sent them out two by two on a preaching – healing mission and now they return to report back to Him.

There were only a small select number of persons chosen to be called to be apostles. Yet, as a redeemed child of God you have been selected sent by Him who has redeemed you to witness and serve in His name.

1. You are sent by Christ.
A. He has commissioned His church to bear witness for Him.
B. Our marching orders are simple and direct – to make disciples of the nations.
1. By Baptizing
2. By teaching all that He has commanded

2. You can witness to God’s love in Christ.

A. The early disciples would simply say, “we are witnesses of these things.”
B. You have been called to give testimony of what Christ has done in your life. Nathanael said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see.”[1]

3. You can serve others in Christ’s name.
A. ‘Inasmuch as you have done it to the least of these my brothers you have done it unto Me.”[2]
B. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward.[3]

You have been given a high, high calling. Sent forth by the Savior you bear witness of His love as you serve others in His name. By any other name it’s still the same – if you are a Christian you are a sermon in shoes.




[1] John 1:46
[2] Matthew 25:40
[3] Matthew 10:42

Time in the Word - Pentecost 7 Proper 11

In the lessons for this coming Sunday several themes can be seen: that nature of a good shepherd, the functions of a good shepherd, and the togetherness of God’s people through a Davidic king, Christ, and the church. The last is suggested as the theme – togetherness. Jesus in the Gospel takes His disciples, who just returned from their preaching-healing mission, on a retreat. Jeremiah in the Old Testament lesson explains that the exile was due to false shepherds and the scattered sheep will be brought back to Israel under a Davidic king. Jew and Gentile (in the Epistle lesson) are made one through the blood of Christ and their oneness in the church. The Psalm’s refrain, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me…” reminds us of the Gospel – “He had compassion on them.” The Hymn of the Day sings of Jesus who is the center of the church’s life and the foundation on which we build.

Collect for Proper 11 – Heavenly Father, though we do not deserve Your goodness, still You provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge Your gifts, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen

Monday, 13 July 2009—Psalm 147:7-11, Antiphon, Psalm 145:16— You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing. Jesus sets the table. Jesus supplies all that we may ever need. The Lord is faithful. We will never be in need. He has promised to supply our daily wants and desires. Daily tells how much God should give us, enough for the day. We do not ask God that He give us now what we need in years to come, but it is sufficient if we get what we need each day.

Tuesday, 14 July 2009—Psalm 23; key verse v.6— Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever... Goodness and mercy both refer to the benefits of being a child of God, namely that we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The Hebrew for this word suggests”throughout the years”. Because of the relationship with have with Jesus Christ we will live and reign with Him throughout all eternity. What a comfort it is to have a relationship with our Lord and Savior.

Wednesday, 15 July 2009—Jeremiah 23:1-6— Restoration. Exiles together under a Davidic king. Under new shepherds, God will return His people from captivity, and so a Davidic king will reign. In this passage Jeremiah predicts that because of false shepherds (rulers) the people will go into captivity. This happened in Jeremiah’s lifetime (586 BC) when the Jews were deported to Babylon. Jeremiah goes on to promises that God will raise up true shepherds who will bring back the exiles. In fact, there is to come a Davidic king who will rule with justice and righteousness. Under this Davidic ruler Israel will be restored as a nation.

Thursday, 16 July 2009—Ephesians 2:11-22— Reunion. Jews and Gentile together in Christ. Christ has made us one in God and in the church. The heart of Ephesians is in this passage. In Vv. 13-18 we learn of the peace Christ grained between Jew and Gentile. Vv. 19-22 spell out the consequences of that peace. In the person of Christ and His cross, Jew and Gentile are made one. Christ died for both, and they are one in Christ by faith. Thus, they have a oneness in Christ, oneness with God and with each other. Christ’s death has removed the hostility and cancelled the law which separated Jew from Gentile. The two are now one in the church. The practical result is that Gentiles are no longer aliens but members of God’s family.

Friday, 17 July 2009—Mark 6:30-44 — Retreat. Christ and the disciples together. Jesus takes His disciples to a lonely place for rest and teaches the crowd that gathers. This lesson combines the conclusion dealing with the sending out of the disciples and the introduction to the feeding of the five thousand. The disciples return from their preaching journey and are exhausted. People with needs throng around them so that they do not get any rest. Jesus takes them in a boat to a secluded spot that they may rest and be apart from the crowd. But the people will not let them alone. When the boat comes to shore, the people are waiting for them. Seeing the crowd, Jesus expresses compassion for them because they are as sheep without a shepherd. Before Jesus gives them physical bread, he gives them spiritual food by teaching them.

This is the only time Mark refers to the Twelve as “apostles.” It is an appropriate name; for they had just returned form a preaching-healing mission. An apostle is one who is sent forth by Christ.

Seeing the multitudes might have angered Jesus. He was taking the disciples apart for a retreat so sorely needed. He could have become impatient and told the people to scram. His reaction reveals His heart – compassion. He felt sorry for them because they were in desperate need. He has the heart of God, the God of love. Because of His compassion, Jesus cares about people.

Saturday, 18 July 2009— Ephesians 2:20 - Sunday’s hymn of the day, The Church’s One Foundation (LSB 644). Paul pictures a house when he speaks of the structure of the church. The foundation is solid as the church is based on the Old and New Testaments the prophets and the apostles. The tested stone on which the church rests is Christ on which everything centers around. With such a structure the church moves forward victoriously.

Collect for Pentecost 7—Grant, Lord, that the course of this world may be so governed by Your direction that Your church may rejoice in serving You in godly peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen

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

Prayer for Home and Family: Visit, we implore You, O Lord, the homes in which Your people dwell, and keep far from them all harm and danger. Grant us to dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels, and may Your blessing be with us forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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

Pray for Peace: O God, whom come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works, give to us, Your servants, that peace which the world simply cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey Your commandments and also that we, being def3ended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 and Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House and from Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House.
Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcut used with permission from WELS
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B – John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH