Time in the Word - Proper 11 - July14-19, 2008

God’s Faithful People

Collect for Proper 11 –O God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of Your final judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of living here and dwell with You in perfect joy hereafter; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.

There is a tension between the faithful and the unfaithful. The unfaithful are the weeds of the parable in the Gospel while the wheat is God’s faithful people. In the final judgment the unfaithful are excluded while the faithful are accepted by God. In the Old Testament lesson the faithful acknowledge God to be the one and only God. For the faithful who are weak, the Spirit intercedes for them. The prayers of the faithful are echoed in the great hymn of the church “Lord keep us steadfast in Thy Word.”

Two simple yet heart felt Prayers –

“Almighty God, grant us a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, a cheerful hope in Your mercy, and a sincere love for You and one another.”

“Pour out upon us, O Lord, the spirit to think and do what is right, that we, who cannot even exist without you, may have the strength to live according to your will.”

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.

Monday, July 14, 2008 – Psalm 86:1-15 - This is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 6, “Give ear, O lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.” In our need we pray to the Lord because out of His kindness and love our Lord answers each prayer.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008 – Isaiah 44:6-8 –The faithful believe in the one true God. There is no god but God. It could be that Isaiah in these words is recalling a song of Moses, which describes God as “the Rock” (see Deuteronomy 32:4, 15, 30-31). This metaphor the Lord is also common in the book of Psalms. (see Ps. 18:2).

Wednesday, July 16, 2008– Romans 8:18-27 –The faithful have the Spirit intercede for them. The Spirit intercedes for those who do no t know how to pray. Both creation and creatures groan for redemption. Paul sees redemption in its cosmic perspective. With Adam the whole creation fell and the ground was cursed. It is in a state of decay and the whole creation groans for redemption from its bondage of decay and death. Nature is tooth and fang and it exists on the principle of “dog eat dog.” Paul sees the release of nature’s bondage when there will be a new heaven and a new earth at the time of the Savior’s return. Humanity’s sin pollutes nature, ravishes the good earth, and threatens creatures with extinction. Human beings share in this longing for redemption which by faith in Christ we now experience in part. With creation we long for the full redemption of our bodies when Christ returns.

Thursday, July 17, 2008 – Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43 –The faithful enter heaven in the parable of the wheat and the weeds. The parable of the wheat and weeds and Jesus’ explanation of its meaning. Jesus gives this parable because he is criticized for associating with sinners and outcasts (vv. 24-30). The allegorical explanation of the parable is the product of the early church as the parable applied to it in its day (vv. 36-40).

The parable teaches that we are not to judge who is a true or false Christian. We are not to weed out the weeds because in doing so, we would destroy the wheat. On the day of judgment God will judge and separate the weeds and the wheat. Until that time comes the church needs to have patience and forbearance of the weeds among the wheat.

The wheat (good) and the weeds (bad) are in the kingdom, not in the world. We could understand it if the parable applied to the world where there are all kinds of people. The kingdom of heaven is the kingdom of God, and the kingdom of God is God’s realm, God’s people, the church. The church of God consists of good and evil, wheat and weeds.

Friday, July 18, 2008 – Psalm 119:57-64 – This Psalm is suggested for next Sunday. This section falls under the Hebrew letter “Heth” The Lord is the psalmist’s true homestead because it is god’s law that fills the earth with all that makes life secure and joyous. So God’s promises are his hope and God’s righteous laws his delight.

Saturday, July 19, 2008 - John 5:14 – This passage is the inspiration for the hymn “In holy conversation.” {LSB 772} The eternal consequences of sin are more serious than any physical ailment. Thus we look to Christ who has borne our diseases and carried our sorrows.

Sources:
LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

THELUTHERAN HYMNAL © 1942 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

LECTIONALRY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES A © 1980 John Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH

Proper 10 - July 13, 2008

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Friedheim

10653 N – 550 W
Decatur, IN 46733
260-547-4248

www.zionfriedheim.org

A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century Faith
Acts 2:42

Celebrating our 170th Year
Chartered February 25, 1838

July 13, 2008
Proper 10
Matthew 13:1-8

Today’s Gospel is the parable of the sower. The parable is an answer to the question, “why are there different responses to the preaching of the Word?” The problem is not with the seed, nor is there an issue with the sower. It is a problem of the soils and their response to the seed. It concerns the people’s part in preaching and the art of listening. Let us pray to the Lord…

“Almighty God, we thank You for planting in us the seed of Your Word. By Your Holy Spirit help us to receive it with joy, live according to it, and grow in faith and hope and love.”

Introduction: Crowds come to hear Jesus, but not all become believers. They may have enjoyed His message. They probably went away impressed with His wisdom and authority, but they did not follow Him. To deal with this problem, Jesus tells the parable of the sower. Only one-fourth of the people produced results.

Our text begs the question. What kind of hearers are there in our world today? There are four. There is the Fly-by-night hearer; the Fair weather hearer; the Too busy hearer; and the productive hearer.

1. Fly-by-night hearer — v. 4. “…and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up.” [New American Standard Bible © 1995]

A. Jesus explains in verse 19: “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.”

B. When some heavy trial threatens them, or some peril appears to overwhelm them, they give up or disguise their profession of faith, or they turn to some easier system.

The Christian faith and the Christian life is no guarantee of an easy life or a life lived well, or a life devoid of problems and difficulties. Some are looking for a “trouble – free” life. When challenges come – and they will - they abandon ship.

Now so for you! FEED YOUR FAITH, AND DOUBT WILL STARVE TO DEATH! When you are sad the Savior reminds you - Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. When others have failed you - David reminds us in Psalm 27, The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When you faith is battered and weak the writer to the Hebrews reminds us - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.

Transition: What kind of hearers are there in our world today? There is the fly-by-night hearer. There is also the fair weather hearer.

2. Fair weather hearer — vv. 5-6. “Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. “But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.” [New American Standard Bible © 1995]

A. Jesus explains in VV. 20-21: “The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.”

B. Worldly cares, they came into this world with sin, and are a fruit of the curse. Notice the conversation between Adam and his Lord in the garden after the fall into sin. And the man said, The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” (Genesis 3:12) Adam refuses to take any responsibility for his actions. There is no culpability on his part. He blames God completely. It was - that woman - whom You gave me.

God had placed Adam into the position of being priest, provider and protector. Adam throws it all back into the face of God and says in effect, “I was doing what You commanded me to do Lord…I listened to her!

So, the Lord takes Adams words - and reads them right back to him. And unto Adam he said, Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it: cursed is the ground for your sake…” (Genesis 3:17)

A man must be well armed when dealing with temptation and the cares of this life; they are entangling, vexing, scratching, and their end is to be burned. [see Hebrews 6:8 “…but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned] Worldly cares are a great hindrance to our profiting by the word of God.

C. God sends sunshine and rain on the earth. If it brings forth food for man, it is blessed. But, if it brings forth thorns and briers, they are rejected. So God, who blesses our lives, and refreshes them with the Gospel, demands righteous fruit. If they bear thorns, the end is destruction.

Transition: What kind of hearers are there in our world today? There is the fly-by-night hearer. There is the fair weather hearer. There is also the too busy hearer.

3. Too busy hearer — v. 7. “Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out.” [New American Standard Bible © 1995]

A. Listen to the Savior’s words in verse 22: “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”

B. The lies of riches do the mischief; they cannot deceive us however - unless we put our trust in them. Then they choke the good seed. Such is the temptation of this current age. If I only had a better school for my children to attend – then - my life would be perfect. Oh, if I only had a better career – then - I could spend my money on the things I would like to do. Oh, if I only had a better house to purchase. – Then - my life would be complete! Or, would it? These temptations always point to the self. And as we have come to know – a man all wrapped up in himself is a pretty small package. And God and His faithful promises found in His Word are put on the back burner or placed upon the shelf. Christ’s ways then become suspect.

Transition: What kind of hearers are there in our world today? There is the fly-by-night hearer. There is the fair weather hearer. There is the too busy hearer. There is also the productive hearer.

4. Productive hearer — v. 8. “And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” [New American Standard Bible © 1995]

A. Christ does not say that this good ground has no stones in it, or no thorns; but none that could hinder its fruitfulness. In spite of any present day trouble God’s word is there working in your life strengthening you in spite of your problems and frustrations. In spite of the battles you must endure. Who is such a person? It’s the person mourning the death of a loved one. It’s the person who struggled with their family budget Saturday night and needs to be reminded the most precious gift was and still is free. It’s the abused person. It’s the unemployed person. It’s the person fighting demonic temptation or oppression. It’s the person struggling with guilt. It’s the person who is dying and desires this seal of the resurrection. It’s the person who hungers for the gifts of Christ’s Holy Word and Sacrament.

B. All are not alike; we should aim at the highest, to bring forth most fruit. The sense of hearing cannot be better employed than in the hearing God's word. Thus the question: what sort of hearers are we.

Conclusion: Jesus will conclude His parable with these simple yet powerful words, “He who has ears....let him hear.” Says the Savior, “And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” (V. 23) Who does not have ears? The truth is proclaimed to all people regardless of condition of life. It reminds us that God desires all to be saved, for all to have the good things of God’s grace.

Christianity is a universal religion, its goal - a faith for every person. The ability to reject the Word is the hearer’s. If one rejects it, it is his own fault. It is not God’s will for any person to be ignorant of the truth or to be lost in his relationship with God. The Savior’s words in Vv. 8-9 explain the text “And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. “He, who has ears, let him hear.”

Cat Pic Friday

I don't know why but Lydia says you're suppose to link a pic of your cat on Fridays if you have a blog and a cat...

Tacy and Salem are back to tolerating each other. No more hissing from Tacy unless Salem tries to chase her. Tacy still seems put out that Salem gets moist cat food while hers is the bland dry diet. Here they are both sitting on the stool in the kitchen.

For the second time this year a mourning dove has built a nest on our font porch. The second nest was built on top of the first one. Momma bird just left the nest this morning which means the two chicks will be leaving on their own soon. Momma will sit on the phone wire watching over her brood for about a week - then they are on their own.

Humm… there are a few parenting tips you can learn just by observing the animals in your house…

If you own a dog he will think you are God. If you have a cat she will think of you as staff.

Thou shalt not Covet…

…but what should be your response when that dream machine falls directly into your line of sight?

One of the things I have enjoyed while supervising three Vicars over the last three years is “talking shop” while making visits either to the hospital or on shut-in and home visits.

Seems with my most recent Vicar however, no sooner does he get into my car but a Mercedes or a BMW or a Lexis come driving past us in the other lane. He's become a luxury car magnet!

The other day one of our members came driving by in an International CXT truck. His son was having his high school graduation party. This member works for company that encourages employees to take a CXT to public events. He works for subsidiary of IH. Thus he had it for his son's graduaction party. He let me drive it around the block. A sweet ride!

Before Lydia was born I drove a 1985 Pontiac Fireo. It got 30 mpg...but was not quite practical for a growing family.

With gas prices ever increasing I guess I’ll stick with my 2005 Dodge Neon. It gets 30 mpg [same as the 1985 Fiero...humm twenty years later and 30 mpg hasn't changed...] but it is still nice to dream... And besides, what can or should I do when that Mercedes pulls up beside me at a red light? It's not polite to gawk.

A year ago Tammy and I passed a caravan of about seven Cadillac XLR two-seaters on highway 37 between Martinsville and Bloomington. [on the way to the IU v. Illinois football game] Oh my…

For the time being our money will be traveling with our children to Terre Haute and to Bloomington…better to invest in an education then making payments on a car which will only depreciate in value.

Possibly I can go to the Meredes dealership, purchase their tradmark emblem, and fix it on the back of my Neon.

Until then I guess I will get my fix at the Aubern Cord Duisenberg festival come September...aaah!

Time in the Word - Proper 10 - July 7-12, 2008

The main theme of our readings for the coming week is the Word of God and nature is used to explain the Word. Like seed, the Word is scattered and is received by various kinds of hearers. As the rain and snow cause nature to produce, God’s Word also is certain to accomplish God’s purpose. The Epistle lesson gives us that purpose: the redemption of the whole creation. The suggested hymn of the day “Almighty God Your Word is Cast” harmonizes with the theme of the Word.

Collect for Proper 10 – Blessed Lord, since You have caused all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning, grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit. One God, now and forever.

Monday, July 7, 2008 – Psalm 103:15-19 - This is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 8, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” This verse is a summation of the Father’s love and compassion for this fallen world. He desires not the death of the sinner but that all would come in repentance. He desires the redemption of all. Thus He plants the seeds of faith into our hearts that by His grace a harvest may come.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 – Isaiah 55:10-13 – God’s Word accomplishes His purpose. The Word of God has within it an inherent, latent power. Jesus compared the Word to seed. A seed has within it the power of life, to break out of its shell and to grow into a plant. The Word, like a seed, has power to accomplish the purpose for which it was created and sent. It is a lively Word, a living Word. Herein is the secret of powerful preaching. Whenever the Word is proclaimed, the Word, finding fertile soil, will produce remarkable results by transforming lives and creating faith. The secret of great preaching is not in the preacher, not in his personality, wisdom, or techniques. For this reason, biblical preaching is the most effective kind of preaching.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008– Romans 8:12-17 –The purpose of God’s Word is redemption. Both creation and creatures groan for redemption. We can have both death and life in us. Though dead, we can live and though living we can be dead. There is one type of life — existence, the physical, natural, earthly life. It is the life of the flesh which results in sin and death. There is possibly another life. It is the one with God lived in faith. This life is the product of the Spirit received at baptism. Through baptism a person is born again in the Spirit, adopted as a child of God and now lives in the Spirit of righteousness. The new person knows he is related to God, because the Spirit witnesses to our spirits that we are God’s offspring.

Thursday, July 10, 2008 – Matthew 13:1-9 (18-23) –Various kinds of hearers of God’s Word – the parable of the seed and sower. For an effective sermon it takes sower, seed, and soil. Apparently no fault can be found with the sower (Jesus), or with the seed (Word). The problem is with the soil, the hearer. Only the good soil brings a harvest. That may be the situation, but what can be done about the three kinds of soil that do not produce? The parable has nothing to say about this problem. It is simply stating a fact of reality. The preacher needs to be concerned about making good listeners out of his congregation.

Jesus said, “He who has ears....” Who does not have ears? The truth is proclaimed to all people regardless of condition of life. It reminds us that God desires all to be saved, all to have the good things of God’s grace. Christianity is a universal religion, a faith for every person. The responsibility to accept the Word is the hearer’s. If one rejects it, it is his own fault. It is not God’s will for any person to be ignorant of the truth or to be lost in his relationship with God.

Friday, July 11, 2008 – Psalm 65:1-13 – This Psalm is suggested for next Sunday. The key verse “By awesome deed Thou dost answer us in righteousness, O God our salvation. Thou who are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea.” (v.5).

Saturday, July 12, 2008 –Mark 4:3-9 – This passage is the inspiration for the hymn “Almighty God, Your Word is Cast.” {LSB 577} The sower goes out to sow his grain. God’s Word will work where it is planted. We trust Him to do His work. All He asks of us is to faithful in the sharing of Christ’s living Word.

A Prayer For the work of the congregation as we anticipate our Quarterly Voters' meeting – Almighty God and Lord, as You have called us to labor in Your vineyard, so grant us now Your presence. Enlighten and guide us by Your Word that in all matters of deliberation we may always consider the best interests of Your church and this congregation. Let Your Holy Spirit rule and direct our hearts that, in the spirit of Christian love, we may present and discuss matters and be kindly disposed toward one another, to the end that all we say and do may please You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

SOURCES:

LUTHERAN SERVICE BOOK © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

THELUTHERAN HYMNAL © 1942 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

LECTIONALRY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES A © 1980 John Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH

25th Anniversary of Ordination - July 3, 2008

Baptized, Confirmed and Ordained at Emanuel Lutheran Church, New Haven, IN



Vicarage Imanuel Lutheran Church & School Rock Island, IL - 1981/1982



Served Trinity Lutheran Church & School Lansing IL July 1983 - March 1987









Serving Zion Friedheim Lutheran Church & Wyneken Memorial Lutheran School since March, 1987

Time in the Word - Proper 9 June 30 - July 5, 2008

Peace (rest) is the obvious theme for the coming week. Zechariah tells of the king of peace coming to Israel; the passage is often used on Psalm Sunday. This promise is fulfilled by the Messiah – Jesus] who invites the burdened to Himself where they will find rest for their souls. In the Epistle lesson Paul dramatically describes his inner conflict and its resolution in Christ the Deliverer. This theme of peace is carried forward in the Prayers of the Day with references to God as the source of peace and to us as being peacemakers. The Psalm mentions the King and thus refers to the Old Testament lesson. The Hymn of the week is related to the Gospel lesson

Collect for Proper 9 – Gracious God, our heavenly Father, Your mercy attends us all our days. Be our strength and support amid the wearisome changes of this world, and at life’s end grant us Your promised rest and the full joys of Your salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, June 30, 2008 – Psalm 91:1-10 - This is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 1, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Tuesday, July 1, 2008 – Zechariah 9:9-12 – Peace for the nations. Jerusalem is promised that her king is coming to bring peace to the nations. Rejoice (v. 9). What is there to rejoice about? Can we rejoice over the shortage of energy, the arms race, the pollution of the earth, the racial unrest, and political corruption? God gives Israel reason to rejoice — a world ruler is coming in peace for the peace of the world. If we could have world peace,
a world government of justice, a ruler of compassion, we would have reason to shout with joy. Has this King not come in Jesus? Christians should be a celebrating people.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008– Romans 7:14-25a – Peace for the individual. Christ delivers Paul from the raging war between the carnal and spiritual selves. A Christian has a dual nature: a carnal and spiritual nature, that are in conflict with each other. It results in one’s doing what one does not want to do and vice versa. This struggle between good and evil continues to the point where one exclaims, “Wretched man that I am.” It is not a matter of a good higher nature and a lower evil nature. The whole person is in need of redemption, not only the lower self. The only solution is the redemption of the whole body of Christ from the body of death. For this Paul gives thanks.

Deliverance (v. 24). If a Christian has not only a dual but a duel nature, the conflict that persists leads to despair of self. The victim of this civil war cries out in despair, “Wretched man that I am!” Is there no end, no way out? Paul found the solution in Christ for whom he gives thanks for the deliverance. Christ is our peace who brings together the two warring selves into one integrated, harmonious person.

Thursday, July 3, 2008 – Matthew 11:25-30 – Peace for the followers of Christ. They who put on the yoke of Christ will receive rest for their souls. This pericope is in sharp contrast to Jesus’ earlier teachings about the price of discipleship and to his harsh warnings to cities that rejected him. The passage is warm, intimate, and consoling. He thanks the Father for revealing the truth to his “babes,” his simple unlearned disciples. His reference to God as Father indicates his unity with his Father whom alone knows him and whom he knows alone. Though tough demands are made on the disciples, Jesus promises rest to those heavily burdened if they will take his yoke upon them, for his
yoke is easy and his burden is light.

A new religion (vv. 28-30). Jesus invites us to leave an old religion for a new one, his religion. It is not a religion of Jesus but about Jesus. His religion gives rest from a religion of law, duty, and obligation — a religion of works to be saved. As the object of our worship, he is gentle and humble. Our commitment to him is easy and light because our service to him is voluntary (“Come”). His yoke is “easy,” because it fits us perfectly. This should save our religion from being a bore or a burden. Instead, the Christian religion is one of joy.

Friday, July 4, 2008 – Psalm 145:1-5 – This Psalm is suggested for next Sunday. The key verse “I will extol thee, my God and my King” (v. 1a).

Saturday, July 5, 2008 –John 6:35 – This passage is the inspiration for the hymn “I heard the Voice of Jesus say.” {LSB 752}

A simple yet heart felt Prayer – “Almighty God, grant us a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, a cheerful hope in Your mercy, and a sincere love for You and one another.”

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 come 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; in troubled times do not let our trust in You fail; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen