Commentary on Sunday's Gospel

Posted this two years ago...

During a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Bush received a taste of the immense resentment many Iraqis feel toward his policies: Just after Bush finished his remarks and said “Thank you” in Arabic, an Iraqi journalist took off his shoes and hurled them both at Bush, one after the other. The incident lent an air of chaos and farce to a trip intended to highlight improving security conditions in the war-torn country.

“This is a farewell kiss!” the man, identified as Muntadar al-Zaidi, a reporter with the Cairo-based network Al Baghdadia Television, yelled as he threw the shoes. Bush had to duck out of the way, and narrowly missed being hit, according to on-scene reports. Al-Maliki reached out his hand to shield the president.

Zaidi started to yell “Dog, dog!” as he was surrounded by security agents, who tackled him to the floor and began to beat him. Zaidi was later removed from the ornate room where the news conference was taking place.

To throw a shoe is the worst sign of contempt in this part of the world. What is it that John the Baptist said in Sunday's Gospel, "I am unworthy to unti his shoe strap..." Without Christ we are worse then dogs, we are poor, condemned miserable sinners without hope.

Epiphany 1

Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River Your proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized into His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

At His baptism Jesus received the Spirit and heard God declare that He was God’s Son. It was a prayer experience in which Jesus heard the voice of His Father. For us, our own baptism too is a religious experience in which we communicate with God. Baptism is more then an objective affair. In baptism we are given the Spirit which enables us to will and to do the Father’s good pleasure.

On society seems almost at times obsessed demanding to have only natural products (examples). When it comes to our Savior He gives us that one thing needful. He gives us Himself.

1. John becomes the Forerunner of Christ.
A. John’s ministry had people asking whether he might be the Christ.
Luke 3:15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ (v.15)
1. They were in expectation.
2. John’s preaching had accomplished its purpose. Luke 3:10-14 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” (Vv.7-14)
B. John’s response to their question “Not me”
1. One mightier then he is coming. In comparison to Him, John is not worthy. Luke 3:16 John answered them all; “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. (v.16)
2. His work will be greater than John’s
a. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Luke 3:16 He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (v.16c)
b. He will bring in the harvest and separate the wheat from the chaff. The harvest will be in His hands.

2. Jesus is the one who is to come – the Christ.
A. Jesus’ baptism is a public proclamation of His ministry.
1. John the Baptism is not even mentioned here. Jesus becomes the central figure. He must remain the central focus in al we do. In this New Year may Christ be the center of everything we do. May our focus be on Him.
2. The witness of the Spirit is shown in His descent as a dove.
3. The blessing of the Father is on His “beloved Son”. Isaiah 42:1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. (Isaiah 42:1) If the baptism of Jesus was his official initiation into the messianic office, with the descent of the Spirit representing his anointing for the work, the present passage too presents Jesus' ministry in prospect from the perspective of his baptismal inauguration.
B. Jesus’ work begins for us as the beloved Son.
1. He is the real deal.
2. His this first act of His ministry Jesus publicly receives His commission.
3. He must be the center of our lives as our Redeemer.

In the final analysis, nothing matters except this One who was baptized in the waters of the Jordan. He was not an imposter or traveling preacher. He was the One to whom all the prophets pointed. John the Baptist could also only direct the attention of the people to Him, for He is the Beloved Son of the Father.
Schnorr von Carolsfeld Woodcuts © WELS for personal and congregational use

Time in the Word - Epiphany 1

Anointed with the Spirit is the theme for this coming Sunday. Christmas is officially over for the year and a new season is upon us. Epiphany literally means “I see it!” or “Now I understand!” or “I’ve got it!” In Epiphany this infant whom we have worshiped at the manger we now see as God’s chosen One. Hence the antiphon for the Introit will be taken from Isaiah’s prophecy Jesus is the Father’s chosen one, the one in whom He delights. Jesus begins His public ministry at His baptism. Now we see Him as He is. Now we understand what He will do. In the Old Testament lesson God’s Servant is anointed with the Spirit to bring Justice. In the Gospel lesson Jesus is anointed with the Spirit as God’s Son at His Baptism. Paul in the Epistle reminds his readers, that through our own incorporation into Christ we are to be regarded as dead to sin and alive in Christ. The Hymn of the day recounts Christ’s own baptism and calls for us to live our lives anew to Him who has redeemed us. It’s a new year. How’s that New Year’s resolution coming? By the Spirit’s aid celebrating the Savior’s baptism and remembering our own can help us resolve to forget the past and live a new life as He directs us. See the petition for the likeness of Christ.

Collect for Epiphany 1 –Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen

Monday, 04 January 2010—Psalm 2:7-11, 12c, Antiphon, Isaiah 42:1a – Behold My servant, whom I uphold, My chosen, in whom My soul delights. When the matador enters the ring, when your favorite teams enters the court there is a thunder of applause from the adoring crowd. This is the Father’s response not only to His own Son Jesus but also with you. By grace through faith you have been incorporated into God’s family. At the celebration of the baptism of our Lord we also remember our own baptism. This is your new status as one of Christ’s redeemed.

Tuesday, 05 January 2010—Psalm29; key verse v3 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. This week’s Psalm is a hymn of praise to the King of creation whose majesty and power are trumpeted by the thunderbolts of the rainstorm – as the storm rose above the Mediterranean swept across the Lebanon range and rolled over the wilds of Kadesh. The key verse is the believer’s response we are to worship the Lord “in the splendor of His holiness.”

Wednesday, 06 January 2010— Isaiah 43:1-7– God’s servant is anointed with the Spirit to bring justice. This is a servant song about Israel as god’s servant who will be anointed with the Spirit to bring justice and light to the nations. We can see the fulfillment of this prophecy in Jesus, and then the church as God’s servant carrying on the work of Jesus in the world.

Here is a much needed conception of the church as God’s servant. To be this the church needs to be anointed by the Spirit. (v.1) As servant, the church will not use force but the compassion of live to attain her goals. (Vv.2, 3) She will not be discouraged in her work – in spite of setbacks in a hostile world. (v.4)

Thursday, 07 January 2010—Romans 6:1-11– Your baptism is a birth certificate, Your baptism is a death certificate. In baptism you died to sin and became alive to God. When we come to the Father in repentance and faith our old Adam, that is, our old sinful nature is drowned and killed while a new man, becomes alive in us to live before God in righteousness and purity. Each day is a death to self and a new life to God. The words of John the Baptist are a fitting refrain, “He must increase I must decrease.” John 3:30

Friday, 08 January 2010 – Luke 3:15-22– How many baptisms are there? Luke emphasizes the anointing of the Spirit in connection with baptism. The Holy Spirit comes to us in and through our baptism. In the gospel lesson “water baptism” and “spirit baptism” are mentioned. In verse 16 John the Baptizer says he baptizes with water but a greater than he will baptism with the Spirit and fire. Water and Sprit baptism are one and the same. The Spirit comes with the Word manifested by the sign of water. Baptism is essentially as spiritual matter, a covenant between God and the believer. It is not a mere external matter of applying water to a person. You are a true and complete Christian by virtue of your baptism. This is your birthright, where faith is born. It’s purpose and power can not be taken away from you.

Saturday, 09 January 2009—-Matthew 3:13-17; Hebrews 2:17; Luke 4:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21 Sunday’s hymn of the day is To Jordan’s River Came Our Lord. (LSB 405) The hymn recounts Christ’s own baptism and the new life He offers to us. As you meditate upon this wonderful hymn resolve to daily walk with Him who has promised to order your days and direct you path.

Collect for 2nd Sunday after Christmas – O God, our Maker and Redeemer, who wonderfully created us and in the incarnation of Your Son yet more wondrously restored our human nature, grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made Himself to be like us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Collect for the Epiphany or our Lord – O God, by the leading of a star You once made known to all nations Your only-begotten Son; now lead us, who know You by faith, to know in heaven the fullness of Your divine goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

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

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.

A prayer for newness of life in Christ – Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness and put upon ourselves the armor of life, now in the time of this mortal life, in which Your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glory to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal.

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 C – John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

Christmas 2

All-powerful Father, You sent Your Son Jesus Christ to bring the new light of salvation to the world. May He enlighten us with His radiance, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen

The eternal Word of God became flesh in Jesus and believers see the glory of God in Him. John begins His Gospel by putting it in the perspective of eternity. Before Jesus was born, the Word existed and created the universe. In the fullness of time the Word comes in the person of Jesus who brings light and life, truth, grace, and the perfect revelation of God in Jesus Christ. He is the light that lights up everyone in Christ. John the Baptist was only a witness to that light which the darkness of sin cannot extinguish. Those who believe in the Incarnate Word become children of God by the will of God.. Believers receive this power through Him who is full of grace and truth.

The Word is God’s way of communicating to us His truth and grace which constitute the glory of God. There are different functions of the Word. People receive the Word according to their needs and capacity to receive it. In this passage we are three persons in relation to the Word. We can find our need for all three. We see the Word in relation to –

1. Moses – the Word as law – Vs.17

2. Jesus – the Word as truth and grace – Vs.14

3. John the Baptist – the Word witnessed – Vs.7

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use

Mission-Philosphy-Vision Statement

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Friedheim
10653 N – 550 W
Decatur, IN 46733
260-547-4248

Celebrating our 171st Year
Chartered February 25, 1838

http://www.zionfriedheim.org

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

2009
Annual Report
Mission-Philosophy-Vision Statement
For our Friedheim Family

Preamble: The birthday of Mission occurred on the day of Pentecost circa AD 30 in the city of Jerusalem. On February 25, 1838 Zion-Friedheim Lutheran Church was chartered to be a House of Peace, a Haven of Hope for those who suffer and a Harbor of Light in this sin-darkened world. As followers of Jesus we are Christ’s ambassadors – commission by Him who has reconciled the world to Himself to be salt and light.

The Mission of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church - Friedheim is to be “A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century Faith”

The Philosophy of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church - Friedheim is recorded in Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfast in the Apostles’ doctrine, and in fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayer”

The Vision of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church - Friedheim is to be one with respect to four specific objectives of mission and ministry.

Ø “The Apostles Doctrine” Being one in unity and faith. Basing our lives on God’s Holy Word as He speaks clearly to us through that Word.

Ø “Fellowship” Being one in the Lord Jesus Christ. Experiencing true joy in Christ. Living at peace with each other and enjoying one another.

Ø “The Breaking of Bread” Sacramental living. Experiencing daily the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation as Christ comes to us in and through the Sacraments.

Ø “Prayer” Upholding one another. Taking our needs burdens joys and sorrows to the throne room of grace. Being thankful as the Savior answers each petition.

Adopted: February 6, 2003

Happy New Year!

Forget the toy mouse Salem and Tacy received for Christmas a few years ago. They are content to bat a few Christmas bows they found under the tree. But watch your step as you might trip over the stupid thing!

A New Year's Prayer

Jesus, direct my beginning

Jesus, remain ever near me;

Jesus, Refuge in temptation,

Jesus, be my sole desire.

Jesus, be ever in my thoughts,

Jesus, let me neve falter!

From Bach's Christmas Oratorio
New Year's Day #7
#42 Chorale
Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.