Isaac

Isaac, the long promised and awaited son of Abraham and Sarah, was born when his father was 100 and his mother 91. The announcement of his birth brought both joy and laughter to his aged parents (so the name “Isaac,” which means “laughter”). As a young man, Isaac accompanied his father to Mount Moriah, where Abraham, in obedience to God’s command, prepared to sacrifice him as a burnt offering. But God intervened, sparing Isaac’s life and providing a ram as a substitute offering (Gen. 22:1–14), and thus pointing to the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ for the sins of the world. Isaac was given in marriage to Rebekah (24:15), and they had twin sons, Esau and Jacob (25:19–26). In his old age Isaac, blind and feeble, wanted to give his blessing and chief inheritance to his favorite—and eldest—son, Esau. But through deception Rebekah had Jacob receive them instead, resulting in years of family enmity. Isaac died at the age of 180 and was buried by his sons, who by then had become reconciled.

- St. Mary, Mother of Our Lord

Almighty God, You chose the Virgin Mary to be the mother of Your only Son. Grant that we, who are redeemed by His blood, to share with her the glory of Your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Pentecost 12 -Proper 14

Hebrews 11:1-11

August 22, 2013

Now Faith is…

Faith is a word used on a daily basis by most people. What do they mean by the term “faith”? You can have faith in yourself, in others, in a machine.  Is this the same as religious faith?

Many people when they think of faith think of it in terms of blind faith – accepting something beyond reason.  To others, faith believes in something or in someone who exists. The author of the book to the Hebrews defines faith in our text. With the Spirit’s help may we have a fuller understanding of the meaning of this thing called “faith”.

Now faith is…

1. Assurance – “faith is the assurance of what we hope for” (Vs. 1a)

A.      What do we hope for? Quite possibly the hymn writer put it best when he wrote: “My hope is built on nothing less then Jesus’ blood and righteousness...”^[1]

What Jesus has promised through His work on the cross is the basis of our hope. The Christian hope is based on the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation through Jesus’ death and merit.

B.      This hope is given as an assurance. God in Christ has promised that He will deliver for us. Jesus has promised, “In My Father’s house are many mansions, if this were not so I would have told you.” His clear Word has given us this assurance in Christ because He has promised us.

Transition: Faith is assurance, Faith is also confidence and certainty. In a word; conviction.

2. Conviction – “being certain of what we do not see” (Vs. 1b)

A.      There are some people convinced that they will believe only what they can experience with the five senses. If they can no see, touch, hear, or sense something it must not be real.

B.      Still others believe that truth and conviction must be reasoned by the rational mind. “Do the math!” they might say. “If it doesn’t add up it must not be true or real.”

C.      Yet faith is being certain of what we do not see. We cannot see heaven, forgiveness, or love. But should we deny these truths because we cannot see or experience them?  We hold on to truths, which we can experience in the natural realm. We also are convinced of truths even if we cannot see them.

Transition: Faith is assurance and conviction. Faith takes God at His Word.  

3. Trust in God’s promises – “By faith Abraham, even though he was past age – and Sarah herself barren – was enabled to become a father because he considered Him faithful who had made the promise” (Vs. 11)

A.      God sometimes calls us to believe in the impossible. Consider Abraham and his wife Sara. Both were beyond the years of bearing a child. They had written off being natural parents. Yet God promised them a child. According to natural law and man’s perspective bearing children was impossible. Yet they trusted God and a child was born. A question: what is God asking you to believe that the world considers “impossible”? Can God do it? Can He accomplish it? With God nothing is impossible!

B.      Thus faith calls for us to consider God to be faithful to His promises. We might become quite cynical when it comes to promises made because we have seen so many of them broken. We may disappoint others and may become disappointed by others because of promises broken. God is different. He keeps each and every promise He has made. He cannot go back on His Word. He cannot deny Himself.  Faith is finding God who is faithful.

Transition: Faith is defined as assurance, as conviction, as trusting in God’s promises. Faith by definition is being obedient to God’s Word.

4. Obedience – “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going” (Vs.8)

A.      We take God at His word. “I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name”. * Abraham and Sarah could have walked away from God.

B.      Instead they trusted in Him who was found faithful. We have the freedom to walk. We can turn our back on God at any moment. To be found faithful simply means that we remain totally committed to Him who is faithful.

C.      Life was not easy for Abraham and Sarah. They were called to leave the comforts of home and a life that they were familiar and to change coarse. They followed God’s direction “even though [they] did not know where [they] were going” Faith is a journey and each day is a part of that process. Thus we must learn to pray:

Savior I follow on, Guided by Thee,

Seeing not yet the hand that leadeth me.

Hushed be my heart and still, Fear I no further ill,

Only to meet Thy will My will shall be.

Savior, I long to walk Closer with Thee;

Led by Thy guiding hand, Ever to be

Constantly near Thy side, Quickened and purified,

Living for Him who died freely for me.^[2]

Ultimately faith by definition is the acceptance of God’s promises found in Jesus Christ where we are brought into a right relationship with God and saved. We call this justification before God. Faith is expressed in assurance, in conviction, in obedience, in taking God at His Word, trusting in all of His promises. “On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand”.

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[1] My Hope is Built on Nothing Less The Lutheran Hymnal © 1940 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis

[2] Savior I Follow On The Lutheran Hymnal © 1940 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis

Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

“Early in the third century AD, Lawrence, most likely from Spain, made his way to Rome. There he was appointed chief of the seven deacons and was given the responsibility to manage Church property and finances. The emperor at the time, who thought that the Church had valuable things worth confiscating, ordered Lawrence to produce the ‘treasures of the Church.’ Lawrence brought before the emperor the poor whose lives had been touched by Christian charity. He was then jailed and eventually executed in the year AD 258 by being roasted on a gridiron. His martyrdom left a deep impression on the young Church. Almost immediately, the date of this death, August 10, became a permanent fixture on the early commemorative calendar of the Church.” Source: Treasury of Daily Prayer

Time in the Work Proper 14

The Lord Is Surely Coming to Give You His Kingdom

The Lord Himself was Abraham’s shield and great reward. For “the word of the Lord came to him” and sustained the patriarch’s faith in the face of death (Gen. 15:4). By divine grace, Abraham “believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness” (Gen. 15:6), on account of the holy Seed, Christ Jesus. To that one old man, the Lord granted “as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore” (Heb. 11:12). The Lord is likewise faithful to you. It is His glad desire “to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). Therefore, “consider the ravens” and “do not be anxious for your life,” but instead “seek for His kingdom” (Luke 12:22, 31).

Collect for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Almighty and merciful God, it is by Your grace that we live as Your people who offer acceptable service. Grant that we may walk by faith, and not by sight, in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Collect for the Commemoration of St Lawrence (10 August): Almighty God, You called Lawrence to be a deacon in Your Church to serve Your saints with deeds of live, and You gave him the crown of martyrdom. Give us the same charity of heart that we may fulfill Your love by defending and supporting the poor, that by loving them we may love You with all our hearts; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

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

Prayers in times 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, who lives and reigns . . .

Almighty and everlasting God, the consolation of the sorrowful and the strength of the weak, may the prayers of those who in any tribulation or distress cry to You graciously come before You, so that in every situation they may recognize and receive Your gracious help, comfort, and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Prayer for hope of eternal life in Christ: Almighty, everlasting God, Your Son has assured forgiveness of sins and deliverance from eternal death. Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit that our faith in Christ may increase daily and that we may hold fast to the hope that on the Last Day we shall be raised in glory to eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Monday, 5 August 2013—Psalm 147:8–11; antiphon, Psalm 147:7—Psalm 147 is a great hymn of praise to God for His abundant power and His understanding beyond measure (v. 5), and, especially for His steadfast love (v. 11). It is well for us who fear the Lord to sing to the Lord with thanksgiving, because He has saved us from the futility of trying to earn our way into His good graces. He gives us the good things we need for this life, and has done everything necessary for our salvation.

Tuesday, 6 August 2013—Psalm 33:12–22—What is it that gives the Lord pleasure, as He looks down from heaven upon His creation, and upon the children of men? It is not the might of man, his great armies, his war horses, or the strength of warriors. No, what pleases the Lord is those who fear him . . . those who hope in His steadfast love. He desires and takes delight in delivering their souls from death, of providing for the salvation of His people, and sparing them from famine and the wants of the body.

Wednesday, 7 August 2013—Genesis 15:1–6—Abraham was an old man, and his wife both barren and well beyond child-bearing years. Yet the Lord promised to Abraham that he would be father to many descendants, too numerous to count. If this promise had been made by a mere man, it would be utter nonsense, foolish and unthinkable. But the promise of a great nation coming from Abraham was not made by any man, but by the Creator of the earth, the universe, and all things, the Almighty God. Abraham’s response was one of faith: he trusted the Word of the Lord, and the Lord counted him righteous because of it. Likewise, when we trust in the Word of the Lord—specifically, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, slain and risen again for our salvation—then we, too are counted righteous by the Lord. Trusting in His promises to bring us the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of our souls delivers that very salvation to us. We are saved by faith—faith which God Himself delivers to us by Word and Sacrament.

Thursday, 8 August 2013—Hebrews 11:1–16—We are saved by faith, and the eleventh chapter of Hebrews is the great chapter of faith in the Bible. First, the author gives us a good succinct definition of faith: it is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Then, he proceeds to recount some of the great heroes of faith in the Bible: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham (who believed the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness, as we read in the Old Testament reading), and also Sarah, the wife of Abraham. Let us also add our own names to this list, for God has, by His Word and Sacrament given us saving faith and preserved us in it. We, too, who trust in God alone for our salvation, will spend eternity with those listed here and all who die in the faith, rejoicing in our Lord forevermore.

Friday, 9 August 2013—Luke 12:22–34—In this sinful, troubled world in which we live, it is altogether too easy to succumb to the cares of the world and become anxious. But our heavenly Father, who desires only what is best for us, provides not only for our earthly needs, but, more importantly, has provided for our eternal salvation. We can rest secure in the fact that we have a loving and gracious God who knows our needs and provides for them.                                                                                                                

Saturday, 10 August 2013—Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe (LSB #666). In the face of anxiety and especially, spiritual warfare, we can be confident and unfearing, not because we are strong in ourselves, but because the Lord is for us and fights for us; therefore, we can rest in the certainty that not earth nor hell’s satanic crew against us shall prevail.

Lectionary summary on front page from the LCMS Commission on Worship

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

Artwork by Ed Riojas, ©Higher Things.

This week’s Time in the Word was written by Pr. Jeffrey M. Keuning, Pastor of St John's Evangelical Lutheran Church Casey, Iowa and Zion Lutheran Church

Dexter, Iowa

Proper 13

August 4, 2013

 Pentecost 11 – Proper 13

Luke 12:13-21

“Finding life’s true value in a world possessed by possessions.”

Possessed by possessions is the theme for this Sunday. Today the issue confronts us. Jesus refuses to champion the cause of a man who wants his inheritance. Jesus teaches that in the pursuit of wealth, you run the risk losing your sense of self, your sense of direction, and ultimately you could lose your own soul.

Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Life does not consist of going without. It is difficult not to be conformed to this world. You’ve been called to be transformed; – to live in this world, yet, not to be a part of the world. With increased difficulty, life, as it is today, is so comfortable. Avoid the possession of your possessions. 

1.      Heed the Savior’s warning –beware of covetousness.

A.     This is a subtle and prevalent sin.

1.     Notice the repeated use of the pronoun “my” – “my fruit,” “my barns,” “my goods,” “my soul” – This man never sees beyond himself!

2.     This man never sees beyond his present reality. All his plans are based on his world. Oh yes, he’s thinking about tomorrow. He’s building a legacy. He’s thinking about his children, his grandchildren. But, his plans pertain to a life lived in the here and now. Eternity never enters his mind.

3.     This man is without reason because this night his soul is demanded of him. To whom will his possessions belong - then?

Solomon in our Old Testament lesson bemoans the fact that after accumulating wealth he will have to leave it to someone who did not work for it. And it’s not that his kid was a slacker. Solomon is clear on the point. These things were never his identity. It is only an inheritance, the fruit of his labor.

Each of us enters this world with nothing. We leave with nothing. So what is your chief priority?  The world has been fixated these past few weeks with the new- born heir to the British throne. Before Kate Middleton and Prince William named their baby, the press was speculating how many billions of dollars boy George was worth. 

How much value does he have? Really? He came into the world with nothing. He will leave this world with nothing. The billions of dollars he will manage are not his own. He only administers them for a season.  If he is ever crowned king, he will serve only after his grandfather and father have had their opportunity. He will govern only for a season.

If you accumulate wealth. Good for you. Yet that is not where your treasure lies. If you live hand-to-mouth. If you find yourself struggling financially. Take heart. Your inheritance is found not in the things of this world.

B.     Avoid the temptation to find meaning, security, contentment, happiness in the abundance of your things.

1.     They are only things. They cannot bring lasting peace, contentment or joy. Over time, we grow tired of them.  They break down. We move on. To other interests.

2.     They can become rather expensive. As was once observed - two of the happiest days in a man’s life is one; the day when he gets his new toy. And the other, the day he sells it.

C.     To find contentment, security and peace in our things makes NO sense at all. If you have ever met people who were driven by possessions you find them always striving and toiling to get ahead. So they can get the next new thing. Yet, they are never contented.

To be a slave to your possessions causes all sorts of pains and worries. The Savior calls us to focus on Him for true happiness and peace. Of what does your life consist? That is the question we each must ponder.

2.      Your life consists in being rich toward God.

A.    Christ became poor to make us rich.

1.    Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin He came into this world to live with and among us. His cruel and humble birth was just a hint of what His life would be. Isaiah reminds us that he was a man of sorrows acquainted with grief. Thus, the hymn writer would write, We are rich for He was poor; is not this a wonder? Therefore praise God evermore, here on earth and yonder (1)

2.    In becoming poor for you, He has taken your misery and your guilt.

The Father placed the burden of your sin upon the back of His own dear Son and nailed Him to the bloody cross.  It is there – at the cross and empty tomb that He exchanged your sin for His righteousness. For by His stripes you have been healed.

B.      Become rich toward God when we see beyond ourselves.

1.    Recognize God’s claim on you. Marked in the form of a cross and granted to you personally and individually on the day you were baptized. Paul explains it this way: “When we were baptized into Christ Jesus we were baptized into His death. We were buried with Him by our baptism so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His”.

2.    Use your possession consistent with His will. Possessions are not evil in and of themselves. Money is not the root of all evil – it is the love of money, which is the root of all evil.  Possessions are gifts of God. How we use them, is the key. Do you use our possessions to proclaim praise? Or, do they possess you? That is the issue.

C.     You are rich toward God when you look beyond this world to a life, which will never end.

1.    Observe and perceive the transient character of life. We are but sojourners here. “I am but a stranger here – heaven is my home.”

2.    Take notice of the limitations of earthly goods. The president of my seminary class Pr. Tom was quite a fellow. Whenever he would purchase a new car, he would drive it home, proceed to his garage, get out his hammer, and on the driver’s side front fender give it a whack! The first dent! “Tom! That car’s only has 10 miles on it!” I told him! “I know, and now I won’t have to lose any sleep over it either!”  Does Tom take it a little to the extreme? Possibly! Nevertheless, he drives home an excellent point; perceive the limitations of earthly goods.

3.    Rejoice in the assurance of your eternal destiny. You are not going to a place where moths will not eat nor do worms destroy, where rust and decay will not eat away at your true fortunes. Knowing that heaven is your true home enables you to enjoy the transient journey of this life and those few possessions, which might pass through your hands.

Of what does our life consist? Life’s value depends on your relationship to God. When God fills all of your life then you will find a proper use of your possessions. What you will find is that your life is certainly God’s gift. Life does not consist in having possessions or lacking possessions but in being right with God. For you are Christ’s richest treasure.

Let us all with gladsome voice stanza two, The Lutheran Hymnal © 1940 Concordia Publishing House

Joanna, Mary, Salome Myrrhbearers

Mighty God, Your crucified and buried Son did not remain in the tomb for long. Give us joy in the tasks set before us, that we might carry out faithful acts of service as did Joanna, Mary, and Salome, offering to You the sweet perfume of our grateful hearts, so that we, too, may see the glory of Your resurrection and proclaim the Good News with unrestrained eagerness and fervor worked in us through our Lord Jesus Christ, who rose and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.