Pr. DFD

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Time in the Word - Epiphany 6

Time in the Word

Living the Law

The interpretation, understanding, and obedience of the law of God come forth from this week’s lections. The overall theme appears to be life in the light of the Law. The Gospel gives several examples of Jesus’ interpretation of the law of Moses. His view goes behind the letter to the spirit of the Law. In his last address, Moses appeals to his people to obey the Law and to live. To make the right interpretation there must be wisdom. Paul in the epistle lesson teaches that the wisdom of God is revealed only to those of the Spirit. This explains how Jesus was able to rightly understand the Law. He had the Spirit of God and was taught by the Spirit. During this season our prayers must embrace both the understanding of God’s Law (Epistle lesson) and obedience (Old Testament lesson). We must pray to see and understand the things we ought to do with the grace and power to do them.

The Epiphany theme of the manifestation of God’s glory in Jesus continues in Epiphany 6. In the Gospel, the glory of God in Jesus is seen in His interpretation of the law and in His authority as God’s Son, greater than Moses – “And I say to you.” God’s glory is seen also in the Old Testament lesson where God in mercy makes a covenant with His people and promises them life if they accept and obey the terms of the covenant. Paul refers to Jesus as “the Lord of Glory” (verse 8). Jesus is the true and able interpreter of God’s laws because He possessed the Spirit of God resulting in wisdom and understanding. The readings from Psalm 119 deal with the Law which for the Hebrews was God’s revelation of Himself to man. In other words, today we see the glory of God in Jesus in His understanding and interpretation of God’s law.

Collects for Epiphany: Lord God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know your presence in our lives and bring us at last to the full vision of your glory.

Father, You revealed Your Son to the nations by the guidance of a star. Lead us to Your glory in heaven by the light of faith. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever.

Father, You make known the salvation of humankind at the birth of Your Son. Make us strong in faith and bring us to the glory You promise. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives, and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Collects for Epiphany 6: O God graciously hear the prayers of Your people that we who justly suffer the consequences of our sin may be mercifully delivered by Your goodness to the glory of Your name for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in You. Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without You, give us the help of your grace that in keeping Your commandments we may please You both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Monday, 10 February, 2014—Psalm 119:1-8; antiphon, Psalm 119:1—In the Introit for Sunday, the key verses remind us as is explained in verse 2, “happy are those who observe His decrees.” Coupled with the Old Testament lesson for this week, we are reminded on the face that the Law is good and obedience makes one happy.

Tuesday, 11 February 2014—Psalm 119:9-16—As an acrostic psalm, this section is focused on the Hebrew letter Beth. The Psalmist would have reason to praise the Lord for blessings received and deliverances granted because the Lord does not forsake His own.

Wednesday, 12 February 2014—Deuteronomy 30:15-20—Moses gives his people a choice of life and death. We live by obeying the Law.

The two-letter word “if” has theological implications. Our life depends on it. “If” people love and obey, they shall have life. “If” they are rebellious, they will experience death. This implies that life and death are results of meeting certain conditions. This means that we have free will to do one or the other. We are not an automation, not a victim of circumstances. We cannot blame God for our fate. Ultimately our condition depends upon the type of ‘if” we choose.

Thursday, 13 February 2014—1 Corinthians3:1-9—Those who have the spirit possess the wisdom of God, understand His gifts, and interpret spiritual truths. Live by interpreting the Law through the Spirit.

To be mature, Paul shares the wisdom of God. Last week, in Epiphany 5 we dealt with the wisdom of man. Then we learned that the Gospel is not built on man’s wisdom. There is a greater wisdom, which Paul shares with the mature. When he preached, he gave the facts of the Gospel. Facts dealing with the basics of Christ’s life, death, and Resurrection. Now comes the understanding of those facts, the doctrine, or the teaching. Mature Christians receive the teaching: the interpretation, understanding, and meaning of the facts. This maturity is not the modern “man come of age” in the sense of outgrowing God, but it is a growth into the wisdom of God.

Friday, 14 February 2014—Matthew 5:21-37—Jesus places a new interpretation on the law of Moses. Live by the spirit of the Law.

Jesus begins this section with these words, “And I say to you…” Who is this “I”? Who is presumptuous to go beyond what Moses said? Who does the “I” think he is – one greater than Moses, the mighty prophet of God? Here we confront Christological considerations. Jesus is speaking. Here we find a greater than Moses. In the words, “I say.” Jesus is placing Himself above all other religious teachers and prophets. How can he rightfully do this? Jesus speaks as God’s Son, the Word made flesh. He has the mind, the Spirit, and the essence of God the Father. As the Word of God, Jesus’ word is truth excelling all other teachers. Thus, the Scriptures testify of Him and we interpret them in the light of Christ.

Saturday, 15 February 2014—Isaiah 61:1-3; 1 Peter 1:20; Matthew 11:4-5; Revelation 19:1-16— The Hymn for next week is Hymn 394, “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise.” As we are now mostly through the season of Epiphany, we come to a clearer picture of who Jesus really is. Through His words and by His miracles, we see Him as He is, our coming Savior, the one who has come to save us.

Sources:

Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Epiphany 5

9 February

Epiphany 5

Matthew 5:13-24

You are the salt of the world.

Almighty God, You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Jesus warns us, “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). The Lord Jesus came not to abolish the Law or the Prophets, “but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17) Since Jesus does and teaches all of God’s commandments, He alone is “called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19).

Jesus teaches His disciples that they are to be the salt of the earth. You. And you alone. You. And none other. You are salt. You are light. This is what you were meant to be. You give light in the midst of darkness. You can’t help but do otherwise. You are in Christ.

The word “salary” comes from the word salt. The Romans would pay their soldiers not in gold but in salt. A faithful worker was literally “worth his salt.”

Christ says of you, “You are the salt of the world.” That is, a preservative in this corrupt and sinful world. God preserves the world, so that Christians may serve Him here. Christ is the true light, which enlightens everyone. (John 1:9), Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, Christians reflect the light of the Son of God into a world dark with sin, wickedness, ignorance, and unbelief. Your highest form of service is being a light in this world. Bringing the light of the Gospel of salvation into a sin-darkened world.

You are the salt of the world.

Salt changes nearly everything it touches. Think such as food and ice. You are called to be thermostats not thermometers in this world. By yourself, you can do nothing. But as an instrument, you can be used of God in this world. You are the instrument that the Father can use to implement change in a wicked world. When believers touch and influence this world there will be change. You need not be like the world to win the world. You win the world when you present to them Christ.

Salt creates a thirst for water to those exposed to it. As salt, the Christian has a wonderful opportunity to promote a thirst for Jesus in this world. You point men to Jesus. You share with them Christ, the water of life. As a follower of Jesus, there needs to be a thirst for God in the world around us.

Salt kills some things. Slugs and salt do not mix. Pour salt on a slug and it will die. Salt poured on a lawn will kill the grass. Abimelech took a city and sowed the city with salt to prevent the ground from being used to grow crops. He killed the fields with salt. (Judges 9:45)

When Christ is sown into the lives, homes and communities of the world some things will die. Christ is poison to sin. When Christ enters a life the old nature of drowned and killed. And a new man comes forth to live before God in righteousness and purity forever. ^[^a^] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:71

Salt brings out the best. Salt blends and adds flavor to food. The Christian flavor the world around him. All that we do, we do to the glory of God. Only let your manner of life be worthy[a] of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. Philippians 1:27

Salt has a remarkable cleaning ability. The prophet Elisha cleansed the waters at Jericho with salt. The people of the city said to Elisha, “Look, our lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive.” “Bring me a new bowl,” he said, “and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, “This is what the Lord says: ‘I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.’” And the water has remained pure to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken. -2 Kings 2: 19-22

Often, newborns were washed in salt to cleanse their bodies and give firmness to the skin. (Ezekiel 16:4) Salt in a wound can cleanse it. Christians have a purifying effect on the world around them. You are a purifying force in the world around you. Every meat offering in the Old Testament was to be made with salt. You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt. Leviticus 2:13. Likewise, you offer your life as an offering to the Lord. You are worth you salt.

Salt penetrates and infiltrates whatever it touches. It is an aggressive substance. You are an active force in this world. A militant army charging the gates of Hell. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, [a] I will build my church, and the gates of hell[b] shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18

Salt wards off rot and decay. Rubbed into meat in an effort to preserve it. The prayers of “salty” Christians preserve our nation, community and neighborhood. The prayers of the righteous are effective. Continue to intercede for those around you. Continue. Continue in what you have been ordered to do. You are salt. You are light. Reflect the Gospel of Christ in your live.

You are worth your salt.

Words – 1,052

Flesch Reading Ease – 85.5%

Flesch – Kincaid Grade Level – 3.9

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Time in the Word - Epiphany 5

Time in the Word

An Excellent Way of Life

The life of a Christian is the primary subject of this Sunday. It is a way of life that is better than living by the letter of the Law. According to Isaiah, true fasting results in meeting the social needs of people. The Epistle gives the source of Christian living – a Gospel of power and not the wisdom of man. Christ is the Word of Life. We ask that we may see and hear Him as the Life.

Light is the dominant theme of Epiphany. A candle is a symbol of the season. Christ is the Light of God whose glory is manifested throughout the season. Epiphany 5 continues the theme of life but with a different twist. Now Christians are the light of the world because they are in Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus tells His followers, “You are the light of the world,” Isiah in the Old Testament says the light shines out of those who properly fast. In the Epistle lesson, the source of the light is in the crucified Christ proclaimed by Paul.

Monday, 3 February, 2014—Psalm 119:1-6; antiphon, Psalm 112:12—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me Your statutes! This Psalm is an acrostic based on the Hebrew letter Aleph. We meditate on the Word of our Lord and we walk blameless as we are directed by Him who speaks to us in and through that same word.

Tuesday, 3 February 2014—Psalm 15—This psalm gives instruction to those who wish to have access to God at His temple. Thomas Jefferson called this psalm the picture of “a true gentleman.” This is a testimonial of the man of God. What does God require of the individual who seeks his company? He expects right conduct, right speaking (verses 2-3a), right relationships with others (verses 3b-4), and a right use of wealth (verse 5) (see Psalm 24). Who swears… (Verse 4) i.e. who keeps his word whatever the cost; Verse 5, one of the Jewish laws, see Leviticus 25:36-37. It was not a total ban on lending at interest, but applied to fellow Israelites.

Wednesday, 5 February 2014—Isaiah 58:3-9a—The godly life is expressed in service. Among most Christians today, fasting is scarcely practiced. If Isaiah were living today, he probably would not have used it. Though fasting is not generally practiced, the principle still applies. Religiosity in terms of cultic practices, without practical helpfulness to the neighbor, does not bring God’s blessings. When we put our religious devotions into sharing with the less fortunate, we open ourselves to God’s presence and blessings.

Thursday, 6 February 2014—1 Corinthians2:1-12—The Christian life results from a gospel of power. Paul decided to know nothing except Christ. Is that smart? Paul knew more than most. He knew how to make a living by making tents; the Bible thoroughly, for he was a student of the great Gamaliel; the philosophies of the day, for he was a university student. When it came to making a living, we need to know much. When it comes to making a life, knowledge and wisdom are useless. It is enough to know Christ, for He is the truth about God and life.

Weakness can be strength. This was the case with Paul. He felt that his ability to speak oratorically in great wisdom, as was the custom of his day, was inferior.

With fear and trembling, he perhaps stuttered and stammered the words of the Gospel. In spite of his halting speech, people came to accept Christ as Savior. What did this prove? The Word of the cross is the power to win people to Christ.

Friday, 7 February 2014—Matthew 5:13-20—The Christian life exceeds living by the Law. Followers of Jesus, Disciples of Christ are the light of the world. Since Jesus said He was the light of the world, this may seem to be a contradiction. Christians are light. You do not become light by good works. You are light because, and only because, you are in Christ, the Light. The light you have is not produced by your own. You are only the reflection of the light of Christ who dwells in you by faith. If you are not seen as light in the dark world, it indicates you are not in Christ. If the light is in you, it will be seen by your good works, which result as naturally as a candle sheds its light as a natural part of its essence.

The word “righteousness” has a twofold meaning. Its ethical meaning embraces virtue, goodness, and uprightness. The religious meaning means being rightly related to God and neighbor. The righteousness of God is God’s rightly relating us to Himself. The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees was an ethical righteousness, which involved a strict keeping of the letter of the law. The Christian has a righteousness that exceeds the ethical. It is a right relationship with God and with people. Anger is a symptom of a broken relationship. Forgiveness renews the relationship.

Saturday, 8 February 2014—1John 3:16-19; Hebrews 13:16; Matthew 25:40—Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is Thy Strong Word (LSB #578). This wonderful hymn tells the story of salvation as the Lord speaks to us in and through His Word. All three persons of the Trinity are mentioned in the last stanza. God the Father, light-creator, Jesus is the one eternal God begotten from the Father light of light. The Holy Spirit is the light-revealer. Together with angels in heaven, we praise the Triune God Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Collects for Epiphany: Lord God, on this day You revealed Your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know Your presence in our lives and bring us at last to the full vision of Your glory.

Collects for Epiphany 5: O Lord, keep Your Church continually in the true faith that, relying on the hope of Your heavenly grace, we may be ever defended by Your mighty power.

O God, You know that we cannot withstand the dangers, which surround us. Strengthen us in body and spirit so that with Your help, we may be able to overcome the weakness that our sins have brought upon us.

Collect for Psalm 112: Lord Jesus You are the light shining in darkness for the upright. Teach us to love one another as You love us, that we might bring peace and joy to the world and find the happiness of Your home where You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Sources:

Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Epiphany 4

2 February 2014

Epiphany 4

Matthew 5:1-12

The Beatitudes

According to this world

According to the Word made flesh

As members of the Way. Those who make up the body of Christ, known as the Church. You find your collective marks in both Word and Sacrament. As a Jesus follower, each individual Christian has certain marks that set them apart from the world.

The challenge, of course, is too often we permit the marks of the world itself to woo us into forgetting or even denying the blessings Jesus has already given to us.

We are living outside of Eden. The challenge will constantly be with us. By grace and through faith, you can overcome and gain the victory, which has been won for you by your Savior Jesus who suffered, died and came to life again on the third day.

Today, we begin a month long review of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. How are you blessed? There are two worldviews. One is according to the world. The other, according to the Word made flesh.

The world will always suggest, being happy, you must avoid all discomfort, pain and tragedy. The Lord gives us a better way. He reminds us, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” V.4

Do not overlook the reality of sin, death, and hell. Realize them for who they are. They are terrible enemies. We cannot eliminate pain, sorrow, mourning, or death. They are a part of this broken and failing world. Your mourning, however, cannot not disturb your peace. Christ already has conquered the last enemy death. We are now and forever Easter people.

The Savior continues. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” V.5 The world speaks a different language. The world suggests; to be happy you must assert yourself and claim what is rightfully yours. Be the lion. Not the prey. The voice of your shepherd says to you, do not assert yourself. But trust Me and the security I provide. Your meekness will not dismiss or diminish your peace. I freely give you all that is Mine.

The world says, to be happy and blessed you must pursue ambitiously the goals you have set for yourself. Jesus gives a different perspective. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” V.6 Seek first to pray always, ‘Thy will be done.’ Your readiness to follow Christ will not rob you of your peace. He will provide all that it takes for you to achieve His goals.

The world says, to be happy, you must demand what you deserve. Even if it happens to harm others. Jesus tells you, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” V.7 Be good to others. Also when they do not deserve it. Your mercy will not destroy your peace. For His mercy toward you is always salvation.

The world says, to be happy, you sometimes must forgo honesty and integrity. You must play the role. Jesus reminds us, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” V.8 Be trustful, straightforward and honest. Your purity of heart will not nullify your bliss. For His trust brings you to know and see Christ, your saving God.

The world suggests being happy means you must be able to make the rules and fight for your rights. Jesus teaches, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons^[^a^] of God.” V.9 Live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge. Love your enemies. Your peacemaking will not compromise your bliss. For you already are at peace with God for Christ’s sake.

The world says, to be happy, you must do whatever it takes to avoid persecution. Crush your enemies. Jesus reminds us,“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” V.10 Be steadfast. Immovable in doing your Father’s will, even if persecution results. Your constancy in listening to the voice of your Good Shepherd will not undermine your bliss. For you are in Christ. The Father’s victory over evil is complete. It is your victory also.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

749 words

Flesch Reading easy – 79%

Flesch –Kincaid Grade level -4.6

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Time in the Word -- Epiphany 4

The Ministry Of Light

Epiphany season continues its revelation of the glory of God in Jesus. We saw his glory at his baptism (Epiphany 1). John the Baptist witnessed to His glory as Messiah (Epiphany 2). Through His ministry, His glory was revealed as the light in a dark world. Now, we see the glory of God in Jesus by His attitude and grace toward the outcasts of society: the spiritually poor, the humble, and the despised. His glory is seen in His love and concern for sinners. Though He is the Son of God, He does not cater to the religious elite, the highly educated and the economically rich. What a glorious God we see in Christ who humbles Himself to serve the unfortunate and the spiritually impoverished!

Collects for Epiphany 4: Almighty God, You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.

O God, you know that we cannot withstand the dangers, which surround us. Strengthen us in body and spirit so that with your help, we may be able to overcome the weakness that our sins has brought upon us.

Collect for Psalm 15: Lord Jesus, You first chose to live among us, and in returning to Your Father You made an eternal home for us. Help us walk blamelessly in You ways and bring us at last to Your holy mountain, where You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Monday, 27 January, 2014—Psalm 1:1-5; antiphon, Psalm 1:6—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, For the Lord knows the way of the righteous but the way of the wicked will perish. This Psalm speaks of the blessedness of those who derive their ideas of life from God’s Word rather than from their worldly neighbors. Happiness and prosperity is theirs. Not so with the wicked. Repeatedly the godly and the wicked are contrasted.

Thus the book of Psalms opens with an exaltation of God’s Word. If David so loved the brief writings that then constituted God’s Word, how much more should we love that same Word, which has not been brought to completion, headed up around the beautiful story of Christ. Other Psalms of the Word are Psalm 19 and Psalm 119. Note also the Psalm’s first word is “blessed.” Blessed is Beatitude: like the Sermon of the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel.

Tuesday, 28 January, 2014—Psalm 15 — This psalm gives instruction to those who wish to have access to God at His temple. Thomas Jefferson called this psalm the picture of “a true gentleman.” This is a testimonial of the man of God. What does God require of the individual who seeks his company? He expects right conduct, right speaking (verses 2-3a), right relationships with others (verses 3b-4), and a right use of wealth (verse 5) See also Psalm 24. Who swears… (verse 4) i.e. who keeps his word whatever the cost; Verse 5, one of the Jewish laws, see Leviticus 25:36-37. It was not a total ban on lending at interest, but applied to fellow Israelites.

Wednesday, 29 January 2014—Micah 6:1-8—Blessed are they who walk with God. Micah pictures God as suing his people. He takes Israel to court. The people are the defendants. The prophet is God’s defense attorney. The cosmos consists of the witness. God has something against His people: they have been unfaithful to the covenant, played the harlot with pagan gods, and broke His commandments. They have been a disobedient, faithless, and rebellious people. God has a right to a controversy with His people.

Thursday, 30 January 2014—1 Corinthians 1:18-31—Blessed are the lowly and despised. Paul reminds the church at Corinth that God chose them when they were of no account in the sight of the world: slaves, women, and children.

They had no education (wisdom), no political power, and no blue blood. This harmonizes with Jesus’ example as friend of publicans and sinners. He did not choose wealthy, high class or scholarly men for disciples, but peasants and publicans. Why is God interested only in “down-and-outers” and not in the “up-and-outers?” How can this truth be applied to today’s church members who are generally from the middle to top class, have comfortable incomes, are college graduates and among the socially elite? It may be because the educated are educated out of their need for God. The wealthy need nothing that money cannot buy. The powerful are too self-sufficient and sophisticated to humble themselves before God as suppliants and miserable sinners.

Friday, 31 January 2014—Matthew 5:1-12—Blessed are those with spiritual qualities. The Beatitudes. They describe the condition of a person in a right relationship with God through faith in Christ. “Blessed” is often translated as “happy.” It is more than what the world considers happiness — possessions, satisfaction, and peace. The blessed one is in favor with God and man. However, the Beatitudes are applicable to the present, their promises look to the future for fulfillment.

The Beatitudes are God-oriented: kingdom of heaven, see God, on my account. The blessed estate does not depend upon secular well-being for its fulfillment. It is conceivable a Christian can be perfectly miserable on earth and yet blessed. Poor in spirit. Luke omits “in spirit.” Certainly Matthew is not neglecting the physically poor. There is no blessing in poverty. Poor people are not necessarily blessed. The economically poor can be godly or godless. “Poor in spirit,” moreover, does not mean a lack of spirit. Rather, the phrase describes a state of being which we might call humility, unworthiness, a dependence on God for the fulfillment of needs. The New English Bible helpfully translates 5:3: “How blest are those who know their need of God.”

Saturday, 1 February 2014—1John 3:16-19; Hebrews 13:16; Matthew 25:40—Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us (LSB #851). This wonderful hymn tells the story of salvation and places Christ at the center of everything the Christian does. We are still in a new year. In everything that is begun, continued and ended, may Christ be the focus of all that we do.

Sources: