Time in the Word - Transfiguration

Prayers for the Epiphany Season: Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities and stretch forth the hand of Your majesty to heal and defend us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

For peace in the world: Heavenly Father, God of all concord, it is Your gracious will that Your children on earth live together in harmony and peace. Defeat the plans of all those who would stir up violence and strife, destroy the weapons of those who delight in war and bloodshed, and, according to Your will, end all conflicts in the world. Teach us to examine our hearts that we may recognize our own inclination toward envy, malice, hatred, and enmity. Help us, by Your Word and Spirit, to search our hearts and to root out the evil that would lead to strife and discord, so that in our lives we may be at peace with all people. Fill us with zeal for the work of Your Church and the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone can bring that peace which is beyond all understanding; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

For blessing on the Word: Lord Jesus Christ, giver and perfecter of our faith, we thank and praise You for continuing among us the preaching of Your Gospel for our instruction and edification. Send Your blessing upon the Word, which has been spoken to us, and by Your Holy Spirit increase our saving knowledge of You, that day by day we may be strengthened in the divine truth and remain steadfast in Your grace. Give us strength to fight the good fight and by faith to overcome all the temptations of Satan, the flesh, and the world so that we may finally receive the salvation of our souls; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect for Transfiguration—O God, in the glorious transfiguration of Your beloved Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah. In the voice that came from the bright cloud You wonderfully foreshowed our adoption by grace. Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King in His glory and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

The theme for the Transfiguration of Our Lord is The Vision Glorious. Peter, James, and John were privileged to go with our Lord onto a mountain and see Him transfigured. That is, they were given a brief glimpse of His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). St Luke tells us that Jesus talked with Moses and Elijah about His departure (Luke 9:31), that is, His impending death, resurrection, and ascension. It is a strange concept for the natural man, his understanding clouded by sin, to see the death of Jesus as something glorious, but it is precisely at the cross that the glory of Christ is made known to us. For it is on account of this work of Christ that Moses, Elijah, and all the saints in heaven have been received into glory. This is also the eternal destiny of all who put their trust in Him and His atoning sacrifice.

Time in the Word
9-14 February 2015
Preparation for next week, The Transfiguration of Our Lord

Monday, 9 February 2015—Psalm 112:1, 3, 7–9; antiphon, Psalm 112:4—Psalm 112 speaks of the blessedness of the man who fears the Lord. This psalm is a complement to the preceding psalm, which tells of the blessings, physical and spiritual, which God bestows upon us. Those who trust in Him—who fear the Lord—show their gratefulness to Him by their lives, which are conformed to His will. The one who trust in the Lord greatly delights in His commandments.

Tuesday, 10 February 2015—Psalm 50:1–6—The opening line of Sunday’s psalm heaps up divine titles: Mighty One, God, the Lord. This psalm was used in the temple liturgy, where the singers of it acknowledge that they will worship only the one, true God. Even the earth and the heavens declare His righteousness.

Wednesday, 11 February 2015—2 Kings 2:1–12—Elijah was one of the greatest of the prophets of God, remaining faithful and proclaiming God’s Word even when nearly all of Israel had apostatized. He is one of only two people in Scripture who didn’t die; rather, God took him—in a fiery chariot. The last verses of the Old Testament, Malachi 4:5-6, prophesy that Elijah would appear before the coming of the Messiah. Jesus said that John the Baptist fulfilled this prophecy (Matt. 11:14); later, Elijah appeared with Jesus at His transfiguration.

Thursday, 12 February 2015—2 Corinthians 3:12–13; 4:1–6—When Moses came down from Mt. Sinai, from speaking with the Lord, the children of Israel were afraid to look upon him, because his face shone from being in the presence of God. They made Moses wear a veil over his face. (Exodus 34:29-35) As this veil concealed from the Israelites the transient character of the old covenant and its orders, so now when the Law (Moses) is read they cannot see the real significance of the Law as witness, together with the prophets, to the newly revealed righteousness of God in the Gospel. But, when we are brought to faith in Christ, the veil is removed, and we recognize that Christ is the fulfillment of the Law.

Friday, 13 February 2015—Mark 9:2–9—Three of the disciples—Peter, James, and John—were privileged to go up on a mountain with Christ, as He was transfigured before them. That is, His glory as the Son of God, normally masked by His humanity, was clearly shown. Elijah and Moses appear with Him, and they discuss His impending death (Luke 9:31). Peter, James, and John are witnesses of the glory which awaits Christ beyond the cross.

Saturday, 14 February 2015—The words of Peter on the mount of transfiguration we make our own in the Hymn of the Day: ‘Tis Good, Lord, to Be Here (LSB 414). We, too, are privileged to be in the presence of Christ; when we gather for worship, when we receive absolution, and when we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we are in the presence of Christ, the Son of God come down from heaven, born of a virgin, transfigured, crucified, died, and rose again.

Illustration from Google images “The Transfiguration of our Lord”

Epiphany 5

Epiphany 5

8. February 2015

Mark 1:29-39

Jesus has just left the synagogue. After casting out an unclean spirit from a man. He enters the house of Simon and Andrew. He heals Simon’s mother-in-law of a fever. That evening everyone from the village came to the door to be healed.

Jesus is the healer of suffering humanity. Jesus went about healing all kinds of diseases. The result of such healing? The disciples tell Jesus, “Everyone is searching for you.” (vs. 37) Would that all people were searching for Jesus! And searching for Him for all the right reasons! The people wanted a healer only. Jesus would remind us that He came not primarily to heal but to preach, as He reminds us “that is why I came out.” (v.38)

Jesus ministered with a personal touch. He took Peter’s mother-in-law, who was sick with a fever. He took her by the hand, and “lifted her up.” He lifted her up to health. It was a lift of love. It was a lift of compassion. Not only do we see the compassion of Jesus but also the power of Jesus to heal.

Illness is not a part of the Father’s design for His children. It is however, the reality with which we live. We are living in a fallen world. Outside of Eden. Peter’s mother-in-law was sick with a fever. It prevented her from serving. Such is the case with illness today. It prevents us from doing our work. Because we are down with illness. Prolonged illness may lead to other maladies such as discouragement, despair and depression. When illness strikes, we can feel defeated by the cares and concerns of this daily life.

In her need, Christ came to her. Jesus entered the house of Simon Peter and immediately attends to her need.  He lifts her us.

Jesus always gives us a lift. A lift from despair to help. From sickness to health.  From sin to holiness. From death to life.

Jesus lifts her up. From despair to hope. Sickness can lead to despair.   Who was she when she no longer was able to engage in her calling?  When we are sick, we are tempted to think I have no value. I have no worth. Jesus restored her to her social world. He brought her back to a life of value. By freeing her from that fever.

Healing is about restoration. Now she was free to serve.   It was her calling and her honor to show hospitality to guests in her home. Cut off from that role by an illness, cut her off from her life’s work. Who was she when no longer able to engage in her calling? Jesus restored her to her social world. He brought her back to a life of value by freeing her from that fever. Healing is about restoration to community and restoration of a calling. A role as well as restoration to life. For life without community and calling is bleak indeed.   

Jesus lifts her up. From sickness to health.  All kinds of folks were brought to Jesus for help. Capernaum's sick were laid before Him. And He healed illnesses and cast out demons. These two activities were not identical. People get sick for all manner of reasons. Not all illnesses are caused by demons.  New strength is imparted to those laid low by illness, so that they may again rise up to take their place in the world. That’s what Jesus did. He restored Peter’s mother-in-law to health. Their cure was complete.

Jesus lifts her up. From sin to holiness.  In the synagogue, Jesus had exorcised a demon with only a word.[1] Now He is more forceful.  He "casts them out" and will not permit them to speak.[2] With this final note, "because they knew him." This is a sobering reminder. The demons know the identity of Jesus. And they will do battle. These demonic powers will not go quietly. There will be many more confrontations. This battle. Will ultimately take Jesus to a cross. There He will bear your sin and the sin of the entire world. He will take all of the ugliness of this world’s sin to Himself. He carries to Himself the atrocities of the Nazis, the evil acts of isis, all the way to your secret sins and your private practices and your ugly prejudices. There He will exchange your guilt for His perfection. And declare you not guilty. Restored, redeemed forgiven. 

When God pardons, He does not say He understands your weakness or make allowances for your errors. Rather, He disposes of, finishes with, the whole of your dead life and raises you up with a new one. He does not so much deal with your failures as does He drop them down the black hole of Jesus' death. He forgets your sins in the darkness of the tomb. He remembers your iniquities no more in the forgetfulness of Jesus' death. He finds you in the desert of death, not in the garden of improvement. And in the power of Jesus' resurrection, He puts you on His shoulders, rejoicing, and brings you home![3]

Jesus lifts her up. From death to life. The healing miracles of Jesus are performed for a purpose. They demonstrate Jesus’ power. His power over death. And the power to give life. The Lord breathed into lifeless clay and created the human race.     And yet, each will die. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.[5]  For He will restore all to life on the last great day. 

Thus the apostle Paul explains to us: ^“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.  For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.  When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

 “O death, where is your victory?

  O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”[6]

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ, he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who has begun this good work in you, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Words – 1,210

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Readability -82%

Reading level – 4.1

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[1] Mark 1:21-28

[2] Mark 1:34

[3] Robert Farrar Capon, Parables of Grace, pg. 39

[4] Geneses 2:7

[5] Romans 6:23

[6] 1 Corinthians 15:51-17

The Presentation of our Lord

Almighty and ever-living God, as Your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple grant that we may be presented to You with pure and clean hearts; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Source:

Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis

Time in the Word - Epiphany 5

Collect for Epiphany 5—O Lord, keep Your family the Church continually in the true faith that, relying on the hope of Your heavenly grace, we may ever be defended by Your mighty power; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Daily let pray-

Sunday – For the joy of the resurrection among us; for the fruit of faith nourished by the Word and Sacraments

Monday- For faith to live in the promises of Holy Baptism; for one’s calling and daily work; for the unemployed; for the salvation and well-being of our neighbors; for schools,, colleges, and seminaries; for good government and for peace;

Tuesday – For deliverance against temptation and evil; for the addicted and despairing, the tortured and oppressed; for those struggling with sin.

Wednesday – For marriage and family, tht husbands and wives, parents and children lives in ordered harmony according to the Word of God; for parents who must raise children alone; for our communities and neighborhoods.

Thursday – For the church and her pastors; for teachers, deaconesses, and other church workers; for missionaries and for all who serve the Church; for fruitful and salutary use of the blessed Sacrament of Christ’ body and blood.

Friday – For the preaching of the holy cross of our Lord Jesus Christ and for the spread of His knowledge throughout the whole world; for the persecuted and oppressed; for the sick and dying.

Saturday – For faithfulness to the end; for the renewal of those who are withering in the faith or have fallen away; for receptive hearts and minds to god’s Word on the Lord’s Day; for pastors and people as the prepared to administer and receive Christ’s holy gifts.

Sunday’s  readings give the seamy side of life. Life can be rough and tough. Suffering, hardship, and adversity are facts of life. This is illustrated in the prayer offered in the Introit for the week. The Gospel tells us of Jesus healing physical and mental diseases resulting in “Every one is searching for you.” (v.37)  Paul becomes all things to all men in whatever condition they are in – “those under the law,” “outside the law,” and “weak” in order to win them for Christ. In Epiphany we see the glory of God in Christ as the healer of suffering humanity.

Time in the Word
2–7 February, 2015
Preparation for next week, The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Healing for a Suffering Humanity

Monday, 2 February  2015—Psalm 13:3–5; antiphon, Psalm 13:6—This psalm of David reflects the believer’s trust in the Lord to deliver him from the tribulations of this world. When we are in misery, the psalm encourages us with the good news that the Lord has accomplished the salvation of those who trust in Him (v. 5). Our response, then, is reflected in the antiphon: I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Tuesday, 3 February 2015—Psalm 147:1–11—This is a song of praise to the greatness of the Lord, who manifests His greatness not just in mighty works, such as determining the number of stars, and giving them all their names, but especially because of His steadfast love which causes Him to heal the brokenhearted and lift up the humble. For this reason, it is no chore to sing praises to Him, but it is good to sing praises to our God, for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.

Wednesday, 4 February  2015—Isaiah 40:21–31—This is part of a larger section in which the Lord directs Isaiah to Comfort, comfort My people (Isa 40:1) with the good news of forgiveness of sins. This portion tells us that nothing can stand in the way of the Lord and His plan of salvation. He brings those who would oppose Him to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. There can be no doubt that He will accomplish that which He promises, for the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary. When our human frailness would cause us to despair, we take comfort that He gives power to the faint and that they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.

Thursday, 5 February  2015—1 Corinthians 9:16–27—St Paul boasts, not of himself, but of the Gospel. What a privilege it is for him, and all of us, to proclaim the Good News of salvation in Christ Jesus! He cannot but go out to all—Jew, Gentile, weak, strong—and proclaim the forgiveness that belongs to all men through the merits of Christ.

Out of divine necessity Paul preaches, and to win people to Christ he identifies with them.  In this chapter Paul defends his ministry against those who condemn him for not taking pay from his churches, for”the laborer is worthy of his hire.” Paul was economically independent by working as a tent-maker. Paul explains that he preaches out of necessity, for he was called to preach. He performs out of this commission and not for monetary remuneration.  This had mader him free from being obligated to men and made him free to be all things to all men in the hope of winning them to Christ.

Friday, 6 February  2015—Mark 1:29–39—The Epiphany—manifestation— of our Lord continues as Jesus makes known who He is by demonstrating His authority.

Last week, He showed that He has authority over the unclean spirits; this week, He demonstrates His authority also over sickness and disease. He does His proper work, delivering people from the effects of sin. By healing diseases and casting out demons, He foreshadows His eventual defeat of the power of sin and the devil by His death at Calvary.

Everyone searches for Jesus because he heals all kinds of diseases. Jesus begins His public ministry with healing both physical and mental illnesses. He does not allow the demons to reveal His divine identity. This is a messianic secret until, at the cross, the centurion confesses Jesus as the Son of God. Several of the Disciples want Jesus to return to Capernaum from His place of prayer to heal, but Jesus wants to move on to other areas of Galilee.

Did Jesus heal the woman to get service from her? At once Peter’s mother-in-law got busy waiting on them – a meal perhaps? It was a normal response to being helped and healed. Service is the result of gratitude for service rendered. Service flowing from love is service with love and a smile.

Strange, isn’t it, that only the demons know who Jesus was. Jesus ordered them to keep silence as to His identity. He wanted the people to discover for themselves who He was. The secret was revealed at Calvary when the Centurion saw He was the Son of God.

The Disciples told Jesus that everyone was searching for Him in Capernaum because of His healing. Would that it were true that all people were searching for Jesus! And searching for Him for the right reason! They wanted Him as a healer only. Jesus says He came not primarily to heal but to preach – “that is why I came out.”

Saturday, 7 February 2015—The hymn of the day, Hail to the Lord’s Anointed (LSB 398), is a fitting hymn of praise to the Son of God made flesh and anointed at His Baptism. Especially in stanza 2, it recounts His coming to heal those beset by the consequence of sin in the world. But more than providing just physical relief, He comes that their darkness turn to light, to relieve us from the eternal consequences of sin.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B John Brokhoff © 1980 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

Epiphany 4

Epiphany 4

1 February 2015

Mark 1:21-28

Authority – So what?

It is one thing to have authority and it is another to have that authority accepted.  Lack of respect for authority is a problem of our day.  Thirty-five years ago, millions in Iran demonstrated against the Shah to the point that he had to leave the country. The people refused to bow to his authority.  Though he had authority as a king, his authority was no longer accepted, respected, and obeyed by a majority of the people.  The same can happen to any person of authority, including Jesus Christ.  What is our response to His authority? How should we properly respond to Jesus’ authority?

1.     First, we must recognize His authority –“And they were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as {one} having authority, and not as the scribes.”V.22

When Jesus speaks. When He acts. People notice.  Jesus proved that He had that authority that comes from God by what He said. He spoke for God. But He backs up His words with His works of mercy. Jesus speaks and Jesus acts! He says only those things that God can say.  He works miracles and acts of kindness that only God can perform. This truly is God in the flesh. No one can work like Him. No one can speak like Him. By His words. By His works. We recognize there is none other. Only He can be the Son of God.

Transition: But there is more than merely recognizing Jesus’ works and words for what they are. Few today would dispute what He has done.  Few, if any, would put a disclaimer on His words and actions. But how do we respond to what He has said? What is our reaction to the miracles that He works? His words and works call us to action.

2.     We must also respect Jesus’ authority –“And just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, "What do we have to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are-- the Holy One of God!" Vv.23-24

“You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” James reminds us.  (James 2:19) The devil recognizes Jesus’ power and authority.  The devil calls Jesus out. Respecting His authority, the demons knew Jesus had the authority to destroy them. “What are going to do to us?” They ask.  “Have You come to destroy us?”  The demon knew his fate. He will be doomed forever by the one who has the authority to destroy him. That’s why he asks the question! It’s not a matter that he would be destroyed. That fact is perfectly obvious.  The question is when. When will this demon be destroyed?  Will you destroy me now? Or later? For You are the Holy One of God.

One’s enemies make for our best critics.  The demon gives testimony that this Jesus is the Christ. The very Son of God.  We too, are called to acknowledge what even Jesus’ fiercest enemies had to admit. We respect Him. For He is God Almighty. The Lord of Hosts, To Him every knee shall bow. And every tongue confess. He, Jesus, is Lord of all.

3.            We finally respond to Jesus’ authority –“And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" And throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice, and came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." V.25

The inevitable happens.  After nine anxious months. A baby is finally delivered. We know what is coming. Yet, when that blessed event happens. We are filled with awe.

You take in a spectacular sunrise or sunset. We recognize that this is something that happens every day. Each morning the sun rises at the beginning of the day. We expect it to set as dusk turns to night. But when we take it all in. We are filled with wonder and awe. Likewise when recognizing Jesus you respond with shouts of thanksgiving. “For it is my duty to thank and to praise, to serve and obey Him!” Yes, this is most certainly true!

The confrontation of Jesus with the demon only heightened the reality that this Jesus is King and Lord of all. May we resound in kind by offering Him our lives for service in His kingdom. Willingly following Him and praising Him for all that He has done. I

Words – 790

Passive Sentences 6%

Reading Ease – 78.8

Reading Level -4

Time in the Word - Epiphany 4

Prayers for the Epiphany Season – 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.

Almighty God, you sent your Son to proclaim your kingdom and to teach with authority. Anoint us with the power of your Spirit that we, too, may bring good news to the afflicted, bind upon the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captives.

O God, by the leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles. Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

For citizenship – Lord keep this nation under Your care. Bless our nation with faithful leaders that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to the other nations of the earth. Grant that he may make wise decisions for the general welfare and serve You faithfully in this generation; through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.

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

There is no one in the whole world who can withstand death. All men flee from it and quake in terror before it. Nevertheless, they are overtaken by death. But faith remains firm and stands up against death. Faith conquers death and devours this ravenous glutton. Likewise, the whole world cannot constrain or suppress the flesh. But faith takes hold of the flesh and subdues it. Faith bridles the flesh into obedience. Similarly, no man can endure the raging, persecution, blasphemy, reproach, hatred and jealousy of the world. It makes a mockery of faith and treads it under foot, and even finds joy and pleasure in all this. Yet faith alone is the victory that overcomes the world.  (Martin Luther)

The theme for the fourth Sunday after the Epiphany can be summarized by the word authority. Jesus teaches and heals with authority. A prophet like Moses is to be obeyed because he speaks the words of God. This is an authority of God’s Word. In the Epistle lesson authority is implied: Knowledge of God gives authority to be free from idols. A review of Luther’s great teaching hymn, “Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice,” (LSB #556) would be an excellent devotional guide as you read the propers for this coming week.

Collect 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.

January 26-31, 2015
Preparation for next week, Epiphany 4

Monday, January 26, 2015—Psalm32:1-2, 5-7 –- The Antiphon is taken from Psalm 32:10, “Many are the woes of the wicked but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him.” Appealing to God’s unfailing love, kindness, and mercy is frequent in the Old Testament since it summarizes all that the Lord covenanted to show to His people. This is an excellent Psalm which gives testimony to the joy the sinner has having experienced the Father’s forgiveness in Christ.

Tuesday, January 27. 2015—Psalm 111—The key verse of this psalm is verse 3,”Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.” The Psalmist praises the Lord for His unfailing righteousness. The psalm combines hymns of praise with instruction in wisdom. Truly, an excellent Psalm. 

Wednesday, January 28, 2015—Deuteronomy 18:15-20— The authority of reception – who gave it to you. God promises to raise up a prophet like Moses. The book of Deuteronomy is Moses’ last address to the people before entering the Promised Land. Sunday’s Old Testament lesson is a part of a section dealing with prophecy. A prophet like Moses is promised to replace the false prophets. This true Moses will mediate between the Lord and the people. The passage explains how through Moses God provided for the institution of prophecy. True prophecy demands obedience on the part of the people and loyalty by the prophets. 

Thursday, January 29 2015—1 Corinthians 8:1-13—The authority of revelation – what you know. Knowledge of God gives freedom to eat meat offered to idols. Paul discusses a specific situation in Corinth, which caused a problem for Christians. Pagans participated in offering animal sacrifices to their gods. Part of the meat was burned on an altar and the rest was sold for food at the markets. Some Christians had no qualms of buying such meat for home consumption while others were conscience-stricken at the idea, for it seemed to them that they were participating in a pagan practice. Paul says no one should object to meats offered to idols because idols have no existence. God is the one and only true God. However, if some weaker brothers still feel it is wrong, those who have the knowledge that God alone is God should not each such meat to prevent offense and the destruction of their faith.

Luther speaking of “Christian liberty” once said the Christian is the freest of all men but the servant of all. Our knowledge of God frees us from superstition, legalism, and a bad conscience, but love enslaves us for the welfare of our brother who might not yet have such knowledge. How many Christians today are willing to sacrifice their freedom of life-style to prevent offending a narrow Christian?

Friday, January 30, 2015—Mark 1:21-28—The authority of identity – who you are. With authority Jesus teaches and drives out an unclean spirit. After calling four disciples, Jesus begins his ministry by teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. The people are impressed by His authoritative teaching compared with the teaching of the scribes. A man in the congregation has an evil spirit, which addresses Jesus and knows Him to be the Messiah. With authority, Jesus commands the demon to leave the man. At the very beginning of His ministry, Jesus comes into contact with evil powers. As God’s Son, He conquers the evil spirit. He does it by exercising His authority as God’s Son.

The word “immediately” (vv.21, 23) is a word Mark will often use. It has theological significance. It denotes a sense of urgency and importance. The Kingdom cannot wait. There is no place for laxity or procrastination. One must work while it is day before the night comes. The fields are white unto harvest. Jesus has a world to save in three years! He has the whole truth of God to reveal. He needs to set up a movement to carry on His work when He leaves. The church today needs to imitate Christ in this matter to overcome lethargy. 

Saturday, January 31, 2015—John 6:37—The hymn of the day is, “Just as I Am, Without One Plea,” (LSB #570). God’s action, not man’s, is primary in salvation and Christ’s mercy is unfailing. See John 6:44, 10:29, 17:6, 18:9. This hymn has become a treasured hymn of many people.

Sources:

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

LECTIONALRY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES B © 1981 John Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH

Luther’s Works: American Edit Edition. 55 volumes. (Volumes 1-30, Concordia Publishing House; volumes 31 31-55, Fortress Press)

Epiphany 3

Epiphany 3

25 January 2015

Mark 1:14-15

What Did Jesus Preach?

And after John had been taken into custody. Jesus came into Galilee.  Preaching the gospel of God. And saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. (NASB)

Jesus came preaching. But what did He preach? – Law or gospel? Or both? Mark gives us a summary of Jesus’ preaching. Since we honor and respect Jesus. Above all preachers. What was the content of His preaching? What does Jesus have to say to us today? Our text gives us the answer…

Jesus preached the gospel of God

1. The time – "the time is fulfilled" – v. 15

Jesus began to preach in Galilee. After John was put in prison. When John had finished his testimony.  Then Jesus began His public ministry. Notice what is happening here. The silencing of Christ's ministers shall not suppress Christ's gospel. John is imprisoned.  But the Gospel can’t be silenced. If some are laid aside. Others are raised up. Plenty wish to stifle the Gospel. This will be their own undoing. When one is stopped another takes his place. John’s imprisonment is the beginning of Jesus’ preaching. It is the signal for Jesus to carry on the same work that John had stated. Now Jesus is to begin with His message. And what is that message?

2. The fact – "the kingdom of God is at hand" – v. 15

This is the message of what Jesus preached; "The gospel of the kingdom of God is at hand!" Christ came to establish the kingdom of God. That you might be brought into it. That you might obtain salvation. In His kingdom. He establishes His kingdom by the preaching of His gospel. This brings a power. That brings salvation and life.

Transition:  The time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God is at hand. The time, refers to the Old Testament. In which the kingdom of the Messiah was promised.  The Father fixed a time for introducing the Son’s coming into our world. Jesus’ hearers on that day were not so well versed in those prophecies. They had forgotten the promises. Nor did they observe the signs of the times... Therefore Christ gives them His official notice; "The time once fixed in the past is now at hand. Glorious discoveries of divine light, life, and love, is now to be made; a new direction far more spiritual and heavenly than that, which you had been under, is now to commence."

3. The response – "repent and believe" –v.15

Notice how God keeps time. When the time is fulfilled.  The kingdom of God is at hand. Christ gave His hearers back then and you, today, the ability to understand the times.  That you might know what you ought to do. Christ tells us that that the kingdom is approaching. Repent. Believe the gospel.

They had broken the moral law.  Their own good works could not save them. For His hearers then, and for us today. The law always accuses. The law always condemned. We live under guilt according to the Law.

They must therefore receive the benefit of a covenant of grace. They must submit to a remedial law. And this is the evidence that God’s kingdom truly has come---there must be repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ.

By repentance, we must lament and forsake our sins. And by grace through faith, we receive the forgiveness of our sins. By repentance, we must own up to our Creator, Whom we have offended as well as our neighbor. And, in faith. We trust our Redeemer. Who came to save us from our sins. Both of these; repentance and faith must go together.

Do not think that reforming your lives will make you right with God. This will not happen without trusting in the righteousness and grace of Christ. Nor can we say that trusting in Christ will save us without the reformation of our hearts and lives. Christ has joined these two together. Repentance as well as faith. And let no one think to put these two away. They will mutually assist and befriend each other. Repentance brings us to our knees. The Gospel raises us up. The Law convicts the comfortable. The Gospel comforts the convicted.

When Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses to the Wittenberg door in 1517, the first theses read as follows; “Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, willed that the whole life of believers should be repentance.”

But he goes on to explain, “The true treasure of the Church is the Most Holy Gospel of the glory and the grace of God.” And finally, “Blessed be all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, “[The] Cross, [The] cross.”[1]   

With the arrest of John, the preaching of the gospel by Jesus begins. And thus, it continues. Still the call remains; repent, and believe. We live a life of repentance. We live a life of faith.  The Law says, “Do!” The Gospel says, “DONE!” That is the basis of the gospel message. That is your hope, which is yours in Christ.

Words -872

Passive Sentences – 8%

Reading Ease - 82.8%

Reading Level - 3.5
Image taken circa 1980

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[1] http://www.conradaskland.com/blog/2008/11/martin-luthers-95-theses-in-latin-and-english/