Pr. DFD

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Lent 1 Series C

Lent 1 Series C

Deuteronomy 26:1–11

Romans 10:8b–13

Luke 4:1–13

Jesus Christ Is Our Champion Against the Devil

O Lord Jesus Christ, You lead Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the Promised Land. Guide the people of Your church that following our Savior we might walk through the wilderness of this world toward the world that is to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.

Jesus Christ, our Champion against the devil, endures and overcomes “every temptation” (Luke 4:13) on our behalf. He worships the Lord His God, and serves Him only by trusting the Word of His Father: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22).

Jesus’ victory is now ours through His gracious Word, which is not far away but near us – in our mouth and in our heart, in the proclamation of repentance and faith. For “with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:10).

Our confession of Christ includes the prayer of faith, which is not disappointed; “for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

The Lord is not oblivious to “our affliction, our toil, and our oppression” (Deuteronomy 26:7), but has mercy upon us. He has brought us out of bondage through the “signs and wonders” of Holy Baptism, “with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm” (Deuteronomy 26:8), and now He leads us by His Spirit even in the wilderness.

Luke 4:1-13 -The Temptation of Jesus

The order of the temptation is different in Luke -

Luke 4:1

Ἰησοῦς δὲ πλήρης πνεύματος ἁγίου ὑπέστρεψεν ἀπὸ τοῦ Ἰορδάνου, καὶ ἤγετο ἐν τῷ πνεύματι ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness

4:1 – Jesus, full of the Spirit is lead by the Spirit - led into all the misery of our lives...see Hebrews 4:15...He is led into temptation where we can't make it He can...our status as children means we will suffer...glory is always seen in the cross and suffering.

Jesus’ genealogy states Jesus is God's son...His temptation asks, "if you are the son of God...”

Luke 4:2

ἡμέρας τεσσεράκοντα πειραζόμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ διαβόλου. καὶ οὐκ ἔφαγεν οὐδὲν ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις, καὶ συντελεσθεισῶν αὐτῶν ἐπείνασεν.

for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.

Luke 4:3

εἶπεν δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ διάβολος• Εἰ υἱὸς εἶ τοῦ θεοῦ, εἰπὲ τῷ λίθῳ τούτῳ ἵνα γένηται ἄρτος.

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”

Luke 4:4

καὶ ἀπεκρίθη πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ Ἰησοῦς• Γέγραπται ὅτι Οὐκ ἐπ’ ἄρτῳ μόνῳ ζήσεται ὁ ἄνθρωπος.

And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”

Luke 4:5

Καὶ ἀναγαγὼν αὐτὸν ἔδειξεν αὐτῷ πάσας τὰς βασιλείας τῆς οἰκουμένης ἐν στιγμῇ χρόνου•

And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time,

Luke 4:6

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ διάβολος• Σοὶ δώσω τὴν ἐξουσίαν ταύτην ἅπασαν καὶ τὴν δόξαν αὐτῶν, ὅτι ἐμοὶ παραδέδοται καὶ ᾧ ἂν θέλω δίδωμι αὐτήν•

and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.

Luke 4:7

σὺ οὖν ἐὰν προσκυνήσῃς ἐνώπιον ἐμοῦ, ἔσται σοῦ πᾶσα.

If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”

Luke 4:8

καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ• Γέγραπται•Κύριον τὸν θεόν σου προσκυνήσεις καὶ αὐτῷ μόνῳ λατρεύσεις.

And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”

Luke 4:9

Ἤγαγεν δὲ αὐτὸν εἰς Ἰερουσαλὴμ καὶ ἔστησεν ἐπὶ τὸ πτερύγιον τοῦ ἱεροῦ, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ• Εἰ υἱὸς εἶ τοῦ θεοῦ, βάλε σεαυτὸν ἐντεῦθεν κάτω•

And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here,

Luke 4:10

γέγραπται γὰρ ὅτι Τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ ἐντελεῖται περὶ σοῦ τοῦ διαφυλάξαι σε,

for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’

Luke 4:11

καὶ ὅτι Ἐπὶ χειρῶν ἀροῦσίν σε μήποτε προσκόψῃς πρὸς λίθον τὸν πόδα σου.

And “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

Luke 4:12

καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι Εἴρηται• Οὐκ ἐκπειράσεις κύριον τὸν θεόν σου.

And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Luke 4:13

καὶ συντελέσας πάντα πειρασμὸν ὁ διάβολος ἀπέστη ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ ἄχρι καιροῦ.

And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

__________

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘Satan tempts Jesus’© WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Time in the Word - Lent 1

Time in the Word –Lent 1

The theme for the First Sunday in Lent is “A Good Confession.” In the Old Testament lesson, Moses shows that by our giving back to God, we confess all the good He has done for us. St Paul speaks of the confession which we make with our mouths, that Jesus is Lord. The Gospel has Jesus Himself rightly confessing the Word of God to overcome temptation and defeat the devil’s false confession of that Word.

Collect for the First Sunday in Lent: O Lord God, You led Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide the people of Your Church that following our Savior we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Monday, 4 March 2019—Psalm 91:9–13; Antiphon, Psalm 91:15–16—Both the Introit and the psalm of the day are drawn from the same psalm. The antiphon has the Lord speaking words of reassurance to us, that He shall be with us in trouble, and shall rescue us and show to us salvation. This is how the Lord treats those that love Him, those that make Him their Dwelling Place.

Tuesday, 5 March 2019—Psalm 91:1–13—The key verse is v. 1: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Many dangers, both physical and spiritual, face us every day. Nevertheless, the composer of this psalm has no fear or anxiety, because he knows that the Lord is His Refuge and his Fortress.

Wednesday, 6 March 2019—Deuteronomy 26:1–11—People give to the Lord for different reasons: some, grudgingly, out of a sense of obligation; some, only when there is a specific need which must be met; some, because they believe that giving to the Lord will bring some sort of earthly reward, monetary or otherwise. These directions to the Children of Israel from the Lord through His prophet Moses show that giving back to the Lord is a privilege, when we realize that all we have comes from Him. It should be a pleasure for us to give generously to the Lord; for doing so reminds us of all the blessings He continually showers upon us and gives us reason to rejoice.

Collect for Ash Wednesday: Almighty and everlasting God, You despise nothing You have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and contrite hearts that lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness we may receive from You full pardon and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Thursday, 7 March 2019—Romans 10:8b–13—We confess in the meaning to the Third Article of the Creed, ‘I believe that I cannot, by my own reason or strength, believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to Him. But the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith…’ When we make confession of our faith, whether it be a simple Jesus is Lord or a fuller confession, such as one of the Creeds, or even one of our Lutheran Confessions, we are simply saying back to God what He has first said to us.

Friday, 8 March 2019—Luke 4:1–13—What chutzpah! The devil tries to tempt the Son of God! As in the Garden of Eden, when he tempted the first humans into following him in sinning against God, he quotes the Word of God. But the One whom he tries to deceive this time is not just a man; He is also God Almighty Himself, the Word made flesh. Jesus knows how the devil likes to twist God’s Word for his own nefarious purposes, and overcomes all the devils schemes and cunning. Jesus does what we are unable to do, on our behalf. He defeats the devil in the test in the wilderness, and will later defeat him completely at the cross.

Saturday, 9 March 2019—Sunday’s hymn of the day is the ‘Battle Hymn of the Reformation,’ Luther’s great hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (LSB 656). Luther based the hymn on Psalm 46, but the Introit and Psalm of the Day, Psalm 91, also expresses the same idea, that the Lord is a great Fortress and Refuge. We can take rest in Him when we are assaulted by the slings and arrows of the Evil One, for Christ has defeated the devil. He still seems powerful to us, but he is merely in his death throes until the Last Day, when Christ will cast him into the abyss for all eternity.

Prayer for aid against temptation: O God, You justify the ungodly and desire not the death of the sinner. Graciously assist us by Your heavenly aid and evermore shield us with Your protection, that no temptation may separate us from Your love in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer in times of temptation: Almighty and everlasting God, through Your Son You have promised us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. Govern our hearts by Your Holy Spirit that in our daily need, and especially in all time of temptation, we may seek Your help and, by a true and lively faith in Your Word, obtain all that You have promised; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

This Week’s Morning Prayer Readings

Read and review the following Bible stories for each day…

Monday, 04 March - The temple tax-Matt.17:22-27

Tuesday, 05 March–Who is the Greatest?

Wednesday, 06 March– Chapel Day

Thursday, 07 March- Mary & Martha

Friday, 08 March– The Rich Fool

From the Catechism; Review Commandments 1-4

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. Amen.

Prayer of 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.

Woodcut by Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, a nineteenth-century German artist known especially for

his book “Das Buch der Bücher in Bilden” (‘The Book of Books in Pictures’), ©WELS.

Google Image "The Temptation of the Christ"

Transfiguration Sunday

Transfiguration Sunday – March 3, 2019 – Psalm 99: 9

Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.

The suggested Psalm for Transfiguration Sunday is Psalm 99. The text is full of awe and wonder for a God intimately among us. The psalm mentions the pillar of cloud from the Exodus story, connecting us across the Old and New Testaments to the glory around Jesus in the stories of his baptism and transfiguration.

Verse 4 mentions Jacob whose name was changed by God to Israel, meaning "one who struggles (and prevails) with God." In Lent we address our struggles and look to Christ who has overcome enabling us by faith to prevail. (1 Corinthians 15:57; Hebrews2:14; Romans8:37; Revelation21:4)

Verse 6 mentions Moses, Aaron and Samuel, representing leadership in politics, priesthood and prophecy. All three had experiences of guidance in wilderness places.

The phrase "Holy is He" occurs three times, in verses 3, 5 and 9. This expression of praise defines three distinct sections of the psalm: the first part declaring God's worldwide kingship, the second about God's justice in Israel, and third, some history to celebrate.

The transfiguration was an awe inspired experience. When was a time you felt awe? What language can be borrowed to describe that experience?

The disciple of Lent is almost here. On the Mountain of Transfiguration Jesus’ glory was clearly shown and experienced. Where do we see Christ’s glory today? Can you find it in acts of worship, in suffering, in His quiet leading?

The Psalmist reminds us the Lord reigns -

The Lord reigns in holiness—worship Him in reverence (99:1-3)

The Lord reigns in justice and righteousness—worship Him with a submissive heart (99:4-5)

The Lord reigns in faithfulness, mercy, and righteousness—worship Him with reverent intimacy (99:6-9)

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.[1]

Saturday, March 2, 2019

Transfiguration

Transfiguration Sunday
3 March, 2019
Luke 9:28–36

The Glory of God Is Manifested in the Body of Christ

Lord Jesus, bless Thy Word, that we may trust in Thee!

Today we make a transition. From the season of Epiphany to the season of Lent. In just three days, we will assemble in this holy house; in the very room, to begin a 40-day spiritual journey called Lent. At the Transfiguration of Jesus – the Glory of God is Manifested in the Body of Christ. A true confession, calls for us to say – above anything else – Jesus is the Lord of life.

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 fullness of our inheritance in heaven.

Let's consider these two mountains, these twin towers of Jesus' life and of our lives too.

1. Consider the Place where these events occurred - mountains: Transfiguration and Calvary - are high points of both glory and shame; triumph and disaster. Both were the lot of Jesus. Both occur in your life as well.

A. Consider the Transfiguration - There Jesus went up with His three friends. He went there to be vindicated. There, on that mountain, before their very eyes, Jesus was transfigured before them. As His clothing and clothing began to glow before them. As they heard the voice of the Father. As they witnessed Moses and Elijah. Those disciples were privileged to receive a message -that this Jesus - is truly the chosen one of the Father.

No. We do not receive audible sounds from God. Yet He still speaks. He communicates to us through His Word. There you find clear direction. There He will guide you along your journey. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path.”

B. Then there is Calvary -There Jesus went up alone. He was a man familiar and acquainted with grief. Despised and rejected by all sorts of the people. Not all could see that Jesus was this chosen Son of the Father. They could not accept His message and so He was rejected and forsaken by men.

THE POINT FOR US, living in the year of our Lord 2019 - We worship a living Christ - the embodiment of the one and eternal God. And yet He is despised by a majority of the world. We are to uphold the living Christ; who, although men rejected Him, He bore your sins in His body, that, being dead to sin, might live unto Him in righteousness and purity.

2. Consider the Reaction of both events - men did not understand both experiences

A. At the Transfiguration, the disciples did not understand what was taking place. - "[They were…] not knowing what he said" v.33 It was only after the death and resurrection that the disciples come to realize that this Transfigured Jesus could only be the Lord and Savior of the world.

B. At Calvary, there was much confusion. Jesus prayed - "Father forgive them for they know not what they do" Luke 23:34 The crowd, the mob, the leaders, the soldiers failed to realize that they were crucifying the Lord of glory.

THE POINT FOR US: We live in a world in which many folk fail to understand the meaning of the cross of Christ. The cross of Christ is more than just simple jewelry. The cross is more than a good luck charm. It is the place where the Son of Man was suspended between earth and heaven. St. Paul tells us "I determine to know nothing among you except for Jesus Christ and Him crucified." The old song sins, “In the cross of Christ I glory.” As we review what the Lord has done in our midst may Jesus Christ be praised; may we lift up the cross of Christ as a banner for all to see.

3. Consider the Reason why Jesus went up to the mountain - why go up to the mountains?

A. At the Transfiguration - Jesus went up on the mountain to receive the Father’s approval to die. As Moses and Elijah appeared, they spoke about the cross. They spoke about the fact that Jesus was about to suffer. They spoke concerning His death. And His offering of Himself in exchange for the sins of the world.

B. At Calvary, the prophecy was fulfilled. - Jesus went to the cross to die in obedience to the Father’s good and perfect will. Jesus prayed, "Father, if it is Your will remove this cup from Me. Never the less, not My will, but your will be done!" Jesus obediently followed the will of the Father.

THE POINT FOR US: Jesus followed the will of the Father every single moment. Jesus came into this world "to fulfill all righteousness". We point people to Christ, who has fulfilled all of the Father’s requirements. He has done all things well. We proclaim a Changing Christ to a changing world. This has been our mission for the past 181 years. By God's good and gracious will may we continue to lift high His banner proclaiming and pointing people to Christ; our strength and our redeemer.

Words – 955

Passive Sentences –16%

Readability – 75.4%

Reading Level -5.8%

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘The Transfiguration of our Lord’ © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Friday, March 1, 2019

Morning Prayer Reading 102

The Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 16:19-31

19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side.[f] The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

Footnotes:
Luke 16:22 Greek bosom; also verse 23

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

March

The season of Lent is upon us once again. On Sunday, March 3, we will gather to celebrate the Lord’s glorious Transfiguration.

The climax of Epiphany is no doubt the Transfiguration, while the climax of Lent is found at Mt. Calvary. Both involve mountains. What happened on Mt. Calvary was decided on another mountain, Mt. Hermon. Between the two peaks is the valley of Lent. Jesus comes down the mountain of Mt. Hermon, the place of His glorious Transfiguration and begins His journey "up to Jerusalem," to Mt. Calvary.

What all this means for us, living in the year of our Lord 2019 - We worship a living Christ who is the embodiment of the One and eternal God. Yet, He was despised and rejected. We uphold the living Christ who, although men rejected Him; He bore our sins in His body that we, being dead to sin might live unto Him in righteousness.

To guide us along our Lenten journey we will offer once again a parish devotional based on the Psalms. From Transfiguration Sunday through Easter Tuesday a daily devotion will be offered through the Parish Web site and on our congregation’s facebook page. Print editions will also be available at the entrance of church.

Our weekly mid-week Lenten service will focus on Jesus’ Seven words from the cross; culminating on Good Friday when Jesus cried from that cross, “Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit.” An evening meal will be offered throughout Lent beginning at 6 pm in the Parish Hall.

Our students at Wyneken will gather for worship at St. John, Bingen on Wednesday afternoon beginning at 1 pm from March 13- April 10. Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday services at Wyneken will be held in the morning with the imposition of Ashes on Ash Wednesday and individual absolution on Maundy Thursday. Those who are not able to attend our evening mid-week services are cordially invited to worship with our students. This year we will focus on some of the Penitential Palms from the Old Testament.

We live in a world in which many folk fail to understand what the cross of Christ really means. The cross of Christ is more than just simple jewelry. The cross is more than a good luck charm. It is the place where the Son of Man was suspended between earth and heaven.

St. Paul tells us "I determine to know nothing among you except for Jesus Christ and Him crucified" As we review what the Lord has done in our midst may Jesus Christ be praised; may we lift up the cross of Christ as a banner for all to see.

Jesus followed the will of the Father every single moment. Jesus came into this world "to fulfill all righteousness". We point people to Christ, who has fulfilled all of God's requirements. He has done all things well. To this day, we proclaim a Changing Christ to a changing world. This has been our mission for the past 181 years. By God's good and gracious will may we continue to lift high His banner proclaiming and pointing people to Christ; our strength and our redeemer.

-Godspeed during your Lenten journey!

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Morning Prayer Reading 101

Jesus Heals a Demon Possessed Boy
Matthew 17:14-21

14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, 15 said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” 17 And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon,[b] and it[c] came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.[d] 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”[e]

Footnotes:

Matthew 17:20 Some manuscripts insert verse 21: But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting

English Standard Version (ESV)