Pr. DFD

Friday, May 17, 2019

Easter 5

Easter 5

19 May 2019

John 16:12–22

Jesus Turns Sorrow into Joy

Jesus said; “on earth ‘you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (John 16:20)

1. On earth, you will be sorrowful. There are many kinds of sorrows and suffering which may at times visit us. Self-inflicted suffering. Suffering from infirmities of our mortal bodies. Sorrow from separation by death. Suffering that tries and tests us. Suffering to develop our spiritual strength. Suffering to humble us and lead us to repentance. These sufferings, which we endure reminds us of two realities.

A. This is a fallen world. We are living outside of Eden.

B. As a result, life is often out of sorts. And we attempt to make things normal again. Unfortunately, the way it is can never return to the way it was.

2. But your sorrow will turn to joy. This is the Lord’s promise for you. Out of suffering, sorrow, and sadness - joy will come.

A. Realized by faith in the risen Christ. Who will wipe away every tear from your eye.

B. Thus, fix your heart where true joys are found. Fix your focus on Jesus.

_________

Jesus reminds us - you are going to be weeping and lamenting while the world around you is rejoicing.

1. When the disciples saw Jesus hanging on the cross, and they realize that when He talked about His crucifixion, they would weep and lament.

2. Their hopes would be dashed; they would lose their will to live.

3. On that Sabbath, they sat weeping and lamenting. They were feeling total despair. The Savior was dying. They had no hope.

4. That Friday was a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day. That was probably one of the most miserable days of their lives.

5. All their hopes and plans for the future were shattered. How do you go back to try to pick up the broken pieces of your life to start over again?

6. Oh, what a difference a day can make. It is the Day of Resurrection!

Jesus said, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.

1. Just a day. But what a difference. When Resurrection Sunday comes and they find that, the tomb is empty.

2. "Why are you seeking the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen just as He said."

3. Jesus said to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus when they spoke of their hope in Jesus in the past tense. “Oh foolish and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have said concerning the Messiah.”

4. What a contrast of emotions from the deepest sorrow, to the highest joy. The disciples turned from sorrow to joy. It was the resurrection of Jesus and His appearance to them, which changed not only their outlook but also their perspective on everything.

What was it that brought them such great sorrow?

1. Their failure to believe Jesus’ word. They didn’t understand what He was saying, and they soon forgot. They were too preoccupied with what was happening to them at the moment, and they couldn’t grasp what He really meant. After all (they might have said to themselves), no one ever comes back from the grave. The Bible tells us they didn’t recall His words until after the resurrection. John 22

2. It was their doubt and unbelief. The disciples’ failure should remind us of our own failure to understand or believe everything God has told us. How often — even today — have you forgotten God’s promises to be with you and help you?

3. Doubt and unbelief will have you weeping when you should be rejoicing. Job doubted God’s goodness when his children died and his livelihood was gone. Abraham and Sarah doubted God’s promise, as they grew older and found themselves still without a child of their own. Gideon doubted God could use a man like him to fight his upcoming battle.

4. Doubting God's word can cause great anxiety and sorrow. Lamenting in prison John would have to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” Now sitting in prison, John was plagued with tormenting doubts and fears. Had his ministry been in vain? Had he been wrong about Jesus? Was God now punishing him for his mistake? Jesus brought them close and let them see how He was fulfilling the very Scriptures He knew John needed to hear. Christ loves you in the midst of your doubt. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Place your doubts, fears, and anxiety into His capable hands.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

1. Today, He can give you beauty for ashes.

2. The oil of joy for your mourning.

3. And the garment of praise for your heaviness.

The resurrection is what did it.

1. Resurrection Sunday was more than just the resurrection of Jesus.

2. It was a resurrection of the disciples’ joy. The Resurrection is a proclamation that Jesus is alive and present with us. In the Resurrection appearances, the disciples experienced Jesus in their midst. The same Jesus who had walked with them now again touched their lives, and spoke and ate with them.

3. It was a resurrection of the disciples’ hope. The Resurrection proclaims that Jesus is with us as well. The Ascension is not a declaration of Jesus’ absence. Jesus is now present in every space and time. We encounter Jesus in the Scripture, in the sacraments. As we recall the stories of the Resurrection appearances, Christ is once again with us, forgiving, feeding, and consoling.

“On earth ‘you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” Alleluia, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed, Alleluia!

Words-1,115

Passive Words-3%

Readability –75.8%

Reading Level – 5.3

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

Morning Prayer Reading 140

Philippians 2:1-11

Christ's Example of Humility

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a] 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,[b] 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[c] being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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.

Luther's Seal © Higher Things permission granted for personal and congregational use

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Morning Prayer Reading 139

Ephesians 2:1-10

By Grace Through Faith

2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body[a] and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.[b] 4 But[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Morning Prayer Reading 138

1 Corinthians 11:23-29

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for[f] you. Do this in remembrance of me.”[g] 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.[h] 31 But if we judged[i] ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined[j] so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

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.

Luther's Seal © Higher Things permission granted for personal and congregational use

Monday, May 13, 2019

Morning Prayer Reading 137

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Christ the Wisdom and Power of God

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach[b] to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,[c] not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being[d] might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him[e] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Easter 5 Series C

Easter 5 Series C

Acts 11:1–18

Revelation 21:1–7

John 16:12–22 or John 13:31–35

Collect for the Fifth Sunday of Easter: O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Jesus Turns Sorrow into Joy

On earth “you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (John 16:20). Already the Spirit grants you peace and joy through the forgiveness of your sins. For by the cross of Christ, “God has granted repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18). His Gospel is “a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household” (Acts 11:14). He gives freely “from the spring of the water of life” (Revelation 21:6), “and death shall be no more” (Revelation 21:4). He dwells with His people, adorning His Church as a bride for her husband, “making all things new” (Revelation 21:5). Therefore, as the Son of Man is glorified by His cross, “and God is glorified in Him” (John 13:31), so He is glorified in us by our “love for one another” (John 13:35), which His Spirit works in us by His grace.

John 13:31–35

A New Commandment

John 13:31

Ὅτε οὖν ἐξῆλθεν λέγει Ἰησοῦς• Νῦν ἐδοξάσθη ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, καὶ ὁ θεὸς ἐδοξάσθη ἐν αὐτῷ•

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

John 13:32

εἰ ὁ θεὸς ἐδοξάσθη ἐν αὐτῷ, καὶ ὁ θεὸς δοξάσει αὐτὸν ἐναὑτῷ, καὶ εὐθὺς δοξάσει αὐτόν.

If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.

John 13:33

τεκνία, ἔτι μικρὸν μεθ’ ὑμῶν εἰμι• ζητήσετέ με, καὶ καθὼς εἶπον τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις ὅτι Ὅπου ἐγὼ ὑπάγω ὑμεῖς οὐ δύνασθε ἐλθεῖν, καὶ ὑμῖν λέγω ἄρτι.

Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’

John 13:34

ἐντολὴν καινὴν δίδωμι ὑμῖν ἵνα ἀγαπᾶτε ἀλλήλους, καθὼς ἠγάπησα ὑμᾶς ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀγαπᾶτε ἀλλήλους.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

John 13:35

ἐν τούτῳ γνώσονται πάντες ὅτι ἐμοὶ μαθηταί ἐστε, ἐὰν ἀγάπην ἔχητε ἐν ἀλλήλοις.

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 16:12-22

When the Spirit comes He will guide you into all truth

John 16:12

Ἔτι πολλὰ ἔχω [a]ὑμῖν λέγειν, ἀλλ’ οὐ δύνασθε βαστάζειν ἄρτι•

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

John 16:13

ὅταν δὲ ἔλθῃ ἐκεῖνος, τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς ἀληθείας, ὁδηγήσει ὑμᾶς ἐν τῇ ἀληθείᾳ πάσῃ, οὐ γὰρ λαλήσει ἀφ’ ἑαυτοῦ, ἀλλ’ ὅσα ἀκούσει λαλήσει, καὶ τὰ ἐρχόμενα ἀναγγελεῖ ὑμῖν.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

John 16:14

ἐκεῖνος ἐμὲ δοξάσει, ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ ἐμοῦ λήμψεται καὶ ἀναγγελεῖ ὑμῖν.

He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

John 16:15

πάντα ὅσα ἔχει ὁ πατὴρ ἐμά ἐστιν• διὰ τοῦτο εἶπον ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ ἐμοῦ λαμβάνει καὶ ἀναγγελεῖ ὑμῖν.

All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Your sorrow will turn to joy

John 16:16

Μικρὸν καὶ οὐκέτι θεωρεῖτέ με, καὶ πάλιν μικρὸν καὶ ὄψεσθέ με.

“A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.”

John 16:17

εἶπαν οὖν ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ πρὸς ἀλλήλους• Τί ἐστιν τοῦτο ὃ λέγει ἡμῖν• Μικρὸν καὶ οὐ θεωρεῖτέ με, καὶ πάλιν μικρὸν καὶ ὄψεσθέ με; καί•Ὅτι ὑπάγω πρὸς τὸν πατέρα;

So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?”

John 16:18

ἔλεγον οὖν• Τί ἐστιν τοῦτο ὃ λέγει μικρόν; οὐκ οἴδαμεν τί λαλεῖ.

So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.”

John 16:19

ἔγνω Ἰησοῦς ὅτι ἤθελον αὐτὸν ἐρωτᾶν, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς• Περὶ τούτου ζητεῖτε μετ’ ἀλλήλων ὅτι εἶπον• Μικρὸν καὶ οὐ θεωρεῖτέ με, καὶ πάλιν μικρὸν καὶ ὄψεσθέ με;

Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’?

John 16:20

ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι κλαύσετε καὶ θρηνήσετε ὑμεῖς, ὁ δὲ κόσμος χαρήσεται• [j]ὑμεῖς λυπηθήσεσθε, ἀλλ’ ἡ λύπη ὑμῶν εἰς χαρὰν γενήσεται.

Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

John 16:21

ἡ γυνὴ ὅταν τίκτῃ λύπην ἔχει, ὅτι ἦλθεν ἡ ὥρα αὐτῆς• ὅταν δὲ γεννήσῃ τὸ παιδίον, οὐκέτι μνημονεύει τῆς θλίψεως διὰ τὴν χαρὰν ὅτι ἐγεννήθη ἄνθρωπος εἰς τὸν κόσμον.

When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.

John 16:22

καὶ ὑμεῖς οὖν νῦν μὲν λύπην ἔχετε• πάλιν δὲ ὄψομαι ὑμᾶς, καὶ χαρήσεται ὑμῶν ἡ καρδία, καὶ τὴν χαρὰν ὑμῶν οὐδεὶςαἴρει ἀφ’ ὑμῶν.

So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

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

Time in the Word - Easter 5

Time in the Word:
Preparation for next week, the Fifth Sunday of Easter

The Newness of the Resurrection Turns Sorrow into Joy

On earth “you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (John 16:20). Already the Spirit grants you peace and joy through the forgiveness of your sins. For by the cross of Christ, “God has granted repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18). His Gospel is “a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household” (Acts 11:13–14). He gives freely “from the spring of the water of life” (Rev. 21:6), “and death shall be no more” (Rev. 21:4). He dwells with His people, adorning His Church as a bride for her husband, “making all things new” (Rev. 21:5). Therefore, as the Son of Man is glorified by His cross, “and God is glorified in Him” (John 13:31), so He is glorified in us by our “love for one another” (John 13:35), which His Spirit works in us by His grace.

Collect for the Fifth Sunday of Easter: O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Time in the Word
May 13-18 2019
Preparation for next week, the Fifth Sunday of Easter

Monday, 13 May 2019—Psalm 98:2–6; antiphon, Psalm 98:1—During Eastertide, it is our great joy to sing wonderful songs of praise to the Lord in His royal honor. A new song is called for as we consider all the marvelous things He has done for us. He has made known His salvation in the person of His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Because of His steadfast love and faithfulness to the spiritual house of Israel, that is, the Christian Church (Romans 9:6–8), we have been saved from sin, death, and everlasting condemnation.

Tuesday, 14 May 2019—Psalm 148—The Psalm for the Day is the same as it was on the Second Sunday of Easter, but it can never be stale or “old hat.” It is always a joy to sing the praise of the One who has raised up a horn of salvation for us. The psalm calls upon all creation to praise the Lord; this is fitting, for, by His death and resurrection, Christ has begun the work of making all things new, that is, restoring all creation from the tragic consequences of the Fall into sin.

Wednesday, 15 May 2019—Acts 11:1–18—The First Reading, from Acts, also shows the Newness of the Resurrection. There is a new way of thinking who may be incorporated into the family of God. Peter’s report to the Jerusalem Council of his encounter with the Gentile Cornelius (Acts, chapter 10), shows that the regulations which were binding on God’s people in the Old Testament were not an end unto themselves, but served the purpose of pointing the way to the One who would fulfill them: Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Christ makes all things new, and shows that salvation is by faith in the crucified and risen Jesus, and not by the works of the Law.

Thursday, 16 May 2019—Revelation 21:1–7—The glorious results of the Newness of the Resurrection were shown to St John in the revelation he received from the risen Lord Jesus Christ. Since Christ has atoned for the sins of the whole world, and has made all things new again, this will be reflected in all of creation at the Last Day, when the present age and present creation gives way to the new age and new creation. Because sin, death, and the devil have been defeated by Christ, in the new creation there will be no mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Friday, 17 May 2019—John 16:12–22orJohn 13:31–35—In John 13, Jesus gives us a new commandment, in keeping with the Newness of the Resurrection: Love one another. How simple that sounds, and yet, how difficult it is to keep. Impossible, in fact for us sinful creatures to keep. Only the new man, the one who is in Christ, can do this. Because Christ lives in us by virtue of the faith imparted to us in our Baptisms, we can reflect the love of God to others.

Saturday, 18 May 2019—The Hymn of the Day, At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing (LSB #633), is an ancient hymn of praise to the Lamb who was slain, but is now risen and gives us His body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins, and the strengthening of our faith. Stanza 7 speaks once more of the Newness of the Resurrection, proclaiming that the resurrection of Christ has destroyed sin—Easter triumph, Easter joy!—and made us to be newborn souls. Alleluia!

This Week’s Morning Prayer Readings

Read and review the following Bible stories for each day…

Monday, 13 May -1 Corinthians 11:23-29

Tuesday, 14 May - Galatians 4:1-7

Wednesday, 15 May – Chapel Day

Thursday, 16 May- Ephesians 2:1-10

Friday, 17 May- Philippians 2:1-11

From the Catechism; Review Commandments 9-10; Article 1-2 of the Apostles’ Creed

Prayer for newness of life by the Holy Spirit: O Lord God, heavenly Father, You gave Your only Son to die for our sins and to rise again for our justification. By Your Holy Spirit grant us newness of life that through the power of Christ's resurrection we may dwell with Him forever; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for a new heart and a new spirit: Almighty and everlasting God, by the death and resurrection of Your Son You cleansed our hearts and put a new Spirit within us. Grant that all who are brought to newness of life in the fellowship of the body of Christ may show forth in their lives what they confess with their lips; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for newness of life as a baptized child of God: Merciful Father, through Holy Baptism You called us to be Your own possession. Grant that our lives may evidence the working of Your Holy Spirit in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, according to the image of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

Prayer for newness of life through confession and absolution: Almighty, everlasting God, for our many sins we justly deserve eternal condemnation. In Your mercy You sent Your dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who won for us forgiveness of sins and everlasting salvation. Grant us a true confession that, dead to sin, we may be raised up by Your life-giving absolution. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may be ever watchful and live true and godly lives in Your service; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer at a confirmation: Almighty God, grant that we who have been redeemed from the old life of sin through Baptism into the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, may be renewed in Your Holy Spirit and live in righteousness and true holiness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.