Pr. DFD

Sunday, June 9, 2019

Trinity Series C

Trinity -Series C

HOLY TRINITY

Proverbs 8:1–4, 22–31

Acts 2:14a, 22–36

John 8:48–59

Collect for Trinity – Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true fait hand to worship the unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for you, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign one God, now and forever.

The Triune God Reveals Himself in Christ Jesus

The divine Word of the Father is also the holy Wisdom who “was beside him, like a master workman,” who “was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always” (Prov. 8:30).

This Word became flesh and suffered death, in order to bestow life by the preaching of His Gospel “to the children of man” (Prov. 8:4).

He honors the Father, and the Father glorifies Him by raising Him from the dead, so that all who keep His Word “will never see death” (John 8:51).

Long ago, “father Abraham rejoiced” in the day of Christ, for “he saw it and was glad” (John 8:56). Though Christ was “crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men,” “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death” (Acts 2:23, 24).

As He “received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:33), so it is by and through the Son that God the Father pours out the Holy Spirit upon His Church.

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John 8:48 –

Ἀπεκρίθησαν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι καὶ εἶπαν αὐτῷ• Οὐ καλῶς λέγομεν ἡμεῖς ὅτι Σαμαρίτης εἶ σὺ καὶ δαιμόνιον ἔχεις;

"you're worse than a Samaritan!" You have a demon! See John 4 Jews and Samaritans had nothing to do with each other. See verse 41, "we were not born of fornication"

John 8:49 –

ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς• Ἐγὼ δαιμόνιον οὐκ ἔχω, ἀλλὰ τιμῶ τὸν πατέρα μου, καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀτιμάζετέ με.

a demon I do not have but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.

John 8:50 –

ἐγὼ δὲ οὐ ζητῶ τὴν δόξαν μου• ἔστιν ὁ ζητῶν καὶ κρίνων.

but I do not seek my glory but there is one who seeks and judges.

(They are one in the same) 1 Peter 2:23 - The Father finds the glory in the cross. See Jesus' prayer in the garden, "Thy will be done..." Judging...is it the world or Christ?

John 8:51 –

ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐάν τις τὸν ἐμὸν λόγον τηρήσῃ, θάνατον οὐ μὴ θεωρήσῃ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

truly I say to you whoever keeps my word will not taste death into the age. "Whoever believes in me will never die." Into the age they will NOT, no way no way, ever behold death into the age. Will not be dead forever.

See - John 11:25-27, keeping his word is the same as believing in him.

See the first resurrection in Revelation 20:5-6

John 8:52 –

εἶπον αὐτῷ οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι• Νῦν ἐγνώκαμεν ὅτι δαιμόνιον ἔχεις. Ἀβραὰμ ἀπέθανεν καὶ οἱ προφῆται, καὶ σὺ λέγεις• Ἐάν τις τὸν λόγον μου τηρήσῃ, οὐ μὴ γεύσηται θανάτου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα•

Jews said, now we know you have a demon. Abraham died as did the prophets yet you say if any man keep your word hex will never taste death.

John 8:53 -

μὴ σὺ μείζων εἶ τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν Ἀβραάμ, ὅστις ἀπέθανεν; καὶ οἱ προφῆται ἀπέθανον• τίνα [d]σεαυτὸν ποιεῖς;

You certainly are not greater than Abraham, he died as did the prophets. Who do you make yourself out to be?

John 8:54 –

ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς• Ἐὰν ἐγὼ δοξάσω ἐμαυτόν, ἡ δόξα μου οὐδέν ἐστιν• ἔστιν ὁ πατήρ μου ὁ δοξάζων με, ὃν ὑμεῖς λέγετε ὅτι θεὸς ἡμῶν ἐστιν,

If I glorify myself it's means nothing. It is My Father whom you say is your God is glorifying me.

Reference to the unity of the godhead.

John 8:55 -

καὶ οὐκ ἐγνώκατε αὐτόν, ἐγὼ δὲ οἶδα αὐτόν• κἂν εἴπω ὅτι οὐκ οἶδα αὐτόν, ἔσομαι ὅμοιος [g]ὑμῖν ψεύστης• ἀλλὰ οἶδα αὐτὸν καὶ τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ τηρῶ.

you have not known Him and continue not to know him, I know Him, and if I say I no not know him, I am a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word.

Here "know" = to be intimately acquainted with.

John 8:56 –

Ἀβραὰμ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ἠγαλλιάσατο ἵνα ἴδῃ τὴν ἡμέραν τὴν ἐμήν, καὶ εἶδεν καὶ ἐχάρη.

Your Father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day. He saw it and was glad.

(See Genesis 15 Word of the a Lord came... See Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac...) "my day" is this the crucifixion/resurrection?

John 8:57 –

εἶπον οὖν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι πρὸς αὐτόν• Πεντήκοντα ἔτη οὔπω ἔχεις καὶ Ἀβραὰμ ἑώρακας;

fifty years you do not have and you have seen Abraham!

John 8:58 –

εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ἰησοῦς• Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, πρὶν Ἀβραὰμ γενέσθαι ἐγὼ εἰμί.

I tell you the truth. Before Abraham was born I am!

(See John 8:24, 28; the garden, walking on the water " ἐγὼ εἰμί"

John 8:59 –

ἦραν οὖν λίθους ἵνα βάλωσιν ἐπ’ αὐτόν• Ἰησοῦς δὲ ἐκρύβη καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἐκ τοῦ [a]ἱεροῦ.

At this, they picked up stones to stone him. But Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

Almost like "and it was night" this is it. The glory has left. They had forgotten the Lord's acts of redemption e.g. The Passover. See the words of Stephen in Acts 7 "you are rejecting the Holy Spirit just as your Father's"

Possible Sermon idea taken from the standpoint of the Jews, "Can you believe what this Jesus had to say?"

Image of the Trinity © Higher Things

Time in the Word - Trinity Sunday

Time in the Word Trinity

June 10 - 15, 2019

“The Blessed Trinity Blesses” is the theme for this coming week. In the Old Testament lesson, [Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31] God the Father creates the universe. The Epistle, [Acts 2:22-36] is a continuation with Peter’s Pentecost sermon. The object is on God the Son who alone justifies and saves us. In the Gospel [John 8:48-59] Jesus identifies His true identity. God the Spirit reveals this truth to us in the clear words of the Gospel.

Trinity Sunday calls for us to consider the doctrine that sets us apart from all other pagan religions. As the Athanasian Creed reminds us, “Whoever desires to be saved must, above all, hold the catholic [i.e. Christian] faith. Whoever does not keep it whole and undefiled will without doubt perish eternally…whoever does not believe it faithfully and firmly cannot be saved.” The Bible does not specifically mention the term “Trinity” yet, its teaching can be found on literally every page.

Collect for Pentecost – O God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy consolation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collects for the week of Pentecost - O God, who gave Your Holy Spirit to the apostles, grant us that same Spirit that we may live in faith and abide in peace; through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, 10 June 2019—Psalm 16:8-11 - The antiphon is an ancient Liturgical Text — The Psalmist describes the joy of total security. David speaks here, as in the rest of the psalm, for of all of himself and of the life he now enjoys by the gracious provision and care of God. The Lord, in whom the psalmist takes refuge, wills life for him and will not abandon him to the grave, even though flesh and heart may fail. (See Psalm 73:26) When David mentions “your Holy One” in verse 10 he is speaking of himself but ultimately of Christ. Jesus did not suffer decay once He died. Once He died on Calvary’s cross death itself began working backward. The words of this verse have been majestically sung in Handle’s Messiah. It is a critical verse when discussing the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin. Did the body wrapped in the shroud experience decomposition? If so, it can not be the burial cloth of Christ. If not, it might very well be Christ’s shroud.

Tuesday, 11 June 2019—Psalm 8— Man the Crown of Creation. This is to be brought to pass under the Messiah, in the day of His Triumphant Reign. (See Hebrews 2:6-9) Jesus quoted verse 2 as referring to an incident in His own life. (See Matthew 21:16) (Vv.1-2) As he contemplates the great expanse of the universe the psalmist is overwhelmed by a sense of man’s littleness. He marvels that God not only bothers about man, but has set him over all other creatures (Vv. 5-8) The psalm ends, as it began, with a refrain of praise to God (Vv. 1, 9) (Vv. 4-6) see Hebrews 2:6-9 and Genesis 1:28

Wednesday, 12 May 2019—Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 – The Old Testament lesson reveals that it is God the Father who is the creator of the universe. True, all three persons of the Trinity were present at the creation. Yet it is the Father who is confessed as the creator of us all. Wisdom was with God at the creation. Paul refers to Christ as the wisdom of God [see 1 Corinthians 1:24]. Wisdom is also identified with the Spirit who guides us into all truth. [See John 3:16]

Thursday, 13 June 2019—Acts 2:14a, 22-36— The epistle lesson is a continuation from the Pentecost experience. The apostles had been baptized with the Holy Spirit and had spoken in other languages to various groups. Now they stand with Peter, who serves as their spokesman. Peter, the man who once denied his Savior now boldly confesses Him as God and Lord.

Friday, 14 June 2019—John 8:48-59— In the Gospel lesson Jesus gives claims concerning Himself. The religious leaders lay a charge at Jesus –“You are worse then a Samaritan! You are possessed by a demon!” To this charge Jesus claims that He is the only one sent by the Father. He does not claim to know God. He claims to be God.

Note: June 14 is commonly known as Flag Day

For the Armed Forces of our Nation - O Lord God of hosts, stretch forth Your almighty arm to strengthen and protect those who serve in the armed forces of our country. Support them in this time of war, and in times of peace keep them from all evil, giving them courage and loyalty and granting that in all things they may serve honestly and without reproach, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Saturday, 15 June 2015—Luke 2:14; John 1:29, Revelation 5:9-14; Ephesians 1:20-21 The Hymn of the Day is “All Glory Be to God on High” (LSB #947). The original Gloria in Excelsis Deo was sung by a choir of angels at the announcement of the birth of Christ. Christmas won’t come for another eight months but every time we as Christians gather we are given opportunity to sing the praises of our God. Together we will gather to praise the name of our God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. May our God remain at the center of our life and worship.

The Trinity is central in the life of our Christian worship. References to the Trinity are encountered frequently in worship. The worship service opens with the Invocation – “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The service may close with the threefold Aaronic benediction. The Christian life begins with baptism “In the Name of the Father…” At Confirmation the Trinity is used for the blessing, “The Father in heaven for Jesus’ sake renew and increase in you the gift of the Holy Spirit.” After a Psalm is prayed in the Introit the congregation says or sings the Gloria Patri: “Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.” The Doxology is used at the dedication of the offering: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” The New Testament benediction involves the Trinity: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Almighty and ever-living God, You fulfilled Your promise by sending the gift of the Holy Spirit to unite disciples of all nations in the cross and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. By the preaching of the Gospel spread this gift to the ends of the earth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect for Trinity – Almighty and everlasting God, You have give us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true fait hand to worship the unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for you, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign one God, now and forever.

Image of the Trinity © Higher Things

Saturday, June 8, 2019

Pentecost

John 14:26-27

9 June 2019

Eyes and ears can see and hear. But only so much. Eyes see the tongues of fire. Ears hear the sound of a mighty, rushing wind. Eyes see a crowd gather. And ears hear people speaking in various languages. Yet God has given you eyes to see the wonder of the word of God and ears to hear the message of the Gospel, and a heart, which receives this good news as a gift.

The real miracle of Pentecost is not the amazing sounds and sights. The true Pentecost miracle is what can only be believed by faith. That glorious good news. That Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died and rose again for you.

Listen to those who believed and were saved. For they marveled not in what their senses took in but in the message proclaimed: “We hear them telling in our own language the mighty works of God.” Acts 2:11

On Easter, Jesus' grave was opened to reveal He had risen in victory. On Pentecost, dead mouths, and empty caverns came to life, praising the living God, as the disciples preached the good news found in Jesus' name for all to hear.

Jesus said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. – V.26

There are perfect pairs in life that belong together: peanut butter and jelly, Romeo and Juliet, salt and pepper, Tom and Jerry. The Word of God and the Holy Spirit is a perfect pair. We know, believe, and proclaim God’s truth in His Word only because the Spirit is at work in the Scriptures.

Jesus says that the Father will send the Holy Spirit in His name. It was always His plan to send us His Spirit to guide us. This isn’t a new idea. God has been revealing His truth by the Spirit since the beginning of time. From creation, where the Spirit hovered over the waters as God spoke the earth into existence. (Gen. 1:1-3) And the prophets, who received a word of the Lord by the Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21), God’s Spirit has always worked hand in hand with God’s Word. You simply cannot separate the two.

In our search for truth, the Spirit and the Word guide us. The Spirit of the living God will not lead you astray. All that He teaches will be in harmony with the Word of God.

The Spirit teaches all things. Jesus said, "'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” (John 14:6) The Spirit exalts Christ and His teachings. He teaches all things that the disciples need to know.

Knowing God’s truth however is different from believing it. It is here where the Spirit works again in bringing about faith in your heart. Only the Spirit makes the Scriptures real to you. There is no need to look beyond the Bible for God’s truth because there the Spirit is at work.

Jesus promised His disciples that the Spirit would teach them all things and bring the truth to their remembrance.

The Holy Spirit would lead the disciples to remember what Jesus had said. As the Spirit of Truth, the Helper, "'will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13) The canon of Scripture is closed. But the Spirit still guides us into all truth today. Our challenge is to proclaim this truth to the world.

The Spirit was given for the very purpose of proclaiming God’s truth to the world. A revival of the Spirit in our hearts and our cities only happens when we plant ourselves in God’s Word, trusting Him to keep His Word. The commission is clear. “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15) May God use you as you gossip the gospel to all you meet.

Words-675

Passive Sentences – 8%

Readability – 82.7%

Reading Level – 5.0

Sunday, June 2, 2019

Pentecost Series C

Pentecost - Series C

Genesis 11:1–9

Acts 2:1–21

John 14:23–31

The Holy Spirit Gives Peace

Following the flood, Noah’s descendants failed to spread out and fill the earth as God had spoken. Rather, they exalted themselves; with “one language and the same words” (Genesis 11:1) they spoke proudly and arrogantly. The Lord humbled them by confusing “the language of all the earth,” dividing and dispersing the people (Genesis 11:9). That dispersal was reversed on Pentecost Day (the fiftieth day of Easter), when God caused the one Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to be preached in a multitude of languages. “At this sound the multitude came together” (Acts 2:6), for the preaching of Christ is the primary work of the Holy Spirit, whereby He gathers people from all nations into one Church. The Holy Spirit teaches and brings to our remembrance the words of Jesus, which are the words of the Father who sent Him. These words bestow forgiveness and peace to those who keep and hold on to them in love for Jesus. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27).

Acts 2:1-21

Acts 2:1

Καὶ ἐν τῷ συμπληροῦσθαι τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς πεντηκοστῆς ἦσαν [a]πάντες ὁμοῦ ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό,

on the 50th day they were together in one place. Pentecost is first fruits festival. Liked will have emphasis on the temple as his gospel.

Acts 2:2

καὶ ἐγένετο ἄφνω ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἦχος ὥσπερ φερομένης πνοῆς βιαίας καὶ ἐπλήρωσεν ὅλον τὸν οἶκον οὗ ἦσαν καθήμενοι,

and came suddenly from heaven a roar like carrying wind violent filling the whole house where they were cathedral-ing.

Acts 2:3

καὶ ὤφθησαν αὐτοῖς διαμεριζόμεναι γλῶσσαι ὡσεὶ πυρός, καὶ ἐκάθισεν ἐφ’ ἕνα ἕκαστον αὐτῶν

appeared to them divided tongues of fire resting on each of them.

Where was the fire? On their tongues. Miracle of preaching. See Isaiah 6; See also the Easter 7 gospel; "I give them my word"

Acts 2:4

καὶ ἐπλήσθησαν [c]πάντες πνεύματος ἁγίου, καὶ ἤρξαντο λαλεῖν ἑτέραις γλώσσαις καθὼς τὸ πνεῦμα ἐδίδου ἀποφθέγγεσθαι αὐτοῖς.

all were filled with the holly spirit and they began to publicly preach as the spirit gave them phlegm.

Acts 2:5

Ἦσαν δὲ ἐν Ἰερουσαλὴμ κατοικοῦντες Ἰουδαῖοι, ἄνδρες εὐλαβεῖς ἀπὸ παντὸς ἔθνους τῶν ὑπὸ τὸν οὐρανόν•

now there were living in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from all nations. Jews dispersed from throughout the world. Some included children of the proselytes.

Acts 2:6

γενομένης δὲ τῆς φωνῆς ταύτης συνῆλθε τὸ πλῆθος καὶ συνεχύθη, ὅτι [f]ἤκουον εἷς ἕκαστος τῇ ἰδίᾳ διαλέκτῳ λαλούντων αὐτῶν•

when this sound happened, the crowd came together and was puzzled because each heard them preaching in their own dialect.

Acts 2:7

ἐξίσταντο δὲ καὶ ἐθαύμαζον λέγοντες• Οὐχ ἰδοὺ πάντες οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ λαλοῦντες Γαλιλαῖοι;

They were confused and amazed wondering right here and now in this present time and space are not all these speaking Galileans? They are standing outside/beside themselves because of the preaching.

Contrasting Peter's denial and his preaching we see the miracle of faith and preaching. The Holy Spirit has driven this into their hearts.

Acts 2:8

καὶ πῶς ἡμεῖς ἀκούομεν ἕκαστος τῇ ἰδίᾳ διαλέκτῳ ἡμῶν ἐν ᾗ ἐγεννήθημεν;

how do we hear each in the dialect into which we were born.

Acts 2:9-11

Πάρθοι καὶ Μῆδοι καὶ Ἐλαμῖται, καὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες τὴν Μεσοποταμίαν, Ἰουδαίαν τε καὶ Καππαδοκίαν, Πόντον καὶ τὴν Ἀσίαν, 10 Φρυγίαν τε καὶ Παμφυλίαν, Αἴγυπτον καὶ τὰ μέρη τῆς Λιβύης τῆς κατὰ Κυρήνην, καὶ οἱ ἐπιδημοῦντες Ῥωμαῖοι, 11 Ἰουδαῖοί τε καὶ προσήλυτοι, Κρῆτες καὶ Ἄραβες, ἀκούομεν λαλούντων αὐτῶν ταῖς ἡμετέραις γλώσσαις τὰ μεγαλεῖα τοῦ θεοῦ.

dialects north, south, east, west. They heard the content. They stood in ecstasy literally "they stood outside of themselves."

Acts 2:12

ἐξίσταντο δὲ πάντες καὶ διηπόρουν, ἄλλος πρὸς ἄλλον λέγοντες• Τί θέλει τοῦτο εἶναι;

perplexed they were asking what does this mean?

Acts 2:13

ἕτεροι δὲ διαχλευάζοντες ἔλεγον ὅτι Γλεύκους μεμεστωμένοι εἰσίν.

others mocked saying because they are filled with new wine.

Refer back to Jesus' first miracle in John 2 this is the new wine of salvation.

Acts 2:14

Σταθεὶς δὲὁ Πέτρος σὺν τοῖς ἕνδεκα ἐπῆρεν τὴν φωνὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπεφθέγξατο αὐτοῖς• Ἄνδρες Ἰουδαῖοι καὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες Ἰερουσαλὴμπάντες, τοῦτο ὑμῖν γνωστὸν ἔστω καὶ ἐνωτίσασθε τὰ ῥήματά μου.

standing up with the eleven Peter lifted up his voice, men of Judea and those gathering in Jerusalem, let this be known, listen to what I say

Acts 2:15-16

οὐ γὰρ ὡς ὑμεῖς ὑπολαμβάνετε οὗτοι μεθύουσιν, ἔστιν γὰρ ὥρα τρίτη τῆς ἡμέρας, 16 ἀλλὰ τοῦτό ἐστιν τὸ εἰρημένον διὰ τοῦ προφήτου Ἰωήλ•

these are not drunk but what was written by the prophet Joel.

Acts 2:17

Καὶ ἔσται ἐν ταῖς ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις, λέγει ὁ θεός, ἐκχεῶ ἀπὸ τοῦ πνεύματός μου ἐπὶ πᾶσαν σάρκα, καὶ προφητεύσουσιν οἱ υἱοὶ ὑμῶν καὶ αἱ θυγατέρες ὑμῶν, καὶ οἱ νεανίσκοι ὑμῶν ὁράσεις ὄψονται, καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι ὑμῶν [p]ἐνυπνίοις ἐνυπνιασθήσονται•

and it will be in the last days says God, I will pour out my spirit on all flesh. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, young men see visions, old men will dream dreams,

Acts 2:18

καί γε ἐπὶ τοὺς δούλους μου καὶ ἐπὶ τὰς δούλας μου ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις ἐκχεῶ ἀπὸ τοῦ πνεύματός μου, καὶ προφητεύσουσιν.

on my servants both men and women I will pour out my spirit and they will prophesy.

Need to focus on "prophesy" preaching, proclamation, liturgy, prayer.

Time in the Word - Pentecost

Time in the Word

Preparation for Pentecost

June 3-8, 2019

God’s Use of Language” is the theme for this coming week. In the Old Testament lesson, [Genesis 11:1-9] God uses language to confuse the world. In the Epistle, [Acts 2:1-21] Language us used to understand the Gospel. In the Gospel [John 14:23-31] Language is used too witness to Christ with the help of the Comforter.

“Pentecost” is a Greek word, meaning fifty. The Jews celebrated Pentecost as a harvest festival. Later, it was used to celebrate the giving of the Law on Sinai and the birthday of Israel. Christians celebrate Pentecost as the birthday of Missions and global evangelism.

Monday, 3 June 2019—Psalm 104:24, 27-30 The antiphon is an ancient Liturgical Text — The Psalmist marvels at the grandeur and the detail, the perfection and completeness of God’s work in creation - verse 24 sums it all up.

Tuesday, 4 June 2019—Psalm 143— David had reached the end of the line; no more reserve or resources (Vv. 3-4). But in a desperate situation one refuge remains: God Himself (vv.5-12). “O Lord…teach me…deliver me…lead me…bring me out of trouble”

Wednesday, 5 June 2019—Genesis 11:1-9 – The Old Testament lesson is the story of the tower of Babel and the confusion of language. Too many languages was confusing and construction of the great tower was stopped. There was a loss of unity from a lack of the Holy Spirit. The people desired to build for themselves a tower, and altar unto themselves. There was a centrifugal power of an evil spirit at Babel – it scatters.

Thursday, 6 June 2019—Acts 2:1-21— The Epistle lesson is the entire story of the events of Pentecost. Pilgrims from every corner of the globe had descended upon the city of Jerusalem to celebrate. On that day Christ was preached to the nations and the nations were brought to the church. Pentecost is not the birthday of the church – it existed well before the feast of Pentecost. Pentecost is the birthday of missions when the church is reminded that we are to go out into the world with the message of the Gospel. The Savior Himself predicted the events of Pentecost. Look up Matthew 24:14. The gospel was preached to the nations on the first Pentecost. For centuries the gospel message has encircled the globe. It has been preached on every continent. But specifically on September 15, 2001 from the National Cathedral in Washington DC the message of Christ and Him crucified was beamed literally around this planet through radio and television as the world watched and listened. Some may ask, “When will the end come?” Pentecost gives us the answer. The end will come - when the last pagan is converted.

Friday, 7 June 2019—John 14:23-31— In the gospel lesson Jesus reminds us that love and obedience are linked. How can we trust, love and obey? By ourselves we can not do it. Thus the Counselor is sent from the Father. Both the Father and the Son are involved in the sending of the Spirit. The Spirit reminded these early disciples of everything Jesus had said and done. Thus when their message went out, as they recorded the words and actions of Jesus in written form they became literally God breathed and inspired. They became the Sacred Scriptures because the Spirit directed these men over a period of some twenty years to write 27 books that in reality make up one book – the New Testament. These books, together with the Old Testament, have one doctrinal viewpoint, one moral standard, one plan of salvation, one program for the ages.

Saturday, 8 June 2019—Luke 11:13; 1 Corinthians 12:13 The Hymn of the Day is “Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord”(LSB #497). This majestic hymn was written by Martin Luther, 1483-1546 and was no doubt written as a children’s hymn so that his students could memorize and understand the 3rd Article of the Apostles’ Creed. The chief teaching of the Christian faith - the doctrine of salvation by faith rather than works is clearly delineated throughout the course of this great hymn. Sing it confidently and boldly. The Holy Spirit has brought you to faith He will continue to keep you in the one true faith.

Sources:

Saturday, June 1, 2019

Easter 7

Easter 7

June 2, 2019

John 17: 20-26

“Jesus prays for you”

In this morning’s Gospel lesson, Jesus prays for you. This prayer is the only long, continuous prayer of Jesus recorded in the four gospels. In this prayer, Jesus prays for Himself, (Vv.1-5) for the welfare of the disciples after His departure (Vv.6-19) and for all believers (Vv.20-26). As He prayed, Jesus was thinking of you. Let us pray to the Lord,

O King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above the heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father. To that end, bless the words which comes from these lips and all the meditations which take place in these hearts, our strength and our Redeemer. Amen

Notice, Jesus is not exhorting the church here. He is not instructing. He is not preaching, teaching, or rallying the troops. Jesus is praying. He is not setting out a list of expectations for us to meet. He is not giving us a "to do" list for the church to manage. Rather He goes to the Father as He prays for you.

How do you feel when someone prays out-loud for you? Do you feel comforted, vulnerable, grateful, honored, humbled, awkward but appreciative? Possibly, it feels like someone really cares for you. How do you know Jesus cares for you? He cares for you as He prays for you. He invites you into His family the Church.

To be a follower of Jesus is to be a part of a greater whole. According to Jesus there are to be no isolated Christians or spiritual “Lone Rangers.” This prayer of Jesus is a prayer for community. Jesus prays that, “all may be one.” To become a part of Christ is to become a part of the community; a part of the one.

It is important for us to understand that this unity for which Christ prays is not an organic union of religious bodies but the inner unity that consists in the bond of faith in Jesus as the Son of God our Savior. There is a difference between unity and uniformity. We are one because we are one in Christ.

Christ prays for unity because unity in the church declares His love. Says Jesus, “…that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.’ (v.23) The world will be attracted by the love of Christians and will be moved to look into it. Then we can answer; “We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

John will begin his gospel reminding us that, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus’ entry into time and space is that God desired unity with us so much Jesus became one of us.

The mystery of the incarnation teaches us that God is a man. God is human. God was born of a woman. God ate and drank, slept and awoke, prayed and worked, taught and shared, died and rose.

All for you. If you want to know what God looks like, what He acts like, what He thinks, then look no further than Jesus. Everything you need to know about God is in Him. If you have other questions, don’t bother asking them. He’s the only answer you’re going to get. [2]

Today we recognized our high school seniors. In just a few hours, you will receive your diploma. On one occasion, when there were a large number of graduates, the principal said to each of the graduating seniors walking across the stage as he shook their hand: “Congratulations! Keep moving!” To each of you we say, “Congratulations! Keep moving!” Keep moving in the power and strength of Christ! Be a witness! Gossip the Gospel! Be a sermon in shoes! Remember this unity, which is yours in Christ.

The Father has given you to Christ. This He did when He brought you to faith through the working of the Holy Spirit. The reason why He did this was simply this;”That you may be His own and love under Him in His kingdom.” Jesus prays that you may be with Him where He is, that you may behold that glory the Father has given Jesus.

Today we are in the time between the Ascension and the gift of the Spirit at Pentecost. We are in the time between the first and second coming of Jesus Christ. May we rejoice in the assurance that Christ is with us, continuing to pray for our oneness, and our unity. This prayer sets the tone for Christian unity and your eternal destiny.

Words- 805

Passive Sentences-2%

Readability- 77.4%

Reading Level -5.6

2 https://www.christholdfast.org/blog/what-if-god-were-a-slob-like-one-of-us

3 http://www.textweek.com/yearc/easterc7.htm

June

As we transition into the time and season of the Church Year called Pentecost, we remember the promise Jesus made to send the Spirit. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16-17) Pentecost is the birthday of Missions as God’s people live out their faith expressing joy and hope. This hope is the result of the Spirit’s making all things new. Pentecost is a renewal in the church for it is more than an observance of a great event in the past but it is a repeatable experience here and now. With the Spirit comes new life and hope.

St. Paul would remind us, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.” (Romans 8:26) In this life, there will be times of challenge. “Tribulation” is just another word for “trouble.” Trouble and tribulation are guaranteed. But also, peace is guaranteed. “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace, “Jesus said. “In this world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

In this world, you will have trouble. Our troubles are the backdrop for prayer. We come the Lord daily addressing Him according to our need. In prayer, we take out burdens joys and cares to the Lord as He answers each petition according to our need. “Ask and you will receive and your joy with be complete.” (John 16:24)

Jesus has said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27-28) This peace; the peace of Christ, is His gift to you. Risen and Ascended – Jesus lives and reigns as King throughout all eternity. This gift of God in Jesus Christ is genuine. It is a peace, which can never be undone. His peace is personal. It becomes personal because it is independent of and unaffected by any outward circumstance. These outward circumstances may remain unchanged, but with St. Paul we can say, “We are more than conquerors through Him who lives us. “ (Romans 8:37)