Pr. DFD

Friday, November 1, 2019

November

The story is told that upon his death Luther’s family was going through his personal effects. In Luther’s coat pocket, his family found two small coins and a piece of paper. Written on this crumpled page were the words “We are beggars!”

This cryptic message of his is supposedly Luther’s final words. Appropriate? Most assuredly so! As we observe yet another national Thanksgiving, enacted by President Lincoln 156 years ago, consider the words of David recorded in sacred Scripture; “I have been young and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread.” (Psalm 37:25)

What have you learned? Life experience is such a great teacher. A part of thanksgiving is to give back to the younger generation; teaching them that we are thankful in spite of what circumstances might dictate.

David learned the hard way. He had everything and proceeded to throw it all away because of greed. Through a series of calculated acts, he proceeded to destroy two families; the family of Uriah and his own as we are reminded that a sword would not leave his family.

Luther learned that we truly are beggars. We are sinners saved by grace – for by nature we are blind, dead, and enemies of God. Yet by God’s free grace and favor, we are restored, redeemed and forgiven.

Think back to this past year. Are we only thankful when things have gone “our way”? Yet what has Scripture and experience taught us? He cannot abandon us past the point of no hope/help. When things appear to be going against us, when all seems lost and so far beyond our grasp. God will provide our spiritual needs. “I have not seen the righteous forsaken!”

This has certainly been a challenging year. When we recall the year of our Lord 2019 – a year in which crops were seriously affected. Even those not affected by farming know the effects of rising prices, falling interest rates. A flat economy? Circumstances may cause some to say our situation is bleak yet David gives us a different picture – God’s children won’t beg for bread.

Jesus puts it more succinctly; “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow, reap, or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable then they?” [Mathew 6:25-27]

In just three little words Luther summed up our entire life – we are beggars – yet God has not given up on us nor will He ever abandon His own. He has promised to provide for us. Lord in Your mercy – hear our prayer: Heavenly Father, God of all grace, govern our hearts that we may never forget Your blessings but steadfastly thank and praise You for all Your goodness in this life until, with all Your saints, we praise You eternally in Your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Sunday, October 27, 2019

All Saints Observed

All Saints (Observed)

Revelation 7:(2–8) 9–17

1 John 3:1–3

Matthew 5:1–12

Saints Are Blessed in the Eternal Presence of Christ All Saints

“A great multitude … from all tribes and peoples and languages” cry out, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne” (Revelation 7:9–10). Faith-filled saints from every place and time with unified voices eternally magnify the Lamb of God. As His beloved children, we, too, “shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). Joined with the throng of angels and a myriad of saints, we shall “serve him day and night in his temple” (Revelation 7:15). In our earthly tension vacillating between saint and sinner, faith and doubt, sacred and profane, we earnestly seek Jesus to calm our fears, comfort our spirits and forgive our sins. The Holy Spirit, through faith in Christ propels us forward, fortifying us in Word and Sacrament, to our eternal home. In the midst of our constant struggle as believers, we need to be blessed. And so we are. The poor in spirit, the meek, the hungry, the thirsty, the merciful, the pure and the persecuted are all blessed, and we will most certainly inherit the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:1–12).

O Almighty God, by whom we are graciously knit together as one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of Jesus Christ, our Lord, grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that we may come to those unspeakable joys which You had prepared for those who love You; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Gracious Savior, keep my eyes ever focused on You and Your blessings, which are mine by grace alone. Amen

Jesus introduces His Sermon on the Mount with nine beatitudes that detail the future blessedness of His disciples. These promised blessings are God's gracious gifts to those who repent of their sins and trust Christ for righteousness. Only after Jesus has assured His disciples of God's goodness to them does He call on them,, in the rest of His sermon, to be good and do good. When we recognize our own spiritual poverty when the Lord leads us to hunger and thirst for righteousness, when He makes us pure in heart so that we seek to worship only the true God, then we are blessed now and forever.

Observe both future and present tenses...

Life for the Christian is a life that is lived by faith - On this All Saints Day Jesus the greatest teacher who has ever lived gives a description of the child of God who has been incorporated into the family of faith. These Beatitudes are the gifts the Savior has given to you.

It is yours now and soon to come. Blessed now are present the rewards future…now and not yet.

Matthew 5:1

Ἰδὼν δὲ τοὺς ὄχλους ἀνέβη εἰς τὸ ὄρος· καὶ καθίσαντος αὐτοῦ προσῆλθαν αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ·

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

Matthew 5:2

καὶ ἀνοίξας τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ ἐδίδασκεν αὐτοὺς λέγων·

And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

Having sat down, the posture of prophet, posture of learning. Another Moses, Jesus is THE prophet. He came to preach and to die. Works of mercy are out of His compassion. He opens His mouth like that of creation.

Matthew 5:3

Μακάριοι οἱ πτωχοὶ τῷ πνεύματι, ὅτι αὐτῶν ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. To be poor is to rely on the mercy of God. These are indicative and the rewards are all passive.

Not blessed are the growing churches. The only command is "rejoice and be glad"

Matthew 5:4

μακάριοι οἱ πενθοῦντες, ὅτι αὐτοὶ παρακληθήσονται.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are those who mourn, you are a Christian. You will mourn, but you will be comforted. What do we mourn? As Jesus grieved over Lazarus.

Preach theology of grace as opposed to theology of glory.

Matthew 5:5

μακάριοι οἱ πραεῖς, ὅτι αὐτοὶ κληρονομήσουσι τὴν γῆν.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Meek inherit the earth. Meek are powerless, a picture of the cross. Inherit for free from those who would try to take by force. This is anti world. This is completely out of the realm of measurement and feeling

Matthew 5:6

μακάριοι οἱ πεινῶντες καὶ διψῶντες τὴν δικαιοσύνην, ὅτι αὐτοὶ χορτασθήσονται.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

They will be engorged/enlarged. Their cup will run over for those who hunger after righteousness.

Your blessedness comes from the blessed one who blesses.

Matthew 5:7

μακάριοι οἱ ἐλεήμονες, ὅτι αὐτοὶ ἐλεηθήσονται

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

The merciful receive mercy. Mercy to the deserving is justice. Mercy is only to the undeserving. Show mercy as you have been shown mercy.

The unmerciful serving misrepresented the king who had shown mercy. He acts as if the king still had the debt hanging over them.

Matthew 5:8

μακάριοι οἱ καθαροὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ, ὅτι αὐτοὶ τὸν θεὸν ὄψονται.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the clean in heart because they themselves will see God. The only way in which you see God.

Matthew 5:9

μακάριοι οἱ εἰρηνοποιοί, ὅτι αὐτοὶ υἱοὶ θεοῦ κληθήσονται.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.

Blessed are the ones making peace they will be called God's sons.

Matthew 5:10

μακάριοι οἱ δεδιωγμένοι ἕνεκεν δικαιοσύνης, ὅτι αὐτῶν ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The ones who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heavens.

Matthew 5:11

μακάριοί ἐστε ὅταν ὀνειδίσωσιν ὑμᾶς καὶ διώξωσιν καὶ εἴπωσιν πᾶν [a]πονηρὸν καθ’ ὑμῶν ψευδόμενοι ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Blessed whenever they reproach you and say all evil against you on account of me.

Matthew 5:12

χαίρετε καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε, ὅτι ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολὺς ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς· οὕτως γὰρ ἐδίωξαν τοὺς προφήτας τοὺς πρὸ ὑμῶν.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Rejoice be glad, your reward is in heaven. In this sameness the prophets were persecuted.

Proper 26 Series C

Proper 26 C

(October 30 - November 5)

Isaiah 1:10–18

2 Thessalonians 1:1–5 (6–10), 11–12

Luke 19:1–10

Collect for Proper 26: O Lord, we pray that the visitation of Your grace may so cleanse our thoughts and minds that Your Son Jesus when He shall come, may find in us a fit dwelling place; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Collect for Reformation: (31 October) Almighty God, gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and comfort them in all temptations, defend them against all enemies of Your Word, and bestow on the church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One god, now and forever.

Collect for All Saints: (1 November) O Almighty God, by whom we are graciously knit together as one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of Jesus Christ, our Lord, grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that we may come to those unspeakable joys which You have prepared for those who unfeignedly love You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Collect for the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed: (2 November) Almighty God, in whose glorious presence live all who depart in the Lord and before whom all the souls of the faithful who are delivered of the burden of the flesh are in joy and felicity, we give you hearty thanks for Your loving-kindness to all Your servants who have finished their course in faith and now rest form their labors and we humbly implore Your mercy that we, together with all who have departed in the saving faith, may have our perfect consummation and bliss, in both body and soul, in Your eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

The God Who Saves

The theme for this coming Sunday goes beyond forgiveness. Salvation is a broader theme which embraces forgiveness. In the Gospel lesson (Luke 19:1-10 salvation comes to Zacchaeus in and through Jesus Christ. The Israelites are saved through forgiveness for their sin of idolatry by virtue of God’s merciful nature and Moses’ intercession. In the Epistles lesson the fact of salvation has occurred, for Paul is writing to those who are “saved” whose faith and love are growing during hard times.

The Lord Comes to Save and Call Us to Himself by the Tree of His Cross

God will judge “those who do not obey the gospel” (2 Thessalonians 1:8), but “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven” (2 Thessalonians 1:7), He will “be glorified in his saints” (2 Thessalonians 1:10). For by His cross, you are “considered worthy of the kingdom of God” (2 Thessalonians 1:5). Therefore, “give ear to the teaching of our God” (Isaiah 1:10), and “let us reason together” by faith in His Gospel (Isaiah 1:18). “Make yourselves clean” (Isaiah 1:16), not by “the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats” (Isaiah 1:11), but by the blood of Christ. His salvation comes to you by grace, as it came to Zacchaeus. That man sought “to see who Jesus was,” but he could not “because he was small in stature” (Luke 19:3).

It is by way of a tree that Zacchaeus is found by the One he sought, for Jesus Himself “was about to pass that way” (Luke 19:4). The Lord calls Zacchaeus down and goes “in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner” (Luke 19:7). So also, He visits us as sinners, securing eternal redemption for us through the tree of His holy cross.

Luke 19:1-10

Jesus and Zacchaeus.

Luke 19:1

Καὶ εἰσελθὼν διήρχετο τὴν Ἰεριχώ.

He (Jesus) entered Jericho and was passing through.

Luke 19:2

καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνὴρ ὀνόματι καλούμενος Ζακχαῖος, καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν ἀρχιτελώνης καὶ αὐτὸς πλούσιος•

And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.

Luke 19:3

καὶ ἐζήτει ἰδεῖν τὸν Ἰησοῦν τίς ἐστιν, καὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄχλου ὅτι τῇ ἡλικίᾳ μικρὸς ἦν.

And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature.

Luke 19:4

καὶ προδραμὼν εἰς τὸ ἔμπροσθεν ἀνέβη ἐπὶ συκομορέαν ἵνα ἴδῃ αὐτόν, ὅτι ἐκείνης ἤμελλεν διέρχεσθαι.

So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.

Luke 19:5

καὶ ὡς ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον, ἀναβλέψας ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν• Ζακχαῖε, σπεύσας κατάβηθι, σήμερον γὰρ ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ σου δεῖ με μεῖναι.

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today."

Luke 19:6

καὶ σπεύσας κατέβη, καὶ ὑπεδέξατο αὐτὸν χαίρων.

So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.

Luke 19:7

καὶ ἰδόντες πάντες διεγόγγυζον λέγοντες ὅτι Παρὰ ἁμαρτωλῷ ἀνδρὶ εἰσῆλθεν καταλῦσαι.

And when they saw it, they all grumbled, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner."

Luke 19:8

σταθεὶς δὲ Ζακχαῖος εἶπεν πρὸς τὸν κύριον• Ἰδοὺ τὰ [e]ἡμίσιά [f]μου τῶν ὑπαρχόντων, κύριε, τοῖς πτωχοῖς δίδωμι, καὶ εἴ τινός τι ἐσυκοφάντησα ἀποδίδωμι τετραπλοῦν.

And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold."

Luke 19:9

εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι Σήμερον σωτηρία τῷ οἴκῳ τούτῳ ἐγένετο, καθότι καὶ αὐτὸς υἱὸς Ἀβραάμ ἐστιν•

And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.

Luke 10:10

ἦλθεν γὰρ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ζητῆσαι καὶ σῶσαι τὸ ἀπολωλός

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

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Lectionary notes LCMS notes

Time in the Word - Proper 26

Preparation for next week, Pentecost 21 - Proper 26

O Lord, we pray that the visitation of Your grace may so cleanse our thoughts and minds that Your Son Jesus when He shall come, may find in us a fit dwelling place; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

The God Who Saves

Preparation for next week, Pentecost 21 Proper 26

Monday, 28 October 2019—Psalm 119:1-2, 10-12, 16; Antiphon, Psalm 119:32—The Antiphon for next Sunday’s Introit proclaims, ‘I am laid low in the dust; renew my life according to Your Word’ We are all dust and ash. In Adam we are all one dead sinner. Yet God in Christ has given us new life. We live, move and have our being in Christ. Daily Christ is giving us this new life. The life we now live in not to ourselves. It is lived in and for Christ.

Tuesday, 29 October 2019—Psalm 119:145-152—This psalm is based on the Hebrew Letter “Qoph”. In this Psalm David is crying with the whole heart. The Lord hears David’s cry and answers him according to the Lord’s perfect will. Likewise, the believer cries out to the Lord night and day. Do not give up in your requests to God. He knows your need and will answer your prayers according to His perfect will for your life.

Wednesday, 30 October 2019—Exodus 34:5-9— Salvation is made possible through a forgiving God. God forgives sin but visits the iniquity of the guilty upon late generations. This lesson must be considered in light of the context. While Moses was on Mt. Sinai for 40 days getting the Ten Commandments, the people turned to idolatry by worshiping a golden calf. In his anger, Moses broke the tablets on which were written the law. Now, Moses is instructed to get new tablets and to return to the mountain top to get a second edition. God explains why He is giving the people a second chance – He is a God of mercy.

Thursday, 31 October 2019—2 Thessalonians 1:1-5,11-12—Those who are saved endure suffering for the faith. The Thessalonians are commended for their faithfulness in suffering.

Collect for Reformation: ( 31 October) Almighty God, gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and comfort them in all temptations, defend them against all enemies of Your Word, and bestow on the church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One god, now and forever.

A popular word today is “cope.” People are concerned about coping with inflation, poverty, old age, marital problems. Can Christians cope with persecution, suffering, and hardship? In our Epistles for next Sunday Paul tells of a congregation which learned to cope with hard times. His message to you, You can cope in the face of adversity.

Friday, 1 November 2019—Luke 19:1-10—Sunday’s Gospel gives us the simple steps from a life of sin to a Christian life in Christ. The steps are illustrated in Zacchaeus’ conversion…Climb – he wanted to see and know Jesus because he needed him. Confront – Jesus saw Zacchaeus and ordered him to come down and together they went to Zacchaeus’ house. Change – Christ’s acceptance of Zacchaeus made him change his life.

Collect for All Saints: (1 November) O Almighty God, by whom we are graciously knit together as one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of Jesus Christ, our Lord, grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that we may come to those unspeakable joys which You have prepared for those who unfeignedly love You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Saturday, 2 November 2019—2 Corinthians 12:9 - Sunday’s hymn of the day is How Firm a Foundation, (LSB #728) The Christian faith is based not on our own ideas, agendas and plans. It rests securely in God’s firm and sure word. Trust that word. It is a sure foundation. It will withstand the storms of life.

Collect for the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed: (2 November) Almighty God, in whose glorious presence live all who depart in the Lord and before whom all the souls of the faithful who are delivered of the burden of the flesh are in joy and felicity, we give you hearty thanks for Your loving-kindness to all Your servants who have finished their course in faith and now rest form their labors and we humbly implore Your mercy that we, together with all who have departed in the saving faith, may have our perfect consummation and bliss, in both body and soul, in Your eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Morning Prayer Readings for this coming week

October 28 Monday Job –Part 1 Selected verses

October 29 Tuesday Job – Part 2 Selected verses

October 30 Wednesday Chapel

October 31 Thursday Job - Part 3 Selected verses

November 1 Friday Samuel 1 Samuel 1-3

Catechism Review: 2nd Article of the Apostles’ Creed

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Lectionary summary from the LCMS Commission on Worship

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Reformation

29 October 2019

Romans 3:19-28 & John 8:31-36

The way of the cross

There are two ways to finding God. The way of glory. And the way of the cross. The way of glory - rises up - to meet God at the level of His majesty. His beauty. His splendor. His brilliance. His heaven. Look for God in loftier places. In peak experiences. In which people scale the heights of their own reason, creativity, and human potential.

The way of the cross looks for God in a down-to-earth manner. In things that are as lowly. Weak. Poor. And naked. As in that suffering man. Who died on a hill. Outside the gate.

The great religions and philosophies of the world teach that God cannot suffer. God cannot bleed. God cannot die. Because God is God - he has no feelings at all. He has no passions. He has nothing in common with the suffering of human beings. In sharing their anguish. Despair. And sickness unto death.

But what happened on the cross happened to God. It is right to say that God Himself is crucified. Because Jesus is not only man but also God. The crucified Jesus is “very God of very God.” That is exactly what the Nicene Creed also says. If you are seeking God. You will find God hidden in the cross of Christ.

A church that wants to be great and glorious in worldly terms. That wants to be vocal and victorious in political terms. Is deeply suspect. Something is profoundly wrong with any church that wishes to be identified with rich, beautiful, and powerful people. That is the way of glory.

The church seeking glory tends to worship its own growth. Success. Popularity. And peddle cheap grace to those only who can afford to pay their way.

The cross is not only a way to be saved but a way to live. Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me.” To be a Christian is not only to believe in Christ but to follow Jesus. But to follow him where? Into the world in solidarity with the least. The lost. The last.

The cross is not a symbol for pious people meditating on things religious. The people of Christ live their lives under the cross. In school. On a farm. In a family. In a business. At city hall. In the everyday secular world. Doing what needs doing at the moment.

What hangs in the balance is the issue of bondage or freedom. Freedom is the very essence of salvation. In his wonderful treatise On Christian Freedom, Luther wrote: “A Christian is free. . .and in bondage to no one.” Yet, at the same time, he said, “A Christian is a servant, and owing a duty to everyone.” Radical freedom was purchased for us by the cross of Christ. It means to be in bondage to no one. Yet free to serve everyone.

That will sometimes mean suffering. Humiliation. Grief. Disgrace. Not many of the disciples or apostles died of old age. Bearing the cross of Christ aroused conflict and opposition. Christians ought to expect that they may be dealt with as sheep for the slaughter. In Greek the word “martyr” is the same as the word “witness.” Martyrdom means being a witness to the truth. Willing to pay the price that one unavoidably pays in doing hand-to-hand combat with forces of evil in the world. It does not mean taking up the fight. But living by the narrow way. Where God meets us in the cross of Christ.

Look not for a glorious God of majesty. But to a God. Caught dead on a cross. That afflicted man of sorrows. In whom there was no “form or beauty.” (Isaiah 53: 2)

Abide in the Word alone. Snub human thoughts. And opinions. Live by faith alone. By His grace and mercy alone. In Christ alone. Who is everything to us. The Way. The Truth. The Life.

Words-680

Passive Sentences –5%

Readability – 84.3%

Reading Level –3.1

Reference https://lutherantheology.wordpress.com/2010/10/19/a-reformation-sermon/

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Reformation (Observed)

Reformation Observed

Revelation 14:6–7
Psalm 46
Romans 3:19–28
John 8:31–36 or Matthew 11:12–19

The Son of God Has Set Us Free from Sin and Death by His Grace

"Wisdom is justified by her deeds” (Matthew 11:19), and the true Wisdom of God, Christ Jesus, the incarnate Son, has justified us by His deeds. He prepares His way by the preaching of repentance, but He has suffered the violence of the Law and voluntarily handed Himself over to violent men, that we might eat and drink with Him in His Kingdom and “remain in the house forever” (John 8:35). He is “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 11:18–19), and He has rescued us by His grace from the slavery of sin and death.

By the proclamation of His eternal Gospel “to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people” (Revelation 14:6), “the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law” (Romans 3:21), “that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26). And by the hearing of that Gospel of Christ Jesus, “whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith” (Romans 3:25), “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32).

Collect for Reformation Sunday: Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

"O God, Your infinite love restores to the right way those who err, seeks the scattered, and preserves those whom You have gathered. Of Your tender mercy pour out on Your faithful people the grace of unity that, all schisms being ended, Your flock may be gathered to the true Shepherd of Your Church and may serve You in all faithfulness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen"

Matthew 11:12-19

Context John is in prison, world attacking the kingdom of the heavens,

Matthew 11:12

ἀπὸ δὲ τῶν ἡμερῶν Ἰωάννου τοῦ βαπτιστοῦ ἕως ἄρτι ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν βιάζεται, καὶ βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν.

From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,[a] and the violent take it by force.

a Or has been coming violently

“From the time of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of the heavens suffered violence.” The kingdom - Makes its way advancing with violent force. And violent men have seized it. How does it come. Not by what we think, through violence done to him. Forcibly treated can be taken middle or passive. The kingdom suffers violence. It has been violently attacked by violent men, the flesh, and Satan.

Matthew 11:13

πάντες γὰρ οἱ προφῆται καὶ ὁ νόμος ἕως Ἰωάννου ἐπροφήτευσαν·

For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,

“For all the prophets and the Law prophecies until John.”

Matthew 11:14

καὶ εἰ θέλετε δέξασθαι, αὐτός ἐστιν Ἠλίας ὁ μέλλων ἔρχεσθαι.

and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.

“And if you want to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.”

When you hear John you hear all of the prophets, it comes to its finger John and the head Christ.

Matthew 11:15

ὁ ἔχων [a]ὦτα ἀκουέτω.

He who has ears to hear,[b] let him hear.

b. Some manuscripts omit to hear

“He who has ears to hear let him hear.”

Hear what he just said, listen to what he will say. Avoid the theology of glory. NOT BY DOING BUT BY RECEIVING this is a passive thing.

How does the Christian suffer today? We still suffer violence by the big three although not seen.

Matthew 11:16

Τίνι δὲ ὁμοιώσω τὴν γενεὰν ταύτην; ὁμοία ἐστὶν παιδίοις [b]καθημένοις ἐν ταῖς ἀγοραῖς ἃ προσφωνοῦντα τοῖς ἑτέροις

“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

“To what will I liken this generation? It is like two small children.”

Matthew 11:17

[c]λέγουσιν· Ηὐλήσαμεν ὑμῖν καὶ οὐκ ὠρχήσασθε· [d]ἐθρηνήσαμεν καὶ οὐκ ἐκόψασθε·

‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

“We played flute for you and you did not dance. We sang a dirge you did not mourn!”

Matthew 11:18

ἦλθεν γὰρ Ἰωάννης μήτε ἐσθίων μήτε πίνων, καὶ λέγουσιν· Δαιμόνιον ἔχει·

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’

“John came neither eating or drinking he had a demon.”

Matthew 11:19

ἦλθεν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐσθίων καὶ πίνων, καὶ λέγουσιν· Ἰδοὺ ἄνθρωπος φάγος καὶ οἰνοπότης, τελωνῶν φίλος καὶ ἁμαρτωλῶν. καὶ ἐδικαιώθη ἡ σοφία ἀπὸ τῶν [e]ἔργων αὐτῆς.

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”[c]

c. Some manuscripts children (compare Luke 7:35)

“The Son of man came and you said he's a glutton and wine drinker a lover of tax collectors and sinners.”

When law was preached you did not repent when gospel preached you did not receive it.

Repent = contrition and faith.

But wisdom is proven by actions. JESUS is this wisdom of God.

John 8:31-36- speaks of the freedom we find in the Truth of Jesus Christ. All of us were born into slavery-the slavery of sin. But Christ has set us free from our bondage by His atoning sacrifice. The One who declares, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life tells us here that the Truth shall set us free. The Truth has set us free: the Truth which embodied in Christ Jesus and the Truth which He declares to us in His Word. We are free, indeed!

John 8:31

Ἔλεγεν οὖν ὁ Ἰησοῦς πρὸς τοὺς πεπιστευκότας αὐτῷ Ἰουδαίους· Ἐὰν ὑμεῖς μείνητε ἐν τῷ λόγῳ τῷ ἐμῷ, ἀληθῶς μαθηταί μού ἐστε,

Jesus began to say to those Jews who had believed in Him if you hold to my teachings you are really my disciples.

Who makes up the crowd? This is the simil both sinner/Saint

John 8:32

καὶ γνώσεσθε τὴν ἀλήθειαν, καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια ἐλευθερώσει ὑμᾶς.

Then you will know the truth and the truth will free you.

What is "freedom"? To know is to perceive it in a believing way. A deeper kind of knowing the truth. Not the weak knowing of Adam/Eve. They knew evil but did not have intimate understanding of evil. This knowing is to possess Jesus.

John 8:33

ἀπεκρίθησαν [a]πρὸς αὐτόν· Σπέρμα Ἀβραάμ ἐσμεν καὶ οὐδενὶ δεδουλεύκαμεν πώποτε· πῶς σὺ λέγεις ὅτι Ἐλεύθεροι γενήσεσθε;

They answered to him, we are the sperm of Abraham how can you say you shall be made free?

Irony they are children of the promise while he is the promise. See John, "do not presume to say we have Abraham as our Father,"

John 8:34

Ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ποιῶν τὴν ἁμαρτίαν δοῦλός ἐστιν τῆς ἁμαρτίας·

Jesus said, I say to you ALL the ones who do sin are each individually slaved OF sin.

SEE Romans 6 Jesus changes from external to internal slavery.

John 8:35

ὁ δὲ δοῦλος οὐ μένει ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα· [b]ὁ υἱὸς μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

A slave has no permanent place in the family. But a son belongs to it forever.

"Into the age" you remain in the house by being a son. See Galatians 3:26-29

John 8:36

ἐὰν οὖν ὁ υἱὸς ὑμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃ, ὄντως ἐλεύθεροι ἔσεσθε.

So if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed.

This freedom comes at a price. The price of Christ's blood. That freedom is forgiveness.

____________

Time in the Word - Reformation Observed

October 21-26, 2019

Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Son of God Has Set Us Free from Sin and Death by His Grace

“Wisdom is justified by her deeds” (Matt. 11:19), and the true Wisdom of God, Christ Jesus the incarnate Son, justifies us by His deeds. He prepares His way by the preaching of repentance, but He has suffered the violence of the Law and voluntarily handed Himself over to violent men, that we might eat and drink with Him in His Kingdom and “remain in the house forever” (John 8:35). For He is “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matt. 11:19), and He has rescued us by His grace from the slavery of sin and death. By the proclamation of His eternal Gospel “to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people” (Rev. 14:6), “the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law” (Rom. 3:21), “that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26).And by hearing the Gospel of Christ Jesus, “whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith” (Rom. 3:25), “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32).

Prayers for defending the Church from error: O Christ, our defender, protect us from all those whose plans would subvert Your truth through heresy and schism that, as You are acknowledged in heaven and on earth as one and the same Lord, so Your people, gathered from all nations, may serve You in unity of faith; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, You would have all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. By Your almighty power and unsearchable wisdom break and hinder all the counsels of those who hate Your Word and who, by corrupt teaching, would destroy it. Enlighten them with the knowledge of Your glory that they may know the riches of Your heavenly grace and, in peace and righteousness, serve You, the only true God; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for unity of faith: O God, Your infinite love restores to the right way those who err, seeks the scattered, and preserves those whom You have gathered. Of Your tender mercy pour out on Your faithful people the grace of unity that, all schisms being ended, Your flock may be gathered to the true Shepherd of Your Church and may serve You in all faithfulness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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

Monday, 21 October 2019—Psalm 34:1–2, 11, 22; Antiphon, Psalm 119:46—The Antiphon for next Sunday’s Introit proclaims, I will speak of Your statutes before Kings O Lord, and shall not be put to shame. This verse also serves as the inscription for the Augsburg Confession, one of the documents in the Lutheran Book of Concord. We need fear no earthly kings or powers when we make confession of our faith, for we have been set free from fear by the Gospel. Let us make bold our proclamation of confidence in the Lord, who redeems the life of His servants. For this, we bless the LORD at all times.

Tuesday, 22 September 2019—Psalm 46—This psalm of David expresses complete confidence in God, no matter the circumstance. It depicts scenes of turmoil: natural disasters (vv. 2, 3), political persecution (v. 6a), and even the end of days (v. 6b). The one who trusts in God can withstand such troubles, and be still and quiet, for God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Wednesday, 23 October 2019—Revelation 14:6–7—This first angel of John’s vision has often been interpreted by Lutheran commentators as Martin Luther, because of his clear proclamation of the eternal gospel to . . . those who dwell on earth. Certainly God worked through this man, as He works through others, to bring His message of freedom in Christ to every nation and tribe and language and people.

Collect for the Feast of St James of Jerusalem, Bishop and Martyr (23 October): Heavenly Father, shepherd of Your people, You raised up James the Just, brother of our Lord, to lead and guide Your Church. Grant that we may follow his example of prayer and reconciliation and be strengthened by the witness of his death; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Thursday, 24 October 2019—Romans 3:19–28—Theologians use a Latin phrase that describes our relationship with God’s Holy Law: “Lex semper accusat,” that is, ‘the Law always accuses’. This is because none of us sinful humans can obey God’s Law perfectly. Both our original sin and our actual sin condemn us.

But there is a righteousness before God apart from the Law and apart from ourselves and anything we do. This righteousness is the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to us through faith in the propitiating death of Christ on our behalf. Because of Christ’s fulfillment of the Law, and His blood which He shed for us, God declares us ‘not guilty’.

Friday, 25 October 2019—John 8:31–36—Sunday’s Gospel speaks of the freedom we find in the Truth of Jesus Christ. All of us were born into slavery—the slavery of sin. But Christ has set us free from our bondage by His atoning sacrifice. The One who declares, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life tells us here that the Truth shall set us free. The Truth has set us free: the Truth which embodied in Christ Jesus and the Truth which He declares to us in His Word. We are free, indeed!

Saturday, 26 October 2019—Sunday’s hymn of the day, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (LSB #656) is Luther’s great battle hymn of the Reformation. Based on the Psalm of the day, Psalm 46, it reflects complete confidence in God, even when faced by a host of devils and the earthly adversities they bring. They can harm us none, for they have been felled—defeated—by one little Word, the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Savior.

OCTOBER 21-25, 2019

NO SCHOOL --- TEACHER IN SERVICE - - - FALL BREAK

Lectionary summary from the LCMS Commission on Worship