June 11 –Thursday prior to Proper 6

Matthew 9:35-10:8 – Through the ministry of the Word Jesus calls disciples and sends them out to preach.

Jesus calls twelve disciples and sends them out to preach and heal. After teaching, preaching, and healing in various villages and cities, Jesus is impressed by the condition of the people — harassed, helpless, and lost. Their condition moves him to have compassion on them. To meet the need, he appoints the twelve and sends them only to the Jews to preach and heal. As they received the gospel free of charge, they are to give the gospel free of charge.

Jesus’ ministry was a total ministry to the total person. It consisted of teaching, preaching, and healing: a ministry to the mind through teaching, to the heart (soul) through preaching, and to the body through healing. Since we are an inseparable unit of body, mind, and spirit, the church’s ministry today needs to include this threefold ministry.

The Savior said, “As you go, preach this message: ‘the kingdom of heaven is near.’ What they were to say was a simple and yet a direct message: “The kingdom of God is at hand.”

Likewise, for you in whatever station of life you find yourself – simply share Christ. How do you do this? Consider Luther’s explanation to the 2^nd Article of the Apostles’ Creed.

Who – I believe that Jesus Christ, true God begotten of the Father from eternity and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary is my Lord.

What - Who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil.

How -Not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death.

Why - That I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. Jesus as He is risen from the dead lives and reigns to all eternity.

The movement of the Christian is both in and out, coming and going. As you have received the gospel free of charge, give the gospel free of charge to those the Lord has placed in your life.

God, our maker and redeemer, You have made us a new company of priests to bear witness to the gospel. Enable us to be faithful to our calling to make known Your promises to all the world

A Prayer for purity– Almighty God unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, from whom no secrets are hidden, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit that we may perfectly love You and worthily magnify Your holy name.

Image, “Go into all the world,” copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

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

June 10– Wednesday prior to Proper 6

Romans 5:6-15 – Through the cross of Christ God’s love is seen as Christ dies for the sinner. God’s love is seen in Christ’s dying for sinners. It is not likely that anyone would die for a good person. How much less would one die for a bad person?

In his letter to the Romans, Paul addresses a predominantly Jewish audience. Jews living in Rome in the 1^st Century understood life with the thought that there were, at any given time, three groupings of men living on planet earth. They believed that humanity was divided into three categories of class;

Ø  There were a few; they were, “The Righteous.” (Tzadikim Nistarim)

Ø  Next, came, “Good men.” (Benim)

Ø  And finally, there were; ‘The sinners’ or ‘Evil-ones.’ (Resha’im)   

The “righteous” were in a category all their own. They needed no help from God. They were already perfect, holy and pure. The world was still intact and would not spin out of control because there were at least a few righteous men on the earth at any given time.

Sodom and Gomorrah were utterly destroyed because the Lord could not find any righteous men living there. Such righteous ones were men such as Abraham, Enoch, Elijah, and Job just to name a few.

Those reading Paul’s letter for the first time were very serious concerning their faith. Through ritual, a strict following of the law and by holy living they remained ethical, moral, principled, “good men.” Their goal was simple.  Become even better.

The rest were simply good for nothing. They were trolls. They were “the dirties” of the world. They were beyond help. They were to be shunned.  They were “the ungodly.” They were “helpless, sinners.” Beyond God’s mercy.

Stay clear of them, the good men were warned.  Evil ones were to be avoided. At all costs. 

So imagine the reaction that must have happened when Paul’s audience heard these remarkable words.

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—  but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)

This turned their moral compass upside down! It literally rocked their world!    

So how do you understand words such as love, mercy, and grace? God’s love for us reveals true love. Only by knowing Christ’s mercy are you able to show mercy. Again, this is not a natural characteristic of sinful humankind. By God’s grace, every believer not only knows these divine words but also believes them and lives them.  "When you were dead in your sins and in the un-circumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins." – Colossians 2:13  

God reveals His love for us in the person of His Son Jesus. As you have received mercy; be merciful.

“God be merciful to me, a sinner.” – Luke 18:13   

Image copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things 

June 09 – Tuesday prior to Proper 6

Exodus 19:2-8 – Through obedience to the covenant the people at Sinai are reminded by the Lord that they are His people. God tells Moses that if the people will keep the covenant, they shall be his people. We do not know who we are until we know whose we are. If we belong to God, we understand who we are — children, sons, and servants of God.

The children of Israel are described as a kingdom of priests. As the consecrated priests would stand between God and his people so the people of Israel would act as priests to the world, set aside by God for service, witness and prayer. Israel would be a priest to all the nations of the world.  Today, Jesus perfectly mediates between sinners and God.[1]

Luther said, “Do not despair after sin, but lift your eyes on high to where Christ intercedes for us. He is our Advocate. He intercedes for us and says, “Father I have suffered for this person; I am looking after him.” This prayer cannot be in vain.[2]

Trust in the Lord’s promises for you today.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Psalm 119:50

Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.  Matthew 28:20

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  John 17:15

Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

The Church also intercedes on behalf of the world. Peter explains, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”  1 Peter 2:9

For humility - Heavenly Father, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace.[3]

---

[1] Lutheran Study Bible © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

[2] Luther’s Works, American Edition 30:326 copyright © Concordia Publishing St. Louis Fortress Philadelphia, 1955-86

[3] Prayer for Humility, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Image Worthy is the Lamb, copyright ©  Ed Riojas, Higher Things

June 08 – Monday prior to Pentecost 2 Proper 6

Psalm 67:1-7 - This is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 3, “Let the People praise You O God, let the people praise You.”

The word for today based on Psalm 67 is the word “Service.”  We gather publicly for a worship service. Then in love we spend our time in service to our neighbor. During the past several months the question has been asked frequently, “which work is essential?”  Which is essential for the Christian, worshipping God or serving the neighbor? To which we reply, “Yes!” You really can’t separate the two. Both are necessary. Both are essential.

The Psalmist exclaims, “O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.”  - Psalm 28:6 and again, in Psalm 122:1 David teaches, “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

Jesus proclaims, “‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ – Matthew 25:40  In the book of Hebrews we are reminded, “For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.” – Hebrews 6:10

Jesus said, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  Matthew 22:37-39

Worshipping God and serving your neighbor – both are essential to the Christian faith.

Slowly our state has been opening up and we are being allowed to add to our list of activities. Of course, public worship is that one activity which we should cherish. We still are being advised to practice precise sanitation protocols and social distancing. When you feel comfortable worshipping with us please come. If your prefer pastoral care in your home by all means contact me.

Throughout the centuries pandemics have occurred and God’s people have always responded in loving service. In every opportunity as you are given to attend to your neighbor do so in loving service. Remember always, in Christ you are free; free to worship, free to serve, free to love. May the Lord use you to be an instrument of His peace.

Almighty God You show mercy to Your people in all their troubles. Grant us always to recognize your goodness, give thanks for Your compassion, and praise Your Holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

With all your heart, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Collect for Proper 23 Series C, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Proper 6 - Series A

Proper 6 - Series A

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

(14 June 2020)

 

Exodus 19:2–8

Romans 5:6–15

Matthew 9:35—10:8 (9–20)

Collect for Proper 6 – Almighty, eternal God, in the Word of Your apostles and prophets You have proclaimed to us Your saving will. Grant us faith to believe Your promises that we may receive eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

The holy Triune God “shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners,” ungodly and at enmity with Him, “Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The incarnate Son has justified us by His blood and reconciled us to His God and Father (Romans 5:9–10). Whereas sin and death originated with Adam, forgiveness and life abound for all his children “through the one man Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:12–17). As the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, so does He bring us to Himself by the Gospel and make of us “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6) by our Baptism into Christ. For “all that the Lord has spoken” (Exodus 19:8), Christ has done for us. As He has gone up to God by His cross and resurrection, so does He bring us to the Father in Himself (Exodus 19:3–4). Nor does He leave us “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36), but He sends men with authority “to heal every disease and every affliction” by His forgiveness of sins (Matthew 10:1). In their proclamation, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7).

Apostles
Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege

The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. (Matthew 10:22)

We confess in the Nicene Creed, “I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church.”  What is this “apostolic church”, and why was it necessary for Saint Matthew to give the list of the apostles?  Realize first that the word apostle identifies someone who is sent to both speak for and represent the sender.  Thus Jesus is called apostle in Hebrews 3:1: “…consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him…”  It is quite clear from the Gospels that Jesus’ sender is God the Father.  As apostle, Jesus speaks for and represents God the Father.  It is true that the Son of God and God the Father have eternal intimacy.  However Jesus, as a man, is uniquely recognized as God’s apostle.  To see and hear the incarnate Son of God is to see and hear God the Father (e.g. Jn. 14).  The Jews had a Hebrew word that communicated the meaning of apostle.[1]  The word in English is “shaliach”.  When a shaliach spoke it was understood that it was the equivalent of the sender speaking.  Thus when Jesus spoke, His words were those of God the Father.  When a shaliach rendered a decision relative to his office as shaliach, it was recognized as the decision of the sender.  Thus all decisions made by the man Jesus, were decisions recognized as decisions from God the Father.

Consider now the apostles listed in our text.  This is no small matter to identify these men as holders of the awesomely authoritative office of apostle.  When they spoke or wrote, Jesus was speaking.  When they acted or when they rendered decisions (e.g. the Church Council in Acts 15), it was Jesus acting and rendering decisions.  It is no wonder that such a big deal is made for the replacement for the apostle Judas (Acts 1), as well as for the authenticity of Paul’s apostleship. Paul must repeatedly insist and prove that he is truly an Apostle (e.g. 2 Cor 11:5ff; 12:11; Gal 1:1).

The apostolic writings of the New Testament are often misunderstood because Christians fail to realize that frequently “we” in such writings is referring to the apostles and not to Christians generally. Consider 1 John 1:1-3a: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life. And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us.”  The “we” and the “us” are the Apostles, and it is their authority as apostles—and indeed fellowship with them—that we as Christians must seek.

When the apostles performed miracles or when their very presence created instances of the miraculous, this was simply a verification of the fact that they were officially apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, and such miracles verified their word as Christ’s word.  And what was the heart of the apostolic word?  It is the crucifixion of Jesus and all that relates to it—of course including His resurrection.  The Apostle Paul summarized succinctly:  We preach Christ crucified (1 Cor 1:23).  Though today’s pastors are not apostles, yet they continue the apostolic proclamation:  They must preach Christ crucified, the heart of the apostolic words, actions and writings.


[1] See Theol. Dictionary of the NT, vol. 1, 41

The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few

35 Καὶ περιῆγεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τὰς πόλεις πάσας καὶ τὰς κώμας, διδάσκων ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς αὐτῶν καὶ κηρύσσων τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας καὶ θεραπεύων πᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν.

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.

See Matthew 4:23 a parallel passage

A summation of Jesus' ministry 

Healing and the Gospel proclamation go hand in hand.

When we are ill, Christ’s healing reveals His glory. When we are dead, Christ’s raising us, like Lazarus, all for the glory of God. In the resurrection, the glory of God’s power is manifest. This offers hope to the afflicted, for they are assured of the Lord’s help.

36 Ἰδὼν δὲ τοὺς ὄχλους ἐσπλαγχνίσθη περὶ αὐτῶν ὅτι ἦσαν ἐσκυλμένοι καὶ ἐρριμμένοι ὡσεὶ πρόβατα μὴ ἔχοντα ποιμένα.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 

ἐσπλαγχνίσθη  - He was "moved in his gut" for them 

An indication on the shepherds of Jesus' day

He will fulfill His promise

What matters is He is there

37 τότε λέγει τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ· Ὁ μὲν θερισμὸς πολύς, οἱ δὲ ἐργάται ὀλίγοι·

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;

This has been a challenge for each generation yet now even more so. 

38 δεήθητε οὖν τοῦ κυρίου τοῦ θερισμοῦ ὅπως ἐκβάλῃ ἐργάτας εἰς τὸν θερισμὸν αὐτοῦ.

therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

The Twelve Apostles

1 Καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος τοὺς δώδεκα μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ἐξουσίαν πνευμάτων ἀκαθάρτων ὥστε ἐκβάλλειν αὐτὰ καὶ θεραπεύειν πᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν.

And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

-Jesus gives authority  an extension  of His office - the authority of the call

-Their ministry is His authority

2 τῶν δὲ δώδεκα ἀποστόλων τὰ ὀνόματά ἐστιν ταῦτα· πρῶτος Σίμων ὁ λεγόμενος Πέτρος καὶ Ἀνδρέας ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ, Ἰάκωβος ὁ τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου καὶ Ἰωάννης ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ,

The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

3 Φίλιππος καὶ Βαρθολομαῖος, Θωμᾶς καὶ Μαθθαῖος ὁ τελώνης, Ἰάκωβος ὁ τοῦ Ἁλφαίου καὶ Θαδδαῖος,

Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;[a]

Some manuscripts Lebbaeus, or Lebbaeus called Thaddaeus

4 Σίμων ὁ Καναναῖος καὶ Ἰούδας ὁ Ἰσκαριώτης ὁ καὶ παραδοὺς αὐτόν.

Simon the Zealot,[b] and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

ὁ Καναναῖος meaning zealot

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

5 Τούτους τοὺς δώδεκα ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς παραγγείλας αὐτοῖς λέγων· Εἰς ὁδὸν ἐθνῶν μὴ ἀπέλθητε καὶ εἰς πόλιν Σαμαριτῶν μὴ εἰσέλθητε·

These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans,

6 πορεύεσθε δὲ μᾶλλον πρὸς τὰ πρόβατα τὰ ἀπολωλότα οἴκου Ἰσραήλ.

 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 

7 πορευόμενοι δὲ κηρύσσετε λέγοντες ὅτι Ἤγγικεν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.

And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’[c]

ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν - The kingdom of heaven has come near 

8 ἀσθενοῦντας θεραπεύετε, νεκροὺς ἐγείρετε, λεπροὺς καθαρίζετε, δαιμόνια ἐκβάλλετε· δωρεὰν ἐλάβετε, δωρεὰν δότε.

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers,[d] cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.

Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Time in the Word - Pentecost 2 [Proper 6]

The Formation of God’s People

Pentecost 2 (Proper 6)

June 8-13- 2020

The theme the Formation of God’s People places an emphasis upon God making a people for Himself. In the Old Testament lesson God through Moses tells the people they will be His people as long as they keep the Law. This they (and we too) failed to do. In the Epistle Paul explains that God still takes us s His people because Christ died for the disobedient and reconciled them to the Father. This good news is given by the called disciples who are sent to preach. The prayer for the Day refers to our calling to witness to the Gospel. The Psalm affirms that we are God’s people. The suggested Hymn of the Day deals with the spreading of the comfort the Christian has in knowing Christ came to seek the lost.

A Prayer for families – Almighty God behold the families of our congregation and community. We pray that You might be the ever present yet unseen guest in every home. Daily may we serve You that there might be harmony and peace. Keep us safe from the enemy and may Your blessings fall upon us like gentle rain.

A Prayer for purity– Almighty God unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, from whom no secrets are hidden, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit that we may perfectly love You and worthily magnify Your holy name.

For humility - Heavenly Father, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace.

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

Collect for Proper 6 – Almighty, eternal God, in the Word of Your apostles and prophets You have proclaimed to us Your saving will. Grant us faith to believe Your promises that we may receive eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect for Pentecost 2–O God, whose never-failing providence sets in order all things both in heaven and earth, put away from us, we entrust you, all hurtful things, and give us those things tht are profitable for us; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Monday, June 08, 2020 – Psalm 67:1-7 - This is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 3, “Let the People praise You o God, let the people praise You.”

Tuesday, June 09, 2020 – Exodus 19:2-8 – Through obedience to the covenant the people at Sinai are reminded by the Lord that they are His people. God tells Moses that if the people will keep the covenant, they shall be his people. We do not know who we are until we know whose we are. If we belong to God, we understand who we are — children, sons, and servants of God. How did we become God’s possession? 

We are his, first, by creation — “all the earth is mine,” and we are a part of the earth. Second, we are his by redemption — “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians ... and brought you to myself” (v. 4).

Wednesday, June 10, 2020– Romans 5:6-15 – Through the cross of Christ God’s love is seen as Christ dies for the sinner. God’s love is seen in Christ’s dying for sinners. It is not likely that anyone would die for a good person. How much less would one die for a bad person? 

This is exactly what Jesus did — he died for us while we were yet sinners. He did not wait until we became good to die for us. There were no preconditions to be met. As a result of his atoning death, we are justified and in the coming judgment we will escape the wrath of God. If we are now reconciled by his death, we will move to be saved by his life. For what God has done for us in Christ, we rejoice in him. The love of God is seen in Jesus’ dying for sinners — worthless, evil, polluted people who are forever bent on doing evil. What did God see in a fallen man that he would give his Son to save a people like that? It is not human to do it; we would hardly die for a glorious man, let alone a wicked one. “While we were yet sinners” — a glorious phrase that proves God’s grace reaches out to humanity. This is grace, agape love.

Thursday, June 11, 2020 – Matthew 9:35-10:8 – Through the ministry of the Word Jesus calls disciples and sends them out to preach. 

Jesus calls twelve disciples and sends them out to preach and heal. After teaching, preaching, and healing in various villages and cities, Jesus is impressed by the condition of the people — harassed, helpless, and lost. Their condition moves him to have compassion on them. To meet the need, he appoints the twelve and sends them only to the Jews to preach and heal. As they received the gospel free of charge, they are to give the gospel free of charge. Jesus’ ministry was a total ministry to the total person. It consisted of teaching, preaching, and healing: a ministry to the mind through teaching, to the heart (soul) through preaching, and to the body through healing. Since we are an inseparable unit of body, mind, and spirit, the church’s ministry today needs to include this threefold ministry.

Friday, June 12, 2020 – Psalm 100– This Psalm is suggested for next Sunday. The key verses is verse 3c “We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture” In light of our lessons we rejoice that we have this new found relationship with the Savior, a relationship caused by the Savior’s amazing grace and favor.

Saturday, June 13, 2020 –John 3:16-18 – This passage is the inspiration for the hymn, “God Loved the World so that He Gave” {LSB 830} Taken from a familiar verse of the Scriptures the Savior explains the motivation the Father had in sending His Son into the world. The purpose of His coming was to redeem and save us.

A new season is upon us. The Christian year consists of two cycles: preparing, celebrating, and then living into our discipleship to Jesus Christ. The first of these is Advent through the Season after Easter. The second is the Season after Pentecost.

The Season after Pentecost begins and ends with what we might call “bookend Sundays.” These Sundays provide the frame for what comes between them. Trinity Sunday is the first of these. Christ the King, functions as the second. Trinity Sunday launches us into our life’s vocations after Pentecost with a celebration of the Triune God in whom all our lives and activities are grounded. 

Christ the King, this season’s other bookend, point us to our final destination in the culmination of the reign of the one who makes us and all things new. All the readings are related to one another and are focused on the gospel lesson.

____________________

Sources:

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

LECTIONALRY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES A © 1980 John Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH

Luther’s Seal copyright © Ed Riojas Higher Things

Trinity

Trinity

07 June 2020

Matthew 28:16-20

“A Whole God for the Whole World!”

Lighten Thou our darkness. Be Thyself our Light; Strengthen Thou our weakness, Sprit of all might. [Holy Spirit, Hear Us stanza 5 The Lutheran Hymnal © 1942 Concordia Publishing House]

 In the Great Commission, Jesus takes a world view of His mission. He sends His disciples out to win all nations by connecting them with the whole God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

A single Christian will often see only his congregation. A local congregation sees only its community. People need to see that Christianity is a worldwide movement. In like manner, we seldom deal with the whole Trinity. It takes the whole person to bring the whole God to the whole world. Today we consider: A whole God for the whole world.

The wholeness of our faith —

I.                    The whole world for a whole God — v. 19, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

A.   The task the Lord has given us — making disciples of “all the nations.”  This is not an option. It is a divine mandate. These are our marching orders. We are in the disciple making business. The Lord directs us to reach out into the world.

B.   Authority to win the world — v. 18, “Then Jesus came to them and said, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.”  This authority comes from the Savior Himself. It was given to Him by the Father. Jesus who lives and rules over heaven and earth has been given authority by His Father. By His authority we go out into the world. We do not go it alone. He leads. We follow.  We speak and move and act under His authority.

C.   The methods the Lord has given us are two — baptizing and teaching — vv. 19, 20. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

1.   Baptism. Baptism brings us into the family. It is our entrance into the Kingdom of heaven. It connects us to the Father and to each other.

2.   Teaching.  One of the chief reasons of having a Christian Day School such as Wyneken. We are obligated to teach the word as we connect our children to the living Word in Baptism.  Such tasks are not always easy. It takes commitment and sacrifice.  It involving ourselves in teaching is not always comfortable – yet the Lord bids us, “feed My sheep; shepherd My lambs” and again He tells us, “Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these you have done it unto Me.”   

TRANSITION: The wholeness of our faith involves the whole world for the whole God. WE also find the whole God for the whole world.

II.   The whole God for the whole world — v. 19, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

A.   God the Father — He is the Almighty God our Creator. The entire vast universe was spoken into existence by our creator in six days – or shorter yet – ten phrases. All that we have comes from His sustaining and guiding hand. Notice how Luther explains it in the His explanation of the 1st Article. [See PP. 322 - 323 of the Lutheran Service Book]

I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them.

He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life.

He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil.  All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true.

B.   God the Son — He is the Almighty God our Redeemer. Listen again to Luther’s explanation of the 2nd Article.

WHO IS THIS?  I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord.

WHAT HAS HE DONE? Who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; 

HOW DOES HE DO THIS? Not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death,

WHY DID HE DO THIS? that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

C.   God the Spirit — He is the Almighty God our Sanctifier. The explanation of the 3rd Article tells the story of our salvation.  What does this mean?

 I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.

In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.

 In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers.

On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.

This is most certainly true.

The whole God for the whole world is the Lord’s program for His creation. It is His world view of His mission and His work. He sends His disciples out to win all nations by connecting us with the whole God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

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Reading Level – 5.1