Time in the Word April 28 - May 3, 2008

Christians in a Non-Believing world

Easter 7

Collect for Easter 7 - O King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father; for You live and reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

This coming week will be the last Sunday in Easter. Easter 7 serves as a bridge between Ascension and Pentecost. We look back to the Ascension or forward to Pentecost. Because Easter was so early this year we will be celebrating Ascension before confirmation. Mother’s Day will be the observance of Pentecost.

Monday, April 28, 2008 – Psalm 68:1-10- This is the Psalm suggested for the last Sunday in Easter.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008 – Acts 1:12—26 – Christians in the world pray for the Spirit. At his ascension, Jesus promised to send the Spirit to the disciples. The risen Lord meets with his eleven disciples a short distance from Jerusalem where before ascending to his Father, he promises them the Spirit who will give them power to witness throughout the world. Then they returned to an upper room in Jerusalem to pray. With the disciples are Jesus’ brothers and mother. This is her last appearance in the New Testament — she is seen among the first Christians praying and waiting for the Spirit. This deals with both the ascension and next Sunday’s Pentecost.. The First Lesson is similar to today’s Acts 1:1-11. Otherwise, the Lesson can be used to prepare for next Sunday’s Pentecost celebration.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008 –1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11 – Christians in the world share Christ’s sufferings. Christians are to rejoice over the privilege of sharing Christ’s suffering, and after suffering God will restore and strengthen them. The exhortations to the newly baptized are continued in this passage. They are warned of impending persecution for being Christians, for at this time it was a crime to be a Christian. They are not to be surprised when suffering comes, but to rejoice that they suffer like Jesus did. When suffering comes, the new Christians are to be humble, trust in God’s care, be on guard against temptation, and to remember that suffering is over and God will strengthen them. They are to take comfort in the fact that suffering is experienced by the whole church.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 – John 17:1-11 – Christians in the world are prayed for. Before his departure, Jesus prays for his disciples. This pericope is a part of Christ’s high priestly prayer, the end of his farewell discourse at the last supper begun in chapter 13. The hour of his departure has come. He reports to the Father that he has accomplished the work he was sent to do.

Friday, May 2, 2008 – Psalm 47 – This Psalm is suggested for Ascension.

Saturday, May 3, 2008 –Acts 2:21 – Is the inspiration for the hymn “Christ is the World’s Redeemer“{LSB 539} As we will confirm our Jr. Confirmands tomorrow we pray they would remain faithful to Jesus forever. The suggested hymn for this weeks reminds us that Jesus is the Savior of the world. Having examined the realities of Easter we now go out into the world as witnesses of the Savior. This is what living the faith means. Expressing what those 1st Century disciples proclaimed, “we are witnesses to these things.”

Daytime Collect for Eastertide - Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit.

A Prayer for Ascension – Almighty God, as Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, ascended into the heavens, so may we also ascend in heart and mind and continually dwell there with Him, who lives, and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

A Prayer for St. James and Philip [Observed May 1] – Almighty God, Whom to know is life everlasting, grant that, even as Your Son gave knowledge of everlasting life to the apostles Philip and James by revealing Himself the them as the only ways to Yu, so we may be a true and lively faith know Him as our only Savior now and forever.

For Agriculture - Almighty God, You blessed the earth to make it fruitful, bringing forth in abundance whatever is needed for the support of our lives. Prosper; we implore You, the work of farmers, especially in this planting season. Grant them seasonable weather that they may gather in the fruits of the earth and thus proclaim Your goodness. May we see by this noble vocation that by Your aid we are helping to feed the world and cause all who give thanks over their food to treat those who produce it with honor and respect.

An Evening Collect for Eastertide – Abide with us, Lord, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. Abide with us and with Your whole Church. Abide with us in the end of the day, in the end of our life, in the end of the world. Abide with us with Your grace and goodness, with Your Holy Word and sacrament, with Your strength and blessing. Abide with us when the night of affliction and temptation comes upon us, the night of fear and despair when death shall come. Abide with us and with all the faithful through time and eternity.

Sources:

THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL © 1940 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LUTHERAN WORSHIP © 1982 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LECTIONARY PREACHING WORKBOOK © 1980 John Brokhoff CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

Feast Day of St. Mark - Happy Birthday Lydia

Oh the places you have been and the things you have done!

Earth Day

"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt."— Margaret Atwood

Time in the Word - April 21-26, 2008

The Spirit in the Christian’s Life
Easter 6
April 21-26, 2008

Collect for Easter 6 - O God, the Giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

This week lead us to the Sunday before the Festival of the Ascension which falls forty days after Easter. Since Jesus is about to leave the earth, our attention is called to the Spirit who is to come in his place. The Lessons begin to prepare us for Pentecost. In the Gospel, Jesus promises to send the Spirit as Counselor, the spirit of truth. In Lesson 1, Paul in his sermon at Athens tries to explain the nature of God who, to the Athenians, is an “unknown God.” For many today, including Christians, the Spirit is an unknown God. The Spirit is mentioned in the Epistle Lesson — Jesus was made alive in the Spirit. The Prayer refers to “the inspiration of the Spirit” to enable us to think those things that are right. Since Pentecost is a major festival of the church and hopefully a renewed outpouring of the Spirit, it is appropriate that through the lections we begin to prepare for Pentecost.

Monday, April 21, 2008 – Psalm 66:1-7 -The Antiphon for next Sunday’s Introit is taken from Vs.1, “I cry to God with joy.” The man who is blessed (Vv.1-4) is also humbled (Vv. 5ff) Notice the illustration in Vs. 6 and the implication found in Vs. 7.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 – Acts 17:16-31 –The Spirit as an “unknown God” Paul preaches at Athens. Paul’s sermon at Athens was different. It was addressed not to Jews nor to Christian Gentiles, but to educated and cultured pagans, for Athens was the capitol of Greek-Roman civilization. It is interesting to see how Paul adapted to his audience to get a hearing. He begins by complementing them — “You are very religious.” He refers to a local situation — an altar erected to an unknown god. This gives him an entree into his subject. Who is this “unknown God?” To bolster his argument he does not quote scripture but Greek philosophers and poets. He brings his message to a head by calling for repentance as preparation for the judgment to be conducted by the One God raised from the dead.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008 –1 Peter 3:13-22 – Christians are alive in the Spirit. The newly baptized, warned they may suffer for being Christians are reminded if the suffer for “well-doing rather than evil-doing,” they will be blessed. In a non-Christian world, Christians are to imitate Jesus who suffered, died for our sins, rose and ascended to the Father. They are to revere Christ and to be prepared to give an account of their faith. As Noah was saved through water, really from water, baptismal water saves us not by a physical, but a spiritual cleansing.

Thursday, April 24, 2008 – John 14:15-21 – God’s people come to God only through Jesus. This is a continuation of Jesus’ “farewell discourses”. Jesus promises not to leave the disciples desolate, for he will send the Spirit. Jesus’ final discourse continues from last Sunday. It deals with the fate of the disciples after his departure. Jesus reminds his followers that love is obeying his commands, particularly the command to love one another. He assures them that he will not leave them desolate, for he will send the Spirit. By the Spirit he will be with them. John considers the coming of the Spirit as the end of all time.

Friday, April 25, 2008 – Psalm 66:8-20 – This Psalm is a continuation from the Psalm appointed for Monday. Now we look at the holy man who is humbled by the marvelous ways of God. (Vv.8-12) The person of faith is declared holy by the trustworthiness of God (Vv. 13-15) as well as his testimony. (Vv. 16-20)

Saturday, April 26, 2008 –2 Timothy 1:9-10 – Is the inspiration for the hymn “Dear Christians One and All rejoice“{LSB 556} As we will have examination Sunday tomorrow reviewing the chief teachings of our Christian faith this hymn is quit fitting. It explains the whole story of Savior. Luther wrote this hymn to explain to his children what Good Friday and Easter Sunday taught. It is one of Luther’s great teaching hymns and has grown to be on of Friedheim’s finest’

A Daytime Collect for Eastertide - Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit.

A Prayer for Home & Family – Visit, we implore You, O Lord, the homes in which Your people dwell, keep far from them all harm and danger. Grant us to dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels and may Your blessing be with us forever.

For Peace –O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works proceed, give to Your servants that peace which the world cannot give that our hearts may be set to obey Your commandments and also that w3e, being defended by You, may pass our time in rest and quietness.

An Evening Collect for Eastertide – Abide with us, Lord, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. Abide with us and with Your whole Church. Abide with us in the end of the day, in the end of our life, in the end of the world. Abide with us with Your grace and goodness, with Your Holy Word and sacrament, with Your strength and blessing. Abide with us when the night of affliction and temptation comes upon us, the night of fear and despair when death shall come. Abide with us and with all the faithful through time and eternity.

Sources:

THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL © 1940 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

LUTHERAN WORSHIP © 1982 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

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

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

Easter 5 - Aprill 20, 2008

April 20, 2008
Easter 5
John 14:1-14
The Power Of The Resurrection

Our Gospel lesson for this morning is the beginning of Jesus’ “farewell discourses” that continue through chapter 17 of John’s Gospel. The disciples are not to be troubled because He is going to prepare a place which is large enough for all. Moreover, he is the only way to the Father. To know and see Jesus is to know and see the Father. It is essential that the disciples know and believe in him and the Father. If they do, they will do greater things than Jesus did and their prayers, offered in his name, will be answered.

Let us pray to the Lord;

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

This passage is, almost without exception, read at funerals. It has become identified with death. It is really associated with the resurrection. After the resurrection, Jesus goes to prepare a place for the believer. This passage then speaks to the living on earth to comfort them that after death they will be secure in Christ.

Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ we have —

1. A way is prepared for you in heaven — v. 2. “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”

According to Jesus, there is a heaven. He said he was going to prepare a place for his people in heaven. It is a place large enough for all believers in Christ as it contains — “many rooms.” The nature of heaven is given — it is being with Christ — “Where I am you may be also” (v. 3).

Sin, sickness, pain and heartache are not a part of heaven. Heaven is free from these things. They do not exist in the Father’s house. Heaven is a place which Christ Himself has created especially for His children.

Heaven is also personalized. Did you realize that? Notice what Jesus says to us in this verses. He says, “I go to prepare a place – for you.” In six short days the universe was made, and yet, in heaven the creative power of God continues as Jesus tells us that He is preparing a place custom made especially for you.

Every wife, I suppose, has a romantic picture in her mind of her “dream house” which is made especially for her. In our text Jesus Himself tells us that our home in heaven is not a romantic thought and it is far from being a “dream house”. The place created by Jesus has been constructed by the master craftsman Jesus Christ. The creative power of the carpenter from Nazareth continues as He builds a home for you.

Transition: Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ the Savior reminds us that He is the way which leads to life with God.

2. A way to God exists — v. 6. “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

A false conception created by misguided people is the notion that says, “We’re all going to the same place, called heaven, we’re only traveling different roads to get there.” What that statement suggests is that two entirely different people can worship two entirely different “gods” and still arrive at the same destination – namely heaven.

Jesus discredits that perception as He makes the claim of absolute uniqueness. He is the way, truth, and life. He emphasizes this by adding that no one comes to God except by Him. People desiring a pluralistic approach to their faith value system will have troubles with verse 6. How then shall we consider non-Christian religions? What does this verse mean to the evangelism and missionary programs of the church today?

Jesus is not just one option among many. Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. He is the only true God. Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world. Jesus Christ is the only one who is able to remove the sting and the debt of sin and strife. He is the only one capable of bringing us from death to life.

Transition: Jesus being the only way to the Father guarantees us that we shall see God. What these words say are simple and yet, in their simplicity the most profound statement of faith is revealed.

3. God is revealed in Christ — v. 9. “Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”

Philip wants to know and see God. Jesus points to himself as the answer. We are to see, know, and find God in Jesus. Can we believe this? Jesus says if you cannot believe it on the basis of his words; take a look at his deeds. Can anyone less than God do these works?

The resurrection proves beyond any reasonable doubt that Jesus IS God. Only God can raise the dead. Only God can forgive sins. Only God can call people to Himself. Only God can turn people from sin to His marvelous light.

Transition: Having come to this realization that Jesus is Lord we bear witness of Him in the world, as we become salt and light for Him.

4. You will outdo Jesus in works — v. 12. “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

This passage is to be seen and used in the light of Easter. Without the resurrection, this passage would be useless. There would be no assurance of a place prepared in heaven, no one way to God, no deity of Jesus. The Easter account makes all these sayings reality and truth.

This is what Christ does for people. He is not as some might presume to be only “a son of God” to the contrary Jesus IS God. He is the Lord. Only in Him is there everlasting life.

Because of the resurrection, because of its power we do not wonder through life aimlessly. We have a purpose, a divine purpose. The resurrection assures us that heaven is our home. The resurrection assures us that Christ is our one and only Savior. The resurrection assures us that in Christ we have everlasting life. A blessed life in His name.

Listen, I tell you a mystery

At 5:38 am a 5.2 quake shook southern Illinois. At 11:15 am a 4.5 after shock was felt. This happened on the anniversary of the 1906 quake in California.

The Bible teaches that there will be an increase in earthquakes in the last days before the return of Jesus.

For nation [ethnos] shall rise against nation, and kingdom [basileia] against kingdom: and there shall be famines [limos], and pestilences [loimos], and earthquakes [seismos], in divers places. All these are the beginning of birth pains (Matthew 24:7-8)

There have been wars, famines, pestilences, hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes in various places for hundreds of years.

Wars, famines, pestilences, hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes are becoming more frequent and greater in magnitude.

When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, and earthquakes do not be alarmed. Such things must happen. Just like the signs of Spring all around us so also we are given signs that the Savior will return. This is for our comfort. Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.

Therefore rejoice for your redemption is drawing near. Repent. Make each day count as if it were your last, for it just might be...

Spring has Finally Come!

This is the view from my front pourch!