Pr. DFD

Monday, February 18, 2013

Time in the Word - Lent 2

Holding God to His Word

Jacob wrestled with God; he would not let Him go until he received a blessing from Him (Gen. 32:22–32). So it was with the Canaanite woman. Though Jesus seemed to ignore and reject her, she continued to call upon His name and look to Him for help (Mt. 15:21–28). Even when the Lord called her a little dog, she held on to Him in faith and would not let Him wriggle out of His words: “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” This Gentile woman shows herself to be a true Israelite, who struggles with God and man in Christ and prevails. “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire” (Mt. 15:27–28). This is the sanctifying will of God (1 Thess. 4:1–7)—to test your faith in order that it may be refined and strengthened. For tribulation produces perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope. And hope in Christ does not disappoint (Rom. 5:1–5).

Collect for Ash Wednesday (prayed after the Collect for the Day throughout Lent): Almighty and everlasting God, You despise nothing You have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and contrite hearts that lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness we may receive from You full pardon and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Collect for the Commemoration of St Matthias (24 February): Almighty God, You chose Your servant Matthias to be numbered among the Twelve. Grant that Your Church, ever preserved from false teachers, may be taught and guided by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ, our Lord,

Prayer for patience: O God, by the patient endurance of Your only-begotten Son You beat down the pride of the old enemy. Help us to treasure rightly in our hearts what our Lord has borne for our sakes that, after His example, we may bear with patience those things that are adverse to us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord,

Prayer for the aged: Almighty God and gracious Father, in Your mercy look on those whose increasing years bring them weakness, anxiety, distress, or loneliness. Grant that they may always know care and respect, concern and understanding. Grant them willing hearts to accept help and, as their strength wanes, increase their faith with the constant assurance of Your love through Jesus Christ, their Savior,

Monday, 18 February 2013—Psalm 25:1–2a, 7–8, 11; Antiphon, Psalm 25:6, 2b, 22—Reminiscere is the Latin word for ‘remember,’ the first word of the Introit. It sets the theme of the day, for both Jacob in the Old Testament reading and the Canaanite woman in the Gospel insist that God remember his promised mercies. We, too, pray that the Lord would remember His mercy, and pardon our guilt, for it is great.

Tuesday, 19 February 2013—Genesis 32:22–32—At a place which he named Peniel (meaning ‘the face of God’), the patriarch Jacob wrestled with God in earnest prayer. His striving was spiritual and physical. Jacob strove with God because he trusted God to be true to His promises; he persisted until God granted him a blessing. Jacob could do this, not because he was stronger than God (for no one is), but because he held God to His promises (Gen 28:13–15). God cannot lie, and He delights to let us win victories over him on the basis of humble, believing prayer. Jacob clung in faith to God and to God’s promise, and he received the blessing he desired.

Wednesday, 20 February 2013—Psalm 121—The psalm for the day is a joyful, exuberant proclamation by the faithful of their trust in the Lord. The one who trusts in the promises of God knows that he shall be preserved throughout all his days, for the Lord neither slumbers nor sleeps, but keeps us from all evil, until the glorious day of the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thursday, 21 February 2013—1 Thessalonians 4:1–7—We have been redeemed from the consequence of sin by the death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We have been given new life by the washing of water with the Word in Holy Baptism. How, then should we live as new creatures in Christ? St Paul gives us some guidelines in Sunday’s epistle reading, especially as regards our sexual impulses. We are to live lives of purity, reserving the good gift of sexual relations for the marriage bed, for God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

Friday, 22 February 2013—Matthew 15:21–28—In Sunday’s Gospel account, Jesus heals the daughter of one who was despised by the Jews of His day—a Canaanite woman. Jesus shows that His ministry is not limited to the Jews; it extends to all people. This foreign woman shows great faith, for she is dogged and determined to hold Jesus to His promises of grace and blessing. Like the woman, we are all poor beggars before the Lord, and are privileged to receive His crumbs of mercy, for even His crumbs are more than sufficient for us.

Saturday, 9 February 2013—Sunday’s hymn of the day is When in the Hour of Deepest Need (LSB #615). Because of sin, we find ourselves in a terrible predicament, facing all the consequences of our transgressions. The first stanza of the hymn establishes our hopeless condition—hopeless, that is, apart from the mercy of God. The remaining stanzas profess confidence that the Lord will deliver us from our afflictions. In stanza 3, we hold God to His promises, much as Jacob and the Canaanite woman did.

Collect for Reminiscere, the Second Sunday in Lent: O God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Artwork by Ed Riojas © Higher Things

Lectionary summary on first page from LCMS Commission on Worship

This week’s Time in the Word written by Pr. Jeffrey Keuning

Tamar

Tamar, daughter-in-law of Judah, married two brothers who died. By law she should have been able to marry the third brother so she could have a baby and be a full member of the tribe. When this did not happen, she took matters into her own hands. She dressed as a prostitute, slept with Judah, and conceived twin sons. Oh my!

Tamar was rejected, abused, unloved and abandoned. Yet Judah must acknowledge that Tamar is more righteous than he is. Her story however does not end with the Genesis account. Tamar is listed in the genealogy of Jesus. “And Judah begat Phares and Zara of Tamar.” (Matthew 1:3) Matthew mentions Judah and Tamar as a reminder that we, like Judah are salvageable. God is not averse to using flawed people to carry out His plans. He accomplishes His plans despite human failures. He comes from a family of sinners to save sinners.

The fall of Adam and Eve was not simply the consumption of a particular article of food. It was a deliberate disobedience of God’s command. From that act of disobedience the entire creation was cursed. From that curse comes scheming and plotting to do evil, betrayal, revenge, an entire family in turmoil. Such was the lot of Tamar’s life.

In Lent, we learn of God’s redemption found in the person of Jesus Christ. He gives us what we really need. He is not content to make you feel good. Soothing words are not His to give. Sentimental nonsense never comes from His lips. He is a real Savior who saves real sinners. He didn't come into this world to be cute and adored. He came to us to be abandoned. He was born to die; not a noble death, applauded by the religious, but a death of loneliness surrounded in scorn and shame. And that miserable death has saved you. For it was your sin which He took, away.

Almighty and eternal God, because it was Your will that Your Son should bear the pains of the cross for us and thus remove from us the power of the adversary, help us so to remember and give thanks for our Lord’s Passion that we may receive remission of sins and redemption from everlasting death; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Cain

The Lord speaking to Cain warns him, “sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Possibly Cain was already plotting to murder his brother. The sin of hatred is pictured as a demon, waiting to pounce on Cain – it desired to have him. Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Cain, whose motivation and attitude were evil from the start, reacted predictably.

In the explanation of the fifth commandment, we are reminded, “we should fear and love God that we may not hurt nor harm our neighbor in his body, but help and befriend him in every bodily need.” God forbids us to hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, that is, to do or say anything, which may destroy, shorten, or embitter his life. This includes bearing anger and hatred in our hearts against our neighbor. The first murder was especially shocking because it was committed with deliberate deceit, “let’s go out to the field” against a brother and against a good man.

To help us combat the temptation of hatred the Lord requires us to help and befriend our neighbor in every physical need. Abraham rescued Lot from his enemies. David protected the life of Saul. The good Samaritan helped the man who had fallen among thieves. We do this by being merciful, kind, and forgiving toward our neighbor. In the New Testament, the centurion was kind to his sick servant. (Matthew 8:5-13) In the Old Testament Joseph was forgiving toward his brothers. (Genesis 45:1-16) “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

O Almighty, everlasting God, through Your only Son, our blessed Lord, You commanded us to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us, and to pray for those who persecute us. Therefore we earnestly beseech You that by Your gracious visitation our enemies may be led to true repentance, may have the same love toward us as we have toward them, and be of one accord and of one mind and heart with us and with Your whole Church; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld Woodcut used with permission © WELS

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Lent 1

The Temptation of Christ

Today is the first Sunday in the season of Lent. As we observe Jesus’ temptation by the devil we will find this is not the first, nor will it be the last attempt of the devil to divert Jesus gaze from the cross. We are not alone in our struggles with the devil, the world and our own sinful self. When we face temptation, as we must, we look to Jesus, our champion who has won for us the victory.

1. There are three temptations.

A. The first was to doubt the goodness of God.

1. Temptation comes to the Savior in His huger after His 40-day fast.

2. Temptation comes to us in periods of testing; pain, family problems, bereavement, “why isn’t God doing something about this!”

B. The second is as temptation to the glitter of this world.

1. For Jesus, there was a price; “Worship me, (and) it shall be yours!” (v.7)

2. There is a price, which you too must pay; the sacrifice of principle, eyes taken away from eternal truth.

C. The third urges presumptuous behavior, tempt God.

1. Satan asks Jesus to Jump from the temple. “You are God’s Son!”

2. Satan says to you, “There is no danger. Skip the medicine; join the crowd, you don’t need church every Sunday, You’re God’s child!”

Transition: Jesus was tempted with these three temptations. Over time circumstances may change but the tempter will never change. It is important for you to know the enemy.

2. They are sly temptations.

A. The devil tries to use what God intended as a blessing for evil.

1. In Jesus’ case it was fasting, something that can be a great blessing.

2. For you, it may be the birth of a baby, a promotion, or a new home may be all we need to keep us from Christ as His Word.

B. The devil lives up to his reputation as “the father of lies”.

1. He acts as though it is in his power to give power.

2. He lies to us about the gravity of sin – before; “it’s nothing” after; “it’s unforgivable”

C. Satan quotes Scripture

1. See how he twists Psalm 91 when speaking to the Savior.

2. To you he may say, “There is no hell.” or “Doesn’t the Bible say, ‘God is love’?”

Transition: The temptations you face may at times seem overwhelming. Look to Jesus who has overcome every time He was tempted.

3. All these temptations failed.

A. This is for our comfort.

1. We have often lost battles with the devil. We have succumbed.

2. Jesus overcomes the devil for you. ”just as all humans were condemned to eternal death because of the sin of one man, so it was also through the perfect act of one Man that all human beings were accepted as perfectly holy and given eternal life.

Just as all human beings were made sinners by the disobedience of one man, so also all human beings will be made perfectly holy by the obedience of one Man.” (Romans 5:18-19)[1]

B. This is for our instruction.

1. Jesus uses Scripture to overcome Satan.

2. You can in His power do the same. Prayer, yes. Meditation, yes! But above all, THE WORD!

May the Lore bless our observance of Lent as we find both comfort and power in this account.

[1] A New Accurate Translation of the Greek New Testament into simple Everyday American English © Julian G. Anderson 1994 Naples FL

Sarah

Sarah's life was blighted by the lack of a son. In a society that measured women's worth by their fertility, Sarah was barren. In a spirit of noble self-sacrifice she offered her slave Hagar as a surrogate mother to her husband Abraham. The plan back-fired. Hagar bore a son, Ishmael, and her status shot up in the tribe; Sarah became even more despised. God came to her rescue. She conceived a son, Isaac, yet at great personal cost.

How easily this can happen in our own lives. We develop a plan, we know what’s right, at least what is best in our eyes. We will stop at nothing to have it our way. We might convince ourselves what is good and right but God knows better and chooses a different path. What is the good and gracious will of God? It includes everything that God wants to do for us according to His promise; “[God] will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth”. 1 Timothy 2:4 The good and gracious will of God includes everything that God wants us to do and to avoid according to His will; “This is the will of God, even your sanctification.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3 The good and gracious will of God includes everything that God wants us to suffer patiently according to His good pleasure. “Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. “ Matthew 16:24

We sometimes have difficulty grasping the reality of God's blessing. For this reason, we pray, “Thy will be done, Lord.” We pray that God would strengthen and preserve us steadfast in His Word and faith unto our end, so that we may at all times do His will. “Make me to go in the path of Thy commandments; for therein do I delight.” Psalm 119:35

O God, by the patient endurance of Your only-begotten Son You beat down the pride of the old enemy. Help us to treasure rightly in our hearts what our Lord has borne for our sakes, that, after His example, we may bear with patience those things that are adverse to us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Lent 1

O Almighty and eternal God, we implore You to direct, sanctify, and govern our hearts and bodies in the ways of Your laws and the works of Your commandments that through Your mighty protection both now and ever, we may be preserved in body and in soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Friday, February 15, 2013

Abel – Offered a better sacrifice

Genesis 4:1-8, Hebrews 11:4, 12:24, Matthew 23:35, Luke 11:51

When Jesus Christ died upon the cross, He became your substitute. He entered time and space to take your place. He died the death that you deserve. He made the perfect payment for your sins. He died in your place. He rose from the grave as a guarantee that you might have everlasting life with Him. Abel made his sacrifice by faith. In the same way, we accept Jesus’ death by faith and are declared right before God. St. Paul reminds us in Romans 3, "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." We "are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood" (Vv.22,24)

God declares you to be not guilty and He also declares you to be righteous. He cancels the guilt of your sin and credits righteousness to you. No one lives a perfectly good, holy and righteous life. We are all sinners. Yet He declares everyone who puts his trust in Jesus to be not guilty and righteous. This declaration is valid because Christ died to pay the penalty for our and lived a life of perfect righteousness that can now be credited to us.

Although we clearly deserve to be pronounced guilty before God He declares you righteous because of the redemption, which comes to us through Jesus Christ. This is what prompted Able to offer an acceptable sacrifice, for he offered it by faith. God doesn’t need your good works, or your pious actions, or your money. Your neighbor, on the other hand, needs you. As we serve our neighbor, we serve in a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving. We act as God has acted for us. We show mercy as God has shown mercy. We forgive as God in Christ has forgiven.

Almighty God, Whom to know is everlasting life, grant us perfectly to know Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the way, the truth and the life, that following His steps we may steadfastly walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.