Pentecost 26 - Proper 28

Proper 28

13 November 2016

Luke 21:5-19

Doing your best when things are at their worst

Are we  living in the worst of times? Perhaps every generation says this. But, has there been a generation with so much destructive power, nuclear weapons, germ warfare, guided missiles, instant communication, and supersonic travel? Are we now on the edge of a worldwide nuclear holocaust with the power to over-kill many times over?

What can Christians do about it? We could hide, or flee. But where?  As we count down these last days, the Savior calls upon us to do our best under the worst circumstances.

Perhaps, you saw the photo on Facebook the other week - of the church sign, which read, “Jesus is coming. Hopefully, before the election.”

Well, the second coming didn’t happen. The balloting took place. And we are still here. We are likely trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces after an election cycle that has been contentious at best. And at worst, has exposed the underbelly of all that we wish we could pretend did not exist in our world. But here we are.

So, how do we make sense of this? The world will still be broken. But the world is also full of God’s grace and His love --

The worst calls for our best – Jesus gives us a promise of wisdom in a time of persecution.

Because Jesus loves us. He always tells us the truth. Even when it is hard to find the good news behind His dire predictions. Luke 21 is the last chapter before the End. Jesus clearly sees what He must endure for your sake. He looks beyond His looming agony and foretells what you must endure for His sake.

1. Witness for Christ – V. 13 “This will be your opportunity to bear witness.”

With only two Sundays left in the Church Year, in the Gospel of Luke, we should be clear about one thing - where and upon what your gaze is fixed means everything. Do you see what and whom Jesus sees? If your eyes are locked upon only that which is temporary, you might miss observing the permanency of those things that last.

If you only see obvious grandeur and splendor, as the disciples witnessed the Temple, you may overlook beauty in that which first appeared unattractive, even repulsive.

If you focus only on the damaging, the destructive, the detrimental, you just might miss what is affirming, constructive, and encouraging.

The word Luke uses to describe the utter destruction of the temple (kataluo) is the same word from which we derive our word "catastrophe".  The days are coming when ... "all will be thrown down", i.e. destroyed, torn down, demolished, abolished, annulled, made invalid.

Catastrophe is an apt term for what happens when that in which we have trusted is utterly destroyed.  The Savior exhorts us to trust in the One who cannot be destroyed any longer - the Risen Christ!

To carry you home, Jesus will soon carry His cross. To follow Him home. You must carry your cross. For some of us, the cross is relatively light: minor inconveniences, petty prejudices, snide remarks, negative peer pressure, constantly navigating a world of vanishing values.

For others the cross literally means martyrdom, either by the sword or by prejudice or imprisonment. A recent study found that fifty countries had official anti-Christian statutes and practices with sanctions ranging from death to imprisonment, harassment to expulsion.[1]

This will result in your being witnesses to them. St. Paul would be bold to say, “I want you to know, brothers, ^[a] that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” - Philippians 1:12

Discipleship hasn’t changed much in the last 2000 years. Following Jesus still means testifying to your trust in God in the midst of circumstances that test your confidence and your hope.  The call is to be faithful and to bear witness.

2. Feel secure in God’s protection – V. 18 “But not a hair of your head will perish.”

Jesus puts all his followers on notice that we will be singled out for persecution, betrayal and hatred.  All because of His name. Then suddenly. Jesus stands this whole doomsday scenario on its head. In the face of cataclysm, Jesus tells us: “Not a hair on your head will perish.”

Unique to Luke is this phrase. It is the experience of Daniel’s three companions in the fiery furnace. “And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them.” (Daniel 3:27).

How can this be? How can we escape the apocalypse? How do we dodge the bullet aimed at every Christian?  Over thousands of years and countless generations, Jesus speaks directly. By your endurance, you will gain your souls. The operative word, which, leaps at us from the page, is the term endurance.

3. Endure until the end – V. 19 “By standing firm you will gain life.” 

By your endurance, you will gain your souls. With endurance as a hallmark of what it means to be a believer. We will keep witnessing to the marvelous things that the Lord has done. And will continue to do so (Psalm 98) regardless of the ways in which it looks otherwise.

This conjures up images of marathon runners struggling towards a finish line, then collapsing in exhaustion. Is that what lies in store for us… physically and spiritually hanging on by our fingernails? Is that God’s plan for us? No way! We are here to rejoice in the Lord always. In good times and bad.  In celebration and in persecution. In fact that is the only way that we can truly endure. By rejoicing in the Lord.

The Gospel is the Good News of Jesus Christ. And the best news is that we are not in this race by ourselves. Jesus is with us every step of the way. We need not rely on training, conditioning or dieting for our endurance. His grace is the source of your strength. To endure, we must constantly seek it, pray for it, and cling to it. Luke stresses that those who persevere, even if they lose physical life, will preserve spiritual life.  For "The end" is the cross, and your own baptism.  

Says St. Paul, or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore, we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection

Do not be shaken...these things will/must come. The "birth pangs" are a sign of life not death.  This is the church's natural habitat. The future is not frightening. For you are in Christ.  

This Christian life is more than a marathon. It can also be a treacherous obstacle course. Expect to be tripped. Expect to fall. Endurance means more than just chugging along. We must regularly pick ourselves up and get back in the race.

For endurance, we look not only to the cross. We look to the Resurrection. That’s because we know how this story ends. Not in tragedy.  But in triumph. That is the source of your strength. Your hope. Your joy. As Paul instructs us in Hebrews 12: Lets us run with perseverance…looking to Jesus…who endured the cross… so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. Thank you, Jesus. In Your love, we rejoice and endure.

Words –1,365

Passive Sentences –6%

Reading Ease –75%

Reading Level –5.6

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[1] International Religious Freedom Report for 2014 Executive Summary ~  http://hrwf.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/World2015.pdf

Gone

They will be back in March!

Time in the Word - Pentecost 26 - Proper 28

The End of the World

The theme for this coming week’s theme deals with the theme of the end of the world. In the Gospel (Luke 21:5-9) Jesus tells us what will happen as He gives us signs of the end. Judgment is pronounced in the Old Testament lesson (Malachi 4:1-2a) as the wicked will be burned up but the righteous will be saved. In the Epistle lesson (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13) Paul teaches that we are not to be idle but to work and provide for our needs. We work until the end comes. Today’s world is in a terrible mess. Each generation seems to think that conditions are so bad that the Day of the Lord is nigh. What is the answer? Can the world be saved from destruction? Is the answer in an international army, or in strengthening the dollar abroad, or in raising the economic level of the Third World, or in the conquest of illiteracy? The lessons have other options to propose. What can be done about the world? Burn – God’s fire both destroys and restores – Malachi 4:1-6 Earn – Work while waiting for the end – 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 – Warn – An opportunity to witness to the world – Luke 21:5-19

A prayer for responsible citizenship as our nation faces a national election on Tuesday: Lord, keep this nation under Your care. Bless the leaders of our land that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to the others nations of the earth. Grant that we may choose trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, and serve You faithfully in our generation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.   

For our nation: Almighty God, You have given this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education. and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Grant that we, who come from many nations with many different languages, may become a united people. Support us in defending our liberties and give those to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that they may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful, and in troubled times do not let our trust in You fail; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

Collects for Sunday O God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, being ever mindful of the end of all things and Your just judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of living here and dwell with You forever hereafter; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Father of all that is good, keep us faithful in serving You, for to serve You is our lasting joy. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy

Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect for Proper Twenty-eight: O Lord, almighty and ever-living God, You have given exceedingly great and precious promises to those who trust in You. Rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may live and abide forever in Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect for Psalm 98: Lord, we sing to You a new song, for Your victory is ever new. In the empty tomb You have given us a glimpse of Your future and in Your victory over death Yu have shown us now we shall overcome the last enemy. As the seas roar and the hills sing together, we too will praise You for Your great triumph, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Prayer for the hope of eternal life: Almighty, everlasting God, Your Son has assured forgiveness of sins and deliverance from eternal death. Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit that our faith in Christ may increase daily and that we may hold fast to the hope that on the Last Day we shall be raise in glory to eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

Time in the Word
7-12 November 2016
Preparation for next week, Pentecost 26 Proper 28

Monday, 7 November  2016— Psalm 121:1-2, 5,7-8 antiphon, Luke 21:33—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray the words promised by the Savior, Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. The world is surely coming to an end. This is more noticeable as the days become shorter and as the church year is drawing to a close. Yet we need not fear. Our Savior has given us a wonderful promise. Every word He has given us will be fulfilled. Although the world passes away He word will never pass away.

Tuesday, 8 November 2016— Psalm 98 — This week’s psalm is a song to God the Victor. He comes to rule His kingdom. Let the whole world go wild with joy. Three stanzas progressively extend the call to ever wider circles – the worshiping congregation at the temple, all the people of the earth and the whole creation. The first stanza recalls God’s revelation of His righteousness (vs. 2) in the past; the last stanza speaks confidently of His coming rule “in righteousness.” (vs.9) The middle stanza is enclosed by the jubilant cry, “shout for joy” (Vv. 4, 6)

Wednesday, 9 November 2016— Malachi 4:1-6— Think of the end of the world in terms of the rising sun. It means a new day and a new era. The Son of God brings light and healing. When you are not feeling well, doesn’t lying in the warm sun make you feel better? The sun for us in the Son of God. When He rises in our lives, we can shine with gladness and hope. When He comes at the end of time, it is the beginning of an eternity of life and love. The end of the world is not to be feared nor dreaded but to be greed with the phrase, “Come Lord Jesus!”

Thursday, 10 November 2016—2 Thessalonians 3:6-13— Jesus may return within a year. That means one year to love on earth! Or, put it this way: you have a terminal disease which will kill you within one year. What would you do with the time until the end? In Paul’s day, the Christians were convinced that Jesus would return shortly.

They gave up their jobs and were idly standing by as they waited for his coming day after day. Throughout history there have been groups of people convinced of Jesus’ immediate return – they quit their jobs, sold their property, took their children out of school and lived in a commune. What would you do? Paul encourages us to keep busy and to work until the end comes. See especially verses 10-13.

Friday, 11 November 2016- Luke 21:5-28 — Many believe we are living in the worst of times. Perhaps every generation says this. But has there been a generation with so much destructive power; nuclear weapons, germ warfare, guided missiles, instant communication, supersonic travel? Are we not on the edge of a worldwide nuclear holocaust with the power to over-ill many times over? What can a Christian do about it? We could hide or flee but where? In the passage Jesus calls upon us to do our best under the worst circumstances. The worst calls for us to be at our best – to feel secure in God’s protection and to endure until the end. See especially verses 18-19.

Saturday, 12 November 2016— Isaiah 28:16, 41:10; 43:1-7- Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is How Firm a Foundation. (LSB #728). We need not fear the end of time for our faith has its foundation in the words and work of our Savior Jesus. As we sing this magnificent hymn tomorrow we can be confident that our Lord will sustain and guide us to the end.

Sources: Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
Collect for Pentecost 24 from Lutheran Worship © Concordia Publishing House
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C by John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing Lima OH
For All the Saints A Prayer Book for and By the Church Vol. II © 1995 by the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY The Story of 50 Hymns © 1934 By General Mills, Inc Minneapolis, MN
Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Pentecost 25 - Proper 27

Proper 27

November 6, 2016[1]

Luke 20:27–82

After death, anything

The Triune God Curbs Evil and Overcomes Death with Resurrection

Christians live as “sons of God, being sons of the resurrection” (Luke 20:36), for the Lord our God “is not God of the dead, but of the living” (Luke 20:38). “Those who deny that there is a resurrection” (Luke 20:27) neither know the Scriptures nor the power of God, but the baptized faithful know “that the dead are raised” (Luke 20:37). For the Lord, who was, and is and is to come, knows Israel’s sufferings and has “come down to deliver them” (Ex. 3:8). Moses reveals the name of Yahweh to God’s chosen people, by which He is “remembered throughout all generations” (Ex. 3:15). In contrast to that sacred remembrance of His name, St. Paul warns against the antichrist, who “takes his seat in the temple of God” (2 Thess. 2:4). That lawless man preaches and practices the activity of Satan. Christians, however, are comforted by the coming of the Lord Jesus, who slays the antichrist and refutes his false doctrine “with the breath of his mouth” (2 Thess. 2:8). By His preaching, “stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught” (2 Thess. 2:15). Hear, receive and believe God’s promise of love, comfort and good hope.

According to a Gallup poll taken in 1976 - 60% of American people believe there is life after death. While the figure is encouraging it says that almost one-third do not believe anything follows death. That was 40 years ago. What about today? The most recent poll suggests that since 1997, belief in heaven has ranged between 72% and 83%. According to Gallup's most recent Values and Beliefs poll[2], 81% of Americans currently say they believe in heaven, 10% are unsure, and 8% do not believe. There are far less today than when Jesus lived. Do we have any basis for a belief in life after death? Other than wishful thinking? Or a personal longing to continue to live?

In Jesus’ day, the Sadducees used the ridiculous story of a man with seven wives to prove there was no resurrection. We need to know that life after death is not our doing but is God’s work. It is based on the truth that God is an ever-living God and is the God of the living because they live in Him. There is life after death because -

God is God only of the living – V. 38

God loves us in Christ – V. 36

God lives in us by faith in Christ – V. 38

By faith, we believe in the Resurrection for we are Easter people.

1. The Old Testament teaches the Resurrection.

A. The Sadducees try to us the Old Testament to disprove the resurrection. (Vv. 28-33)

B. Yet, Jesus uses the Old Testament to prove the resurrection. (Vv. 34-38)

C. Other Old Testament passages support this truth. (See. Job 19:25-27; Isaiah 26:19;

Daniel 12:2)

2. The New Testament teaches the Resurrection.

A. Jesus is “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25)

B. The resurrection consists of

1. The restoration and glorification of the body (1 Corinthians 15:42-49)

2. The reunion of the body and the soul.

C. Our resurrection has its basis in Christ’s redemption of the human family in His resurrection (Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:14)

D. Jesus’ resurrection has significance for you not only on Judgment Day but also right now. Already in this life it effects in you a spiritual resurrection, empowering you to live even more and more in harmony with the Father’s will.

3. The Resurrection is consistent with the nature of God.

A. God created human beings for life, not death. (Luke 20:37-38)

B. The Father sent His Son to rescue fallen humanity.

1. He buys us back and redeems us. (Mark 10:45)

2. He gives us a new life. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

C. This gives power, purpose and meaning to our life. (Luke 20:38, “for all live to Him”; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:3)

The hope of the resurrection gives life an aim, purpose and goal. The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life funning up and down the field, but you never score a point. We are more then conquerors through Christ who loves us. Because of the cross and empty tomb we are in fact Easter people!

Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for congregational and personal use

Words –765

Passive Sentences – 4%

Readability –68.4%

Reading level – 7.2

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[1] NB The United States presidential election of 2016 11.08.2016

[2] 2014

November

November 6                       Pentecost 25 - Proper 27 - Divine Service Setting 1

                                                Luke 20:27–82 “After death, is there anything?”

November 11                    Pentecost 26 – Proper 28 - Matins

                                                Luke 21:5-19 “Doing Your Best when things are at their worst”

November 20                    Christ the King – Missions

                                                Luke 23:35-43 “Jesus Lord at Thy Death”

November 23                    Thanksgiving Eve Service with Holy Communion

                                                1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “How do we have Thanksgiving?”

November 24                    Thanksgiving Day Service with Holy Communion

                                                Luke 17:11-19 “Who bothers to thank God?”

November 27                    Advent 1 Matins

                                                Matthew 24:36–44 “The Lord Comes in Meekness and Humility to Save Us Now”

November 30                    Mid-week Advent 1

                                                Matthew 1:18-25 - Characters of the Nativity-Joseph

As we approach the coming election, we remember that we have been given many freedoms and with such freedoms come the responsibility of exercising our right to vote. As we think about our elected leaders, we recall from Scripture St. Paul’s instruction in Romans 13 that God works through our elected leaders, that we should pray for them; specifically that a time of tranquility and peace be granted unto us so that we can be about the work of mission. To that end, we pray for our nation and our elected leaders that responsible leadership might be demonstrated and established on every level of government. Pray and work – that’s the definition of the Christian’s life calling. 

A Collect For Good Government

Eternal Lord, Ruler of all, graciously regard those who have been set in positions of authority among us that they may be guided by your Spirit, be high in purpose, wise in counsel, firm in good resolution, and unwavering in duty, that under them we may be governed quietly and peaceably, through Jesus Christ, our Lord

A Collect For Responsible Citizenship

Lord, keep this nation under your care.  Bless the leaders of our land that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to the other nations of the earth.  Help us provide trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, and thus serve you faithfully in our generation to the honor of your holy name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

A Prayer For Our Country

Almighty God, you have given us this good land as our heritage.  Grant that we remember your generosity and constantly do your will.  Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life.  Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action.  Make us who came from many nations with many different languages a united people.  Defend our liberties, and give those whom we have entrusted with the authority of government the spirit of wisdom that there may be justice and peace in our land.  When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankfully; and in troubled times do not let our trust in you fail; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

A Collect For Agriculture

As our farmers work on bringing in the harvest, please remember them in your prayers.

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, and grant us seasonable weather that we may gather in the fruits of the earth and proclaim your goodness with thanksgiving; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Reason to Be Thankful

 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”  So writes the psalmist in Psalm 107:1, and he goes on to list specific acts of God for which he gives thanks.  David, in Psalm 103, writes, “Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name . . . and forget not all His benefits . . .” and he, too, recounts the wonders of the Lord.  It is a common occurrence in the psalms of David that, although he may express anguish and despair, he always ends his psalms on a note of confidence, for he knows his life is in God’s almighty hands.

It’s Thanksgiving time.  Perhaps you’re not feeling so thankful. Maybe you’ve suffered the loss of someone you held dear.  Maybe your health has deteriorated.  Read what the prophet Habakkuk had to say about feelings and circumstances:  “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).  If we received none of God’s good gifts on this Earth, we have reason to rejoice in our Savior Who waits for us in Heaven!  He is the source of our joy and the object of our gratitude.  “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3).

Therefore, with hearts filled with thanksgiving, we can respond in words and acts of compassion and encouragement to those around us.  We are blessed to be a blessing.  We share our financial resources as God gives us the ability, finding that He blesses and multiplies them just as He did the fish and bread the boy offered for the feeding of the 5000 (John 6:5-13).  Let us not be like the disciples who didn’t believe that Jesus had the power to feed the large crowd of people that had gathered.  In Christ, we know that all things are possible.  He empowers our giving that expresses our gratitude to Him for Who He is and what He has done for us.  Just as Jesus magnified the boy’s small gifts, enabling them to nourish 5,000 plus people, so He multiplies our small gifts, brought forth willingly and joyfully.

In the midst of a Civil War, as our country was dealing with any number of issues where the outcome was uncertain, on 3 October 1863 President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for the observance of the fourth Thursday of November as a national day of Thanksgiving.  Truly, God was with His people then. He remains with us even now.  At the time, our congregation was in its infancy, having celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary.

As much as things change, often times they remain the same. Soon our country will hold a national election. As our country was facing numerous issues back then, so our citizens will go to the ballot box to elect those candidates they feel will best lead our country, state, and community.  We live under a representative democratic republic, which means the sovereign power resides in a certain body of the people (the electorate) and is exercised by representatives elected by, and responsible to them.  We choose representatives and they make the rules that we live by until it is time to choose again.  If we are satisfied with their work, they are re-elected; if not, another will take their place.

As Christians, we have an understanding that those who have been elected are placed in office as God’s representative for us. They are God’s agent for a certain period of time, whether they realize this or not. As a result, we pray for our leaders for they are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. St. Paul would remind us in Romans 13, “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”  It is not my place as pastor to tell you for whom to vote. Each must vote their conscience. It is, however, necessary for each of us to exercise our right as citizens to vote, to pray for our representatives, and to work within our system of government to make our community, state, and nation as strong as it can be.

Despite the challenges facing our country, we have been blessed. For one hundred-seventy-eight years the members of our Friedheim family have gathered together to thank the Lord for the blessings He has bestowed upon us. This will be the thirtieth Thanksgiving I have been permitted to celebrate with you!  During this significant and important month of November, may each of us pause and take the time to reflect on the many ways in which the Lord has blessed us, sustained us through His Word, and continues to order and direct our lives. People of God, we have been blessed!  Be a blessing to those around you.

Time in the Word - Pentecost 25 - Proper 27

Time in the Word:
 Preparation for next week, Pentecost 25 Proper 27

Collect for Sunday 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.

God of power and mercy, protect us from all harm. Give us freedom of spirit and health in mind and body to do Your work on earth. WE ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen

Collect for Proper Twenty-seven: Living God, Your almighty power is made known chiefly in showing mercy and pity. Grant us the fullness of Your grace to lay hold of Your promises and live forever in Your presence; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect for Psalm 148: God Most High, by Your Word You created a wondrous universe and through Your Spirit You breathed into it the breath of life. Accept creation’s hymn of praise from our lips, and let the praise that is sung in heaven resound in the heart of every creature on earth, to the glory of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Collect for All Saints (1 November): Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion, they mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for all those who love You; 

God of Glory

The goodness and greatness of God are brought out in the lessons for next Sunday. According to the Gospel (Luke 20:27-40) we serve an eternal God - A God of the living. God is eternal life and all who live in Him have this life. His glory is seen in His conquest of death. In the Old Testament lesson (Exodus 3:1-15) Moses encounters the living Lord through the burning bush. The bush is on fire yet is not consumed. Moses is commanded to take off his sandals for he is standing on holy ground. In the Epistle (2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, 13-17) God is a faithful God a God of steadfast love. The days are getting shorter. The end of the church year is approaching. We are in the midst of harvest. The eternal and faithful Lord has prepared for Himself a harvest of souls. Will you be numbered with His saints? Our good and gracious God has a destiny for you. He is the God of glory.

Time in the Word
October 31 - 5 November 2016
Preparation for next week, Pentecost 25 Proper 27

Monday, 31 October   2016—Psalm 115:2-4, 8, 17-18 antiphon, Psalm 115:11—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield. We trust in God because He holds Himself to His Word. We trust in Him because He has proven Himself to be faithful; faithful to His Word, faithful to His promises, faithful to His people.

Tuesday, 1 November 2016— Psalm 148 — Let the angels praise God. Let the sun, moon and stars praise God. Let the heavens shout, Hallelujah! Everything that it owes praise to the Creator; the angels in heaven, sun, moon, and stars; nature, the deep, every creature on earth and all mankind.

Wednesday, 2 November 2016— Exodus 3:1-15— The Lord promises Moses to come down and to rescue His people. Notice in verse 12 the Lord promises I will be with you. The Hebrew word translated “I will be” is the same as the one translated “I am” in verse 14. The sign the Lord gives to Moses is a visible proof or guarantee that what God has promised He would surely fulfill.

Thursday, 3 November 2016—2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, 13-17— Paul wishes that God’s blessings may come to His people. In a day of discouragement, depression, and despair many feel there is no hope out of their troubles. Some consider themselves or others as hopeless. Hope disappears when we think that things will never improve. Are we doomed to things as they are? But, there is hope, for hope is not based on us or on the world but on God. Hope is a gift of God. If we go to god, we can have hope. For hope is ultimately based on God’s nature. In verse 16 two eternal truths are brought forward. God loves us in Christ and God has saved you through the grace of Christ.

Are we a praying people? Prayer is a two-way communication between God and the believer. It should also be a two-way deal among Christians. As one prays for another, the other reciprocates in prayer. We need to pray for each other, for we all are in need of prayer. In our lesson Paul prays for his people and he asks them to pray for him. Here is an ideal situation between a pastor and the people. It would also work in the family and on the job.

Friday, 4 November 2016- Luke 20:27-40 — Heaven lacks a number of things; no stress, no hunger, no tears. Best of all there is no cemetery there, because there is no need for one. Heaven is where the living God is and where His people live in and with Him. These people do not die but share eternal life with Christ. There is no death in heaven because God is a God only of the living as people live in and to God. (vs. 38)

Saturday, 5 November 2016—2 Corinthians 12:9 - Matthew 8:23-27 - Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me. (LSB #715). This background of our hymn written in 1870 lies in the work of Edward Hopper, during his ministry at the “Church of the Sea and the Land,” in New York. He was noted for his work among the sailors, to whim he devoted the last years of his ministry in the Presbyterian Church. In common with many hymns, “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me” was first written as a poem. It was first published in The Sailor’s Magazine in 1871 and later came to be used in hymnals. The second stanza of the hymn suggests the miracle of Jesus calming the waves, when He was with His disciples on the sea. The way of life is compared to a voyage on the sea. There are great waves threatening to destroy, rocks upon which our ship may break. But the power of Jesus in our hearts can smooth the waters and carry us on to safety in the harbor of Heaven.

Sources: Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
Collect for Pentecost 24 from Lutheran Worship © Concordia Publishing House
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C by John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing Lima OH
For All the Saints A Prayer Book for and By the Church Vol. II © 1995 by the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY The Story of 50 Hymns © 1934 By General Mills, Inc Minneapolis, MN
Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Reformation

Reformation

October 30, 2016

Romans 3:19-28

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.

Living by works or by faith that is the issue before Luther at the time of the Reformation in the 16th Century it is at issue for us today as we have now entered the 21st Century. The pressing issue facing Luther confronts us to this very hour. How do I get right with God?

1. The whole world is involved – Vv. 23-24 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. We find ourselves in the same boat – all of us. All have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. Weighed on the balance of God’s scales we are found wanting. Asked to aim at the mark of God’s standard of perfection we miss it by a mile.

What is man to do? We fall into the hands of God. We are justified freely by His grace. This is the redemption found in Jesus Christ. How is this possible? Sinful man must be restored if he is to have any fellowship with God. He must be won back to God. We find it in that great exchange. Your life of misery and ruin is replaced with a life of perfection.

2. The whole world is accountable to God – V. 19 - Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.

We are held accountable to God by means of the law. There is no room for excuses. We can’t blame anyone for our sin. We can’t blame duress, amnesia, or temporary insanity.

Of all the things we can claim for ourselves it is out sin which we uniquely own.

3. Inability of the law to reconcile – V. 20 - Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. The law always accuses. The law is constantly telling us where we have fallen short. The law, as a mirror, points us to our failures and our shortcomings. The law as a mirror reflects every imperfection, every flaw, every inadequacy. There is but one word for the law. It spells failure. And how do we react to this reality? We say, “Accept me for who I am.

Accept me, warts and all.” Which simply means, accept my sin, accept my behavior. Accept my failings. Accept my limitations. And if you can’t do that then look beyond my faults. But we can’t look beyond the imperfections of our sinful condition. Our sinfulness is like the 2,000-pound elephant someone left in the room. You can’t ignore him. He is there. He must be addressed.

Our sin will not go away by simply ignoring it. Our sin will not go away if and when we tolerate it. For sin to be eradicated from our lives we must first be reconciled to God and to our neighbor.

4. Reconciliation is a gift – V. 23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Notice how St. Paul explains these things. All have sinned. All have fallen short. None is righteous, no not one. Therefore, it is necessary that one man’s act of obedience would have to be sufficient for the benefit of all. This Christ has accomplished. This Christ achieved for you. This happened in time and space on a hill called Golgotha when Christ died for all sin.

5. Gift made possible by grace – Vv. 24-25 - and 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. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—

Since Christ has made atonement for all sin there is nothing standing in the way between you and God. There is free access to God’s mercies and blessings. You have free access to the Father of mercies. You did not work for it. You did not earn it. You are certainly not entitled. It’s a gift. Freely given - for you. This is mercy clearly defined. This is pardon expressed and given. This is forgiveness offered for you.

6. Necessity of faith to appropriate the gift – V. 28 - For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

The old song sings, Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone who did for all the world atone, He is our one redeemer. God is completely responsible for our salvation from front to back! We don’t one day decide to follow Jesus – He plants the seed of faith in our heart. He then nourishes that faith by giving us His eternal Word which is able to make us wise unto salvation.

That seed of faith is demonstrated by how we live and treat one another. You have been redeemed by Christ and Christ alone. Celebrate your redemption. But do not keep it only for yourself. Reach out to someone and influence their life. Live as a redeemed child of God. Reflect the compassion of Christ in your daily living.

Luther Seal © Ed Riojas of Higher Things

Words –975

Passive Sentences – 10%

Reading Ease – 79.7

Reading Level - 4.8