Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Daily readings for October 21-27, 2012

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod

32946 Route 4

Girard, IL 62640

Pastor Keith GeRue

Office: (217) 965 – 4816

Cell: (217) 725 – 8137

“Tender Evangelical Loving Care

http://www.tlcgirard.org

The Twentieth Sunday After Trinity October 13–14, 2012

Saturday, October 20, 2012 Worship Service 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 21, 2012 Sunday School & Bible Class 9:00 a.m.

Sunday, October 21, 2012 Worship Service 10:00 a.m.

Greeting

P: Christ is with us.

C: He is and ever will be!

SUNDAY’S DIVINE SERVICE—COME TO THE FEAST

The Holy Spirit sounds forth the Gospel call: “See, I have prepared my dinner …Come to the wedding” (Matt 22:1–14). But many reject this invitation in favor of worldly pursuits. And so the call goes out to others, both the good and the bad. For the wedding invitation is not based on the qualifications of those invited but on the basis of the merits and work of Christ. The feast is free: “You who have no money, come, buy and eat … Let your soul delight itself in abundance” (Is 55:1–9). Those rejecting the Spirit’s work shall experience God’s wrath and judgment. Those who are not clothed in Christ’s righteousness shall be cast into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Let us therefore seek the Lord while He may be found, for He will have mercy upon us. Let us redeem the time, being filled with the Spirit, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 5:15– 21). — Lutheran Service Book Notes

WE GATHER TO HEAR GOD'S WORD—“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” (John 14:23). Each week the faithful gather to receive the Word of their Lord. Ongoing catechesis— passing on the Lord's Word by which faith lives—is the way of life for all the baptized.

LWML

· October is LWML Month

· During October our LWML will have a door collection for mites.

Coffee Break Bible Study

Coffee Break Bible Study meets on Sunday mornings at 9:00 for a lively discussion. Today, we are studying, “Lutheranism 101.”

Guest Register in the Narthex. All guests are asked to please sign this register either before or after the service.

Copies of Sermons are on the back table for your reference and study.

Please Pray For: Rev. Richard Bremer, Sean Greer, Marge Greene, Elena Howarth, Emily Rodenbeck, Phyllis McElroy, Dorothy Robison, George Van Huss, Crystal Ray, Ruth Hedrick, Walt Hedrick, Erna Van Winkle, Mary Kay Schmidt, Dorothy Schroll, Kathy Schmidt, John Haynes, Bill Uchtman, Colin Starks, George Shepherd, and Katie Ketchum.

Military: Please keep in your prayers all Military persons.

Hospitalizations: Please notify Pastor GeRue about any sickness or hospitalizations.

Happy Birthday This Week: Kaleb Sisson, Karen DeFevers

Happy Anniversary: William & Tracy Beichler

Guests and the Lord’s Supper: If you desire to commune, please speak to Pastor GeRue before the service. Our altar is open to those who confess oneness with us in doctrine, are members of our congregation or sister congregations of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and are not under church discipline in another congregation. In Christ, Pastor GeRue.

LUTHERAN HOUR "You've Got To Be Kidding"
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour: Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus
Christians respond to God's grace by putting Jesus first in their lives. But do they? (Mark 10:23-31)

WLUJ Springfield, IL 89.7 FM Sunday 3:00 pm

WLLM Lincoln, IL 1370 AM Sunday 7:00 am & 7:00 pm
WSMI Litchfield 1540 AM Sunday 9:30 pm

Lutherans for Life – www.lutheransforlife.org

Life Thought: “I can’t afford a baby right now” can be a very real and heartfelt cry for someone in a crisis pregnancy. But, used as an excuse for abortion, it becomes idolatry. The Bible never condemns wealth, but loving and trusting it more than God is “a grievous evil I have seen under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 5:13a). He who afflicted His Son on our behalf, will not abandon us in our afflictions.
Life Quote: “God created human life. He, therefore, gets to set the rules. And no matter how many times man redefines human life, God’s truth doesn’t change. The Bible should be the foundation for our thinking in every area.” Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell, Answers in Genesis – A “Life Quote” from Lutherans For Life

Readings for the Week of 18th Sunday after Trinity

Oct 21 Jeremiah 37:1-38:28, 1 Timothy 6:1-21, Psalms 89:38-52

Oct 22 Jeremiah 39:1-41:18, 2 Timothy 1:1-18, Psalms 90:1-91:16

Oct 23 Jeremiah 42:1-44:23, 2 Timothy 2:1-21, Psalms 92:1-93:5

Oct 24 Jeremiah 44:24-47:7, 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17, Psalms 94:1-23

Oct 25 Jeremiah 48:1-49:22, 2 Timothy 4:1-22, Psalms 95:1-96:13

Oct 26 Jeremiah 49:23-50:46, Titus 1:1-16, Psalms 97:1-98:9

Oct 27 Looking Forward to Sunday:

Isaiah 55:1–9, Ephesians 5:15–21, Matthew 22:1–14

CALENDAR

Saturday, October 20 5:30 pm Divine Service

Sunday, October 21 9:00 am Bible Class

10:00 am Divine Service

Monday, October 15 7:00 pm Elder’s Meeting

Wednesday, October 24 5:30 pm Confirmation

7:30 pm AA

Friday, October 26 Pastor’s Family Day

6:00 pm LuHigh Dinner Theater

Saturday, October 27 5:30 pm Divine Service

6:00 pm LuHigh Dinner Theater

Hayride, Bonfire and hot dog roast

On Sunday, October 28^th, we will have a Bonfire, Hot Dog Roast, Hay Ride, and more.

Where: David and Debbi Ray Farm, 12958 Leadline Road, Auburn,

When: October 28, 4:00pm – whenever

Bring: yourself, your family and friends and a dish to pass.

NEXT WEEKS LESSONS:

REFORMATION

Revelation 14:6–7, Romans 3:19–28,

John 8:31–36, Matthew 11:12–19

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

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

Shipp Endowment

There will be a meeting with investors on Tuesday, November 27 at 6:30 pm to discuss investing the Shipp Funds. Please come and join us.

Sermon October 13-14, 2012

Mark 9:38-50

October 13-14, 2012

Trinity 19

In the Name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

This ought to send chills down your spine. This is the prophet Isaiah’s description of Hell quoted by Jesus. Hell is not make-believe. Nor is it reserved solely for blatantly evil people, like Bin Laden and Hitler. It is the place for sinners, the just reward for their works. The place where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. It is the place, O Sinner, for you! For your hand, and your foot, and your eye, all cause you to sin, and worse - your mind, your personality, your heart! If you have never before imagined the possibility that you are not one of the elect, imagine it now - before it is too late.

Repent. Stop lying. Cease your vain posturing and pretending, your foolish boasting. God is not fooled. Do you really think He is so impressed with your knowledge, with your mature faith, with your anti-Pietism, that He’ll wink at your sins? This is no joke. Why do you care so for the opinions of men? Why do you strive to impress them? Perhaps you should consider the merits of being without hands, without feet, without eyes for a while, instead of so quickly finding a loophole around Jesus’ words. Sin is your biggest problem. It causes your frustration, your depression, and your anger. Stop naively daydreaming about receiving the praises of the masses and being honorably, though filthy, rich. What you deserve is the place where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. Admit it. Confess it. Repent. Woe to us.

And here, O Sinner, and only here, find rest: in the Cup of refreshment received in Jesus’ Name, for Jesus’ sake, at Jesus’ Word, and, indeed, from Jesus’ Hand. Cut off the hands, the feet, the eyes that cause you to sin -from the inside out. Circumcise your heart. Be emptied of yourself and your selfish ambitions. Know only Jesus. Be only Christian, nothing else. Be filled with His Blood which makes all things new. You are His because He says so. He said so in the waters of Holy Baptism. There He gave you a Name, His Name. By nothing less than Divine Intervention, you are His little one, His own precious child, helpless and weak, but adored by Him who has bought you.

This is the meaning of the word, “Holy.” It does not simply mean “without sin.” It means “belongs to God.” Thus we speak of Holy Baptism, Holy Communion, the Holy Church, Holy Matrimony, the Holy Office, and so forth, because those things have been instituted and belong to God. They are His. And in those things you too are Holy. In those things you are His. Woe to him who causes you to sin. You are God’s own and no one dare tempt you. By Grace, for Jesus’ sake, you enjoy the constant attention and devotion of Him who died for you, who prays for you, who defends you. And you also receive the providence, protection, and care of His Father, the empowering love of the Holy Spirit, and the service of an army of angels. You are His. He has forgotten your sins. You cannot lose. Come, and drink from the Cup offered in Christ’s Name for you belong to Him. The worm is dead, the fire quenched, in Jesus’ side. You are His.

In the Name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Trinity 19 Daily readingd for October 14-20, 2012

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod

32946 Route 4

Girard, IL 62640

Pastor Keith GeRue

Office: (217) 965 – 4816

Cell: (217) 725 – 8137

“Tender Evangelical Loving Care

http://www.tlcgirard.org

The Nineteenth Sunday After Trinity October 13–14, 2012

Saturday, October 13, 2012 Worship Service 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 14, 2012 Sunday School & Bible Class 9:00 a.m.

Sunday, October 14, 2012 Worship Service 10:00 a.m.

Greeting

P: Christ is with us.

C: He is and ever will be!

SUNDAY’S DIVINE SERVICE– Jesus’ Incarnation Secures for Us Life, Forgiveness, and Healing The Lord does not require us to ascend to Him; in mercy He descends to us (Gen. 28:10–17). The ladder in Jacob’s dream was not for climbing; it was the means by which the Lord came to bless Jacob. This event finds its fulfillment in Christ who descended from His throne to save and bless us. By His incarnation He is the eternal bridge between heaven and earth. “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Matt. 9:1–8). The Lord was present in the flesh to absolve the paralytic. Jesus also healed and restored this man’s body. “For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation” (Small Catechism). The Lord still has power on earth to forgive sins. In holy absolution He raises up the new man (Eph. 4:22–28) and bestows the healing medicine which will bring about our resurrection on the Last Day. Thus we say with Jacob, “This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” (Gen. 28:17)

LWML

· October is LWML Month

· During October our LWML will have a door collection for mites.

Coffee Break Bible Study

Coffee Break Bible Study meets on Sunday mornings at 9:00 for a lively discussion. Today, we are studying, “Lutheranism 101.”

Guest Register in the Narthex. All guests are asked to please sign this register either before or after the service.

Copies of Sermons are on the back table for your reference and study.

Please Pray For: Rev. Richard Bremer, Sean Greer, Carmen Horrighs, Marge Greene, Joe Worth, Elena Howarth, Emily Rodenbeck, Phyllis McElroy, Dorothy Robison, George Van Huss, Crystal Ray, Ruth Hedrick, Walt Hedrick, Erna Van Winkle, Mary Kay Schmidt, Dorothy Schroll, Kathy Schmidt, John Haynes, Bill Uchtman, Colin Starks, George Shepherd, and Katie Ketchum.

Military: Please keep in your prayers all Military persons.

Hospitalizations: Please notify Pastor GeRue about any sickness or hospitalizations.

Happy Birthday This Week: Erin Miller

Happy Anniversary: None

LUTHERAN HOUR "Nothing" Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour: Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus Many things used to come with a guarantee. God's promises still do. (Romans 8:37-39)

WLUJ Springfield, IL 89.7 FM Sunday 3:00 pm

WLLM Lincoln, IL 1370 AM Sunday 7:00 am & 7:00 pm
WSMI Litchfield 1540 AM Sunday 9:30 pm

Lutherans for Life – www.lutheransforlife.org

Life Thought: Speaking truth at the city gate must have been difficult in Amos’s day. He writes, “They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks the truth” (5:10). People today—even God’s people—do not always like to hear the truth. But thank God for those who speak it anyway! For the ultimate goal is not condemnation but, “that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious” (15b).
Life Quote: “My trust for real change is in the LORD. He changes hearts, and we need a lot more changed hearts before we will ever get changed laws. We need a lot more changed hearts so we can get a lot more pro-life champions. We need a lot more changed hearts so we can get our priorities in their proper place.” Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb, executive director of Lutherans For Life – A “Life Quote” from Lutherans For Life

Readings for the Week of 18th Sunday after Trinity

October 14 Jeremiah 29:24-31:14, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17, Psalms 119:33-40

October 15 Jeremiah 31:15-32:25, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18, Proverbs 25:1-10

October 16 Jeremiah 32:26-34:22, 1 Timothy 1:1-20, Psalms 119:41-48

October 17 Jeremiah 35:1-37:21, 1 Timothy 2:1-15, Psalms 119:49-56

October 18 Jeremiah 38:1-40:6, 1 Timothy 3:1-16, Psalms 119:57-64

October 19 Jeremiah 40:7-42:22, 1 Timothy 4:1-16, Proverbs 25:11-20

October 20 Looking Forward to Sunday:

Isaiah 55:1–9, Ephesians 5:15–21, Matthew 22:1–14

CALENDAR

Saturday, October 13 5:30 pm Divine Service

Sunday, October 14 9:00 am Bible Class

10:00 am Divine Service

Monday, October 15 7:00 pm Elder’s Meeting

Tuesday, October 16 7:30 am North Mac Ministerial

5:00 pm Unity Board of Directors Meeting

Wednesday, October 17 5:30 pm Confirmation

7:30 pm AA

Thursday, October 18 12:00 noon Virden Chamber Senior Dinner

Friday, October 19 Pastor’s Family Day

Saturday, October 12 5:30 pm Divine Service

Shipp Endowment

There will be a meeting with investors on Tuesday, November 27 at 6:30 pm to discuss investing the Shipp Funds. Please come and join us.

Hayride, Bonfire and hot dog roast

On Sunday, October 28^th, we will have a Bonfire, Hot Dog Roast, Hay Ride, and more.

Where: David and Debbi Ray Farm, 12958 Leadline Road, Auburn,

When: October 28, 4:00pm – whenever

Bring: yourself, your family and friends and a dish to pass.

NEXT WEEKS LESSONS:

the twentieth sunday after trinity

Isaiah 55:1–9, Ephesians 5:15–21, Matthew 22:1–14

Jesus Invites Us to His Wedding Feast to Receive Abundant Righteousness

The Holy Spirit sounds forth the Gospel call: “See, I have prepared my dinner ... Come to the wedding feast” (Matt. 22:1–14). But many reject this invitation in favor of worldly pursuits. And so the call goes out to others, both the good and the bad. For the wedding invitation is not based on the qualifications of those invited but on the basis of the merits and work of Christ. The feast is free: “He who has no money, come, buy and eat ... delight yourselves in rich food.” (Is. 55:1–9). Those rejecting the Spirit’s work shall experience God’s wrath and judgment. Those who are not clothed in Christ’s righteousness shall be cast into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Let us therefore seek the Lord while He may be found, for He will have mercy upon us. Let us redeem the time, being filled with the Spirit, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 5:15–21).

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Daily Bible Readings October 7-13, 2012

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod

32946 Route 4

Girard, IL 62640

Pastor Keith GeRue

Office: (217) 965 – 4816

Cell: (217) 725 – 8137

“Tender Evangelical Loving Care

http://www.tlcgirard.org

The Eighteenth Sunday After Trinity October 6–7, 2012

Saturday, October 6, 2012 Worship Service 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 7, 2012 Sunday School & Bible Class 9:00 a.m.

Sunday, October 7, 2012 Worship Service 10:00 a.m.

SUNDAY’S DIVINE SERVICE– JESUS IS THE FULLFILLER OF THE LAW The Pharisees ask a Law question. Jesus asks a Gospel question. The Pharisees seek to trap Jesus in His own words. Jesus seeks to “trap” them in the saving reality of who He is as the Messiah (Matthew 22:34–46). The Law requires you to “fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul” and to “love the stranger” (Deuteronomy 10:12–21). Failure to keep the Law perfectly brings judgment. On the other hand, the Gospel brings the grace of God given by Jesus Christ, that you may be blameless in the day of His return (1 Corinthians 1:1–9). Jesus is David’s Son yet David’s Lord, true God and true man. He is Love incarnate who fulfilled all the demands of God’s Law on our behalf, that we might be saved from the Law’s condemnation and sanctified in the Gospel’s forgiveness. Thereby we see that “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” — Lutheran Service Book Notes

LWML

· October is LWML Month

· During October our LWML will have a door collection for mites.

· Midstate Fall Rally October 7, 5:30p.m. Zion Lutheran Church, 1301 N. State St., Litchfield. Speaker will be Diane Grebing. See bulletin board.

Coffee Break Bible Study

Coffee Break Bible Study meets on Sunday mornings at 9:00 for a lively discussion. Today, we will begin our Study on Lutheranism 101.

Please Pray For: Joe Worth, Elena Howarth, Emily Rodenbeck, Phyllis McElroy, Dorothy Robison, George Van Huss, Crystal Ray, Ruth Hedrick, Walt Hedrick, Erna Van Winkle, Mary Kay Schmidt, Dorothy Schroll, Kathy Schmidt, John Haynes, Bill Uchtman, Colin Starks, George Shepherd, and Katie Ketchum.

Military: Please keep in your prayers all Military persons.

Hospitalizations: Please notify Pastor GeRue about any sickness or hospitalizations.

Happy Birthday This Week: Erin Miller

Happy Anniversary: None

LUTHERAN HOUR "Proper Perspective"
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour: Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus
Why did Jesus say the kingdom of heaven belongs to the likes of children? Pastor Ken Klaus thinks he may have discovered the answer.
(Mark 10: 13-16)

WLUJ Springfield, IL 89.7 FM Sunday 3:00 pm

WLLM Lincoln, IL 1370 AM Sunday 7:00 am & 7:00 pm
WSMI Litchfield 1540 AM Sunday 9:30 pm

Lutherans for Life – www.lutheransforlife.org

Life Thought: In God’s perfect world, one thing remained “not good.” “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18). God created a perfect woman for His perfect man. Then He ordained the perfect cornerstone upon which to build and promulgate civilization—marriage between man and woman. So perfect an institution that God uses it to picture Christ’s relationship to His Church (Ephesians 5:32). Those who redefine marriage not only erode this cornerstone, they defame this picture.

Life Quote: “How can we speak of the termination of a pregnancy when what we really mean is the destruction of a human life? How can we talk of therapeutic abortion when pregnancy is not a disease needing therapy and what abortion effects is not a cure but a killing? How can we talk of abortion as a kind of retroactive contraception when what it does is not prevent conception but destroy the conceptus? We need to have the courage to use accurate language. Abortion is feticide: the destruction of an unborn child. It is the shedding of innocent blood, and any society that can tolerate this, let alone legislate for it, has ceased to be civilized.” John Stott, English Christian leader and Anglican cleric

Readings for the Week of 18th Sunday after Trinity

Oct 7 Jeremiah 42:1-44:23,2 Timothy 2:1-21,Psalms 92:1-93:5

Oct 8 Jeremiah 44:24-47:7, 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17, Psalms 94:1-23

Oct 9 Jeremiah 48:1-49:22, 2 Timothy 4:1-22, Psalms 95:1-96:13

Oct 10 Jeremiah 49:23-50:46, Titus 1:1-16, Psalms 97:1-98:9

Oct 11 Jeremiah 51:1-53, Titus 2:1-15, Psalms 99:1-9

Oct 12 Jeremiah 51:54-52:34, Titus 3:1-15, Psalms 100:1-5

Oct 13 Looking Forward to Reformation Sunday

Genesis 28:10-17; Ephesians 4:22-28; Matthew 9:1-8

CALENDAR

Saturday, October 6 5:30 pm Divine Service

Sunday, October 7 9:00 am Bible Class

10:00 am Divine Service

5;30 pm LWML Zone Rally, Litchfield

Monday, October 8 Columbus Day

Tuesday, October 9 10:26 am Lutheran High Chapel

4;00 pm Unity Finance Board Meeting

Wednesday, October 10 5:30 pm Confirmation

7:30 pm AA

Friday, October 12 Pastor’s Family Day

Saturday, October 13 5:30 pm Divine Service

Hayride, Bonfire and hot dog roast

On Sunday, October 28^th, we will have a Bonfire, Hot Dog Roast, Hay Ride, and more.

Where: David and Debbi Ray Farm 12958 Leadline Road, Auburn,

When: October 28, 4:00pm – whenever

Bring: yourself, your family and friends and a dish to pass.

NEXT WEEKS LESSONS:

THE NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Genesis 28:10–17, Ephesians 4:22–28, Matthew 9:1–8

Jesus’ Incarnation Secures for Us Life, Forgiveness, and Healing

The Lord does not require us to ascend to Him; in mercy He descends to us (Genesis 28:10–17). The ladder in Jacob’s dream was not for climbing; it was the means by which the Lord came to bless Jacob. This event finds its fulfillment in Christ who descended from His throne to save and bless us. By His incarnation He is the eternal bridge between heaven and earth. “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Matthew 9:1–8). The Lord was present in the flesh to absolve the paralytic. Jesus also healed and restored this man’s body. “For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation” (Small Catechism). The Lord still has power on earth to forgive sins. In holy absolution He raises up the new man (Ephesians 4:22–28) and bestows the healing medicine which will bring about our resurrection on the Last Day. Thus we say with Jacob, “This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” (Genesis 28:17)

Trinity 18 October 6-7, 2012 Sermon

Trinity 18 Matthew 22:34-36 October 6-7, 2012

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Seeking to trap Him, they ask a Law question, and so their answer is of the Law: "What is the greatest commandment? Love God and man perfectly, without fail, without lapse, without exception." If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

They sought to trap Him in the Law and wound up trapped themselves. Hatefully seeking to bind Him, they were bound by their own pettiness and philosophical games, by their hate. They were guilty. In the greatest to the least of the commandments they had failed, for they had not acted in love. They envied His glory. They had paraded themselves. They were puffed up, behaved rudely, sought their own, thought evil. For as nice as the concept of love is, as noble and high and lofty, as obviously good and decent - despite the fact that no one can be against it, that everyone acknowledges, "Yes, love is good. That is the right way." Nonetheless, love is an impossible command and standard. We cannot satisfy or keep it. We have not loved perfectly, but have behaved selfishly - again and again and again. We know love is right. But that doesn't save us. It can only We say damn us.

But Christ, Our Lord offers an escape to those who are caught by the Law's unbending and unrelenting, impossible demands. He asks: "What do you think of the Christ? Whose Son is He?" "David's Son," they say. Indeed, David's Son, a man like us, but more: David's Son, our neighbor, AND David's Lord, our Creator, a Priest forever in the order of Melchizadek, the first and the last, the Redeemer-Kinsman come to save us. The two things that the Law demand we love, God and neighbor, are embodied in Him who has loved us. In this the Love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is Love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. . . . God is Love.

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends

For his friends. Greater love has no God, no Baal, no Allah, no Buddha, no Great Spirit in the sky, than this: that He lay down His Son's life for His enemies, for His enemies! That He lay down His Son's life for His enemies, that He forsake His Son, disown Him, damn Him, visit His wrath upon Him that He might shower His love upon those murderers whom He adopts as new sons! Greater and more perfect love hath no one than He is who is Love.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Ram caught in the thicket, our scapegoat who takes our sins off into the wilderness, our sacrificial lamb who dies in our place. He is the fulfillment of the Law, perfect Love in the Flesh. He has done what we could and would not, and that for us. He has loved us perfectly without fail, without lapse, without exception. His enemies, those incarnations of hate, the devil, death, and Hell have been conquered by the Heel they bruised. They are under the Foot that crushed them. They are held fast so that there is no one to accuse you, no prison to hold you, no threat or punishment left. You are free, forgiven, clean, pure, righteous, perfect, for you are loved in, and by, Him.

This Christ, David's Son and David's Lord, is a Priest forever in the Order of Melchizadek, that King of Righteousness from the City of Peace. That great and holy Priest, whose Body pierced and enlivened once again is the very Temple that He rebuilt so that it is the House of Prayer for all people by Grace, whose reign never ends, that great and holy Priest has offered up Himself as the Sacrifice that makes us lovable, and makes us His. The Law has no more to ask, no more to demand. It has been satisfied, fulfilled, completed. Love, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, never fails. The Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, (is the Christ), God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the Love that God has for us. God is Love, and he who abides in Love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

Love in the Flesh, a priestly food, a heavenly banquet, is offered to you this very day: His Body and Blood, the new Temple that cannot be destroyed. Eat of Him. Be loved. Live. Have Him placed inside of you that you would be a Temple of His Holy Spirit, that He would abide in you and you in Him, that you would be as He is, so that you would have boldness in the day of judgment for you are His, so that His love is completed and perfected in you, His beloved. David's Son is your Lord, your Christ. Thanks be to God!

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sermon Trinity 17 September 30, 2012

Trinity 17 Luke 14:1-11 September 29-30, 2012

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I'd rather be the man with dropsy, in pain and humiliated, than the Pharisees at this dinner party. The man with dropsy knows what he is. He can feel it and see it. And the world knows what he is, too. He can't fake it. He is not one of the beautiful, popular kids. He is a loser. He is alone. He is afraid.

But Jesus steps in and offers relief. He asks the Pharisees if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. They are silent. They won't answer the question because the answer is obvious and they don't like it. It is like asking certain people if it is okay to pray to Allah. They don't like the question because it exposes the viciousness their philosophy has done to God's Word.

The man with dropsy is silent too. But his silence is different. He is not being rude or combative. He is listening. Every word that proceeds from the Mouth of God is precious. He is waiting. Jesus heals him and lets him go. He is like an ox that had fallen into a pit. He is like a dog on a chain that has wrapped himself around a tree and can't get loose. The Pharisees figure it is just a sign of his own stupidity, that that dog brought it on himself and deserves to pull at a chain that is effectually a foot long. They don't even try to guide him back around the twisting way he came. It is too far gone, too late. But Jesus steps up and unhooks the chain with no fuss at all. The man with dropsy neither has to live with it nor go back and undo it himself. He is unhooked, set free, in an instant.

Thus the state of fallen man: We go twisting round and round the tree searching for a moment's pleasure while tied to the Law. The Law is not bad. It keeps us from getting hurt. It keeps us safe. But it can't untangle us. It can't make us free. In these delayed days, while waiting for the end, some have thought that the Law was the answer. The idea is that if we could learn to live with the Law we could fix our lives and find favor with God. It seems to work. There are principles and benefits within the Law. Treat your neighbors kindly, don't steal, don't cheat on your wife, and your life will be smoother. You will even be respected, to some degree, by the other dogs. But you won't be free. And make one mistake, show one instant's weakness, and you'll be tangled up again with the Pharisee's mocking your stupidity. It can't be that something is wrong with their program, so there must be something wrong with you.

They are right. There is something wrong with you: sin. The problem is not that you are basically a good person who sometimes does bad things or makes mistakes. The problem is that you are a bad person who is very good at covering it up.

The solution is easy. Repent. Confess your sins, your twisting self-seeking ways that have caused these problems, your shameful behavior and your lies. Quit yipping and begging. And let Jesus take it all away. Be lost in His self-sacrifice in your place. Die in His crucifixion. Be humbled in His atoning death. And be exalted in His resurrection, welcomed home by the Father, full of forgiveness and mercy. Kiss the nail pierced hand that unhooks the chain and live.

Find solace in His soothing words of love in the Holy Scriptures. Find confidence and hope in the Absolution. Find nourishment and strength in His Body and Blood, His self-uniting and opening of heaven to you in that Holy meal. He has not abandoned you or forgotten you. And you who are baptized into Him, you, are no dog. You are a son, a prince, an adored and beautiful Bride washed in Blood. Your scarred King, who was slain but who lives, who gave His life to rescue you from damnation, He awaits. He is eager for you. He loves you. You are free.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Trinity 17 Luke 14:1-11 September 29-30, 2012

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.