Trinity 25 - 2023

 The Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Trinity, 2023

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

 

 

The Hymn #200   I Know That My Redeemer Lives

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies and from them that persecute me.

Let me not be ashamed, O Lord: 

for I have called upon Thee.

Psalm. In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: 

let me never be ashamed.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

Almighty God, we beseech Thee, show Thy mercy unto Thy humble servants, that we who put no trust in our own merits may not be dealt with after the severity of Thy judgment, but according to Thy mercy; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual  

Gradual

Thine enemies roar in the midst of Thy congregations: they set up their ensigns for signs.

V. Remember Thy congregation which Thou hast purchased of old: the rod of Thine inheritance, which Thou hast redeemed. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. There is a river the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God: 

God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved. Hallelujah!

    

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed             p. 22

The Sermon Hymn #611        The Day Is Surely Drawing Near

   

We Walk by Faith

The Communion Hymn #316                O Living Bread  Winkworth translation

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #649           Jesus Savior Pilot Me             

Prayers and Announcements

• Our Biblical doctrine series has a name - Reformation Seminary. Zoom has another step in W-9.
• In treatment - Kermit Way; Randy Anderson; ; Pastor Jim Shrader (surgery) and Chris; Sarah Buck; Lori Howell; Dr. Lito Cruz and his father. 
• Callie and her parents; little Aaron with the heart problem;
• Those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.

 Norma A. Boeckler 

KJV 1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [precede] them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 Norma A. Boeckler 

KJV Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28 For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

We Walk by Faith

KJV Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

These passages leave us with two parallel thoughts. One is that the end will come at any time, appointed only by God the Father. Jesus warned the disciples strictly, and this is recorded more than once. No one knows the time.

On the other hand, the warning is clearly stated so that no one takes for granted what will come, how quickly time will come to an end. So what did the early church fathers do? This is very important, because it became the core of institutional thinking. The answer teaches us all about the decline of the Christian Faith, even though the institution grew across the world. The era of the pope was already established by Augustine's time (the 400s). When there was a dispute about justification, Augustine wrote famously - "Rome has spoken - the case is closed." Gone was the meeting of Biblical teachers in keeping the truth of the Scriptures. Following the rigid structure of the failing Roman Empire, the Christian Church set up one supreme ruler, the Bishop of Rome, who called himself the First Among Equals, not just a bishop (shepherd) but superior to the rest.

Nothing teaches us in the Scriptures about holy people going out and living alone or in groups of believers far away from society. Nothing forbids marriage. In fact, the Scriptures show us that marriage and family are blessings from God, not burdens of sin. Nevertheless, already by Augustine's time, priests did not marry. Communes of women and men gathered to follow religious orders and to keep each other working to support themselves, sometimes by begging as well. 

This set up a toxin which remains to this day, not only the Antichrist sitting on his throne, but also people seeking holiness by craving a higher order of the Faith with robes, incense, special clothing, retreats away from society, and all kinds of drama in worship. Chemnitz said about the Roman Mass (Holy Communion) that the priest carried on so much that it was difficult to laugh or cry during the performance.

What do we have today? Supposed Lutheran pastors (Latin for shepherd) crave special, expensive clothing, clouds of incense, bowing, kneeling, long on requirements but short on Biblical knowledge, often opposed to the Gospel itself, especially Luther, Melanchthon, and Chemnitz.

As Luther wrote in this sermon, what is essential? Going out into the wilderness to form a secluded hideaway, free from sin? My relatives in Michigan were Millerites, named because they began by selling all their goods and going up on a mountain to wait for the End of the World - twice! They became the Seventh Day Adventists and set up all kinds of special rules. One Noel/Jackson family` decided to move from their Ohio farm to Iowa, where they began raising pigs (not allowed!) and became Evangelicals. 

One Adventist family in Midland, Michigan told us they could not use any animal products at all. They told us about many of their other rules as well. Their son could not dance but he showed us how to do the Moon Walk. I said, "I thought you were not allowed to dance." He said, "Of all the dances I am not allowed to do, that one is my favorite." I thought that summed up legalism quite well - ignoring the Gospel and making up rules for sanctification (holiness, perfection, purity).

In spite of the dire warnings from Jesus about the end of time, various Christian leaders have ordered and emphasized the opposite of what He taught and still teaches today. The answer is not to run into the wilderness to be away from society. This not only goes on today in the Church of Rome and Eastern Orthodoxy but also in various world religions, such as in India and the rest of Asia. The response of so many kinds of religions, expressions, and worship suggests there might be one answer, not 10,000 opinions.

Luther:

22. Now it is high time for him to run and flee, who is able to flee; let everything he has behind and depart; the sooner the better; not with his feet but with his heart, in such a way that he will be rid of the abomination and enter the kingdom of Christ through faith. 

False religions search for actions and works, but Luther wisely taught that the answer is faith - and the answer can only be faith in Jesus Christ, because all the actions are the work of man. The substance of the entire Bible is Jesus Christ the Savior, Who died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead to show His victory over sin, death, and the devil. 

That is true from beginning to end. The more we see this, the greater the impact. When graduate students deal with Genesis, they have many ideas to follow from one book. One group wanted especially to emphasize Abraham believing and being counted righteous. I added this because I previously did not catch wording.

KJV Genesis 15

4 And, behold, the Word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

The Word of the Lord is the Son of God, so He is predicting to Abraham the Kingdom of Christ, not just an enormous family but millions of people who will believe in the Good Shepherd and follow Him.

KJV John 8

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM. (See Exodus 3, the Burning Bush)

The present and future tenses are dazzling because the Son of God establishes Justification by Faith in Him in Genesis and then - in the Roman Empire - states that Abraham rejoiced to see Him, Who was - and is - God Himself.

These two passages teach us the unity and the harmony of the Scriptures, including Exodus 3 and many more examples, because the Bible is One Book of the Holy Spirit, not a combination of ancient sayings. That is what gives us peace and hope, knowing that the Scriptures exist to teach us and turn away from error.

19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Faith in Jesus Christ means that God will take care of us, even in the great tribulation. All things are in God's hands. Those who glory in their shame will have a great awakening but it will not be a pleasant one. They draw people together as followers, as Luther wrote, because people like wolf-preachers. One of my funny moments was listening to the announcements at Willow Creek Community Church (no crosses, lest they offend). After the service was an expensive food court to sell food to those who came for the meaningless service. And like many other fake churches, it fell apart all at once, and the founder was expelled...for cause.

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 

Ordinary people are so easily overlooked when people are looking for excitement, for something new, for a "breakthrough unlike anything ever experienced before." Many overlook the Christ within their neighbor, even within their own families. The time is fleeting, so we should spend our time wisely, since that is the only commodity we have, each and every one of us.  

25 Behold, I have told you before. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28 For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

The Apostle Paul's letters to the Thessalonians were his earliest ones (so we think). 1 Thessalonians 4 is one of the two lessons today. 2 Thessalonians 2 is all about the Antichrist, which is clearer than ever. Neither one is being fulfilled at this moment, but they prophesies are clear. That should make us wary of being to bold in our predictions, hopes, and accomplishments. 

Thanksgiving 2023

  

Bethany Lutheran Church

Thanksgiving Service -  7 PM Central

Pastor Gregory Jackson

The Hymn #574            Come Ye Thankful     
The Order of Vespers p. 41
The Psalmody Psalm 100 p. 144
The First Lection Philippians 4:4-7
The Second Lection Luke 17:11-19 

The Sermon Hymn #577      God Bless Our Native Land

Thankfulness

The Prayers and Lord’s Prayer p. 44
The Collect for Peace p. 45
The Benediction p. 45
The Hymn #644     Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

 Author - Bishop Ken - name a bishop hymn-writer today!

In Our Prayers

• Cancer treatment and diagnosis, good news - Randy Anderson; Pastor Jim Shrader, operation needed - and Christ Shrader; Doc Lito Cruz; Lori Howell.
• Little Aaron (heart issues); Callie and her parents.
• Our military, President Trump, and those who defend the U. S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Philippians 4:4-7. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

KJV Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Philippians 4:4-7. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

                             Thankfulness

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.

The changes in our lives can generate all kinds of negative feelings, such as fear about finances, worries about health, crises far beyond our defenses, and fears which negate everything good. It is easy to say, "What's the use?" 

The disciples are examples of these matters, time after time. They are unknowing and fearful and dense. There are many statues of the Apostles in holy stances, but the best paintings show them terrified on the boat, asking "Don't You care if we die?"

If we are at all alike, the mildest things seem so burdensome until the crisis is over and we see how anxious we were.

In contrast, thankfulness removes or dampens down our feelings of dread, failure, and misery. And the root of thankfulness is faith. What did Jesus say? 

• Have you no money? 
• Have you no insurance? 
• Have you no friends?

He said, "Have you no faith?" because the natural fruit of faith is joy. Trust in God opens our eyes to all He has given us and even more to come. The greatest joy often comes from the aftermath of a great crisis. When Paul could not come out of the gloom of his depression (Luther's conclusion, which I favor), he received his answer from God, 

KJV 2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

5 Let your forbearance [gentle, kindly,  or yielding nature] be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 

Mothers and teachers are good examples of this, which their children/students  discover best when they can no longer say, "Thank you for all the intangibles you gave me." I enjoy editing the alumni of our middle high school; the school only exists in our memories now. We post photos and memories of our teachers. We are reminded of special teachers who set us geeky rebels up for a responsible life. I have learned of a number of special problems, even medical ones, that the teachers addressed in their wisdom.

I have heard many horrible stories about children raised in poverty, alcoholism, and brutality. The impact is more obvious when the tragedies are described by individuals.

The Apostle Paul was writing - Consider the Lord Jesus Christ coming soon. How does that diminish what is happening now - so tiny in comparison. Winning the big lawsuit against Microsoft is not going to mean much at the end.

6 In nothing be anxious [full of care, distracted, divided; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

This is the best remedy for anxiety. Whatever we are worried about, wherever we feel guilty or inadequate, pray to God in the Name of Jesus. This is followed by a beautiful blessing which addresses all issues and gives us reason to be thankful, because God really does act beyond our expectations and even before we think to ask.

The Votum - Prayer - Used at the End of the Sermon

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Maybe the Votum is used too often and we all fail to listen to this great Promise from the Holy Spirit. Forgiveness through faith gives us joy, peace, and love. The extent of these fruits of the Gospel is so great that they transcend our understanding (ability to think) and these fruits of the Spirit guard our hearts and our thoughts in Jesus our Good Shepherd.

The end

Trinity 24 2023

The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity, 2023

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

The Hymn #  11                 Safely Through Another Week                      

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Oh, come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker.

For He is our God: and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.

Psalm. Oh, come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

Stir up, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the wills of Thy faithful people that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of Thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual   

Gradual

Thou hast delivered my soul from death: mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

V. I love the Lord: because He hath heard my voice and my supplication. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. With Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light. Hallelujah!

    

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed             p. 22

The Sermon Hymn #236                Creator Spirit By Whose Aid         

              

Two Examples of Faith and Power

The Communion Hymn #  307            Draw Nigh and Take the Body of the Lord   

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #199      Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

Prayers and Announcements

• Thanksgiving Eve Vespers Service, 7 PM.
• Our Biblical doctrine series has a name - Reformation Seminary.
• In treatment - Kermit Way; Randy Anderson; ; Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris; Sarah Buck; Lori Howell; Dr. Lito Cruz and his father. 
• Callie and her parents; little Aaron with the heart problem;
• Those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.

Colossians 1`:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. 23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. 26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

Two Examples of Faith and Power

Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

There are many miracles in the Gospels, and they are revealed to us in different ways. This causes opposite responses in people today. It is often the reason why people reject Jesus as the Son of God, saying they do not believe in miracles. Many of them are clergy and professors who teach the Scriptures. They fall into the trap of experience and rationalism.

Experience teaches them, they say, that miracles do not come true, because they have prayed and were disappointed. People can find a thousand ways to reject the miraculous and one excuse builds on even more. The crowds were drawn to Jesus because of His miracles and yet they also insisted on even more. The religious were antagonized by the miracles of Jesus even though they were there, hearing and seeing the truth.

Rationalism has had a major impact because the masses are given explanations that blind people from seeing the power and mercy of God. A guide at the Grand Canyon explained what the scientists said about the cause of all the beauty we saw, taking millions of years to slowly develop the national park. He paused and I said - "or the Flood." He immediately began to agree about the alternative, and he seemed far more comfortable about the divine. 

People are impressed by a yard full of hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and flowers, but some seem rattled by the term Creation Garden. I told a neighbor about growing roses and he phoned his wife, saying, "We're doing it all wrong. Listen to him." All I did was explain how God instilled the complexity and did almost all the work. He asked for the book.

Rationalism means changing the perspective of all that God has given us, even though there are hundreds and thousands of ways the truth can be known and appreciated. Scholars either claim something or say they are divided. 

19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

Jesus did not reject the man but immediately followed him, His disciples going along with Him. Those who remember each story might wonder why do they happen in different ways. Each one is given to us to increase our faith, because trust in God can be so fragile at times, powerful against His will and His work. Luther often wrote about the darkness he felt as a monk, trying to do everything right and yet tormented by the burden of the Law. I gave my four-volume Luther set to a Roman Catholic leader in worship. Years later, he wrote and said, "I still have the Luther set and I still read it." (The LCA stopped printing it. An ELS pastor got the other set I owned and still does not understand Luther.)

20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

As many know, the woman would have been known as unclean, and she was plagued by her disorder for 12 years. The more she was treated by doctors, the worse she became. This was not only a oppressive burden in her life, an unending one, but also tinged with shame, the feeling of unworthiness. So she was full of faith but also ashamed. Touching his garment, she was sure, would cure her, without bothering Jesus.

22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Mark 5 - 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

 One of the early church fathers said, "If touching the hem of Jesus' robe can make a person whole, how much more than the receiving of the Body of Christ in Holy Communion?" That was not said to emphasize magical properties (which the Middle Ages turned into an Amazon of religious relics) but to remind us of God's powers. That is why we have holy places, to shut out the noise and distractions of the day and focus on the divine.

    As I have said more than once, I go through the names of our little congregation (and others) every night and pray especially for those dealing with various difficulties. I begin by thanking God for so many blessings, especially the difficult people who did so much to make freedom of the Gospel possible. That is the odd climax of the Beatitudes - and it becomes increasingly true over time.  

23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

The contrast between faith and unbelief is very clear. The Savior came to help the daughter of the synagogue's leader. He told them the truth, and they laughed their heads off.

25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. 26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

Mark 5: 38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. 39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. 40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. 41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. 42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. 43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Is that a contradiction that the fame/rumor (Romans 10, Isaiah 53) went everywhere but Jesus told them to remain quiet? The problem was not the lack of publicity but the overwhelming amount and reaction to the miracles. After all, they wanted to anoint Jesus as the Messiah but His time had not yet come.

Every part of our lives is in God's hands, with legions of angels helping in the work and the King of Kings guiding that work across the globe, the Spirit working through the Word. With faith in Christ we see and experience the miraculous. I have seen that many times.

 

Trinity 23 2023

 

Bethany Lutheran Church, 10 AM Central Standard Time

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

The Hymn #4          God Himself Is Present        
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #239            Come Thou Almighty King

Be Followers of Christ

The Communion Hymn #316                O Living Bread  
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn # 339              All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

Prayers and Announcements

• The roses are in honor of Anita Engleman and our Veterans.
• In treatment - Kermit Way; Randy Anderson; ; Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris; Sarah Buck; Lori Howell; Dr. Lito Cruz and his father. 
• Pray for those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.
• Callie and her parents; little Aaron with the heart problem;
• Pray for those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.

KJV Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation [ πολιτευμα, citizenship ] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

KJV Matthew 22:15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

Twenty-Third Sunday After Trinity

Lord God, heavenly Father: we thank Thee that Thou hast hitherto granted us peace and graciously spared us from war and foreign dominion: We pray Thee, graciously let us continue to live in Thy fear according to Thy will, giving no cause for wars or other punishment; govern and direct our magistrates, that they may not hinder the obedience due to Thee, but maintain righteousness, that we may enjoy happiness and blessing under their government, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

Be Followers of Christ

KJV Matthew 22:15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

This is an interesting way to deal with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The assumption is - "He is just another teacher and no different from other teachers. In fact, we are smarter than He is." That sounds odd to believers but the logic is typical of unbelievers. They harden themselves against the truth and carry on as enemies. Being clever is not the same as being truthful or sincere. The word sincere comes from Latin - "without wax." Broken pottery was put together with wax to hide the problem. Customers wanted them in the hot sun to see if they were without wax. People who were sincere were also called "tested by the sun" in Greek. 

America lost a clever Lutheran professor (son of missionaries) who made a lot of money for himself, gathered many friends, and wrote books mocking the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, His miracles, His atoning death and resurrection. I heard Carl Braaten speak with great emotion about working with the Pope, during an assembly at Augustana College in Rock Island. I wonder what he thought about Pope Francis, SJ, fancying himself as the ultimate anti-Pope - not Lutheran but against anything resembling the Christian Faith. 

16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 

The opponents first had to establish that Jesus sinned by touching the coinage of the Roman Empire. The trap is so conniving that it builds a concept of Jesus being false and accepting the image of a pagan. We have to see this as a great lesson for ourselves. Jesus was without sin and only doing good things for others, but the abundance of His divine mercy and staggering miracles made His opponents angry and angling for this trap.

We should remember that the mildest form of faith in us is spotted by the Evil Foe and readied for a target. The faithful are addressed sarcastically  "You can't possibly believe that..." I heard that a house where a "Lutheran" was visiting. He denied the resurrection.

KJV 1 Peter 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason (apology, defense) of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

The haughtiness gives away the true attitude of the opponents. This approach can be used for topics that are only understood through faith. A good example is the Trinity, though it was well known and believed long before the New Testament began. The Atonement of Christ was clearly taught in Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 - but not understood. Those 39 books of the Old Testament, which I teach year around are, like parts of an enormous mosaic where each piece by itself becomes overwhelming when all are put together. The Scriptures are unified and completely harmonious, which is why Luther called the Bible "The Book of the Holy Spirit."

Hagia Sophia, Constantinople

 Notre Dame Library, South Bend

18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking and planning. That is frightening for unbelievers but comforting for believers. We know and trust that the Lord of Creation knows our hearts, our intents, our trust in Him. He helps us even with the tiniest details of life, as well as the major difficulties and wounds. He begins to help us before we think to ask (Isaiah) and He blesses us far more than we pray. Those matters deepen our trust in Him and we realize He is always freeing us from sin.

Jesus sharply addressed these wise guys because He knew they needed to be shaken out of their pride and conceit. People rushed to see and hear Him because He alone taught the righteousness of God instead of the burden of the Pharisaic Law. Like the rich young man, people walked away, because they wanted material blessings but not the Gospel. Others were overwhelmed with food but want another miracle.

19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

Luther:

7. Here you see the master stroke the Lord uses. He asks them to hand him the tribute money and inquires whose image and superscription it bears. Then they answer him Caesar’s. He then freely concluded that they were subject to Caesar, to whom they were obligated to pay tax and tribute. As if he should say: Have you thus permitted Caesar to come among you, so that he mints your money, and his coin is in circulation and favor among you, then he has triumphed in the game, as if he said: you are to blame that Caesar is your ruler. What should they do now in the face of this answer? They marveled and went away, they thought they would conquer him in a masterly manner, but their wisdom and shrewdness deceived them.

As always Luther displays the humor in the response of Jesus, who has been set up as either the enemy of Judaism or of Rome. In many cases, asking a question solves the problem. Jesus asked the opponents to show what they had in coinage, revealing the simple fact that they were accusing Jesus of using Roman money (to subvert their nation and their religion). They were using the evidence against Jesus against themselves. They were astonished at His superior understanding and walked away marveling.

The churches of the United States failed a similar test. They were ordered to stop public worship. Hardly any church kept the doors open when ordered. However the US Constitution states -

First Amendment

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Everything Jesus did was completely legal, and His innocence was proved. That only inflamed the opponents. Pilate washed his hands to show his rejection of the false accusations, but the potential for rioting led to the trial of Jesus being carried out.

Response today is similar, and the same errors against Jesus are repeated today. Our completely secular society, which lacks the divine purpose, is weak and futile against the fads and follies of the moment. Luther pointed this out clearly - God cannot lose the battle - it is impossible. The very actions against God are the ones bringing down the created order. The martyrs (literally, the witnesses) spread the Gospel by their willingness to die for the Word of God. As Bunyan pointed out - we may be in Castle Doom, but the Promises are in our pockets. We only need to use the Promises to escape the Castle. 

Two forces are at work - God's plan and Satan's devices. If people take on the slave mentality, the end will come more quickly. That is in God's hands, as shown by the Roman Empire (one of my favorite hobbies). The Roman traditions were so strict and ridiculous that one Roman Emperor  after the time of Jesus was able to do whatever he wanted in public because he was the Emperor. Rome began collapsing right after the death and resurrection of the Savior. Caesar Augustus led to Tiberius and Nero, then Caligula and total collapse soon after - exactly like all empires. (Go back a ways and the Republic of 
Rome required men to marry women or they could not be citizens of the Republic. Later, the Emperor Nero rode around with a boy as his "wife." 

My parents, 70 years ago, used to say at the dinner table, "We are becoming Rome." They had a classical education in the public system, and they knew about Roman history, debauchery and collapse.

Americans today have all the power they need, to stand up for the Constitution which was based upon God's Creation (but not burdened by state sponsored denominations, like England's official religion). It is said that many came to America to leave behind the Satanism of Europe, which has blossomed all over the West. 

The time has come for people to emphasize the true Word of God rather than venerating the corporate structure of their denominations.