Trinity 25 - 2024

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The Hymn #200   A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing

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 #620        Lord Who at Cana's Wedding Feast

   

Only God Knows

The Communion Hymn #313                O Lord We Praise Thee

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

• In treatment - Kermit Way hospitalized after a fall; Sarah Buck; Pastor Shrader and Chris; Dr. Lito Cruz and their grandson. 
• 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.

Only God Knows

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:

My Seventh Day Adventist relatives began in Battle Creek, Michigan. The SDA dogmas led to John Henry Kellogg making Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, and other vegetarian delights. Two of my relatives became bishops, I was told, and my great aunt left the Adventists when she moved to Iowa and began raising hogs with her husband. Loma Linda is an area where SDA vegetarian diets have developed a 'blue zone" of unusually good health and longevity (so it is said). 

This began when William Miller (a former Mason) collected people to experience the advent of Christ, which continued to haunt him the rest of his life. Ellen White became a major contributor to SDA through her "visions." She bought land in Loma Linda.

This lengthy introduction is a reminder - people make up new doctrines, often built upon cults like the Masons, and get far away from the Scriptures, forming their own ideas.

Thus we have the prophesies of Daniel, the Gospels, and Thessalonians. Those who form their own opinions often turn from the ruling norm - the Scriptures - and fill the library shelves with the enormous volumes of their own work, for example, ELCA and the Concordia Publishing House.

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.

Thessalonica was a major city at that time, and Paul went there with Silas after the Philippian unbelievers had them whipped. Paul used Thessalonica as the central place for extending the Gospel, such as Philippi, where they went back to preach the Gospel. We should note that Paul's teaching created uproars, whippings, and prison stays, but they were eager to teach the Gospel to the Jews and Gentiles. 

Paul and Silas' idea of being missionaries was the opposite of what we hear today. One woman was telling a family about all their hardships as missionaries. I told the innocent listener, because I knew the facts - The missionaries have everything done for them, even shopping for groceries, cooking, and cleaning. Children go to private school and the parents are like royalty. The innocent one asked if that was true - and all of it was.  In contrast, Paul and Silas went back to Philippi and established the Gospel there, too.

In Thessalonica, Paul cautioned the believers against foolish ideas. They worried about the loss of life. Great changes worry people because they cannot grasp  a future which is available to God alone.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

We are going through an enormous change, which touches all the nations of the world. So much evil has been promoted and expanded that it is difficult to imagine how America can settle so many issues at once - extravagant spending and debt, illegal drugs and over use of prescribed drugs, families crumbling from gender mix-ups, and so much more.

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:

This has stoked the imagination of many groups, and that moves people into trying to figure out what will happen. As we can see now, the living believing passed into eternal life a long time ago, never knowing on earth what was ahead. The resurrection of the dead will come first, which is limiting for those who want to know the schedule. If there is no rising from the dead, then the final episode will be fulfilled in God's time, in God's way, not in our own imagination.

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.

My SDA kin overlooked this important statement from Paul himself, guided by the Holy Spirit. The living can mountain climb Mount Rainier or the Ozarks all they wish, but the final stage does not happen until the trumpet calls and the dead rise first before all others.  

People who do not read the Scriptures correctly become confused, anxious, and bewildered because God's plan is far beyond anything we can imagine. Verse 18 - comforting is a good Word for so many situations.

Trinity 24, 2024

 

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The Hymn #  577                 God Bless Our Native Land                      

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 #240      Father Most Holy

Prayers and Announcements

• Tomorrow Is Veterans Day.
• Anita Engleman's birthday is Tuesday.
• One year ago. Our Biblical doctrine series has a name - Reformation Seminary.
• Medical care - Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris; Sarah Buck;  Dr. Lito Cruz and his grandson. 
• 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.

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.

Matthew 9 begins with a number of episodes and sayings, then  a father fearing he had lost his daughter but asking Jesus to bless the girl and give her life. The father has great faith in Jesus, asking that He lay His healing hand on the girl so that she might live.

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

They were together but all of them responded to the request, Jesus rising up and the disciples following. This beginning of a miracle is framed by another request for healing, the woman with an extended, painful, and difficult disorder. We can see from the Gospel of Mark that Jesus performed miracles, and they were so many that they were grouped together. 

A delightful German woman in Ontario had this to say to people who never went to church. "So you are better than Jesus?" The targets would say, "Oh no. I am not saying I am better than Jesus." She always responded, "You must be better than Jesus because he prayed in the synagogue." Jesus' prayers are emphasized in all four Gospels. Miracles are offensive among the modernists, who want the blessings of the Gospel but not faith of Jesus. Others take these celestial matters for granted, as if everything else was important but not what belongs to God Himself.

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:

This is the well known miracle concerning the woman who was suffering from a long-lasting disorder - 12 years. She had so much faith in Jesus - faith comes from hearing the Gospel - Romans 10 - that she was confident of His healing power. On the other hand, Jesus knew the thoughts and understanding of all those around Him. She did not need to touch His robe, but it was good for the crowd to realize what was happening. That spread the Gospel but also incited the works-righteous who found many ways to be offended.

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.

Luke 8:43ff has a lot more details.

Mark 5:25ff has details similar to Luke.

This collection of three stories annoys the skeptics because they want everything smooth and rational. Their little-faith content concerns the Son of God having this power, so the writers and editors want to make it smooth and not offensive in any way. That leads to people changing the facts and also exaggerating what they want to enlarge. As Nils A. Dahl said, "What do we know for certain? The text! That is what we know."

The text is the very Word of God, and we should honor that and be patient with the difficulties of life. When we are young, we are impatient about everything. Decades later, we marvel at how fast things went and even how well the worst situations turned out.

23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 

This is especially dramatic. Everyone is already in mourning and certain of the facts. The young lady has passed away and they are engaged in carrying out their duties. The noisy mourners are completely wrong, relying on the problem rather than the divine solution. We can glean quite a lot from a few Biblical miracles:

1. They may not happen immediately.
2. They can take a very long time to reveal themselves.
3. They can take place anywhere .
4. They can be expressed in many ways.

24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 

The truth of Jesus the Messiah is met by laughter and scorn. That is how the Gospel moves forward. Those who harden themselves against the Savior may see their foolishness at times and repent. Here the mourners make matters worse by being coarse and obnoxious. 

Luke 8:47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.

50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

Luke 8:51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.

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.

Jesus response was not to bring fire and brimstone down on the scornful noise-makers. He shocked them the greatest possible way, by taking the young girl's hand so they could feel the sting of their foolishness, the joy of her parents.

America is going through a chastening. People laughed with scorn over a real estate tycoon running for president. His faults were piled up to heaven, but he won the first election. The second election had 15 million (or more) extra votes - higher than either 2016 or 2024. People laughed that he could get past all the obstacles on his way to the 2024 election, including a bullet wound and another attempt.

If we continue on this course of promoting trafficking, abortion, toxic drugs, and every style of life except the traditional family, we will experience fire come down from heaven, as it did before, with Sodom and Gomorrah, Genesis 13 - and Romans 1:28-32.

Reformation Sunday. October 27, 2024

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Daylight Savings Ends Next Sunday

Hymn # 262      A Mighty Fortress         

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

The Lord of Hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is with us.

Wherefore will not we fear though the earth be removed: 

and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.

Psalm. God is our refuge and strength: a very present Help in our trouble.

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

Collect

O almighty, eternal God: We confess that we are poor sinners and cannot answer one of a thousand, when Thou contendest with us; but with all our hearts we thank Thee, that Thou hast taken all our guilt from us and laid it upon Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and made Him to atone for it: We pray Thee graciously to sustain us in faith, and so to govern us by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may live according to Thy will, in neighborly love, service, and helpfulness, and not give way to wrath or revenge, that we may not incur Thy wrath, but always find in Thee a gracious Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

The Epistle and Gradual       

KJV Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

KJV Matthew 11: 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed             p. 22

The Hymn #387     Dear Christians One and All  

          Faith in Jesus Christ Gives Us Access to God's Grace

The Communion Hymn #267   If God Had Not Been on Our Side                    

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 #259  Flung to the Heedless Winds 

Prayers and Announcements

• Sarah Buck, Dr. Kermit Way, Lori Howel, Doc Lito Cruz - and grandson, Pastor Jim Shrader; Callie's parents have serious medical issues.
• Bible John just got 20 more Super Large Print KJV Bibles; he has kidney failure.
• All Saints is also Daylight Savings - November 3rd.

Ministries of Bethany Lutheran Church 

1. The Christian Art of Norma Boeckler and Norma's print books.
2.  Martin Chemnitz Press - Kindle and print books, and free pdfs.
3.  Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry and Lutheran Librarian - free and low-cost print books - Alec Satin.

  Faith in Jesus Christ Gives Us Access to God's Grace

Medieval Burdens and Terror

    It is a pity that modern Catholic universities still argue salvation by works. I was looking over Notre Dame messages, when I saw this, "Those who attend... will receive X amount of years reduced from Purgatory." Nothing has changed.

    Like everyone else, Luther was tortured by guilt. How could he do enough to have his sins forgiven? He was a monk, a leader among the monasteries, and a scholar of the Bible with a PhD in that field, and also soaked in Medieval dogmatics - Augustine, Jerome, and Aquinas.

    Luther was under the authority of the Pope and even traveled to Rome, which was supposedly the holiest place on earth - but it was just the opposite.

The Electoral College

    No one has ever voted for President in America. Not one. The "popular vote" count is pure baloney. There is no popular vote, only the electoral vote. Each voter gets to vote for electors in one state. The electors then vote for President. Why? Tiny states in population - like Nevada - have great clout in the electors. Without electors, the heavily populated states would dominate the final count.

Look at Luther's era - the Electors kept the Holy Roman Emperor away - he did not have enough of the five Electors.

Wikipedia - Frederick III (17 January 1463 – 5 May 1525), also known as Frederick the Wise (German: Friedrich der Weise), was Prince-elector of Saxony from 1486 to 1525, who is mostly remembered for the protection given to his subject Martin Luther, the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation. Frederick was the son of Ernest, Elector of Saxony and his wife Elisabeth, daughter of Albert III, Duke of Bavaria.

He was one of the most powerful early defenders of Martin Luther, as the elector successfully protected him from the Holy Roman Emperor, the Pope and others.^[1]

Frederic kept the Spanish Holy Roman Empire troops away from Germany, and they soon needed Germany to repel the Muslim invaders. Vienna 1683 - Coffee house invented because the Muslim troops left their coffee beans behind.

[This part below infuriates the Big Five Apostates - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic).

Faith in Christ Means Access to God's Grace

Abraham is the Father of Faith, the Father of Nations.

    This is clearly expressed in Romans 4, which serves as the introduction to Romans 5:1-2. Abraham is the Father of Faith. Romans 4 - is the background for Romans 5, and both are founded upon KJV Genesis 15.

KJV Genesis 15:5 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.

KJV Genesis 22:11 And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. 

The Hebrew text is incredibly precise because the official copyists must count every letter and every word, or the particular part is burned. This has continued ever since the Five Books of Moses and the Old Testament. When you read or hear the original Old Testament and New, it is the ancient Word of God. Romans is not simply "a book about" but a sermon about Abraham and his descendant Jesus, the Incarnate Word.

KJV Romans 5:5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

KJV Micah 7:16 The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf. 17 They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the Lord our God, and shall fear because of thee. 18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. 19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Luther found in Romans 5 and also in Habakkuk - Justification by Faith. All the claims, books, decrees, and traditions were lacking because they depended on the righteousness of works - not faith in Jesus Christ. The false doctrine of CFW Walther was continued by his subordinate F. Pieper. The error of Justification without Faith was welded into the 1932 Brief Statement, which was not the Bible, not the Book of Concord, not anything except the Halle Pietism of Bishop Martin Stephan. He promoted it and Walther gloried in it the rest of his life.

    The answer is not in the doing but the believing. This has consolidated the Lutheran sects in their peculiar righteousness of works (DNA, belonging to the right sect, and joining sects/cults together with their error, including ELCA).

    Our daily prayers should always include asking forgiveness, thanksgiving for the many blessings, and help for others.

Trinity 18 2024

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The Hymn # 12                 This Day At Thy Creating Word                    

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Reward them that wait for Thee, O Lord: 

and let Thy prophets be found faithful.

Hear the prayer of Thy servants: and of Thy people Israel.

Psalm. I was glad when they said unto me: 

Let us go into the house of the Lord.

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

Collect

O God, forasmuch as without Thee we are not able to please Thee, mercifully grant that Thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

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 #613               Jerusalem the Golden

From Lord to Lord 

Communion Hymn # 307              Draw Now 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 #56         Christ Who Comes with Heaven Adorning

        

Announcements and Prayers

• Therapy, diagnosis -  Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris, Sarah Buck, Callie and her parents. Alicia Meyer. Dr. Lito Cruz and family.

KJV 1 Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

KJV Matthew 22:34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. 41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. 43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? 46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

Eighteenth Sunday After Trinity

Lord God, heavenly Father: We are poor, miserable sinners; we know Thy will, but cannot fulfill it because of the weakness of our flesh and blood, and because our enemy, the devil, will not leave us in peace. Therefore we beseech Thee, shed Thy Holy Spirit in our hearts, that, in steadfast faith, we may cling to Thy Son Jesus Christ, find comfort in His passion and death, believe the forgiveness of sin through Him, and in willing obedience to Thy will lead holy lives on earth, until by Thy grace, through a blessed death, we depart from this world of sorrow, and obtain eternal life, through Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

From Lord To Lord

KJV Matthew 22:34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

    One style of debate is to have people questioning and answering. Matthew's Gospel is directly related to the Christian faith arising from Judaism. Church goers and even pastors will take a lot of Matthew and John only as background. In fact, both Gospels are aimed at the complications of Jesus being both man and God. Their teaching was rooted in the Old Testament Scriptures, and the New Testament books were based upon the Old Testament. To be more dramatic, imagine the fact of well established Judaism being taught by Jesus - old and new at the same time. That was the foundation on which He built Himself. When I am teaching the Old Testament, students often describe what is clear and obvious. I ask them, "Where do you find the Gospel in the Old Testament?"  Here are some major indications:

1. The Virgin Birth in Isaiah 7
2. Titles of the Savior in Isaiah 9
3. The proclamation of the Messiah in Isaiah 40
4. The rest of Isaiah 40 - about the Savior, the reference to the Shepherd.
5. The Atonement of Jesus - Isaiah 53
6. The efficacy of the Word - Isaiah 55.

41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.

    The testing goes back and forth, which gives each side a question or an answer. The idea of the opponents was to prove Jesus wrong by the Word or evil because of the miracles. So Jesus gave them a response that was completely true, but they could not grasp it. This continued and became the basis for their anger and vengeance. The Gospel of John points that - Jesus' teaching and miracles would draw the attention of the Roman Empire occupiers and bring down the Jewish buildings and Judaism itself.

    Jesus painted them into a corner. Faith in Him has always stirred up the unbelievers, especially when they have heard the inspired Word of God. That is what makes "important people" angry and aching for revenge. John 8 is perfect example.

John 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. 52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. 53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? [Who do you think you are?!]

Jesus asked, Whose Son is He? The Pharisees said, "The Son of David."  This is the great conflict. They trust in the claim of King David's heroics, but they do not want this Teacher with miracles and powerful preaching.

43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

    Jesus has set up a great barrier, because He challenged them to follow through what they offered as wisdom. But this is much higher than their knowledge  or fears. David predicted the future Messiah. Psalm 22 is the passage about the Atoning death of the Messiah. People are shocked at how detailed the Psalm is. The complexity grows with God the Father (LORD) saying to the Lord (Jesus), Sit though at my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool? Jesus was always revealing Himself in some ways, to establish faith in Him. This exchange is a puzzle that is difficult to explain at first. The materials for the Son of David are all over the Old Testament, starting with Creation, but people tend to cling to the ordinary, the rational, the popular.

45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? 46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

    Jesus silenced His opponents; He had the advantage. He knew what was in their minds, just as He did with Nicodemus in John 3. Ultimately, the Jewish officials plotted to have Him executed for being innocent. The opponents were afraid of losing everything, but it was their actions which brought down the Temple and the City of Jerusalem (which means "place of peace). That was the foolishness that led the Roman Empire to travel to Jerusalem, besiege it, and haul the defenders off as slaves, scattered around the world. 

    The history tells us what we have received from the Era of Christianity. Starting with a dozen apostles and Paul, they moved across the Roman Empire and around the world. A recent documentary pointed out to Americans that the center of the world was the Mediterranean Sea, because of shipping, exchange of goods, and military expeditions. The faithful used the waterways, just as Paul did, because it made travel more efficient.

    They could not imagine what would happen in the centuries to come, and we have no more foresight than they did. What continues is the work of the Right Hand of God. No one really has faith in Jesus Christ until that person can say, "I trust the Good Shepherd to provide for me, warn away the predators, and lead me to everlasting life."

    I am aghast at seeing so many denominations run with the trends and repudiate what the Scriptures clearly teach. The synod managers, book-sellers, and other nuisances cling to a "Bible" based on fraud. Vaticanus, a plaything of the Vatican, is not ancient but really quite new compared to the Traditional (Byzantine) Text. Sinaiticus is a real hoot, because Tischendorf claimed he rescued the text from the fire, because the leather pages (nota bene) were being burned to keep the monastic library warm. In short, the erasures of the modern Bibles are based on two fake texts while the salesmen seek to promote those lapses as the "best reading."

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