Sermons and Bible Studies from Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi
Acts 18:1-17
Color: Green Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 28:8–15 Psalm: Psalm 32; antiphon: v. 2 Epistle: Galatians 3:15–22 Gospel: Luke 10:23–37 Introit: Psalm 74:1–2, 19b, 21b; antiphon: vv. 20a, 21a, 22a, 23a Gradual: Psalm 77:14–15 Verse: Psalm 88:1 Jesus Is Our Good Samaritan The Law cannot help us or give us life. Rather, it confines everyone under sin as wounded and naked before God (Gal. 3:15–22). So it is that two figures of the Law, the priest and the Levite, passed by the injured man on the side of the road (Luke 10:23–37). Only the promised Seed of Abraham can rescue us and make us righteous before God. Only the Samaritan, our Lord Jesus, had compassion, as did the Samaritans of old (2 Chronicles 28:8–15). He came down to us in our lost and dying condition, pouring on the oil and wine of the Sacraments. He placed us on His own animal, bearing our sin and brokenness in His body on the cross to restore us. Jesus brought us to the inn, that is, the Church, and gave the innkeeper two denarii, that His double forgiveness might continue to be ministered to us. In this way the Lord, by whose Law we are torn and stricken, heals us and revives us by His Gospel and raises us up with Himself. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Exodus 29:10-26
Revelation 19:11-21
Color: Green Old Testament: Isaiah 29:17–24 Psalm: Psalm 146; antiphon: v. 8 Epistle: 2 Corinthians 3:4–11 Epistle: Romans 10:9–17 Gospel: Mark 7:31–37 Introit: Psalm 70:2b, 4a, 5b; antiphon: vv. 1–2a Gradual: Psalm 34:1–2 Verse: Psalm 81:1 Faith Comes from Hearing A man who was deaf and therefore also had an impediment in his speech was brought to Jesus (Mark 7:31–37). In the same way, all are by nature deaf toward God and therefore also unable to confess the faith rightly. For “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:9–17). Jesus put His fingers into the man's ears, and He spat and touched His tongue. Even so in Holy Baptism, water sanctified by the words of Jesus' mouth is applied to us; and the finger of God, that is, the life–giving Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 3:4–11) is put into our ears in the hearing of the baptismal Gospel. Jesus' sighing “Ephphatha” opened the man's ears, and his tongue was loosed to speak plainly as Isaiah prophesied of the Messiah, “In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book” (Is. 29:18–24) So also, He who sighed and breathed His last on the cross for us has given us to hear and believe in Him and has opened our lips that our mouths may declare His praise. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Exodus 28:36-29:9
Color: Green Old Testament: Genesis 4:1–15 Psalm: Psalm 50:7–23; antiphon: v. 14 Epistle: 1 Corinthians 15:1–10 Epistle: Ephesians 2:1–10 Gospel: Luke 18:9–14 Introit: Psalm 68:1, 3, 7a, 10b, 19; antiphon: vv. 5b, 6a, 35b Gradual: Psalm 28:7b, 1a, 2a Verse: Psalm 90:1 The Lord Lifts Up the Lowly “And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard” (Gen. 4:1–15). For unlike Abel, Cain's offering did not proceed from a heart that revered and trusted in the Lord. Thus, the lowly tax collector who prayed, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” was the one who went down to his house justified before God, not the respectable, outwardly righteous Pharisee who trusted in himself and his own good living (Luke 18:9–14). “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:1–10). The one who penitently despairs of his own righteousness and relies completely on the atoning mercy of God in Christ is the one who is declared righteous. For Christ died for our sins and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:1–10). Therefore, “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Color: Green Old Testament: Jeremiah 23:16–29 Psalm: Psalm 26; antiphon: v. 12 Epistle: Romans 8:12–17 Second Reading: Acts 20:27–38 Gospel: Matthew 7:15–23 Introit: Psalm 48:1, 3, 11, 14; antiphon: vv. 9–10 Gradual: Psalm 31:2b, 1a Verse: Psalm 78:1 Beware of False Prophets “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15). Deceit has its strength in masquerading as the truth. False prophets speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord (Jer. 23:16–29). They deny the judgment of the Lord, speaking peace to the unrepentant, when in truth there is condemnation and wrath. “You will recognize them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:20). The “fruits” of a true prophet are not outward righteousness or success but faithfulness in proclaiming the Word of the Lord. This is the will of the Father in heaven, that pastors take heed to the flock, the Father's adopted ones (Rom. 8:12–17), warning them against the wolves and their lies, and shepherding the Church of God which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:27–38). For indeed, the cross is that good tree bearing good fruit—namely, the body and blood of Christ, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Exodus 28:29-35
Color: Green Old Testament: Genesis 2:7–17 Psalm: Psalm 33:1–11; antiphon: v. 6 Epistle: Romans 6:19–23 Gospel: Mark 8:1–9 Introit: Psalm 47:3, 6–8; antiphon: vv. 1–2 Gradual: Psalm 34:11, 5 Verse: Psalm 47:1 Jesus Restores Paradise and Feeds Us Freely In the Garden of Eden, our first parents received food freely from the gracious hand of God, apart from any burdensome work (Gen 2:7–17). But after the fall, food would be received only through toil and labor. The curse declared, “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground . . .” (Gen. 3:19). In other words, “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). But into this wilderness world came Jesus the Messiah to restore creation. Having compassion on the weary multitudes, He renewed the bounty of Eden on the third day, freely granting an abundance of bread to the 4,000 (Mark 8:1–9). So also our Lord Jesus, having endured the burden of our sin, was raised on the third day to bring us back to Paradise. He now miraculously turns the bread of death into the Bread of Life in the Sacrament, giving you His very body and blood for your forgiveness. For “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Color: Green Old Testament: Exodus 20:1–17 Psalm: Psalm 19; antiphon: v. 8 Epistle: Romans 6:3–11 Epistle: Romans 6:1–11 Gospel: Matthew 5:20–26 Gospel: Matthew 5:17–26 Introit: Psalm 28:1–2, 7; antiphon: vv. 8–9 Gradual: Psalm 90:13, 1, 2b Verse: Psalm 31:1 Our Only Hope Is in Christ's Righteousness “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:20). God demands nothing less than perfection and holiness from you in regard to His commandments (Ex. 20:1–17). Your only hope, then, is not in your own goodness but in the goodness of Christ, who did not come to destroy the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them for you. In Christ, your righteousness does indeed exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. For you have been baptized into Christ's death and your sinful nature crucified. Therefore, he who has died has been freed from sin (Rom. 6:1–11). You are now raised with Christ to walk in newness of life and to share in His resurrection on the Last Day. Christ has brought you through the baptismal sea “out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Ex. 20:2). Therefore, “consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 6:11). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Revelation 18:17-19:10
Color: Green Old Testament: 1 Kings 19:11–21 Psalm: Psalm 16; antiphon: v. 11 Epistle: 1 Peter 3:8–15 Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:18–25 Gospel: Luke 5:1–11 Introit: Psalm 27:1a, 11–12, 14; antiphon: vv. 7, 9b Gradual: Psalm 84:9, 8 Verse: Psalm 21:1 Jesus Makes Fishers of Men The Lord called fishermen to be fishers of men (Luke 5:1–11). The net they would use is the message of the cross, which is foolishness and a stumbling block to the world (1 Cor. 1:18–25). The power of God to save is not in spectacular signs like wind and fire and earthquakes (1 Kings 19:11–21), nor is it to be found in human intelligence and wisdom. The power of God to save comes in the still, small voice of the preaching of Christ crucified. In worldly darkness the disciples could catch nothing. But in the light of Christ, whose Word was attached to the water, the boats were filled with fish. So it is that in Baptism you have been drawn in to the ship of the Church. Though the nets are breaking and some who hear the Word do not believe, pastors continue to cast the net of the Gospel and the Sacraments, that Christians may abide in the boat of the Church and that we may be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:8–15). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Exodus 26:15-27:8
Color: Green Old Testament: Genesis 50:15–21 Psalm: Psalm 138; antiphon: v. 8b Epistle: Romans 8:18–23 Epistle: Romans 12:14–21 Gospel: Luke 6:36–42 Introit: Psalm 27:3–4a, 5; antiphon: vv. 1–2 Gradual: Psalm 79:9–10a Verse: Psalm 9:4b, 9 Christ's Mercy Is Ours to Show to Others “Be merciful, even as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:36–42). The old Adam in us wants to condemn and seek vengeance. But the Lord says, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay” (Rom. 12:14–21). To condemn, to avenge yourself, is to put yourself in the place of God. It is to fail to trust that He is just. Ultimately, it is to disbelieve that Jesus suffered the full vengeance for all wrongs. Only Christ is merciful as the Father is merciful. He is the one who overcame all evil with the good of His cross, forgiving even His executioners. Jesus is our Joseph, who comforts us with words of pardon and reconciliation (Gen. 50:15–21). He is the One who does not condemn but gives life that runs over. Only through faith in Christ are we sons of the Father—being merciful, forgiving, doing good to our enemies. For in Christ we know that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:8–13). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Revelation 17:12-18:2
Color: Green Old Testament: Micah 7:18–20 Psalm: Psalm 103:1–13; antiphon: v. 8 Epistle: 1 Timothy 1:12–17 Epistle: 1 Peter 5:6–11 Gospel: Luke 15:1–10 Gospel: Luke 15:11–32 Introit: Psalm 25:1–2a, 5b, 15, 20; antiphon: vv. 16, 18 Gradual: Psalm 55:22a, 16, 18a Verse: Psalm 18:1–2a Jesus Receives Sinners “This man receives sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2). The Pharisees' statement of judgment against Jesus is in fact a proclamation of Gospel truth. For our God is one who delights in mercy, who casts all our sins into the depths of the sea through the cross (Micah 7:18–20). “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15). Those who refuse to be counted as sinners also refuse Jesus who came only for sinners. Those like the older son (Luke 15:11–32), who think they are righteous of themselves, will not join in the heavenly celebration over the sinner who repents and so remain outside of the Father's house. Let us therefore be on guard against self–righteously trusting in our own merits. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you” (1 Peter 5:6). Rejoice that Jesus receives sinners like us and that He still sits at table with us in the Holy Supper, bestowing His forgiveness and life. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Color: Red First Reading: Acts 15:1–12 First Reading: Acts 15:1–21 Psalm: Psalm 46; antiphon: v. 11 Epistle: Galatians 2:1–10 Gospel: Matthew 16:13–19 Introit: Psalm 89:1, 5, 15–16; antiphon: Psalm 119:46 Gradual: Romans 10:15b, 18b; Isaiah 52:7b, alt. Verse: Matthew 16:18b St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” So confessed St. Peter. And Christ promised to build His Church on it by the forgiveness of sins (Matt. 16:16–19). He does this so we don't try to build the Church ourselves, on this or that person, or by any human means. “Let no one boast in men … whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas,” for “all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's” (1 Cor. 3:21–23). The same Lord “who worked through Peter … worked also through” Paul and is still at work in His Gospel and Sacraments (Gal. 2:7–8). The Church of every age must be recalled to “hear the word of the gospel” — the free forgiveness of sins for Christ's sake apart from the Law — “and believe.” The Holy Spirit makes “no distinction” among men, but cleanses “hearts by faith” alone. So “we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 15:7–11). Both were imprisoned (Acts 12:1–11), both wrote Scripture (2 Peter 3:15–16), both opposed the world — and sometimes each other (Gal. 2:11–16) — all so “that the truth of the gospel might be preserved” for us (Gal. 2:5). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Revelation 16:12-21
Stump the Pastor
Color: Green Old Testament: Genesis 15:1–6 Psalm: Psalm 33:12–22; antiphon: v. 20 Epistle: 1 John 4:16–21 Gospel: Luke 16:19–31 Introit: Psalm 13:1–4; antiphon: vv. 5–6 Gradual: Psalm 41:4, 1 Verse: Psalm 7:1 Faith Trusts in Christ for Life Eternal When the beggar Lazarus died, he was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. For he was truly Abraham's seed. Like Abraham, he believed in the Lord, and the Lord “counted it to him as righteousness” (Gen. 15:6). The name Lazarus means “God is my help.” The unnamed rich man, on the other hand, did not love and trust in God. For he evidently cared little for the beggar at his gate. And “he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20). He who loved and trusted in possessions and prestige died and was in torments in Hades (Luke 16:19–31). Repentance and faith are worked only through Moses and the prophets—that is, the Word of God, for it points us to Christ. Only through His death and resurrection are we brought the comfort of life everlasting. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Exodus 23:20-33
Random Questions and Acts 15:21-22
Color: White Old Testament: Isaiah 6:1–7 Psalm: Psalm 29; antiphon: v. 2 Epistle: Romans 11:33–36 Gospel: John 3:1–17 Gospel: John 3:1–15 Introit: Psalm 8:1–2a, 3–5; antiphon: Liturgical Text Gradual: Liturgical Text Verse: Liturgical Text The Holy Trinity Reveals Himself to Sinners When Isaiah beheld the glory of the Lord, he cried out “Woe is me!” For the sinner cannot stand in the presence of a holy God and live (Is. 6:1–7). But God the Father lifted up His Son Jesus for us on the cross, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. This eternal life of Christ is given us according to the Holy Spirit's good pleasure in Baptism. “Unless one is born [again] of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). To sinners in fear of death, the messengers of God place on our lips the living body and blood of Christ and speak His words of absolution, “Your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for” (Is. 6:7). Having received forgiveness and life from the Father through the Son by the Holy Spirit, we join with the angels in praising the blessed Trinity, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts!” (Is. 6:3). “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen” (Rom. 11:33–36). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Color: Red Old Testament: Genesis 11:1–9 Psalm: Psalm 143; antiphon: v. 11 Second Reading: Acts 2:1–21 Gospel: John 14:23–31 Introit: Psalm 68:1, 4a, c, 11a, 33b, 35a; antiphon: Liturgical Text; Psalm 68:3 Verse: Psalm 104:30; Liturgical Text The Holy Spirit Gives Peace Following the flood, Noah's descendants failed to spread out and fill the earth as God had spoken. Rather, they exalted themselves; with “one language and the same words” (Gen. 11:1) they spoke proudly and arrogantly. The Lord humbled them by confusing “the language of all the earth,” dividing and dispersing the people (Gen. 11:9). That dispersal was reversed on Pentecost Day (the fiftieth day of Easter), when God caused the one Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to be preached in a multitude of languages. “At this sound the multitude came together” (Acts 2:6), for the preaching of Christ is the primary work of the Holy Spirit, whereby He gathers people from all nations into one Church. The Holy Spirit teaches and brings to our remembrance the words of Jesus, which are the words of the Father who sent Him. These words bestow forgiveness and peace to those who keep and hold on to them in love for Jesus. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Exodus 23:14-19
Color: White Old Testament: 2 Kings 2:5–15 Psalm: Psalm 110; antiphon: v. 1 Second Reading: Acts 1:1–11 Gospel: Mark 16:14–20 Gospel: Luke 24:44–53 Introit: Psalm 47:1–2, 5, 8; antiphon: Acts 1:11 Verse: Psalm 47:5; 68:18a Jesus Is Ascended, but Not Absent On the fortieth day after His resurrection, our Lord ascended to the right hand of the Father. But although Jesus is hidden from your eyes, He is not absent from you. For He now fills all things in heaven and on earth. He continues “to do and to teach” (Acts 1:1), preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins through those sent in His name (Mark 16:14–20; Luke 24:44–53), giving you His true body and blood in the Supper. Jesus is your great Elijah who pours out on you a double portion of His Spirit in the Word and the Sacraments (2 Kings 2:5–15). He is Lord over all things for the sake of the Church. He whom heaven cannot contain has raised your human nature to share fully in the glory of God. You who believe and are baptized into Christ's body are already sitting in the heavenly places; for you are in Him who is at the Father's right hand. When He comes again in the clouds on the Last Day, you also will appear with Him in glory. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Questions on Baptism and Acts 14:19-28
Color: White Old Testament: Numbers 21:4–9 Psalm: Psalm 107:1–9; antiphon: v. 19 Epistle: 1 Timothy 2:1–6 Epistle: James 1:22–27 Gospel: John 16:23–33 Introit: Psalm 66:1–2a, 17, 19–20; antiphon: Isaiah 48:20b Verse: Liturgical Text; John 16:28 The Father Answers Our Prayers Because of Jesus “Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you” (John 16:23). To pray in Jesus' name is to pray as one who has been baptized. For it is in the water that He put His name upon you, claiming you as His own, making you a son of God with access to the Father. By His incarnation and crucifixion, our Lord Jesus broke through the barrier of sin which separated us from God, opening a portal to the Father. To pray in Jesus' name is to pray with faith in Him as the one Mediator between God and men, who gave Himself a ransom for all (1 Tim. 2:1–6). Like Moses in the wilderness, Jesus is our go-between and intercessor before the throne of heaven. He was lifted up for us on the cross that we might be saved and restored to fellowship with the Father (Num. 21:4–9). Looking into this perfect teaching of liberty (James 1:22–27) we pray with boldness and confidence as dear children of God. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Exodus 22:25-23:3
Color: White Old Testament: Isaiah 12:1–6 Psalm: Psalm 66:1–8; antiphon: v. 5 Epistle: James 1:16–21 Gospel: John 16:5–15 Introit: Psalm 98:1b, 3–4; antiphon: vv. 1a, 2b Verse: Psalm 118:16; Romans 6:9 Jesus Promises to Send His Holy Spirit, the Helper Though Jesus has departed from us visibly to the right hand of the Father who sent Him, yet this is to our advantage. For Jesus—who is Lord over all creation, who intercedes for us before the Father, who is preparing a place for us in heaven—has sent the Helper, the Spirit of Truth (John 16:5–15). “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” through Jesus Christ (James 1:17). The Holy Spirit helps us by taking what is Christ's and declaring it to us. In the Word of truth, the Spirit works repentance and delivers to us the forgiveness of sins, the righteousness of Christ, and victory over the devil. For the ruler of this world is judged and defeated by the cross. Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, we have been brought forth to new life in Him who is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. Confident of our resurrection with Christ we confess, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid” (Is. 12:2). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
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