Sermons and Bible Studies from Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi
Color: Blue Old Testament: Deuteronomy 18:15–19 Psalm: Psalm 111; antiphon: v. 9 Epistle: Philippians 4:4–7 Gospel: John 1:19–28 Gospel: Luke 1:39–56 Introit: Psalm 19:1, 4–6; antiphon: Isaiah 45:8a Gradual: Psalm 145:18, 21 Verse: Psalm 40:17b John the Baptizer Points Everyone to the Messiah The coming of God in all His unveiled power at Mount Sinai was terrifying to the people of Israel. The thundering voice of the Lord puts sinners in fear of death (Deut. 18:15–19). God, therefore, raised up a prophet like Moses—the Messiah, the Christ. God came to His people veiled in human flesh. The skies poured down the Righteous One from heaven; the earth opened her womb and brought forth Salvation (Introit) through the blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of the Lord (Luke 1:39–56). The fruit of her womb is the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the One whose sandal strap John was not worthy to loose (John 1:19–28). In Jesus we are delivered from fear and anxiety. In Him alone we have the peace of God which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:4–7). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Exodus 36:1-38:31
Color: Blue Old Testament: Isaiah 40:1–8 Old Testament: Isaiah 40:1–11 Psalm: Psalm 85; antiphon: v. 9 Epistle: 1 Corinthians 4:1–5 Gospel: Matthew 11:2–11 Gospel: Matthew 11:2–10 Introit: Psalm 85:1–2, 6, 8; antiphon: Philippians 4:4–5 Gradual: Psalm 80:1–2 Verse: Psalm 80:2b John the Baptizer Prepares the Way for the Lord The voice of the Baptizer cried out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord . . .” (Isa. 40:1). John called the people to be made ready for the Messiah's coming through repentance, for “all flesh is grass” (Isa. 40:6). Now He asks from prison, “Are you the one who is to come . . .?” (Matt. 11:2). Jesus' works bear witness that He is. The sick are made well; the dead are raised, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them. Their iniquity is pardoned; they have received from the Lord's hand double forgiveness for all their sins. The “stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Cor. 4:1) still deliver Christ's overflowing forgiveness to the poor in spirit, comforting God's people with the word of the Gospel which stands forever. This Gospel produces rejoicing among all those who believe. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Color: Blue Old Testament: Malachi 4:1–6 Psalm: Psalm 50:1–15; antiphon: v. 15 Epistle: Romans 15:4–13 Gospel: Luke 21:25–36 Introit: Psalm 80:1, 3, 14, 17; antiphon: Isaiah 62:11b; 30:30, 29 Gradual: Psalm 50:2–3a, 5 Verse: Luke 21:26b–27 The Lord Comes on the Last Day The day on which our Lord returns will be a “great and awesome day” (Mal. 4:5). For He will come in a cloud with great power and glory. To the wicked and the proud, it will be a Day of judgment that will “set them ablaze” (Mal. 4:1). The signs preceding this Day will bring them fear and fainting. But to those who believe, who fear the name of the Lord, this Day is one to look forward to and rejoice in: “. . . straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). Christ our Redeemer is coming; the Sun of Righteousness will bring healing in His wings. Let us, then, give attention to the words of the Lord, which do not pass away. Let us “through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures” (Rom. 15:4) be strengthened in our hope by the Holy Spirit and watch diligently for Jesus' coming. Then, by God's grace, we shall escape all these things that will come to pass and stand before the Son of Man. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Exodus 34:29-35:35
Color: Blue Old Testament: Jeremiah 23:5–8 Psalm: Psalm 24; antiphon: v. 7 Epistle: Romans 13:8–14 Epistle: Romans 13:11–14 Gospel: Matthew 21:1–9 Introit: Psalm 25:4–5, 21–22; antiphon: vv. 1–3a Gradual: Psalm 25:3–4 Verse: Psalm 85:7 The Lord Jesus Comes in Humility to Redeem Us The new Church Year begins by focusing on the humble coming of our Lord. “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey” (Matt. 21:5). Even as He was born in a lowly manger, so Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a beast of burden. For He bears the sin of the world. He is the Son of David riding to His enthronement on the cross, where He shows Himself to be “The Lord is our Righteousness” (Jer. 23:5–6). Our Lord still comes in great humility to deliver His righteousness to us in the Word and Sacraments. Before receiving Christ's body and blood, we also sing, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matt. 21:9) And as we receive the Sacrament, we set our hearts on His return in glory, for “our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Rom. 13:11). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Acts 20:36-21:14
Color: Green Old Testament: Isaiah 65:17–25 Psalm: Psalm 149; antiphon: v. 2 Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 Gospel: Matthew 25:1–13 Introit: Psalm 39:4–5, 7–8; antiphon: Isaiah 35:10 Gradual: Psalm 45:14–15 Verse: Revelation 21:2 By Faith We Are Prepared for Christ's Return “The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thess. 5:1–11). The arrival of the bridegroom will be sudden and unexpected. Therefore you are to be watchful and ready like the five wise virgins. “For you know neither the day nor the hour” when the Son of Man is to return. (Matt. 25:1–13). The lamps are the Word of Christ. The oil in the lamps is the Holy Spirit, who works through the Word to create and sustain the flame of faith in Christ. The foolish are those who do not give proper attention to the working of the Holy Spirit in baptism, preaching, and the supper, and so their faith does not endure. The wise, however, are those who diligently attend to these gifts of the Spirit, and who therefore have an abundance of oil. The flame of faith endures to the end. By God's grace they are received into the eternal wedding feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, the new heavens and the new earth created by the Lord for the joy of His people (Is. 65:17–25). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Joshua 1:1-9
Exodus 34:14-28
Getting more out of Sermons and Bible Reading
Acts 20:13-35
Color: Green Old Testament: Micah 6:6–8 Psalm: Psalm 116:12–19; antiphon: v. 13 Epistle: Philippians 1:3–11 Gospel: Matthew 18:21–35 Introit: Psalm 130:1–2, 7–8; antiphon: vv. 3–4 Gradual: Psalm 133:1, 3b Verse: Psalm 147:3 Walking Humbly with Our God and Forgiving One Another With what shall we come before the Lord (Micah 6:6) who forgives all our sins, and how often shall our fellow Christians sin against us and we forgive them (Matt. 18:21)? Our gracious God on high does not need our “burnt offerings” or “thousands of rams” (Micah 6:6-7), which we could legitimately offer in thanksgiving. He is the Savior who gave His only-begotten Son for our transgression. He offers the fruit of His body, once hanging dead on a cross but now living and giving life in His holy Meal, for the sin of our souls (Micah 6:7). Because He releases us from our enormous debt of sin against Him, we need not imprison our fellow sinners with our lack of love and refusal of forgiveness (Matt. 18:24, 27, 30). As partakers of His grace, we yearn for one another “with the affection of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:8). As forgiven sinners, “filled with the fruit of Christ's righteousness,” our “love may abound more and more, with knowledge and discernment” (Phil. 1:11, 9), for He leads us “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with [our] God” (Micah 6:8). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Exodus 33:12-17; 34:1-13
Rev. 22:16-17 and Getting More out of Sermons
Color: Green Old Testament: Genesis 1:1—2:3 Psalm: Psalm 8; antiphon: v. 9 Epistle: Ephesians 6:10–17 Gospel: John 4:46–54 Introit: Psalm 119:1, 38–40; antiphon: Liturgical Text Gradual: Psalm 90:1–2 Verse: Psalm 125:1 God Declares Us Righteous Unsheathing His Word Against All Evil “‘Let there be light,' and there was light” (Gen. 1:1—2:3). The Father speaks, and it is so. His Word accomplishes what it says. He created all things out of nothing through His Son by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Father's creative Word became flesh in Jesus Christ, that He might restore fallen creation and save fallen man. To the nobleman whose son was deathly ill, Jesus says, “Go; your son will live” (John 4:46–54). And in the very hour Jesus spoke, the nobleman's son was made well. The Word of Christ still accomplishes what it says. In baptism, absolution, and the Lord's Supper, He declares His life–giving forgiveness to you, and it is so. This saving Word of God is the sword of the Spirit by which you are able to fight off all the onslaughts of the devil (Eph. 6:10–17). “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Matthew 11:25-30
Exodus 33:4-11; 18-22
Color: White First Reading: Revelation 7:2–17 First Reading: Revelation 7:9–17 Psalm: Psalm 149; antiphon: v. 4 Epistle: 1 John 3:1–3 Gospel: Matthew 5:1–12 Introit: Psalm 31:1, 3, 5; antiphon: Revelation 7:14b Gradual: Revelation 7:14b; Psalm 84:5 Verse: Hebrews 12:1a, 2a Saints Are Blessed in the Eternal Presence of Christ “A great multitude from all tribes and peoples and languages,” cry out “salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne” (Rev. 7:9–17). Faith-filled saints from every place and time with unified voices eternally magnify the Lamb of God. As His beloved children, we too, “shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:1–3). Joined with the throng of angels and a myriad of saints, we shall “serve him day and night in his temple” (Rev. 7:9–17). In our earthly tension vacillating between saint and sinner, faith and doubt, sacred and profane, we earnestly seek Jesus to calm our fears, comfort our spirits, and forgive our sins. The Holy Spirit, through faith in Christ propels us forward, fortifying us in Word and Sacrament, to our eternal home. In the midst of our constant struggle as believers, we need to be blessed. And so we are. The poor in spirit, the meek, the hungry, the thirsty, the merciful, the pure, and the persecuted are all blessed and we will most certainly inherit the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:1–12). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
November 1, 2025 - Gates of Gaza II - Preparing for Cosmic Warfare: Reading Revelation as Men - St. Paul Lutheran Church Paducah, KY
Exodus 32:30-33:3
Revelation 22:1-10
Acts 19:23-41
Color: Red First Reading: Revelation 14:6–7 Psalm: Psalm 46; antiphon: v. 7 Epistle: Romans 3:19–28 Gospel: Matthew 11:12–19 Gospel: John 8:31–36 Introit: Psalm 34:1–2, 11, 22; antiphon: Psalm 119:46 Gradual: Psalm 48:1a, 12–14a Verse: Luke 12:32 The Son of God Has Set Us Free from Sin and Death by His Grace “Wisdom is justified by her deeds” (Matt. 11:19), and the true Wisdom of God, Christ Jesus the incarnate Son, justifies us by His deeds. He prepares His way by the preaching of repentance, but He has suffered the violence of the Law and voluntarily handed Himself over to violent men, that we might eat and drink with Him in His Kingdom and “remain in the house forever” (John 8:35). For He is “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matt. 11:19), and He has rescued us by His grace from the slavery of sin and death. By the proclamation of His eternal Gospel “to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people” (Rev. 14:6), “the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law” (Rom. 3:21), “that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26). And by hearing the Gospel of Christ Jesus, “whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith” (Rom. 3:25), “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Exodus 32:19-29
Revelation 21:22-27
Color: Green Old Testament: Deuteronomy 10:12–21 Psalm: Psalm 34:8–22; antiphon: v. 19 Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:1–9 Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:4–9 Gospel: Matthew 22:34–46 Introit: Psalm 122:1, 6, 8–9; antiphon: Liturgical Text Gradual: Psalm 122:1, 7 Verse: Psalm 117:1 In Life and Death, Christ Fulfills the Law of God The Pharisees ask a Law question. Jesus asks a Gospel question. The Pharisees seek to test Jesus in His own words. Jesus seeks to “test” them in the saving reality of who He is as the Messiah (Matt. 22:34–46). The Law requires you to “fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul” and to “love the sojouner” (Deut. 10:12–21). Failure to keep the Law perfectly brings judgment. On the other hand, the Gospel brings the grace of God given by Jesus Christ, that you may be blameless in the day of His return (1 Cor. 1:1–9). Jesus is David's Son yet David's Lord, true God and true man. He is Love incarnate who fulfilled all the demands of God's Law on our behalf, that we might be saved from the Law's condemnation and sanctified in the Gospel's forgiveness. Thereby we see that “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor. 1:9). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Exodus 32:1-18
Revelation 21:5-21
Color: Green Old Testament: Proverbs 25:6–14 Psalm: Psalm 2; antiphon: v. 11 Epistle: Ephesians 4:1–6 Gospel: Luke 14:1–11 Introit: Psalm 119:1–2, 5–6; antiphon: vv. 137, 124 Gradual: Psalm 33:12, 6 Verse: Psalm 116:1 Whoever Humbles Himself Will Be Exalted “Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence” (Prov. 25:6–14). Rather, take the lowest position at the table. Humble yourself before Him. For your place is not for you to take but for Him to give. Conduct yourself with all lowliness and gentleness, bearing with one another in love (Eph. 4:1–6), that the King may give you glory in the presence of those at the table with you. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:1–11). Is this not the way of Christ? He is the one who took the lowest place, who humbled Himself even to the point of death for us. He is now exalted to the highest place at the right hand of the Father that penitent believers may be exalted together with Him in the resurrection. To the humble at His Supper He says, “Friend, move up higher,” giving you His very body and blood for your forgiveness that you may ascend to take part in the great wedding feast which has no end. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Exodus 31:1-18
Color: Green Old Testament: 1 Kings 17:17–24 Psalm: Psalm 30; antiphon: v. 5b Epistle: Ephesians 3:13–21 Gospel: Luke 7:11–17 Introit: Psalm 86:1, 7, 12–13; antiphon: vv. 3, 5 Gradual: Psalm 102:15–16 Verse: Psalm 115:11 Jesus Calls forth Life from Death A large funeral procession carrying the only son of a widow is confronted by another large procession, Jesus and His followers. Death and Life meet face to face at the gate of the city (Luke 7:11–17). Filled with compassion, Jesus comes into direct contact with our mortality in order to overcome it. He touches the coffin and speaks His creative words of life, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” Jesus does what is neither expected nor requested. For through Christ, God the Father “is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think” (Eph. 3:14–21). Jesus bore our death in His body that we may share in His resurrection. Even as Elijah stretched himself out three times over the Zarephath woman's son (1 Kings 17:17–24), God stretched Himself out over us in the threefold application of His name in the baptismal water, breathing new and everlasting life into us. “To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Exodus 30:17-38
Revelation 20:11-15
Acts 19:1-10
Color: White Old Testament: Daniel 10:10–14; 12:1–3 Psalm: Psalm 91; antiphon: v. 11 Epistle: Revelation 12:7–12 Gospel: Matthew 18:1–11 Gospel: Luke 10:17–20 Introit: Psalm 103:20–22; antiphon: v. 1 Gradual: Psalm 91:11; 103:1 Verse: Revelation 12:11 Our Father in Heaven Protects His Children by Giving His Holy Angels Charge Over Them We live in “a time of trouble” (Dan. 12:1), in the midst of great tribulation. Satan and his wicked angels have been thrown out of heaven and have come down to earth “in great wrath,” with woeful “temptations to sin” and with constant accusations (Rev. 12:8–12; Matt. 18:7). Even so, we are encouraged by the presence and protection of St. Michael and the holy angels, whom God sends to help us in the strife (Dan. 10:11–13). By “the authority of his Christ,” His holy angels guard and keep us in body and soul. These heavenly servants of God preserve His human messengers on earth, the ministers of “the blood of the Lamb,” against all the power of the enemy, for by “the word of their testimony,” the Church is saved and the devil is defeated (Rev. 12:10–11; Luke 10:18–19). By their preaching and Baptism of repentance, the old Adam and the old evil foe are “drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6). As God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, so are His people delivered and raised from the dust of the earth through the forgiveness of their sins (Dan. 12:1–3). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Exodus 30:1-16
Revelation 20:4-6
Acts 18:18-28
Color: Red Old Testament: Ezekiel 2:8—3:11 Psalm: Psalm 119:33–40; antiphon: v. 35 Epistle: Ephesians 4:7–16 Gospel: Matthew 9:9–13 Introit: Psalm 92:1–5; antiphon: Matthew 9:13b, c Gradual: Psalm 119:105, 103; 45:1a, c Verse: Matthew 28:19a, 20b St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist Our ascended Lord gives “gifts” to His Church. In particular, He gave apostles and evangelists like St. Matthew, prophets like Ezekiel, and still gives pastors and teachers (Eph. 4:8, 11). All are “for the common good … empowered by one and the same Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:7, 11). They speak Christ's “truth in love” to wind- and wave-tossed children so that the saints may be equipped, served and built up as the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:12–15). Christ is not only the head of this body, He is her Good Physician (Matt. 9:9–13). He has come not for the well but for the sick, not for “the righteous, but sinners” (Matt. 9:13) — even notorious tax collectors like Matthew. Christ's team of spiritual physicians must serve faithfully. Their instrument is “thus says the Lord God,” to be spoken “whether they hear or refuse to hear” (Ezek. 3:11). To those stubborn, rebellious patients who believe they need no physician, the word “of lamentation and mourning and woe” must be fearlessly spoken: God's Law calls to repentance (Ezek. 2:10). To those who recognize their trouble and sickness, the salve of the Gospel is to be applied. So Christ works to save us, as Matthew's Gospel records. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
Exodus 29:29-46
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