Podcasts about holy supper

Color: Green Old Testament: Proverbs 9:1–10 Psalm: Psalm 34:12–22; antiphon: v. 11 Epistle: Ephesians 2:13–22 Epistle: 1 John 3:13–18 Gospel: Luke 14:15–24 Introit: Psalm 18:1–2a, 27, 30a, 49; antiphon: vv. 18b–19 Gradual: Psalm 120:1–2 Verse: Psalm 7:17 The Gospel Call Goes Out to All   Wisdom has issued an invitation to the divine feast: “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight” (Prov. 9:5–6). This is the call of the Spirit of Christ to believe the Gospel and to receive His saving gifts in the Holy Supper. Many make excuses and reject this invitation, even as the Jews did in the days of Jesus, yet the Master's house will be filled. The Gospel call therefore goes out to the lowly and despised, into the highways, even to all the Gentiles (Luke 14:15–24). For “you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13–22). In Christ, believing Jews and Gentiles are no longer strangers but fellow members of the household of God. The enmity of class and race is put to death through the cross. Having been reconciled in the one Body of Christ, we are enabled to love one another (1 John 3:13–18) as we await the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which will have no end. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship

In 1542, when communion wine was accidentally spilled at St. Mary's in Wittenberg, Martin Luther and Rev. Bugenhagen rushed forward, wept, cried out, “O God help,” and even licked up the spilled wine from the rail. To many modern Christians, that sounds extreme. But perhaps that reaction reveals something uncomfortable. Maybe the problem is not Luther. Maybe the problem is us. If this account strikes us as excessive, does it reveal that we no longer truly understand—or perhaps no longer truly believe—the real presence of Christ in the Holy Supper? Details: Sermon for Holy Thursday: April 2, 2026

View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.lordoflords.org/sermons/a-better-access/When my sister was the associate head coach at the University of Michigan years ago, we gained access to various parts of the campus that were off limits to regular fans. For example, regular fans are able to watch games in the Crisler Center, but we were able to walk on the court and shoot baskets. Regular fans might be able to watch a game in the Big House, but we were able to walk onto the field and throw a football to each other. Regular fans might be able to see the basketball, football, and soccer players from the stands, but we were able to meet and greet all the players. I'll let you in on a little secret ... the basketball players are kind of tall (even the women), the football players are wide, but the soccer players, they were normal human size.But a regular fan cannot play on the beautiful U-M Golf Course. But because of my sister's access, I was able to lose all kinds of golf balls in the water and trees of that scenic setting.As we continue in our Lenten series of A Better Savior, the writer to the Hebrews compares access to the Lord in the Most Holy Place to the Better Access we now have to the Lord through Jesus. Just like my family had access to areas that were off limits to normal people, the apostle to the Hebrews announces that we have access to the Lord that was previously off-limits to the Old Testament Israelites.Throughout the Old Testament, the Jews worshiped first in the tabernacle -- a tent while they were wandering in the wilderness -- and then later in the temple in Jerusalem. The tabernacle was divided into two parts -- the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The worshipers could gather to worship in the courtyard of the tabernacle, but the tabernacle itself was off limits to them. The priests could enter the Holy Place, but the Most Holy Place was off limits to them. They could not look past the curtain that separated the two portions of the tabernacle. The curtain was 15 feet wide and 15 feet high and 2 inches thick. It was elaborately woven with blue, purple, and scarlet wool and then decorated with woven linen in the figures of cherubim (angels).Under the old covenant, sinners dare not come through the curtain to enter God's presence in the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and he could only enter once a year, and he entered with fear and trembling to come before the holy presence of God. Access to God was limited to only one person who was the representative of the whole Israelite community, and he was granted that access only once a year.The writer to the Hebrews was exhorting the Jewish Christians not to go back to that old way of thinking. They were now granted a different access, a better access through Jesus Christ. Now we can come anytime, without timidity and trembling, to our Father in heaven. "By the blood of Jesus," the author reminds us. There is no other way. His blood in payment for our sins has opened a freeway to heaven which no barricade can ever block and where no toll booth need ever be built."Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."The way to heaven was "opened" by Jesus with his death on the cross. It is a "new and living way." The word used for "new" originally meant "freshly slain," a picture quite fitting for Christ our sacrifice. Then "new" came to mean "recent," again quite fitting for, as Martin Luther said, "It seems but yesterday that Jesus died on the cross." And it is a "living" way. This way carries those who walk on it to life. This way is Jesus, as he said of himself, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).The writer to the Hebrew Christians was asking them why they would want to return to old way of restricting themselves to a man-made tabernacle, curtain, and Most Holy Place? Why would we ever want to go back to an inferior access? Why would we ever want to close ourselves off from Christ who is a new and living way?But we do this all the time. We forsake the Son of God, the living way to heaven, for lifeless and ineffective sacrifices. We consider Jesus' sacrifice as nice but feel that God must certainly enjoy the sacrifices we make as something that earns a little extra blessing from God. We close the curtain to God's presence when we refuse to speak to God in prayer, either because of false humility or genuine pride. We also stand on the opposite side of the curtain when we refuse to listen to God speak to us in his Word because of laziness or boredom or misplaced priorities. We limit our access to God's almighty power by considering worship as an optional part of our week, just something else to add to our busy schedule.How quickly we forget our Better Savior. So much happens to us during our daily life. So many changes within. So many alterations without. And somewhere, back there, perhaps without even noticing, we leave Christ. Perhaps we don't turn away from him ... we just don't take him with us. Assignments are piled on. Promotions come. Kids are born, and Christ .... well, Christ is forgotten.Has it been a while since you've realized God's divinity and your carnality? Has it been a while since you've focused on your Savior hanging on the cross, perhaps because subconsciously you don't think you need him? Has it been a while since you've really applied the message of forgiveness to your life because you don't remember what it's like to be guilty?Let's be honest. If your sins do not convict you, then you have no need for a Better Savior. Keep doing whatever you're doing. If there is no weight on your shoulders, then you are not seeking relief. Don't change your life at all. If you are feeling healthy, then you have no need for a doctor. Then the Great Physician of your soul is of no use to you.However, if your sin is very real to you, then it is good for you to be here this evening. If the skeletons of past sins are rattling around in the closet of your conscience, then it is good that you are seeking forgiveness from your past and present sins. If you have trouble sleeping at night because your mind keeps reliving the sordid details of your day, then it is necessary for you to find solace in your Savior.If you have limited your access, if you have tried earning God's blessings, if you are tired of carrying your sins by yourself, then you need a better access. Jesus grants you that access. Jesus has torn that curtain of tabernacle in two at his crucifixion, thus giving us sinners access into God's holy presence. We no longer must come through a high priest or with bloody sacrifices or in a tabernacle. This access comes not by blood sprinkled on a door - like the blood of the Passover lamb sprinkled on the doorframes -- but by Christ, the perfect Passover Lamb, sprinkling his blood on our hearts and sprinkling his baptismal waters on our bodies. All the barriers have been removed so that we may approach the God of the Covenant in the full confidence of forgiveness.Access to God the Father is no longer restricted. Through Christ, you now have complete freedom to approach your Lord. Jesus is the Better High Priest who intercedes on our behalf and grants us unrestricted access to the altar of God in our prayers. Jesus is the Better Sacrifice who shed his blood for you so that God does not treat us as our sins deserve. Jesus has torn aside the tabernacle curtain so we may enter the Most Holy Place to partake of his body and blood. In the Sacrament of the Altar that Jesus instituted on this holy Thursday evening, we have access to heaven right now as we live on the earth.I know most of you are not University of Michigan fans. Neither am I. Living in Wisconsin, I teased my sister that the free U of M clothing she gave me caused skin irritation. However, I didn't mind the special access that her coaching gave us.The writer to the Hebrews mentions the special access we have now through Christ: "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."Through Christ we have a better access in living a new life in Baptism. We have better access to forgiveness and strength in the Lord's Supper. We have better access to the white robe of Christ's righteousness to cover our sinful filth. We have better access to spurring one another on to love and good deeds as a part of a congregation of believers. Christ demonstrates his love to you and offers his help to you through each other. As you gather together as members of Christ's Church, you build each other up in love as you patiently wait for the Last Day when final, total access is granted to you.Until then, you are to encourage and build each other up as the communion of saints. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." You become active and energized by being in contact with the fellowship of believers. And they become active and energized by being in contact with you. All through Christ.Better access. Hearts and bodies purified by baptismal waters sprinkled on you. A clean conscience so you can sleep at night. Fed and nourished with Christ's Holy Supper. Hearing God speak to you in his Word and responding to him with prayer and praise. That is what this better access grants you. Then, after you have entered the Most Holy Place through Christ and his Word and Sacraments, you go out into the world to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. All in the name of Christ, the Better Savior. Amen.Return, my soul, to your rest, for the Lord has accomplished his purpose for you. Indeed, you have delivered my soul from death, my eye from weeping, my foot from stumbling, so that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 116:7-9). Amen.

Father Forgive: Forgive Us Through This Holy Supper

On Maundy Thursday, Jesus knew his death was coming, but instead of fighting to prevent it, he calmly celebrated the Passover with his disciples so that he could give them an even greater meal. The Lord's Supper is his promise of love, presence, and forgiveness.  

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260401fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Exodus 24:1-11 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey.” Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.” Exodus 24:7-8 God Wants to Be Close to You In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. A covenant is a very special promise. Today we're going to hear about a promise God made because he wanted to be close to his people—and he wants to be close to you too. Long ago, God rescued his people, the Israelites, from slavery in Egypt. God did amazing things to help them. He sent plagues to make the Egyptians let them go. He opened the Red Sea so they could walk safely through it. Later, he even sent bread from heaven and birds for them to eat. God took care of them every day. But the people kept forgetting what God had done. They complained. They got scared. Sometimes they even doubted that God would help them. Even after all the miracles, they struggled to trust him. Still, God did something wonderful. He made a covenant—a special promise—with his people. God said, “I will be your God, and you will be my people.” To show how serious this promise was, sacrifices were made and blood was used to seal the covenant. It may sound strange to us, but in the Bible, blood showed that a promise was very serious and important. God was showing how much he wanted his people to belong to him. God even invited some of the leaders of Israel to come close to him, see his glory, and eat and drink in his presence. Imagine that! The Holy God welcoming people to be near him. That shows how much God loves his people. But sadly, the people kept breaking their promises. They disobeyed God and worshiped other gods. The old covenant depended on people obeying perfectly—and no one can do that. That's why Holy Thursday is such an important night. On Holy Thursday, Jesus gave us a new covenant—a new promise from God. At the Last Supper, Jesus took bread and said, “This is my body.” Then he took the cup and said, “This is my blood.” Jesus knew we could never be perfect, so he came to be perfect for us. The blood of animals in the Old Testament could never truly take away sins. But Jesus' blood can. When Jesus died on the cross, he paid for every sin—once and for all. Jesus said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you.” Did you notice those words? “For you.” Jesus wants you to know his forgiveness is meant for you personally. In the Lord's Supper, Jesus gives his body and blood with the bread and wine. It's a wonderful gift where we can receive and be sure of his forgiveness. God wants us to know that he truly forgives us and brings us close to him. God still wants to be close to you today. Through Jesus, your sins are forgiven and you belong to him forever. Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for giving yourself for me. Thank you for your Holy Supper where I can taste and touch your forgiveness and grace. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children God helped his people, the Israelites, many times. Can you name two good things God does for you? What does Jesus give people in the Lord's Supper? (A good opportunity to explain what we receive in the Lord's Supper.) Questions for Elementary Age Children Why couldn't the Old Covenant work if people had to obey perfectly? What makes Jesus' New Covenant better? Questions for Middle School and Above What does the Exodus account teach us about the difference between God's promises and human promises? Jesus says his body and blood are given “for you.” Why are those two words such comforting words when we feel guilty or sad about our sins? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

At the Last Supper, having shared bread and wine with His disciples, the Lord commanded, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” Holy Supper is an opportunity to remember the Lord: to remember what He did for us in giving His life; to remember the Divine Love that He shares with us; to remember the Divine Wisdom that inspires us. But remembering the Lord is not just a matter of thought; it is a matter of doing what He commands us. The best way to “remember” the Lord is to actively follow His teachings.

January 24, 2026Today's Reading: Matthew 24:42-47Daily Lectionary: Joel 3:1-21; Romans 12:14-13:14“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?” (Matthew 24:45)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.In the space of just a couple of verses, Jesus plays the part both of a midnight thief and a delayed master. This fits with the broader context of Matthew 24, where Jesus preaches concerning the end times. He jumps from the things that will happen in the next few years to the things that will happen upon His return on the Last Day. He switches His similes just as abruptly: Noah's flood (Matthew 24:37–39); men in the field and women at the mill being taken away (Matthew 24:40–42); a thief who breaks in at an unannounced hour (Matthew 24:43–44); a master who returns after a long trip (Matthew 24:45–51). No shortage of false teachings have come from people trying to parse these sayings of Jesus and assign specific and definite meanings to the figures in His speech. But it's an impossible task. No one knows exactly what Jesus means here. But the point isn't to figure Jesus out. “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36).Whether it's a delayed master, a sneaky thief, a disappearing mate, or Noah's flood, the point is that you should never be unprepared for Jesus to return. “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).How do you prepare for Jesus to return? The last simile points you in the direction to look. “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?” Since His departure, the Lord has ordered His household to prepare for His return. This includes appointing faithful servants to oversee the household and ensure everyone gets fed. In other words, Jesus has established the ministry of the Church.On this day of remembrance for St. Timothy, we remember not just the man but his service. St. Timothy, along with St. Paul and all the ministers of the Church who have faithfully proclaimed the Holy Gospel and administered the Holy Supper, are the faithful servants of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:1) who have kept the food on the table, so to speak. Thanks be to God for his faithful servants and for His food.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Lord Jesus Christ, You have always given to Your Church on earth faithful shepherds such as Timothy to guide and feed Your flock. Make all pastors diligent to preach Your holy Word and administer Your means of grace, and grant Your people wisdom to follow in the way that leads to life eternal; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.Author: Rev. Jacob Ehrhard, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church and School in Chicago, IL.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.Better understand difficult and overlooked Old Testament passages in this new book by Authors R. Reed Lessing and Andrew E. Steinmann. Their conversational yet academic writing style makes learning about the Old Testament accessible to those at all points in their Bible reading journey. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter invite you to think more in-depth about what you just read and record your answers. To stretch your understanding, a list of resources for further reading is also included at the back of the book.

Share in the Holy Supper as Christ's new covenant meal 1. The splendid glory of the new covenant 2. The serious demand of the new covenant

In this episode Adam, Brett, and Jason continue a series studying Article 7 of the Formula of Concord which deals with the topic of the Holy Supper of Christ.

In this episode Adam, Brett, and Jason begin a series studying Article 7 of the Formula of Concord which deals with the topic of the Holy Supper of Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

The Big Picture | Rev. 7:9–17 | A Great Multitude from Every Nation All Saints' Day calls us to see “the big picture” of what God is building—a communion of saints gathered forever around the Lamb. Like the builders of the great Cathedral of Chartres, who labored their whole lives without seeing the completed church, Christians often see only a small part of God's grand design. Yet faith looks beyond the dust and struggle to the finished work of Christ. John's vision in Revelation 7 shows a great multitude from every nation standing before the throne—those who have come out of great tribulation and been washed in the blood of the Lamb. These saints did not live easy lives, but through faith in Christ they now rest in His peace. The Beatitudes remind us that true blessing is not found in worldly comfort or success, but in belonging to Jesus, even amid suffering. The hymn For All the Saints proclaims this comfort: the saints are not gone, but at home with the Lord, awaiting the resurrection. The goal of faith is not a “blessed life,” but a blessed death—dying in Christ's forgiveness and rising to everlasting life. Through Baptism, Absolution, and the Holy Supper, we are already joined to that victory. Here on earth, the Church militant struggles, but it is never alone. At the altar, heaven and earth meet; the saints and angels worship with us in one eternal song: “This is the feast of victory for our God!” Like Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel, we see only pieces of the picture now. But when Christ returns and the scaffolding of this world falls away, we will see the masterpiece complete—the redemption of all God's people. Then we, too, will join the countless host singing, “Alleluia, Alleluia!” ----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

The Big Picture | Rev. 7:9–17 | A Great Multitude from Every Nation All Saints' Day calls us to see “the big picture” of what God is building—a communion of saints gathered forever around the Lamb. Like the builders of the great Cathedral of Chartres, who labored their whole lives without seeing the completed church, Christians often see only a small part of God's grand design. Yet faith looks beyond the dust and struggle to the finished work of Christ. John's vision in Revelation 7 shows a great multitude from every nation standing before the throne—those who have come out of great tribulation and been washed in the blood of the Lamb. These saints did not live easy lives, but through faith in Christ they now rest in His peace. The Beatitudes remind us that true blessing is not found in worldly comfort or success, but in belonging to Jesus, even amid suffering. The hymn For All the Saints proclaims this comfort: the saints are not gone, but at home with the Lord, awaiting the resurrection. The goal of faith is not a “blessed life,” but a blessed death—dying in Christ's forgiveness and rising to everlasting life. Through Baptism, Absolution, and the Holy Supper, we are already joined to that victory. Here on earth, the Church militant struggles, but it is never alone. At the altar, heaven and earth meet; the saints and angels worship with us in one eternal song: “This is the feast of victory for our God!” Like Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel, we see only pieces of the picture now. But when Christ returns and the scaffolding of this world falls away, we will see the masterpiece complete—the redemption of all God's people. Then we, too, will join the countless host singing, “Alleluia, Alleluia!” ----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

The Big Picture | Rev. 7:9–17 | A Great Multitude from Every Nation All Saints' Day calls us to see “the big picture” of what God is building—a communion of saints gathered forever around the Lamb. Like the builders of the great Cathedral of Chartres, who labored their whole lives without seeing the completed church, Christians often see only a small part of God's grand design. Yet faith looks beyond the dust and struggle to the finished work of Christ. John's vision in Revelation 7 shows a great multitude from every nation standing before the throne—those who have come out of great tribulation and been washed in the blood of the Lamb. These saints did not live easy lives, but through faith in Christ they now rest in His peace. The Beatitudes remind us that true blessing is not found in worldly comfort or success, but in belonging to Jesus, even amid suffering. The hymn For All the Saints proclaims this comfort: the saints are not gone, but at home with the Lord, awaiting the resurrection. The goal of faith is not a “blessed life,” but a blessed death—dying in Christ's forgiveness and rising to everlasting life. Through Baptism, Absolution, and the Holy Supper, we are already joined to that victory. Here on earth, the Church militant struggles, but it is never alone. At the altar, heaven and earth meet; the saints and angels worship with us in one eternal song: “This is the feast of victory for our God!” Like Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel, we see only pieces of the picture now. But when Christ returns and the scaffolding of this world falls away, we will see the masterpiece complete—the redemption of all God's people. Then we, too, will join the countless host singing, “Alleluia, Alleluia!” ----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

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

Preparatory Lord's Day 30

In this conversation, Camden Bucey discusses various topics related to Reformed theology, including updates on the upcoming Reformed Forum Theology Conference, an overview of his new apologetics course, and a look into Ulrich Zwingli's theology, particularly regarding the Lord's Supper. He emphasizes the importance of understanding historical theology and the need for faithful Reformed witness in contemporary contexts. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Conference Updates 12:05 Apologetics Course Overview 24:06 Exploring Zwingli's Theology 30:00 Closing Remarks and Future Plans Books Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Edited by John T. McNeill. Translated by Ford Lewis Battles. 2 vols. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1960. Calvin, John. Short Treatise on the Holy Supper of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Translated by Henry Beveridge. Originally published 1541. Available in various reprint editions. Gerrish, B. A. Grace and Gratitude: The Eucharistic Theology of John Calvin. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993. Hodge, Charles. Systematic Theology. Vol. 3. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997. Old, Hughes Oliphant. The Patristic Roots of Reformed Worship. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1975. Packer, J. I. “Calvin the Theologian.” In Honouring the People of God: Collected Shorter Writings, vol. 4, 77–92. Carlisle, PA: P&R Publishing, 2013. Potter, G. R. Zwingli. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. Stephens, W. P. The Theology of Huldrych Zwingli. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1986. Zwingli, Ulrich. On the Lord's Supper (1526). In Zwingli and Bullinger, edited and translated by G. W. Bromiley, 176ff. Library of Christian Classics. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1953.

Arcana Coelestia 7317. And they shall be turned into blood. That this signifies that they shall falsify truths, is evident from the signification of “blood,” as being truth falsified (see n. 4735, 6978); for “blood” in the genuine sense denotes the truth proceeding from the Lord, thus the holy of faith; this is signified by “blood” in the Holy Supper; but in the opposite sense “blood” denotes violence done to Divine truth, and as this violence is done by means of falsifications, “blood” denotes the falsification of truth. From what is here said, and from what follows, it can be seen who are specifically represented by Pharaoh, that is, who are specifically meant by those who infest, namely, those within the church who have made a profession of faith, and have also persuaded themselves that faith saves, and yet have lived contrary to the precepts of faith; in a word, those who have been in persuasive faith and in a life of evil. [2] When these come into the other life they bring with them the principles that they are to be introduced into heaven because they have been born within the church, have been baptized, have had the Word and doctrine therefrom which they have professed, and especially because they have professed the Lord, and because He suffered for their sins, and thus saved those within the church who have from doctrine professed Him. When these persons come fresh from the world into the other life they do not desire to know anything about the life of faith and of charity, but make it of no account, saying that because they have had faith, all evils of life have been wiped off and washed away by the blood of the Lamb. When they are told that these things are contrary to the Lord's words in Matthew, where He says, “Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied through Thy name, and through Thy name have cast out devils, and in Thy name have done many mighty deeds? But then will I confess, I know you not; depart from Me ye workers of iniquity; everyone that heareth My words and doeth them, I will liken to a prudent man, and everyone that heareth My words, and doeth them not, I will liken unto a foolish man” (Matthew 7:22-26); and in Luke, “Then shall ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us; but He answering shall say to them, I know you not whence ye are; then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in Thy presence, and Thou hast taught in our streets; but He shall say, I say unto you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from Me all ye workers of iniquity” (Luke 13:25-27), they reply that by these are meant no others than such as have been in miraculous faith, but not in the faith of the church. [3] Yet the same after some time begin to know that no others are let into heaven than they who have lived the life of faith, thus who have had charity toward the neighbor; and when they begin to know this, then they begin to despise the teachings of their faith, and also their faith itself; for their faith was not faith, but only the knowledge of such things as are of faith; and was not for the sake of life, but for the sake of gain and honors. Consequently what they have had of the knowledge of faith they then despise, and also reject; and presently they cast themselves into falsities that are contrary to the truths of faith. Into this state the life of those is turned who have confessed faith, and have lived a life contrary to faith. These are they who in the other life infest the upright by means of falsities, thus who are specifically meant by “Pharaoh.” And from the 'Awakening to Spiritual Life' paper -State of Exteriors: From the section on 'Spiritual Friends' When a spirit comes to see what's actually involved in a heavenly life, they then have what's needed to be able to draw a comparison between this and what they thought in the world.  For those who thought that entry to heaven was based on outer behaviour and so hadn't paid a lot...

EPIPHANY TUESDAYLESSON: 1 CORINTHIANS 11:23‒25The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:16Christ's words of institution in the Lord's Supper cannot be denied by man or the devil. On these words we must take our stand. No matter what explanations are added to them, we have here a clear word of God which declares that the bread is Christ's body given for us, and the cup His blood shed for us. We are also told to celebrate the Sacrament in remembrance of Christ. There was a time when the clergy forbade the laity to interpret the Word of God, and even denied them the right and ability to do so. But the laity have the same God and the same Word of God as the clergy. When it comes to the things that are to be believed, the layman has only one course to follow—to take his stand on the clear Word of God, to defend his faith with the clear Word of God, and to refute all doctrine that is contrary to God's Word with the clear Word of God. Every layman has the right to interpret the Word of God for himself, and to hold fast to the clear Word of God against all gainsayers. In the words of institution, the evangelist says that Jesus took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to His disciples saying, “Drink of it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:27‒28). So we say: Unless we can be taught that drinking here means something quite different from what it has meant everywhere else in the world, we stick to the opinion that all should drink of the cup in the Sacrament, just as all should eat of the bread.SL.XI.592,17PRAYER: We thank You, O God, for the clarity with which You have revealed Your plan of salvation to us and also for the simple language in which You have taught us that the Holy Supper is one of Your chief means of grace. Continue to bless us and strengthen our faith through Your means of grace, for Christ's sake. Amen. 

October 30, 2024 Today's Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-9Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 31:30-32:27; Matthew 20:1-16For thus says the Lord: “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.' (Jeremiah 31:7)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Who are you? Forget for a second how you would answer that question. How would God answer it? You are holy to God, righteous in His judgment, an heir to eternal life. That is how God would answer that question. It was that same promise to Israel of old that prompted the prophet to tell her to “shout aloud with gladness.” Not with fear, but gladness, because it seemed so strange to them, too. Not many years before, the Assyrians had carried many of their people away into captivity. Now, the Babylonians were doing the same. It seemed like Israel was defeated and that her people were conquered. Yet, notice God still calls them “the chief of the nations.” They certainly didn't look the part, did they? That's like God calling poor, miserable sinners holy in His sight. That's like God declaring those who struggle with sin and all its ugly consequences righteous in His judgment. That's like God calling those who ever offend Him and who justly deserve His temporal and eternal punishment His children, now.But that is the promise of the cross. That is the promise God makes with you from the cross, every day, in your Baptism. It's the promise you hear in God's Word of pardon. And it's the promise God places into you at the Holy Supper with Jesus' Body and Blood.Imagine a great company who had been carried far away, among whom many were blind and lame, some even pregnant, being brought back with tears of joy in their eyes, never once stumbling as they crossed over mountain, desert and sea. That is God's promise to you, to all sinners, with the death of His own Son upon the cross. Not only will God be returning you safely to Himself, holy and righteous in His sight, He already has!Who are you? What matters is not how you answer that question. What matters most is how God answers it. You are holy to Him. You are righteous in His judgment. You are His child. You are an heir to eternal life. That is how God answers that question. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Satan, hear this proclamation: I am baptized into Christ! Drop your ugly accusation, I am not so soon enticed. Now that to the font I've traveled, All your might has come unraveled, And, against your tyranny, God, my Lord, unites with Me! (LSB 594:3)-Rev. Bradley Drew, pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Metairie, LA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Spend time reading and meditating on God's Word throughout the Church Year with the Enduring Grace Journal. Includes scripture readings, prayers, prompts, and space for journaling. The Church Year Journal, Enduring Grace, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

October 27, 2024Today's Reading: Mark 10:46-52Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 29:1-29; Matthew 18:21-35And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!' And Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.' And they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take heart. Get up; He is calling you.”  (Mark 10:48-49)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. If you ever want to stop Jesus in His tracks, just cry out to Him for mercy. You can practice that today when the Church sings, “Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.” I usually sing that at the top of my lungs, not because I think the louder I sing it, the more likely Jesus will hear me. Jesus hears me and you because we are His.  I will cry “out all the more” for mercy because I can still hear the world, the devil, and my own conscience telling me, “Be silent! Who do you think you are, pastor, crying out to Jesus for mercy? You are not worthy to do that. Crawl back under whatever rock you crawled out from and leave Jesus alone.”To silence such fears, Jesus says to the blind man and to us, “Your faith has made you well.”  Jesus doesn't say this because faith deserves some credit– Jesus deserves all the credit. Jesus says this to tell us our faith in Him to have mercy is never wrong, is never misguided. Mercy is why the Father sends Jesus to us.Mercy is why the Father sends Jesus to the cross for you. His cross sets you free from everything that makes you unworthy. Mercy is why the Father sends Jesus to you in your Baptism. Your Baptism promises you that whatever rock you crawled out from under has been washed away by His blood. Mercy is why the Father sends Jesus to you in your pastor and at the Holy Supper today. Jesus wants to say to you, too, “I love you. I forgive you. And I save you. Go your way; your faith (your Jesus!) has made you well.”You want to stop Jesus in His tracks? Just cry out to Him for mercy. You can practice that today when the Church sings the Kyrie, “Lord, have mercy upon us.” In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. O God, the helper of all who call on You, have mercy on us and give us eyes of faith to see Your Son so that we may follow Him on the way to eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.-Rev. Bradley Drew, pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Metairie, LA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Spend time reading and meditating on God's Word throughout the Church Year with the Enduring Grace Journal. Includes scripture readings, prayers, prompts, and space for journaling. The Church Year Journal, Enduring Grace, now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

October 23, 2024Today's Reading: Matthew 13:54-58Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 24:10-25:10; Matthew 16:13-28Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him. (Matthew 13:56-57)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We would have taken offense, too. Imagine being raised in a house where mom and dad thought the oldest hung the moon. No, I mean, literally hung the moon. It might have been hard enough with Jesus always on the honor roll, winning the Christian Citizenship award all the time, and being the envy of every other parent. But “Hanger of Moon and Stars” was a bridge too far. “And they took offense at him.”On this day, the Church celebrates the life of St. James of Jerusalem, Brother of Jesus and Martyr. Why? Because of the grace of God. For despite all the offense James had taken toward his Brother (John 7:3-5), the risen Jesus appeared to him first, before any of the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:7), calling James to faith in Him as his Savior, too. What grace.Jesus does the same for you. Despite all the offense you take toward Him, Jesus comes to you every day in the promise of your Baptism, calling you to faith in Him as your Savior. Despite the offense you take toward Him, Jesus comes to you in the absolutions and sermons you hear from your pastor, calling you to faith in Him as your Savior. And, despite all the offense you and I take toward Him every day, Jesus still comes to us in the Holy Supper, calling us to faith in Him as our Savior, too, “for you, for the forgiveness of sins.” Jesus knows the indignation in our own hearts, all the offense we take over how He rules and governs this life. He knows our own stubbornness to believe that our Big Brother really is Who He says He is. It's why the church sets aside special days like these: to remind everyone that He gets us. And not just that He gets us, but to remind us that Jesus never stops coming to us and calling us to faith in Him as our Savior, too. What grace. And James would be the first to say, this Jesus, this grace, is for everyone. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Heavenly Father, shepherd of Your people, You raised up James the Just, brother of our Lord, to lead and guide Your Church. Grant that we may follow his example of prayer and reconciliation and be strengthened by the witness of his death; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen. (Collect for St. James of Jerusalem, Brother of Jesus and Martyr)-Rev. Bradley Drew, pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Metairie, LA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.

A new MP3 sermon from Grace Reformed Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: HC 75-79, Holy Supper Subtitle: Heidelberg Catechism Speaker: Rev. Sam Perez Broadcaster: Grace Reformed Church Event: Sunday Service Date: 7/28/2024 Bible: 1 Corinthians 10:16 Length: 26 min.

Did you watch Tuesday's Bible study where Pastor Bramwell gathered his initial thoughts on the texts he's preaching on in this sermon? https://youtube.com/live/Nph2Ti6-kvs There are consequences in this life. Do you know what the consequence is for sinning? How about the consequence of eating Christ's Holy Supper? The consequence of Jesus' crucifixion? Let's talk about it in my sermon for the Seventh Sunday after Trinity. Join Pastor Bramwell's YouTube channel to support his Biblical teaching and participate in the production of the Truth at All Costs podcast and all my online teaching: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDS-LBPLMg5IE9nqWUyni8A/join Subscribe for more faithful teaching from the Scriptures: https://www.youtube.com/tyrelbramwell/?sub_confirmation=1 Support my teaching by ordering your books online via BookShop.org. Select Butterfat Books as the local bookstore that you want to support. https://bookshop.org/shop/butterfatbooks Read my book, Come in We're Closed: https://bookshop.org/a/94255/9781717081858 Connect with me: Instagram - https://instagram.com/tyrelbramwell X - https://x.com/tyrelbramwell Email – https://tyrelbramwell.com/contact

The sacrament of Holy Communion unites the faithful together in a most profound, visible way. It also makes disunity in the Church all the more painful and apparent. The Catechism reveals the Church's teachings regarding the Eucharist and Christian churches who are not in full communion with the Catholic Church. Fr. Mike addresses a most common and difficult question: “If a non-Catholic believes that the Eucharist is truly Jesus, why can they not receive him in the sacrament?” Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1396-1401. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

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: Green Old Testament: Proverbs 9:1–10 Psalm: Psalm 34:12–22; antiphon: v. 11 Epistle: Ephesians 2:13–22 Epistle: 1 John 3:13–18 Gospel: Luke 14:15–24 Introit: Psalm 18:1–2a, 27, 30a, 49; antiphon: vv. 18b–19 Gradual: Psalm 120:1–2 Verse: Psalm 7:17 The Gospel Call Goes Out to All   Wisdom has issued an invitation to the divine feast: “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight” (Prov. 9:5–6). This is the call of the Spirit of Christ to believe the Gospel and to receive His saving gifts in the Holy Supper. Many make excuses and reject this invitation, even as the Jews did in the days of Jesus, yet the Master's house will be filled. The Gospel call therefore goes out to the lowly and despised, into the highways, even to all the Gentiles (Luke 14:15–24). For “you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13–22). In Christ, believing Jews and Gentiles are no longer strangers but fellow members of the household of God. The enmity of class and race is put to death through the cross. Having been reconciled in the one Body of Christ, we are enabled to love one another (1 John 3:13–18) as we await the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which will have no end. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship

From the The Logopraxis Workbook Step 6 - Preparing a Submission - Questions for Reflection  The key to preparing a summary or submission for our group is to focus on how our task influenced our mental state: What did we actually experience? What did we learn about our self? About the Lord? About the inner activity of our mind? Were there any insights related to the contents of the reading that illustrate what was experienced? How can I frame this, so it supports others in my group? Reflect & Discuss In what way is each submission the Lord's Gift to the Group? How does sharing too much personal stuff distract me, or the Group? In what way do I experience the Life Group as a spiritual community? The Lord's Providence exists in what each person selects to work with. The Life Group is an opportunity to share the Holy Supper. How might this be true? See Luke 22:14-20.   Third Round posts are short audio clips taken from Round 3 comments offered in the online Logopraxis Life Group meetings. The aim is to keep the focus on understanding the Text in terms of its application to the inner life along with reinforcing any key LP principles that have been highlighted in the exchanges.

May 12, 2024 Today's Reading: John 17:11b-19Daily Lectionary: Numbers 14:1-25; Luke 18:18-34Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When Moses came near the burning bush in Exodus 3, the Lord said to him, “Do not come near, take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”  When the prophet Isaiah saw the Lord enthroned in glory in Isaiah 6, the angels sang out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” Wherever the Lord is, there is holiness. Whatever He declares holy is holy. The problem for us is that whenever we see God's holiness in the Bible, we are reminded that apart from Him, we are unholy. We have no holiness of our own. Moses was afraid. Isaiah confessed his sin. So do we, whenever we gather in Divine Service. We confess that we are poor, miserable sinners and that we have sinned, that we are unholy in thought, word, and deed. But then something miraculous happens. God speaks His holy Word in holy Absolution to forgive all our sin. God called and ordained your pastor into the office of the holy ministry to be a servant of the Word. God who is holy gives holy Gifts to declare unholy sinners holy in His name. In Holy Baptism, you are washed and baptized into the name of the holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In holy Absolution, you stand forgiven before God who is holy. In the Holy Supper, you receive Jesus' Body and Blood for forgiveness, life, and salvation.How does our holy Lord do all of this? By his holy Word, just as Jesus prays in John 17. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. To sanctify is to make and declare holy. That's exactly what our Lord Jesus prays for and what God does. Through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, God gives us a holiness that is not our own. God's holiness is always received from God, not achieved by us. So the next time you read or hear God's Word, remember that God is sanctifying you. When you go into His house, God is there to give you holy Gifts in water, word, bread and wine. When you fear your sin and death, do not be afraid. You are holy in Jesus. You have His Word on it. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You have promised from the Father; for You live and reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Seventh Sunday of Easter)- Pastor Samuel Schuldheisz is pastor at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Milton, WA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

At Christmas we celebrate the birth of the Lord into our world, as a Divine Human with whom we can have a real, direct relationship. In the Holy Supper, we also celebrate the closeness of the Lord, not just nearby but within us. Both events, the incarnation of the Lord 2000 years ago and partaking of Holy Supper in the present day, speak to the Lord's tangible presence in our lives.

Extra Nos Academy commences! Season 3 episode 5 covers the next song from the Christ For You EP titled, "3 Genera." The readings are from: The article “Christ Illustrated” by Dr. David Maxwell https://concordiatheology.org/2022/11/christology-illustrated/

The sacrament of Holy Communion unites the faithful together in a most profound, visible way. It also makes disunity in the Church all the more painful and apparent. The Catechism reveals the Church's teachings regarding the Eucharist and Christian churches who are not in full communion with the Catholic Church. Fr. Mike addresses a most common and difficult question: “If a non-Catholic believes that the Eucharist is truly Jesus, why can they not receive him in the sacrament?” Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1396-1401. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

Exod. 24:1–11 Isa. 25:6–12 John 6:49–59 1 Cor. 10:14–22 The Lord's Supper is a sacred meal that strengthens our fellowship with God and with one another. It is called different names: Holy Communion, the Lord's Supper, the Lord's Table, even the Eucharist, which comes from the word to “give thanks” in the New Testament. In this sermon, we learn how to participate in this sacrament and two effects that God promises to achieve when we celebrate it.

Introit: Ps. 25:1-2a, 5b, 15, 20; antiphon: Ps. 25:16, 18rGradual: Ps. 55:22a, 16, 18a Old Testament: Micah 7:18-20 Psalm 103:1-13 (antiphon: v. 8) Epistle: 1 Tim. 1:12-17       or 1 Peter 5:6-11rProperVerse: Ps. 18:1-2a Gospel: Luke 15:1-10       or Luke 15:11-32r 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.

Introit: Ps. 18:1-2a, 27, 30a, 49; antiphon: Ps. 18:18-19rGradual: Ps. 120:1-2 Old Testament: Prov. 9:1-10  Psalm 34:12-22 (antiphon: v. 11) Epistle: Eph. 2:13-22        or 1 John 3:13-18 ProperVerse: Ps. 7:17 Gospel: Luke 14:15-24 The Gospel Call Goes Out to AllrWisdom has issued an invitation to the divine feast: "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight" (Prov. 9:5-6). This is the call of the Spirit of Christ to believe the Gospel and to receive His saving gifts in the Holy Supper. Many make excuses and reject this invitation, even as the Jews did in the days of Jesus, yet the Master's house will be filled. The Gospel call therefore goes out to the lowly and despised, into the highways, even to all the Gentiles (Luke 14:15-24). For "you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (Eph. 2:13-22). In Christ, believing Jews and Gentiles are no longer strangers but fellow members of the household of God. The enmity of class and race is put to death through the cross. Having been reconciled in the one Body of Christ, we are enabled to love one another (1 John 3:13-18) as we await the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which will have no end.

Holy Supper will be offered this Sunday. Every time we take Holy Supper it is a new opportunity to find rejuvenation in our spiritual lives; so how do we let go of the past and really start anew? We'll look at how the process of repentance washes away some of our baggage and gives us a great chance to start again on our spiritual journey.

Featured quotations from Emanuel Swedenborg's Secrets of Heaven:3318:2  A few words are needed to show how matters stand here, specifically how they stand with human beings. A human being is nothing else but an organ or vessel that receives life from the Lord; we do not live on our own. . . . The life that flows into us from the Lord comes from his divine love. This love, or the life that radiates from it, flows in and bestows itself on the vessels in our rational and earthly minds. Such vessels in us face away from the life force because of the evil we inherit by birth and the evil we ourselves acquire by committing it. However, so far as it can do so, the inflowing life repositions the vessels to receive itself.3316:3 When we read the story and take it literally, the angels then present with us form no picture whatever of soup, of Jacob, of Esau, of a red dish, or of swallowing some of it. Instead they form a spiritual image, which is entirely different, and distant from the earthly one. The earthly image turns into a spiritual one instantly. The same is true with all other images in the Word. For example, when we read about bread there, angels do not picture bread but instantly think of heavenly love (love for the Lord) and its ramifications instead. When we read in the Word about wine, they do not picture wine but rather spiritual love (love for one's neighbor) and its ramifications. So when we read about soup, they do not picture soup but doctrines that have not yet been united to goodness and therefore the disorder of their arrangement.This reveals the nature and quality of angels' thought and perception and the width of the gap between theirs and ours. If we thought this way when doing something reverent like taking Holy Supper—if we perceived love for the Lord in place of bread, and love for our neighbor in place of wine—we would be thinking and perceiving as angels do. They would then come closer and closer to us until eventually we could share thoughts with each other—but only so far as we humans also dedicated ourselves to goodness.2955 Another reason I will bury my dead one means emerging from . . . spiritual nighttime and coming alive is that when an earlier religion dies, the Lord raises up a new one to replace it. So instead of death there is life, and instead of night there is morning. Yet another reason is that in anyone who is reforming and becoming spiritual the dead part is buried, so to speak, and a new, living part rises again. So in place of the night in such a person, or in place of the dark and cold, morning dawns with its life and warmth.

The blood of Jesus serves to transform, redeem, and purify us. It's deeply ingrained as a part of our faith, however from the outside it can look like a very odd practice. But in reality, the simple act of taking the bread and wine is so rich in symbolism, meaning, and essentially marks a change in reality. It is so powerful, it affects body, soul, and spirit. The words tradition, custom, and ritual don't encompass the true essence of this act.

Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel for Sharathon 2022 to study Martin Luther's Easter hymn, “Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands.” This marvelous Easter hymn helps us to rejoice that Christ is the Savior who has done what we could not do. Our sin left us powerless in the prison of death, but Jesus has come to conquer this greatest enemy of ours and strip it of its reign and power. The strife was real and strange, yet the outcome of Jesus' victory was never in doubt. As the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb, Jesus' blood marks us as His own people so that no enemy can harm us. In this Easter joy, we keep the festival of the Lord's resurrection and receive Him and all His gifts in the Holy Supper of His Body and Blood. Lutheran Service Book 458 1 Christ Jesus lay in death's strong bands For our offenses given; But now at God's right hand He stands And brings us life from heaven. Therefore let us joyful be And sing to God right thankfully Loud songs of alleluia! Alleluia! 2 No son of man could conquer death, Such ruin sin had wrought us. No innocence was found on earth, And therefore death had brought us Into bondage from of old And ever grew more strong and bold And held us as its captive. Alleluia! 3 Christ Jesus, God's own Son, came down, His people to deliver; Destroying sin, He took the crown From death's pale brow forever: Stripped of pow'r, no more it reigns; An empty form alone remains; Its sting is lost forever. Alleluia! 4 It was a strange and dreadful strife When life and death contended; The victory remained with life, The reign of death was ended. Holy Scripture plainly saith That death is swallowed up by death, Its sting is lost forever. Alleluia! 5 Here our true Paschal Lamb we see, Whom God so freely gave us; He died on the accursed tree-- So strong His love--to save us. See, His blood now marks our door; Faith points to it; death passes o'er, And Satan cannot harm us. Alleluia! 6 So let us keep the festival To which the Lord invites us; Christ is Himself the joy of all, The sun that warms and lights us. Now His grace to us imparts Eternal sunshine to our hearts; The night of sin is ended. Alleluia! 7 Then let us feast this Easter Day On Christ, the bread of heaven; The Word of grace has purged away The old and evil leaven. Christ alone our souls will feed; He is our meat and drink indeed; Faith lives upon no other! Alleluia! hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/458