Podcasts about merciful father

As we approach Elul, we always read Parshat Re'eh beforehand. The mnemonic for this connection is ראה רש אלול אלף הגיע ( "See, Elul is on its way" ). In Parshat Re'eh, we read: בנים אתם לה' אלוקיכם ( "You are children of Hashem your God" ). It is no coincidence that we receive this message as we begin Elul. As we mentioned, the theme of the month of Av is that God is our Father. As Av ends, we reiterate that we are the children of Hashem, and therefore: לא תתגודדו ( "Do not divide yourselves" ). As we leave Av, we transition into a new expression of love: that of a husband and wife— אני לדודי ודודי לי ( "I am to my beloved, and my beloved is to me" ). We move from one loving relationship into another. Rav Wolbe writes that the ultimate goal of all mitzvot is love, as stated in the second paragraph of Kriat Shema : והיה אם שמוע תשמעו אל מצוותי אשר אנכי מצווה אתכם היום לאהבה את ה' אלוקיכם ( "If you will listen to My commandments that I command you today, to love Hashem your God..." ). The focal point of all mitzvot is to lead us to love. Conversely, every aveirah (sin) contains an element of hatred. Rav Wolbe quotes Rav Yerucham Levovitz, who explains that there is often a mixture of motives: an act of love can contain a degree of hatred, and within the heart, love and hate can coexist. For example, a parent loves their child, yet in a moment of frustration, discipline is applied. The verse states: חושך שבטו שונא בנו ( "He who spares the rod hates his son" ). We do not hate our children, but on a scale of 0 to 10—where 10 is ultimate love and 0 is complete hatred—we are not always at the ultimate expression of love. When a person commits a sin, they fall somewhere along this continuum. As we prepare for Elul, we must overcome the spiritual hurdles resulting from the destruction commemorated in Av. We pass through Av to rectify these flaws and prepare for the love of Elul and the end of Av. Rav Yerucham Levovitz explains in a sicha in his sefer Da'at Chochmah u-Mussar (as cited by Rav Wolbe) that the three cardinal sins represent ultimate hatred. On a scale of 0 to 10, when a sin reaches 10 (total hatred), spiritual survival is impossible—it creates a complete religious disconnect, which is why one must choose to die rather than commit them: Avodah Zarah (Idolatry): Represents total hatred and betrayal toward God by serving another deity. Shefichut Damim (Murder): Expresses hatred toward one's fellow man ( ben adam l'chaveiro ) as well as toward God. Gilluy Arayot (Forbidden Sexual Relations): While Rav Yerucham does not explicitly detail the nature of this hatred in his text, an explanation is offered based on the three spheres of human connection: man to God, man to his neighbor, and man to himself. Avodah Zarah severs the connection to God; Shefichut Damim severs the connection to others; and Gilluy Arayot causes a disconnect from oneself by degrading human dignity. As stated regarding the Sotah (the wayward woman), because her action mimicked animalistic behavior, her offering consisted of barley—the food of an animal. Gilluy Arayot demotes a person from their elevated human standing, causing self-destruction. This explains why individuals often experience self-loathing after such sins: the act itself is rooted in self-hatred. Rav Wolbe asks: How can the soul—described as a שלהבת יה ( "a flame of God" ), inflamed with divine love as depicted in Shir HaShirim —harbor a force of hatred that disconnects man from God? He brings a proof from the Gemara in Shabbat 105b, where Rabbi Yochanan ben Nuri states that one who tears their clothes, breaks utensils, or scatters money in anger should be viewed as an idolater. Today the yetzer hara tells a person to do one small thing, tomorrow another, until it eventually entices them to worship idols. Anger demonstrates that a person is currently controlled by the yetzer hara . This is why on Yom Kippur we confess: על חטא שחטאנו לפניך ביצר הרע ( "For the sin we committed before You through the yetzer hara" ). While all sins involve the evil inclination, this specific confession refers to moments when the yetzer hara gains total dominion over us, such as through bouts of anger. Rav Wolbe proves this from Tehillim 81:10: לא יהיה בך אל זר ולא תשתחוה לאל נכר ( "There shall not be a strange god within you, nor shall you bow to a foreign god" ). What is the "strange god" ( el zar ) that resides inside a person? It is the yetzer hara . The word zar denotes estrangement. A person can become estranged from others, from God, and from themselves. Estrangement ( zarut ) is the exact opposite of belovedness ( yedidut ). Rav Wolbe notes elsewhere that the word ידיד ( yedid ) is a contraction of יד יד ( hand to hand )—one hand reaching out and another reaching back. The counter-force to this connection is zarut , which causes separation. Elul centers on אני לדודי ודודי לי , but it is continually challenged by this force of estrangement. God is called ידיד נפש אב הרחמן ( "Beloved of the soul, Merciful Father" ). Yet, zarut creates a sense of disconnection. For example, difficulty in maintaining concentration ( kavanah ) during prayer often stems from a lack of felt connection. If we truly felt close to our Father, prayer would flow naturally; estrangement blocks that feeling. Self-estrangement occurs when a person loses clarity about their own spiritual standing and no longer truly knows themselves. Remedying this is the core task of Elul: Connection to God: Represented by אני לדודי ודודי לי ( "I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me" ). Connection to Others: Represented by the acronym of Elul found in איש לרעהו ומתנות לאביונים ( "...sending portions to one another and gifts to the poor" ). Connection to Self: Hinted at in the verse ומל ה' אלקיך את לבבך ואת לבב זרעך ( "And Hashem your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring" ), where the initial letters of א ת ל בבך ו את ל בב spell Elul . The "foreskin" ( orlah ) of the heart acts as a barrier that blocks inspiration and disconnects the mind from the heart. Though the mind understands, the heart remains covered, creating inner division. The job of Elul is to serve as a time of restored connection and love—realigning ourselves with God, with our fellow human beings, and with our inner selves. Having passed through the period of destruction, we overcome the negative forces of hatred and work to revive the sources of love and holy connection.

Title: All We Need Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 FCF: We often struggle lacking what is necessary to continue following Jesus. Prop: Because the Lord Jesus supplies all, we must seek the Lord for all we need. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to 2 Thessalonians chapter 3. In a moment we will read the concluding benediction of the letter starting in verse 16. I will read from the Legacy Standard Bible but you can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Last week, Paul officially buttoned up his main application to the church there in Thessalonica. He wants the issue of the disorderly among them dealt with and has laid out exactly how it should be handled. In the last three verses, Paul introduces three new thoughts which all have one basic application. Seek the Lord. It is perfect way to end this letter and for us to finish our study of 2 Thessalonians. Please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the Word of God as it is read. Invocation: Loving and Merciful Father, You have given Your people Your Son and with Your Son's ascension You have sent Your Spirit. You have given us, You. And You are all we need. The things of this world are often a distraction to us. We pursue all manner of earthly concerns and use earthly means to make our way through life. We know that this ought not to be. Help us Father to see that You alone are what we need. Convince us through this text that we must seek You. We pray this in Jesus' name… amen. Transition: [Slide 2] “Christ is wisdom for your ignorance, strength for your weakness, righteousness for your guilt, sanctification for your corruption, redemption from all the thralldom of apostasy.” Richard Fuller “Christ is not only the Savior but the salvation itself.” Matthew Henry [Slide 3] “In His life Christ is an example showing us how to live; in His death, He is a sacrifice satisfying for our sins; in His resurrection, a conqueror; in His ascension, a king; in His intercession, a high priest.” Martin Luther “He who thinks he has no need of Christ has too high thoughts of himself. He who thinks Christ cannot help him has too low thoughts of Christ.” J.M. Mason [Slide 4] “Everything that is really worthwhile in the morality of today has come to the world through Christ. Dismiss His standards of right and wrong and try to draw up your own ethical code and see where you will be!” G. Campbell Morgan Let these thoughts prepare our hearts for the exposition of the text this morning. I.) The Lord of peace brings peace, so we must seek the Lord for all we need. (16) a. [Slide 5] 16 - Now may the Lord of peace Himself i. In the closing verses of 1 Thessalonians, Paul asked that the God of Peace sanctify them and preserve them complete and holy for the coming return of Christ. ii. When we dissected that title that Paul gave to God, as the God of Peace, we recognize that only Paul and the writer of Hebrews use this title in the New Testament. And they use it exclusively to people who are being persecuted. iii. Because the writer of Hebrews and Paul are what we might call experts in the law of Moses – or Old Testament Scholars, we understood that Paul was probably referencing the name of God Yahweh Shalom. iv. We then recognized the theological significance of the word Shalom. It not only means a cessation of hostilities between two warring parties, but it also means completeness, wholeness, or bringing what was disordered back into order. v. With the ending of 1 Thessalonians it made sense to see Paul's use of this title to refer to the ongoing work of sanctification in the church, that they would be made whole and complete for the Lord Jesus' return. vi. But in 2 Thessalonians, we might see the word peace used in another way. vii. Certainly, Paul is hoping and praying for the Thessalonians to gain peace from those who are persecuting them. viii. But, two other ides from this letter seem to be at the forefront in their need for peace. ix. First, the anxiety caused by the false teaching that the Day of the Lord had come. Paul hopes that Christ will use this letter to assuage that anxiety and lead them to peace and comfort in the truth. x. And after his most recent discussion Paul may want peace to bring them back into order. xi. We have already noted that the disorderly among them are still causing problems because they are not working and mooching off the church while using their free time to be busy bodies. xii. To the disorderly Paul has commanded them to get a job and mind their business and stop mooching off the church. xiii. Paul has called the church as a whole to avoid them and if they persist in this disorderly conduct to mark them out for disassociation with the hope that they would repent and return to fellowship soon. xiv. Now Paul is seeking the Lord of Peace… the Lord of bringing order from chaos… to b. [Slide 6] continually give you peace in every circumstance. i. Ultimately it is the Lord Jesus Christ that has the power to bind us together and bring order to His church. ii. When disorderly or unruly brothers and sisters arise in the church, we have been told to do certain things, we have been given instructions on what to do and how…. But ultimately, it is the Lord Jesus who brings order from chaos. iii. When false teaching arises and tempts us to waffle on core doctrines of our faith and practice, Jesus' presence and teaching brings us back into order. iv. It is always Jesus who brings us back into order. He makes us whole. c. [Slide 7] The Lord be with you all! i. Paul's last comment here is directed at what could be a fractured community. ii. He is not requesting that Jesus be with the orderly, as if all of them are against the disorderly. iii. Nor is he requesting that Jesus be with the disorderly as if in a punitive or corrective way. iv. He is requesting that Jesus be with… all of them. v. The ordered and the disordered alike. vi. Christ will bring them peace. From without and from within. He is our hope. d. [Slide 8] Summary of the Point: Paul has three final thoughts in this benediction to close out what is the last canonical letter to the Thessalonian church. The first of these is a prayer that the Lord of peace would continually give them peace. The truth behind this, of course, is that the Lord Jesus is the Lord of peace. A title given to him by the prophet Isaiah, is that He will be the Prince of Peace. He will bring all chaos into order. He will bring all brokenness into wholeness. He will make all things new. He is doing that right now for His church. And one day, He will do that for the whole world. By application then, the apostle Paul is pointing the Thessalonians to this Lord of peace. We too must trust Him completely to bind us up and make us whole. He will bring us into order. He will set us right. We must seek Him to do that and all else we need. Transition: [Slide 9 (blank)] Paul's first thought was a hope that the Thessalonians would be given order and peace from their persecution, their anxiety, and their disorder. What is Paul's second thought he wishes to leave with the Thessalonians. II.) The Lord has given His instruction to us through His apostles, so we must seek the Lord for all we need. (17) a. [Slide 10] 17 - The greeting is in my own hand— i. The second point Paul raises in his final thoughts to the Thessalonians is one that is somewhat difficult to ascertain at first. ii. We know that Paul used amanuensis (uh-man-yoo-EN-suhs), which was the use of a writer to take down and relay his thoughts in a letter. Probably Silas wrote for Paul in this case, and perhaps he and Timothy also contributed or helped to edit the letter. All of this is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to convey the exact words of God to the Thessalonians and later to us. iii. Scholars also speculate that this was done primarily because Paul's eyesight has been problematic. Both from his interaction with Christ and the scales forming over them, and then later with a possible bout of Malaria he contracted on his first missionary trip in Cyprus. iv. In any case, Paul takes the pen from whoever is writing on his behalf and chooses to write the words that follow. v. What we have to speculate on, is exactly why Paul calls this out in this letter. He did not do this in his previous letter to them, and he only does this in 5 of his 13 letters in the New Testament. vi. So, what is the significance of his calling out his greeting written in his own hand? vii. Let's keep reading and see if there are more clues. b. [Slide 11] Paul, which is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. i. Here we find out that Paul puts his handwriting in every single letter he has written, whether he calls attention to it or not. Meaning it also appeared in 1 Thessalonians. ii. What is the purpose of him writing a greeting in each letter? iii. He says it is a “distinguishing mark” which is the word sign. As in “signs and wonders.” iv. Now, having studied the book of Acts, we know that sign gifts like tongues, miracles, healings, and prophesy, were used at the foundation of the church to authenticate that those who spoke the gospel were sent by God or to authenticate that people had actually received the gospel. v. In that same vein, we see that Paul's mark, or his handwritten message serves as an authentication that he himself is sending this letter. vi. He identifies himself by his handwriting. vii. Because it is truly from Paul, it bears the authority of an apostle of Jesus Christ, which carries the weight of Christ Himself. viii. So, why is Paul pointing to this letter being authentic and authoritative? ix. Well, way back in chapter 2, remember that Paul was dealing with the Thessalonians receiving teaching, preaching, prophesy, or even letters that were confusing the Thessalonians and convincing them that the Day of the Lord had already come. x. He even mentions that the letter supposedly came from him and his companions. xi. In this letter, Paul has directly contradicted that false teaching about the Day of the Lord. xii. Therefore, he calls out his personal greeting to remind the Thessalonians that unless a letter bears HIS handwriting in some location in the letter – it is NOT FROM HIM. xiii. They are to compare any letter supposedly from him, with this one to verify its authenticity and authority. c. [Slide 12] Summary of the Point: Paul's second thought he wishes to convey to the Thessalonians is the rubric for determining whether something is authentic and authoritative. Of course, we know that the teachings of Paul are not Paul's own invention but are rather handed down from Christ, verified by the rest of the apostles, and then passed on to the churches Paul founded in his missionary journeys. Therefore, this teaching that is being authenticated is teaching that is from Christ Himself. And it is important for the Thessalonians to be clear on that point. In this, they are to trust and obey anything that does come from Christ through His apostles and dismiss or at least treat less authoritatively anything that does not bear those signs or marks. For us then, we must trust what the Lord has said and obey it without question. Again, we are to seek the Lord for all we need including what is true. [Slide 13 (blank)] Transition: Paul now has only one thought left he wants to leave with the Thessalonian's. What could be the last thought Paul wants to leave with them? What else could it be… but the grace of God. III.) The Lord gives grace to His church, so we must seek the Lord for all we need. (18) a. [Slide 14] 18 - The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ i. Paul's final hope or wish for them is that they receive and live in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. ii. What is grace… C'mon CBC... You should know this by now. iii. [Slide 15] God's Grace is God's power which He grants to people according to His free will, to enable them to be, receive, or do something that they are unable and unwilling to be, get, or do on their own. iv. Grace from God, is what is truly needed by all believers as they endeavor to obey God's commands. v. And Paul has called the Thessalonian church to do some difficult things in obedience to Christ's commands and the Christian tradition. vi. If they are going to obey, they must have the grace of God. There will be no hope without it. vii. Paul has also called them to trust in God's future provision and protection of them from those who are persecuting them, knowing that one day Jesus will judge the living and the dead. viii. If they are going to keep believing that, they will need God's grace. ix. But again – who is the grace for? Is it for just the orderly to do what he has commanded them to do? b. [Slide 16] be with you all. i. Paul asks for Christ's grace to be given to all of them. ii. Even though he has had some harsh words for the disorderly, he believes that with Christ's grace, they can turn from their sin and get back in line and conform to the Christian tradition again. iii. No matter what God calls us to be or do, we too need His grace to see us to and through it. c. [Slide 17] Summary of the Point: Paul's final thought again revolves around the Christian's absolute need of Christ. He hopes that the Lord Jesus will give grace to them all to enable them to be and do all that Christ commands them to be and do. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I can think of no greater hope, wish, prayer that could be offered for a Christian brother or sister than to wish them the grace of God. Don't wish them a great day. Don't wish them to have fun. Don't wish for them to be blessed. Grace to you. It is the best hope and wish you could give to a believer. Because Christ is always what they need. And grace is Christ's power to effectively help them. The Thessalonians are once again told to look to Christ. Christ for Peace. Christ for truth. Christ for grace. Christ for everything. Because Christ said, without me you are nothing. So, we must seek the Lord Jesus for grace to help us be His followers. Conclusion: So CBC, what have we learned today that refines our beliefs and guides our lifestyles? Basics of Faith and Practice: [Slide 18] Paul's primary point of this closing benediction is to turn the attention of the Thessalonians onto Christ Jesus their Lord. He is their source for peace. Peace with unbelievers, peace from doctrinal dismay, and peace among each other. He is their source for truth, to hold fast to and believe. He is their source for grace to provide God's Power to do all that He has commanded of them. The Lord Jesus Christ is their source for everything. And so, the implied application to them is… look to and seek Jesus for all they need. Do they need peace? He is peace. Do they need truth? He is truth. Do they need grace? He gives grace! We too must understand that this is what it means to be a believer. This is what it means to be a Christian. This is what it means to follow Jesus. It is to see Jesus Christ as our source for all we need. Not money. Not fame. Not family. Not power. Christ. And Christ alone. So how does this impact us today? What applications endure into the 21st century here? 1.) [Slide 19] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that Jesus is the Lord of peace. a. Every single human being on the planet is looking for peace. b. By peace I do not mean world peace necessarily. I don't mean the cessation of war, necessarily. c. I mean order. I mean unity. I mean wholeness. I mean completeness. d. All human beings want this kind of peace. e. This is the reason that those who preach tolerance cannot tolerate someone who is intolerant. f. This is the reason that mob mentality and echo chambers exist. g. This is the reason that political parties have been polarized into two broad factions, but both parties can't seem to keep infighting from happening. h. Everyone wants wholeness on their terms. Everyone wants their own definition of order. i. And conservative or liberal, homosexual or heterosexual, pro-life or pro-choice, everyone wants the other people to change and be conformed into their image. j. Jesus, as the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace… will make everything new. What does that mean? k. He will fundamentally conform all things to His will. Some by loving guidance, some by forceful rescue, but most by insurmountable power and glory. l. Jesus came as a meek human to die to save His people from their sin. The next time He comes, He will save the world from sinners. m. He will not come in meekness. He will come in power. And He will have peace. n. Blessed are those who seek the peace He offers now. For they will inherit the Kingdom He brings. o. Cursed are those who fight for their own version of order, for they will be part of the chaos He puts down to consummate His Kingdom. p. Jesus is the only path to peace. Continually growing peace in our lives today and perfect and complete peace in the Kingdom that is to come. q. Peace today won't mean the lack of violence, hatred, and hostility. But it does mean completeness, wholeness, and order. The peace of Jesus conforms us to His life, His commands, His ways. In this we are brought into HIS order. We are expected to conform to Him. And as each of us are brought into conformity to HIM – We have peace with one another. r. But peace in His Kingdom will be perfect and it will be complete. We will never have a reason to shed tears again. We will know no sorrow. We will know no war. We will know no failure. s. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. And in Him alone we will find growing peace for today and perfect peace forever. 2.) [Slide 20] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that Jesus is the source of truth. a. Have you noticed that those who desire conformity and peace to their own standard MUST, by necessity, alter or deny the clear teaching of the word of God? b. Why do you suppose that is? c. Why is there a bible called The Queen James Bible where all “confusing” passages that seem to indicate that God does not approve of the LGBTQIA+ lifestyles have been removed? d. Why did Thomas Jefferson remove portions of the bible he didn't agree with? e. Why do churches bend over backward to explain how when Paul says that no woman should preach and exercise authority over men in the church… that that means women should preach and exercise authority over men in the church? f. Because they have no desire to conform themselves to Christ. So, they must conform Christ to them. g. The Reformation sought to reform the Roman Catholic church in five separate ways. The Reformers argued that if these five things changed in the Roman Catholic Church, they would make progress to go BACK to what the apostles taught, which is what Christ taught. h. And, arguably, the pinnacle of these 5 reforms was the Latin words “Sola Scriptura” i. Officially the Roman Catholic church teaches that the wisdom of church theologians down through the ages, and the traditions and conclusions of church councils, should be held in equal authority to what the Scriptures Teach. j. The Reformers argued, correctly, that the Scriptures alone should have the FINAL authority on faith and practice of every single person in the church. k. In essence, this is EXACTLY what Paul is teaching in this text. The Thessalonians had heard from prophets, letters, and preachers that the Day of the Lord had come. Paul, an actual apostle of Jesus Christ, bearing the teaching directly from Christ, says NO! That is not the truth. It is contradictory to what is the truth. l. Paul does not tell them to hold in equal balance what the others taught and what he taught. Paul does not tell them to find the truth in the middle somewhere. Paul doesn't say that both must be true some how. Instead, Paul says, they are wrong and Jesus is right. m. This doesn't mean that church tradition and church scholars, theologians, creeds, and councils should be eliminated. Far from it. Church tradition, scholars, creeds, councils should be consulted as a secondary source to help put up guardrails on our own personal interpretations of the scriptures. n. BUT… where the Scriptures, which is the Word of God, which is another name for Jesus Himself, where the Scriptures disagree with any human… Pope, priest, scholar, church doctor, saint, or otherwise… We are to trust the scriptures and deny the human's wisdom. For if it disagrees with or contradicts the clear teaching of the scriptures… it is not wisdom at all. It is foolishness. o. This is what the Reformers taught. And it is what Paul is teaching here. p. Jesus is our source for truth. The inspired Word of God in 66 books, is our guide for what we must believe and how we must live. q. We are told to approach the scriptures like they are a mirror. How foolish to approach a mirror and see something off or out of place in the reflection and conclude that the mirror must be broken? How foolish to think that perhaps if we viewed the mirror from a different angle, it would make our reflection better? r. But people who disagree with the clear teachings of the scriptures in order to support their own beliefs or lifestyles are approaching the mirror and concluding that the mirror is faulty. s. Or they stand in front of a mirror in such a way that all the things wrong with them don't appear, and they conclude that they are fine. And they leave the mirror the exact same as they always had been. t. My friends, if you cannot remember the last time the Word of God challenged you to change what you believe or how you live… something is wrong! 3.) [Slide 21] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that Jesus gives us grace. a. The definition of grace today in the church has become so watered down and so empty that it means little more than kindness. b. Preachers, even in evangelical protestant circles, preach a grace that is spread so thin that it has no power to do anything unless men add something to it. Without men helping it… it lies dormant, powerless, and ineffective. c. But Paul doesn't tell the Thessalonians to make sure to receive and act on Jesus' grace. He simply asks for Jesus' grace to be given to them all. d. Grace… God's grace… is POWERFUL. It is ALWAYS effective. e. It is not grace to give potential to help us. It is grace TO HELP US. f. When God gives us grace… IT WILL DO what it is given to do. g. [Slide 22] That is why I have tried, so very hard, to get you all to memorize this definition of God's grace. Because I think it accurately and effectively teaches a biblical definition of God's grace. A grace with teeth. A grace with power. A grace that is what the biblical authors claim it is. h. God's Grace is God's power which He grants to people according to His free will, to enable them to be, receive, or do something that they are unable and unwilling to be, get, or do on their own. i. And when we have this definition of grace, we recognize that the greatest thing we could pray for a fellow believer and even for unbelievers, is that God would shed His grace on them. j. Unbelievers need His power to see their own sin and to enable them to believe on Christ. k. Believers need His power to be and do all that He has commanded them. l. Humans in general exist by the grace of God. m. I challenge you all to BEEF UP your view of the grace of God. Make it as powerful as Paul makes it here. That the hope and strength for the Thessalonians doing and being all that he has told them to be and do… is the grace of Jesus Christ. n. When we combine the last three truths we must affirm together… 4.) [Slide 23] Evangelism: “What about this text points us to Jesus Christ, the gospel, and how we are restored?” This is the gospel. The gospel is seeing Jesus as our source for everything. If Jesus is anything less to you – you are missing the gospel. a. His words and lifestyle teach us truth. b. His sacrifice and power bring us peace. c. His advocacy and Authority give us grace. d. With the summation of all three of these truths, we conclude that Jesus is everything. e. And my friends… this is the gospel. The gospel is that Jesus is everything. Not just our hope for forgiveness. Not just our substitute. Not just our atoning sacrifice. f. But Jesus is… EVERYTHING. g. To the extent that our whole lives are reoriented around who He is and what He has commanded of us. h. If you are here today, and you either claim to be a Christian, or you desire to be a Christian… this is what it means to be a Christian. It is to have all your life ruled by Jesus Christ. i. He is your hope for peace. j. He is your source for truth. k. He is your supplier of grace. l. He is… your… everything. m. That is what it means to follow Christ. n. If you claim to be a Christian… but Christ isn't your everything and never has been. I don't know what gospel you believed… but I do know that it was false. o. If you have never claimed to be a Christian but want to follow Jesus… You need to speak with someone… right now… that you know is a Christian. They will show you what followers of Christ look like. p. Don't wait for me to get done preaching. Go now… our Elders are prepared to talk to you. q. If you remain, I'll assume that you claim to be someone who is following Christ as best you can. So, what does that mean as we look at this text? 5.) [Slide 24] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must continue to seek the Lord for all we need. a. There are a lot of sources that we can be tempted to look to provide peace, truth, and even power. b. What do we need to feel whole? Complete? Ordered? i. For many people we look for earthly things to make us feel complete. 1. We look for possessions or things. Things and possessions are not bad in and of themselves. But when we seek them to feel whole… they will not satisfy. 2. We look for family. Family can certainly fill up our lives and make us feel part of something bigger. But family fails. Life is fleeting. And sometimes people don't do what you want them to. 3. We look for a tribe or group of likeminded people. This creates a sense of belonging. All of us are the same. We see the world in the same way. But ultimately you will find something to disagree on… or that unity will not produce the wholeness that you desire. ii. In the end, the only thing that can bring us wholeness, completeness, or order… is the God who created us. He knows exactly what we need and how to put us back together. He watched us break apart and He knows the pieces we are missing. Pieces… we assumed were there… He supplies. iii. Without Christ, you will know no peace. c. What do we need to rest in truth? i. For many people they look to earthly things for truth. 1. Rationalism and reason, materialism, and postmodernism point to contradictory paths to truth. Who is right? Everyone, or no one? We just don't know. 2. Human wisdom, settled science, has long been shown to be anything but wisdom and anything but science. 3. History books are always written by the people who win. Are we sure their telling the whole story? 4. Hospitals and medical schools tell us what is best for us… but they also get paid well to tell us one answer and paid nothing to tell us other answers. 5. What is truth? Does truth even matter? ii. Christ is the truth. He alone provides a foundation, a bulwark of something solid and unshakable. iii. For a true Christ follower, we shouldn't start our sentences with “I think” or “I feel like” we must start our sentences with… “turn with me to…” d. What do we need to get more power? i. Again… people often turn to earthly things. 1. Money is power. 2. Fame is power. 3. Influence is power. 4. Secret knowledge is power. 5. And we can't deny that to a certain degree, all of these gain power for people in this life. ii. But true power, comes from God who gives grace to His people freely. The power to live the way our creator desires us to live, comes from the creator Himself. All other powers are failing and fleeting and will be destroyed when He comes again. e. So, Christians… all we need is found in Jesus Christ. Don't be distracted by lesser sources. He is all we have and He is all we need. 6.) [Slide 25] Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” Jesus will never fail. a. The story has been written. b. The end has already been told. c. Jesus is… right now… reigning over the world. d. He has conquered sin and death. And one day soon He will conquer all sinners, angelic and human alike. e. My friends, Jesus wins. Always. f. Take comfort in this as believers… g. But if you are still in the room and not a believer… this shouldn't comfort you at all – but it is a warning. h. Jesus wins. i. Blessed are those who repent and serve Him now. [Slide 26 (end)] Let me close with a prayer by the early church father Methodious of Olympia I long for you, Lord of mercy and Lord of my fathers. You have stooped down in grace as a mediator, bringing peace and harmony between heaven and earth. I seek you, great author of all. With longing I expect you who embrace all with your Word. I wait for you, Lord of life and death. I look for you, giver and successor of the law. I hunger for you, the one who makes the dead come back to life. I thirst for you, who refreshes the weary. I desire you, creator and redeemer of the world. You are our God, and we adore you. You are our holy temple, and we pray in you. You are our lawgiver, and we obey you. You are God of all things, the first. God the Father has begotten no other god, and there is no other son who is of one substance and one glory with the Father. To know you is perfect righteousness, and to know your power is the root of immortality. For our salvation, you were made the headstone of the corner, precious and honorable. All things are placed under you as their cause and author, as he who brought all things into being out of nothing. You steer the universe with your wise and steady hand. You are the principle of order and the bond of unity and peace. In you we live, and move, and have our being. So, I will glorify you, my Lord and God. I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things. From ancient days your wise counsel is faithfulness and truth. You are clothed with majesty and honor. What is more magnificent than for you, the King, to assume our humanity, illuminating those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death? Your servant, King David, rightly once sang of you as the King Eternal, saying "you are the most excellent of men" (Psalm 45:2). Coming to the earth, you took on righteousness and faithfulness. Yes, you are righteousness and truth, the joy and praise of all. So, we rejoice this day, along with the heavens, for you have shown mercy to your people. Let the clouds drop the dew of righteousness upon the world, and let the earth sound a trumpet blast, for the resurrection is come. I am filled with comfort, and I am overflowing with joy, O Savior of the world! We pray this in Your name. Amen. Benediction: May the Lord prosper your work and defend you, May his goodness and mercy attend you, May you ponder anew what the Almighty will do, That you may rejoice with all your heart and never again fear any harm. Until we meet again, as Paul prayed for the Thessalonians, Grace and Peace to you.

Brad Johnson

Moses asked to see God's glory. In answering that request, God declares to Moses His name; his very character. And the first word that God himself uses to describe him self is: "merciful". We love the mercy of God! However, there will be times when we will be tempted to be offended with God's mercy. Join us for this both encouraging and challenging word.

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COMPANION SAINT PRAYER- St. Faustina, you learned to trust completely in the mercy of God. Lead me this week to surrender what I cannot control and to pray along with you, “JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU.”SCRIPTURE- Proverbs 28:13"Those who conceal their sins do not prosper, but those who confess and forsake them obtain mercy."REFLECTION- JenMUSIC- "Nocturnal" by Ola Gjeilo- "In These Days of Lenten Journey" Piano InstrumentalNOTES- Lent: Check out the LENT page on The God Minute website to find out more about our programming for this week.PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you."- Matthew 7:6."Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? ...For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple."-1 Corinthians 3:16-17.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank you for being Holy.Abba Father, we thank you for the mandate to worship you in the beauty of holiness as recorded in Psalm 96:9.God Almighty, we thank you for not giving us over to a sinful, reprobate mind: we repent of our sin. Romans 1:28.Holy Spirit, Wonderful, Counsellor thank you for never leaving us alone, for comforting us, and dwelling in us: for being Emmanuel, God with us.Lamb of God, you know our tribulation, you know our heart, you know that we love you above all, and that we desire to please you most; please help to use the wisdom and discernment that you have blessed us with to avoid traps, carnal mindsets, besetting sin, and death- Hebrews 12:1.Everlasting Father, we are sorry for seemingly taking your Grace and Mercy for granted, and humbly repent of our sin in the name that is above every name- Jesus Christ: Our Risen Saviour. Please heal us and heal our land: we receive your healing- Isaiah 53:5, 2 Chronicles 7:14.Help us to seek your face, Lord God Almighty, and receive your permission and approval about and for those we entertain; we do not have to impress this world...YOU have given us all things- 1 Corinthians 3:21-23.Risen Saviour, we thank you for being the standard:We love and receive your unconditional love. We forgive and receive your forgiveness. We receive all of the answered prayers, heart's desires, special miracles, and blessings that YOU have for us. Jesus is the Lord- Amen."...man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7."God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."- James 4:16.

"But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour."- 2 Timothy 2:20. "...Should the thing that was created say to the one who made it, "Why have you made me like this?"Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?"- Romans 9:20-21. Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we are thankfully in your presence as humbly as we know how to be asking for forgiveness, and repenting of our sin; thank you.Abba Father, please forgive us for our actions and thoughts that have suggested that we do not love you with our whole heart: Jesus Christ help our unbelief- Mark 9:24.Holy Spirit, God Almighty, Lamb of God create in us a clean heart and a soul that desires YOU and your will above all else: especially above vanity, the world and it's desires. We confess that we trust in you Lord and lean not unto our own understanding - Proverbs 3:5.We receive Your declaration that we are fearfully and wonderfully made...marvellous are your works and our soul knows right well- Psalm 139:14.We thank you, Risen Saviour, for your matchless sacrifice; we thank you for saving us, loving us completely, and providing us an opportunity to spend eternity with YOU: we receive it- Romans 10:9.We love, and receive your unconditional love.We forgive, and receive forgiveness. We receive all of the answered prayers, heart's desires, special miracles, and blessings that YOU have for us.Jesus is the Lord, Amen-1 Corinthians 12:3.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his own blood and made us a kingdom and priests to God his Father—to him be the glory and the power forever (Revelation 1:5–7). Amen.A few weeks back, a Kentucky nurse rescued the life of a baby raccoon by performing CPR on it. Misty Combs, a 21-year nursing veteran was at work at her health center, which is located next to the Kentucky Mist Moonshine distillery. Combs and her coworkers noticed a panicked raccoon darting through the parking lot. Then, they heard a commotion from a nearby dumpster. Combs realized the mother raccoon was frantic to find her babies which were lost in the dumpster next to the distillery.The two baby raccoons had gotten stuck in the dumpster. Combs grabbed a shovel and scooped out the first raccoon, who ran to be with its mom. The second raccoon, however, was face down in the bottom of the dumpster, which was filled with water and peaches soaked in moonshine.The raccoon was drunk as a skunk ... or maybe it was a tipsy trash panda.She grabbed the raccoon by the tail and pulled him to safety. But she realized that he had drowned in the moonshine. So, she began performing CPR on the little guy. After a while, the raccoon was revived and later returned to its mother.How far would you go to save a baby raccoon? Would you perform CPR on it? How far would you travel to find a lost sheep? How long would you look to find a lost coin? Would you be able to welcome back a wife who had become a prostitute, like God was calling the prophet Hosea to do with his harlot wife? Would you be able to welcome back into your church a young man who had repented of an incestuous relationship with his stepmother, like St. Paul was encouraging the Corinthian congregation to do?Or, with the events of this week, how far would you go in forgiving someone who celebrated the assassination of another citizen?How far would you go in looking for the lost? And then rejoicing when they are found?Today we see how far Jesus goes in looking for us when we become lost. We also discover how much rejoicing God and his angels do in heaven when we are found.Most of us, at one time or another, have felt wasted like the raccoon, or gotten into trouble like a dumb sheep, or disordered our lives and the lives of others because of our sexual choices, or said and done extremely cruel things on social media or in person. As a result, we have felt unloved, unwanted, unappreciated. Alone, apart, abandoned. We're pretty sure that if we became lost, nobody would notice.If that's the way you've felt or feel, I've got some good news for you. God notices and God most definitely cares. So that you will never be alone, so that you will never be completely unappreciated, so that you might be forgiven and saved – Jesus comes and searches for you. Some people might not like us all that much, but Jesus loves us that much!God searches for every lost sheep, every lost coin, every lost soul. He never resigns himself to accepting the loss and moving on. He never thinks 9 out of 10 or 99 out of 100 is good enough. He doesn't believe in "acceptable losses." There is no price too high for Jesus to pay to save us from our brokenness. There is no suffering too painful that Jesus won't endure to restore us through his forgiveness. There is no length of time too great that Jesus won't wait for us to be found.There were some in Jesus' day who recognized this and came "flocking" to him. The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to Jesus and he was delighted. These were the outcasts, the downcast, the dregs of society. Yet, Jesus would accept them just as they were, without one plea. He would look at such people and see that they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). He had come to help them. Not by approving of their sin, but by taking it away. Not by ignoring that they were trapped by their addictive behavior, but by setting them free from their bondage to sin. Not by confirming their alternate lifestyle, but by giving them a new life to live. A life of hope. A life of faith. A life of being different than they once were. All by being their Good Shepherd.But many of the religious leaders in Jesus' day did not understand this kind of grace. Sadly, many Christians in our day do not truly understand the grace of their Good Shepherd. They look down their noses at the unwed mother, think poorly of the divorced dad, are afraid of the convict, disown the addicted son, or abandon the child trapped by sexual sins. These Christians behave like the hypocrites so many in society believe we are.These hypocritical Christians want a God who acts more like they act! They want a God who is always watching and waiting, with judgment on his lips and lightning bolts in hands. A God who is willing to promote those who appear righteous and who is ready to punish the imperfect.Does that describe how you feel at times? A little self-righteous? And a lot hypocritical?But that's not the kind of God Jesus describes, is it? This is a God who is like a man scrambling around in the arid Judean wilderness, desperately searching for one lost sheep. This is a God who is like a pitiful woman on her hands and knees, scraping the dirt floor of her home, grubbing around for a coin worth a day's wage. Isn't that beneath God? Isn't God acting rather desperately, irrationally, shamefully?That's why the scribes and Pharisees criticized Jesus when they saw him acting like that – "welcoming sinners and eating with them" (Luke 15:2). They must have been thinking, "He may claim to be God or a prophet from God, but if he really was, he wouldn't be associating with tax collectors and prostitutes!" That's like the President joining the grass cutting crew in front of the White House, with cargo shorts and black socks with his sneakers! Or like the Pope sweeping St. Peter's Square after Easter services. It's just not done. Oh, maybe for a "photo op," but not really. That's beneath them. Associating with lost souls is beneath God and his holiness, too, isn't it?Well, apparently not! For God came into our world literally on his hands and knees, as a baby, crawling to find you. He came to love the children of Israel who kept committing idolatry and adultery with foreign gods. They were prostituting themselves, just like Hosea's wife. Yet, God welcomed them back as a husband welcomes back his unfaithful wife (Hosea 3:1-5). He came for those "overwhelmed by excessive sorrow," like the repentant Corinthian church member who had been in an incestuous relationship with his stepmother (2 Corinthians 5:7). He came for the chief of sinners and shed his blood for me" (CW: 385).We need Jesus to come looking for us. For we are dying – dying of hostility as much we are of cancer. We are dying of despair as much as by disease. We are dying of the stubborn, self-righteous pride that threatens us as much as any murderer's bullets or terrorist's bombs.Think about who we really are. We are worse – far worse – than a coin that becomes lost through no fault of its own. We are ones who have left our Savior willingly, following the sinful desires of our hearts and delighting in our sin. We are worse, far worse than a dumb sheep who has wandered off, seductively lured away by the promise of a greener pasture. We are ones who have deliberately turned our back on the Good Shepherd; trespassing where we know we should not go; transgressing to do what we know we should not do; gossiping to speak what we know we should not speak; craving to desire what we know we should not desire. We are the worst of sinners – the chief of sinners.God sees us worshiping false gods of money and success. He sees us bowing down to golden calves fashioned out of premarital sex and alcoholic binges. He sees us glorifying the idols of Sunday sporting events and kids' athletics. He sees all this and he has every right to say, "Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them" (Exodus 32:10).We could not blame God for being angry with us. Angry at us ungrateful, sin-worshiping people. Angry sitting on his heavenly throne with judgment on his lips and lightning bolts in hands. And yet where is our God? He is here, calling us back to himself. He is here, in his Word and Sacraments, surrounded by sinners. Sinners in the community, sinners in the pews, and the sinner in this pulpit. He is not here in judgment, but with mercy on his lips. He is not here with lightning bolts, but blood on his hands. Not here with anger, but with grace.God invites you to come near to him each worship service, so he may draw near to you. He washes you in his baptismal water of new life. He feeds and strengthens you with his body and blood on the Lord's altar. He restores you with his forgiveness, binds up your wounds, and heals you with his words of absolution. Like God did for King David, he does for you. He hides his face from your sins and blots out your iniquity (Psalm 51:9). He finds you, holds you, and blesses you with his nail-scarred hands.There is nothing that your Shepherd would rather be doing, and no place he'd rather be, than here for you. Not because you're good, but because he is good. Not because you're lovable, but because he is love.It is a mercy – undeserved love – that we beg for, crave, and sing about. In our confession we pray, "Merciful Father in heaven ...". In our communion liturgy we sing, "Lamb of God, have mercy on us." In our psalm we chant, "Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned." For without God's mercy, we are nothing. Without his mercy, we will be destroyed. "Lord, have mercy" is the prayer of the lost, repentant sinner; a prayer of the found who is grateful to God for looking for him or her.There are some things we would like to hear, but we probably never will. From our car mechanic we'd like to hear him say, "The quote I gave you is way too high; I was able to do the job for $200 less than I thought." From a policeman we'd like to hear, "You know, I'll bet my radar gun is probably off. I don't think you were speeding after all." From the store clerk we'd like to hear, "Don't worry about the ‘next lane, please' sign. I'll take my break right after I finish ringing up your purchase."Nope, no matter how much we wish for it, we probably won't ever hear anybody say those things.In contrast to the things people will never say to us, God continues to surprise us with the wonderful things he tells us. When you feel unloved, God tells you he cares. When you feel alone, he reminds you he is by your side. When you are feeling too weak to go on, he gives you strength. When you are blind, he makes you see. When you are reminded of your sinfulness, he assures you he has made you into his saint. He tells us we are found and forgiven, found and free to serve, found and empowered to tell others of Jesus who says what we need to hear.We may find it difficult to perform CPR on a drunk raccoon. Or hiking great distances for a lost pet. Or deep cleaning the house to find a missing coin. Or forgiving a cheating spouse. Or being friends with someone in an icky incestuous relationship. Or demonstrating love to those trapped by the evil of the devil. But our God does all of that for us. He finds and forgives us. He throws a party with his heavenly angels when we are found. ... And now he wants you to go out looking for the lost. Inviting them into your church. Sitting down to have a meal with them. Throwing a party in their honor. You are following the example of your Savior and Shepherd. You are looking for the lost. Amen.May the LORD our God be with us, just as he was with our fathers. May he never leave us or abandon us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways (1 Kings 8:57-58). Amen.View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.casperwels.com/sermons/looking-for-the-lost/

View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.lordoflords.org/sermons/looking-for-the-lost/To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his own blood and made us a kingdom and priests to God his Father—to him be the glory and the power forever (Revelation 1:5–7). Amen.A few weeks back, a Kentucky nurse rescued the life of a baby raccoon by performing CPR on it. Misty Combs, a 21-year nursing veteran was at work at her health center, which is located next to the Kentucky Mist Moonshine distillery. Combs and her coworkers noticed a panicked raccoon darting through the parking lot. Then, they heard a commotion from a nearby dumpster. Combs realized the mother raccoon was frantic to find her babies which were lost in the dumpster next to the distillery.The two baby raccoons had gotten stuck in the dumpster. Combs grabbed a shovel and scooped out the first raccoon, who ran to be with its mom. The second raccoon, however, was face down in the bottom of the dumpster, which was filled with water and peaches soaked in moonshine.The raccoon was drunk as a skunk ... or maybe it was a tipsy trash panda.She grabbed the raccoon by the tail and pulled him to safety. But she realized that he had drowned in the moonshine. So, she began performing CPR on the little guy. After a while, the raccoon was revived and later returned to its mother.How far would you go to save a baby raccoon? Would you perform CPR on it? How far would you travel to find a lost sheep? How long would you look to find a lost coin? Would you be able to welcome back a wife who had become a prostitute, like God was calling the prophet Hosea to do with his harlot wife? Would you be able to welcome back into your church a young man who had repented of an incestuous relationship with his stepmother, like St. Paul was encouraging the Corinthian congregation to do?Or, with the events of this week, how far would you go in forgiving someone who celebrated the assassination of another citizen?How far would you go in looking for the lost? And then rejoicing when they are found?Today we see how far Jesus goes in looking for us when we become lost. We also discover how much rejoicing God and his angels do in heaven when we are found.Most of us, at one time or another, have felt wasted like the raccoon, or gotten into trouble like a dumb sheep, or disordered our lives and the lives of others because of our sexual choices, or said and done extremely cruel things on social media or in person. As a result, we have felt unloved, unwanted, unappreciated. Alone, apart, abandoned. We're pretty sure that if we became lost, nobody would notice.If that's the way you've felt or feel, I've got some good news for you. God notices and God most definitely cares. So that you will never be alone, so that you will never be completely unappreciated, so that you might be forgiven and saved – Jesus comes and searches for you. Some people might not like us all that much, but Jesus loves us that much!God searches for every lost sheep, every lost coin, every lost soul. He never resigns himself to accepting the loss and moving on. He never thinks 9 out of 10 or 99 out of 100 is good enough. He doesn't believe in "acceptable losses." There is no price too high for Jesus to pay to save us from our brokenness. There is no suffering too painful that Jesus won't endure to restore us through his forgiveness. There is no length of time too great that Jesus won't wait for us to be found.There were some in Jesus' day who recognized this and came "flocking" to him. The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to Jesus and he was delighted. These were the outcasts, the downcast, the dregs of society. Yet, Jesus would accept them just as they were, without one plea. He would look at such people and see that they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). He had come to help them. Not by approving of their sin, but by taking it away. Not by ignoring that they were trapped by their addictive behavior, but by setting them free from their bondage to sin. Not by confirming their alternate lifestyle, but by giving them a new life to live. A life of hope. A life of faith. A life of being different than they once were. All by being their Good Shepherd.But many of the religious leaders in Jesus' day did not understand this kind of grace. Sadly, many Christians in our day do not truly understand the grace of their Good Shepherd. They look down their noses at the unwed mother, think poorly of the divorced dad, are afraid of the convict, disown the addicted son, or abandon the child trapped by sexual sins. These Christians behave like the hypocrites so many in society believe we are.These hypocritical Christians want a God who acts more like they act! They want a God who is always watching and waiting, with judgment on his lips and lightning bolts in hands. A God who is willing to promote those who appear righteous and who is ready to punish the imperfect.Does that describe how you feel at times? A little self-righteous? And a lot hypocritical?But that's not the kind of God Jesus describes, is it? This is a God who is like a man scrambling around in the arid Judean wilderness, desperately searching for one lost sheep. This is a God who is like a pitiful woman on her hands and knees, scraping the dirt floor of her home, grubbing around for a coin worth a day's wage. Isn't that beneath God? Isn't God acting rather desperately, irrationally, shamefully?That's why the scribes and Pharisees criticized Jesus when they saw him acting like that – "welcoming sinners and eating with them" (Luke 15:2). They must have been thinking, "He may claim to be God or a prophet from God, but if he really was, he wouldn't be associating with tax collectors and prostitutes!" That's like the President joining the grass cutting crew in front of the White House, with cargo shorts and black socks with his sneakers! Or like the Pope sweeping St. Peter's Square after Easter services. It's just not done. Oh, maybe for a "photo op," but not really. That's beneath them. Associating with lost souls is beneath God and his holiness, too, isn't it?Well, apparently not! For God came into our world literally on his hands and knees, as a baby, crawling to find you. He came to love the children of Israel who kept committing idolatry and adultery with foreign gods. They were prostituting themselves, just like Hosea's wife. Yet, God welcomed them back as a husband welcomes back his unfaithful wife (Hosea 3:1-5). He came for those "overwhelmed by excessive sorrow," like the repentant Corinthian church member who had been in an incestuous relationship with his stepmother (2 Corinthians 5:7). He came for the chief of sinners and shed his blood for me" (CW: 385).We need Jesus to come looking for us. For we are dying – dying of hostility as much we are of cancer. We are dying of despair as much as by disease. We are dying of the stubborn, self-righteous pride that threatens us as much as any murderer's bullets or terrorist's bombs.Think about who we really are. We are worse – far worse – than a coin that becomes lost through no fault of its own. We are ones who have left our Savior willingly, following the sinful desires of our hearts and delighting in our sin. We are worse, far worse than a dumb sheep who has wandered off, seductively lured away by the promise of a greener pasture. We are ones who have deliberately turned our back on the Good Shepherd; trespassing where we know we should not go; transgressing to do what we know we should not do; gossiping to speak what we know we should not speak; craving to desire what we know we should not desire. We are the worst of sinners – the chief of sinners.God sees us worshiping false gods of money and success. He sees us bowing down to golden calves fashioned out of premarital sex and alcoholic binges. He sees us glorifying the idols of Sunday sporting events and kids' athletics. He sees all this and he has every right to say, "Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them" (Exodus 32:10).We could not blame God for being angry with us. Angry at us ungrateful, sin-worshiping people. Angry sitting on his heavenly throne with judgment on his lips and lightning bolts in hands. And yet where is our God? He is here, calling us back to himself. He is here, in his Word and Sacraments, surrounded by sinners. Sinners in the community, sinners in the pews, and the sinner in this pulpit. He is not here in judgment, but with mercy on his lips. He is not here with lightning bolts, but blood on his hands. Not here with anger, but with grace.God invites you to come near to him each worship service, so he may draw near to you. He washes you in his baptismal water of new life. He feeds and strengthens you with his body and blood on the Lord's altar. He restores you with his forgiveness, binds up your wounds, and heals you with his words of absolution. Like God did for King David, he does for you. He hides his face from your sins and blots out your iniquity (Psalm 51:9). He finds you, holds you, and blesses you with his nail-scarred hands.There is nothing that your Shepherd would rather be doing, and no place he'd rather be, than here for you. Not because you're good, but because he is good. Not because you're lovable, but because he is love.It is a mercy – undeserved love – that we beg for, crave, and sing about. In our confession we pray, "Merciful Father in heaven ...". In our communion liturgy we sing, "Lamb of God, have mercy on us." In our psalm we chant, "Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned." For without God's mercy, we are nothing. Without his mercy, we will be destroyed. "Lord, have mercy" is the prayer of the lost, repentant sinner; a prayer of the found who is grateful to God for looking for him or her.There are some things we would like to hear, but we probably never will. From our car mechanic we'd like to hear him say, "The quote I gave you is way too high; I was able to do the job for $200 less than I thought." From a policeman we'd like to hear, "You know, I'll bet my radar gun is probably off. I don't think you were speeding after all." From the store clerk we'd like to hear, "Don't worry about the ‘next lane, please' sign. I'll take my break right after I finish ringing up your purchase."Nope, no matter how much we wish for it, we probably won't ever hear anybody say those things.In contrast to the things people will never say to us, God continues to surprise us with the wonderful things he tells us. When you feel unloved, God tells you he cares. When you feel alone, he reminds you he is by your side. When you are feeling too weak to go on, he gives you strength. When you are blind, he makes you see. When you are reminded of your sinfulness, he assures you he has made you into his saint. He tells us we are found and forgiven, found and free to serve, found and empowered to tell others of Jesus who says what we need to hear.We may find it difficult to perform CPR on a drunk raccoon. Or hiking great distances for a lost pet. Or deep cleaning the house to find a missing coin. Or forgiving a cheating spouse. Or being friends with someone in an icky incestuous relationship. Or demonstrating love to those trapped by the evil of the devil. But our God does all of that for us. He finds and forgives us. He throws a party with his heavenly angels when we are found. ... And now he wants you to go out looking for the lost. Inviting them into your church. Sitting down to have a meal with them. Throwing a party in their honor. You are following the example of your Savior and Shepherd. You are looking for the lost. Amen.May the LORD our God be with us, just as he was with our fathers. May he never leave us or abandon us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways (1 Kings 8:57-58). Amen.

Let us pray for a humble and servant heart. Merciful Father, you have taught us that those who believe in your Son will not be condemned but have already passed from death to life. As we trust that Jesus humbled himself in obedience to your will and gave up his life for us, help us not to be conformed to this world, but to dedicate ourselves to you, and do what pleases you. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

"There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him."- Isaiah 53:2."For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."- 1 John 2:16."...People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, please create in us a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within us.Abba Father, we thank you for making EVERYTHING beautiful in your time: as recorded in Ecclesiastes 3:11.God Almighty, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ please continue to guard our mind, body, heart, and soul from the lust of the eyes, flesh, and pride of life; power belongs to you, and YOU are a rewarder of them that diligently seek You- Psalm 62:11, Hebrews 11:6.Emmanuel, God with us, thank you for never leaving, nor forsaking us, and for allowing our latter days to be better than our former. Great I Am, we thank you for choosing us to be your beloved, the apple of your eye, your peculiar people.We repent of our sin.We forgive and receive forgiveness. We love and receive your unconditional love. We receive all of the heart's desires, answered prayers, special miracles, and blessings that you have for us.Jesus is the Lord.Amen."But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light"1 Peter 2:9.

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."-1 John 2:16.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank you for the trying of our faith that works our patience: teaching us how to wait on the Lord.Abba Father, please give us the wisdom and obedience to trust You and your Holy Word and promises.We repent of our sin. We forgive...and we receive your forgiveness. We love according to your standard, and receive your unconditional love. We receive all of the blessings that you have for us: in our Risen Saviour's name- Jesus the Christ.Jesus is the Lord.Amen."Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."- Psalm 27:14."But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."James 1:4

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."- 1 Corinthians 13:11."Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come"- Luke 17:1."For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you"- Matthew 6:14."For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."- Ecclesiastes 7:20."No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper"- Isaiah 54:17."Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed"- Isaiah 54:4.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank you for another wonderful day to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.God Almighty, we thank you for your Good, Holy Word that provides protection, healing, and the assurance that you love us completely. Holy Spirit, we thank you for comforting us, for maturing us, and helping us to put away childish things. Abba Father, we thank you for giving us the ministry of reconciliation and instructing us to forgive: no matter what; Your approval and acceptance is all that matters. We choose to obey YOU.1 Samuel 15:22.Jesus Christ, Our Risen Saviour, we thank you for seeing us, and remembering your promises to us: we receive them.We repent of our sin.We forgive and receive forgiveness.We love and receive your unconditional love.Lamb of God, we receive all of the answered prayers, heart's desires, special miracles, and blessings that You have for us: in the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Lord: Amen."... all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation"- 2 Corinthians 5:18.

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself...""...wait thou only upon God...""Cease from anger, and forsake wrathTrust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."Psalm 37:7-8, Psalm 62:6.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank you for being our refuge, our hiding place: for protecting us from evil, wickedness, and destruction. Abba Father, we are in your presence as humbly as we know how to be... giving you thanks and praise for being God Almighty: ruler of Heaven and Earth. We surrender all to you; nothing is more important to us than You: Holy Spirit. Emmanuel, God with us,  thank you for never leaving us, nor forsaking us.Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God Almighty, please hear our cry, and answer, deliver, and manifest Your will for our life.We repent of our sin.We forgive and receive forgiveness. We love and receive your unconditional love.We receive all of the answered prayers, heart's desires, special miracles, and blessings that you have for us.Jesus is the Lord.Amen."And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men... God himself shall be with them, and be their God.And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new."- Revelation 21:3-5.

Fathers Day 2025 2 Peter 1:3-5 Pastor Eric Mounts

6/15/25. Happy Father's Day. Five Minutes in the Word scriptures for today: 2 Corinthians 1:3. God is Our Merciful Father. Resources: biblehub.com; logos.com; ChatGPT; and Life Application Study Bible. Listen daily at 10:00 am CST on https://kingdompraiseradio.com. November 2021 Podchaser list of "60 Best Podcasts to Discover!" LISTEN, LIKE, FOLLOW, SHARE! #MinutesWord; @MinutesWord; #dailybiblestudy #dailydevotional #christianpodcaster #diversity https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK9zaXqv64YaCjh88XIJckA/videos https://m.youtube.com/@hhwscott

"Thou shalt not be ashamed..."- Isaiah 54:4."God resisteth the proud...Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God , that he may exalt you in due time."- 1 Peter 5:5-6."Let not your heart be troubled..."- John 14:1."Write the vision..."- Habakkuk 2:2-3."God is faithful..."- 1 Corinthians 10:13.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank you for loving us and for hearing our cry.Abba Father, we thank you for bearing our grief and carrying  our sorrows...for healing us.Lord we thank you for being close to the broken hearted: we thank you that joy comes in the morning, and that your plans for us are always good.We thank you for giving us peace that no one can take away.We thank you that Faith, Hope, and Love are eternal.Jesus Christ, we thank you for providing unlimited access to You, God Almighty, through your obedience and ultimate sacrifice: we receive you Holy Spirit.Wonderful, Counsellor, we thank you for giving us power, love, and a sound mind;we thank you for telling us not to worry...especially about tomorrow. Lord and Saviour,  we thank you for making us unashamed, and for being faithful.We repent of our sin.We forgive and receive forgiveness. We receive your unconditional love and do our best to love others as ourself. We receive all of the faith, hope, love, grace, mercy, special miracles, heart's desires, answered prayers, and blessings that YOU have for us.Jesus is the Lord: Amen."This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes."- Psalm 118:23.

Perhaps the parable of the Prodigal Son could be better known as the parable of the Merciful Father. Jesus has come to find us, and to show us the way home!

The trees move. The trees themselves move in the wind. Like the fire snake moves. And weaves down into the farmlands and the throne room. Stakes laid sharp to keep it out. But only in the cave shall you face it. Her. With her big breasts and venomous fang. "Merciful Father, I have squandered my days with plans of many things."

Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comLuke 19 Compassion and repentance go together. Jesus shows compassion for a tax collector by approaching him, and Zaccheus responds by repenting of his sinful past. Jesus establishes a kingdom of workers who will carry His saving message. As the parable of the minas indicates, some will reject Him and be wasteful with their opportunities. But those who engage enthusiastically in sharing Him with others will be rewarded. As Jesus approaches Jerusalem for the last time, some worshipers gather to praise Him. But sadly, many in Jerusalem do not. It hurts Jesus to see so many reject His mercy. Jesus goes to the temple to drive out the greedy men and this enrages the Jewish leaders. These men prove to be the hateful and wasteful citizens from the parable of the minas.    Jesus went out of His way to help a tax collector in a tree, a man most would avoid. The parable of the minas, or even the talents, is only understood from this perspective. The work of cultivating His investment in us demands reaching people who are seeking Jesus. Evangelism is at the heart of discipleship. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. The Jewish leaders simply could not understand this. They wanted to protect their own established traditions, even though it had led to ungodly behavior, like money changing in the temple. They hated Him for demanding that they focus less on themselves and more on others. We must emulate Jesus and never these men of selfish motives.   Merciful Father, we are Zaccheus. We are sinners in search of someone to love us. Jesus has come, brought salvation to us, and challenged us to repent and lovingly serve Him faithfully. Lord, we are forever indebted to Him. Please give us the wisdom to know how to show that in the way we love, teach, and help others. You have invested in us, and we pray for the courage to multiply that investment. We will worship Your Son with boldness and joy. Please discipline us to focus less on self, money, and status, and more on kingdom ministry.  -       What would it require for you or me to derail our day to stop and notice Zaccheus and then go to his home? How can we be more like Jesus? -       You belong to Jesus. This is such a peaceful place to be. How important is it for you to share that hope with people who need Him? -       It seems money and greed kept the Pharisees too blind to see Jesus. What can you do each day to keep that from happening to you?

When you go to Confession, do you feel like you're going to the principal's office because you're in trouble? Or you feel like you're going to a feast? In Confession we go to the arms of the Merciful Father, who celebrates with great joy that we are there, and who throws a feast in our honor.

Greetings. Welcome to Water Walking Inspiration for the Work Week by Lisa Lynn Brown. Week 29 Day 2."...Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?...Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return...the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.""Jesus said...I am the resurrection and the life..." Excerpt from Job chapters 1 and 2, and John 11:25.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank you for encouraging our heart, mind, soul, and strength with your everlasting Hope, Faith, and Love.Abba Father, You tell us come to you to receive rest from weariness, joy for mourning, comfort for brokenheartedness; we come to you with all...receiving all that YOU have for us. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Risen Saviour,  we thank you for the eternal provision that you have made available to us.God Almighty, we thank you for making crooked things straight and for leading us by a way that we have not known...lighting the darkness before us.Jehovah Jireh, our provider, please help us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry; help us to be still...waiting patiently and expectantly.We repent of our sin.We forgive and receive forgiveness. We receive all of the special miracles, heart's desires, answered prayers, and blessings that you have for us.Jesus is the Lord: Amen."...behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered,  nor come into mind....the voice of weeping shall be no more heard...not the voice of crying......mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.They shall not labour in vain......for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear....They shall not hurt nor destroy...saith the Lord."- Excerpt Isaiah 65." men have not heard...neither hath the eye seen...what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him." Isaiah 64:4

Greetings!Welcome to Water Walking Inspiration for the Work Week, by Lisa Lynn Brown.Week 29, Day 1 "Can the blind lead the blind?...why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?""Judge not... condemn not...forgive...""In your patience possess ye your souls"- Excerpt from Luke 6, and Luke 21:19.Merciful Father, in the Holy name of Jesus Christ, we humbly pray your word back to You, "Master, have mercy on us."- Luke 27:13.Abba Father, You instruct us to " Watch and Pray." You tell us to pray for them which despitefully use us: please increase our faith, hope, and love.Wonderful, Counsellor we thank you for bearing the government on your shoulder. We thank you for being The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace who teaches us not to worry; we thank you for your refuge and strength and for being a very present help in trouble.Bread of Life, Immanuel please help us to keep our mind stayed on YOU; please create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us. We desire to please you by your standards- Psalm 119:27, 33, 49, 94, 105.We repent of our sin.We forgive and receive forgiveness. We know that we are loved, found, and healed.We receive all of the love, answered prayers, special miracles, heart's desires, and blessings that YOU, God Almighty,  have for us in the name of Jesus Christ our Risen Saviour.Jesus is the Lord.Amen."Be ye therefore merciful,  as your Father also is merciful."- Luke 6:36.

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we surrender all to you: withholding nothing.Abba Father, we thank you for this past year. We thank you for your Grace and Mercy...Love, and Protection. We thank you for deliverance, growth, lessons learned, and healing our broken heart.We thank you for your sovereignty and for being God all by yourself: our merciful,  perfect, Risen Saviour that has saved our soul from eternal death. We thank you for Faith Hope and Love: the things that remain.God Almighty, Holy Spirit, Lamb of God we look forward to this acceptable year of Our Lord: we stand on Isaiah 61:2.In today's reading of John 13 we receive the examples and instructions forth:We receive that we must love one another.We receive the blessings that come from us knowing that Jesus glorified God when he was betrayed by those closest to Him: as recorded in verse  31.We thank you for and receive the instruction to serve others and to wash their feet because God, in Christ Jesus, has given us all things; we come from God and will return to Him in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.We watch and pray in the name of Jesus Christ.Please help us to be the salt and light of the world always identifying with, YOU, the true vine- John 15:1.We repent of our sin.We forgive and  receive forgiveness.We love and receive love.We receive all of the special miracles, heart's desires, answered prayers, and miracles that You have for us, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, I Am.Jesus is the Lord. Amen.

Join us as co-lead pastor Amos Groenendyk continues our teaching series Promises of Wonder, today with the anchoring scripture passage of Luke 1:46-55.

God loves us very much, and He longs for us to repent of our sins and return to His welcoming, loving arms. Do so today; do not wait any longer.

October 6, 2024 Today's Reading: Mark 10:2-16Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 5:22-6:9; Matthew 9:1-17Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. (Mark 10:15)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Children, especially the littlest children, are completely dependent. Adam and Eve were created perfect… and the gift of children that came by Holy Matrimony was not just a promise of a future for all mankind but was given as a joy and a gift that revealed to man just how God graciously takes care of us in all our dependency.  Adam and Eve needed God to provide everything… and they loved their dependence. This didn't mean they just sat around and did nothing, though… there was plenty for them to do for each other. Adam cared for Eve, taught her, and was overjoyed to love his wife. Eve was served by Adam, and she loved to serve her husband… and that's what's wonderful about what Jesus teaches the Pharisees and us in our text. The Pharisees weren't arguing about who was the greatest just to be seen as the best… they sought to ‘be served' by those who were not as great as them. Jesus teaches us and them that they're not the greatest because of their high stature, their law-abiding, or anything that they do at all. The greatest is like a little itty bitty baby who's dependent on mom and dad for EVERYTHING! The greatest is the servant, as Jesus makes clear in Matthew 23:11. The One who receives the Kingdom of God is like Adam and Eve before the Fall– totally dependent on God for all things. The person who will enter heaven is the person who is given the kingdom like a little needy child. That's the person Jesus says “receives the kingdom of God…” That's who Jesus (who, though He was God, became the servant of all) says enters heaven… the needy children who've been given everything. Receiving the Kingdom of God, receiving Jesus is simply this… He does everything for us… gives all that is His to us, forgives us, and He does so by means of water, bread, wine, body, blood, and the word in the Divine Service, and the Holy Spirit brings us there and gives us the faith of a little child… faith that says, “Amen, amen it is so!” Christ my Lord abides with me. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Merciful Father, Your patience and loving-kindness toward us have no end. Grant that by Your Holy Spirit we may always think and do those things that are pleasing in Your sight; through Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen-Rev. Adam DeGroot, pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, NM.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.

August 4, 2024 Today's Reading: John 6:22-35Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 18:10-30; Acts 27:27-44Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (John 6:28-29)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus exposes the motives of those who sought Him after the feeding of the five thousand. They were chasing after food that perishes. Their primary target was what they needed for day-to-day life. That's important. You gotta eat! But it can't be what drives you. We work to put food on the table and have money in our pockets to buy what we think will satisfy us. None of it lasts. Jesus calls us to look beyond our day-to-day needs to our eternal needs, to Him who gives life to the world.Doesn't it please God to do our duty each day as we live out our vocations? Isn't it God-pleasing to work and put food on the table for our good and the good of our families? What could be more godly than that? When Jesus challenges His hearers on this, they ask the natural question: “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” So Jesus tells them what is God-pleasing: Believe in Him! Faith in Jesus pleases God.When people hear that the Christian faith is about Jesus, believing and trusting in Him for eternal salvation, many of them are disappointed and turn away. Isn't religion supposed to make you a better you? Shouldn't the Christian faith make this a better world? You know just how evil this world is. The “religious” Jews put Jesus to death. They rejected Him and His kingdom. You reject Him in your sins, too. God knows how evil it is. In Jesus, God stepped into this world. He became a physical, human part of it. He did this to redeem the world, to redeem you from all the evil of sin, death, and the devil.Jesus did come to make a better world. His resurrection is the greatest sign that the new creation is upon us. Faith clings to Jesus and longs for the end of this evil world and the dawn of the new, eternal one. Faith in Jesus, the Bread of Life, indeed pleases God. Your faith is nourished by the Bread of Life at His Table. He strengthens you with His Body and Blood to go out and love your neighbor, to provide for his or her needs, driving them right into the loving embrace of Him who gives life to the world. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Merciful Father, You gave Your Son Jesus as the heavenly bread of life. Grant us faith to feast on Him in Your Word and Sacraments that we may be nourished unto life everlasting; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost)-Rev. Joel Fritsche, director of Vicarage and Deaconess Internships and assistant professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. LouisAudio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.The Lutheran Confessions play a vital role in the church—both centuries ago, and today. But, do they apply to the daily life of a layperson? Pastor Andy Wright offers a resounding “yes” in his book, Faithfully Formed. He quotes, summarizes, and synthesizes key teachings from the Confessions, revealing their relevance in the daily lives of ordinary people.

"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds."- Matthew 16:26-27.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we are thanking you for all: Lord, as humbly as we know how to...we are trying our best not to loose faith in your Holy words and promises. Abba Father, we thank you for the trying of our faith knowing that it worketh patience, and for us to be perfect wanting nothing we must let patience have her perfect work, but Lord...even your Holy Word tells us that hope deferred makes the heart sick-James 1:3-4, Proverbs 13:12.Immanuel, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit...Great I am only you know what YOU will do; with all that we have we are trusting you. The world with its desires and pleasures are passing away, but our eyes, heart, mind, body, and soul is stayed on and in you. Only you know if these bones...these hopes, dreams, and works may live- Ezekiel 37:1-14.We learn a lesson from our sister in Christ, Sarah, who laughed when she was reminded of a promise made to her by God long ago; may we not laugh but prepare expectantly, and hopefully for all that you are doing and will continue to do in our life: Genesis 13:12.We repent of our sin.We forgive and receive forgiveness. We receive your unconditional love, and all of the blessings that you have for us.Jesus is the Lord. Amen."Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy."- Psalm 126:5."Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep."- Psalm 127:1-2.

“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come...Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen and I will tell you where to get food that is good for the soul."- Isaiah 55:1-2.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we humbly thank you for this opportunity to trust you completely;Only you know what concerns are trying to vie for our attention.Abba Father, we surrender all to you, right now.You are all that matters, therefore we stand on Isaiah 26:3 and keep our mind stayed on you.Immanuel, God with us, we have everything we need and that is of value with you: and, we have nothing without you.We repent of our sin.We forgive and receive forgiveness.We receive your unconditional love.We receive all of the blessings that you have for us.Jesus is the Lord. Amen."You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."- Isaiah 26:3"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.""Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."- Philippians 4:13, 6.

"I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you."- Isaiah 46:4."I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.The Lord is on my side; I will not fear...The Lord is my strength and song...I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord."- Psalm 118.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we humbly give you thanks and praise for another opportunity to seek first the Kingdom of God and your righteousness in earth as it is in Heaven.Abba Father, we thank you for knowing all things, for being everywhere at all times, and for being all powerful;We thank you for moving and working on our behalf for Good even when our flesh and emotions try to tell us otherwise: we rebuke Satan and all of his lies- Matthew 4:10, Jude 1:9.Immanuel, God with us, please protect the gates of our mind, eyes, ears, body, spirit, and being; help us to be still and know that YOU are God; our Father who will never leave us nor forsake us: who has proven it through Jesus Christ and has sealed us with your precious Holy Spirit- Ephesians 1:13.Father, Son, and Holy Spirit we ask that you keep us focused on "whatsoever things are true...honest...just...pure...lovely, and are of good report" in the name of Jesus Christ- Philippians 4:8.We repent of our sin. We forgive and receive forgiveness. We love and receive your unconditional love. We receive all of the answered prayers, heart's desires, special miracles, and blessings that you have for us. Jesus is the Lord.Amen."Please, Lord, please save us.Please, Lord, please...send now prosperity.O give thanks unto the Lord; for his mercy endureth forever."- Psalm 118:24-25."Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever.Amen."- Jude 1:24-25.

"Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near."-Isaiah 55:3."...it is not my heavenly Father's will that even one of these little ones should perish."- Matthew 18:14."...Behold, thy King cometh unto thee meek..."- Matthew 21:5.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we sing Hallelujah to thee:Hosanna in the highest. Abba Father, we give you the highest praise because YOU alone are worthy.Immanuel, King Eternal, Holy Spirit we thank you for creating us for your glory; thank you for seeing us and knowing us intimately, and giving us a just chance to glorify your name with our life.Blessed Father, Son, and Holy Spirit create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us.We know by your Holy Word that we can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.- Matthew 7:13-14.Help us not to desire to satisfy our flesh and the things of this perishing world;Help us to desire your approval for our thoughts, actions, and entire being.We thank you for your protection- Psalm 91.We thank you for your forgiveness, faith, hope, and love.We thank you Jesus Christ, our Risen Saviour, for enduring rejection, abuse, ridicule, beatings, embarrassment, betrayal, and all that came with your sacrifice that we might have abundant life, eternally.We repent of our sin.We forgive and recieve forgiveness. We love and receive your unconditional love. We receive all of the blessings that YOU have for us.Jesus is the Lord.Amen."So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him."- Luke 15:20.And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan...is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?"- Zechariah 3:2.

"Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting - and conflict."- Proverbs 17:1."Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord."- Proverbs 18:22."Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."- Matthew 5:48.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank you for the "high calling" of God in Christ Jesus: Philippians 3:14.Abba Father, we thank you for requiring that our thoughts and actions reflect that we belong to you;Help us to be content with the blessings you have purposed for our life.Immanuel, King Eternal, Holy Ghost, we humbly ask for your strength to please you: We trust that you are a rewarder of them that diligently seek YOU- Hebrews 11:6.We thank you Jesus Christ for finishing the task set before you by God Almighty: enduring the shame, rejection, and attempts to devalue you.We repent of our sin.We forgive and receive forgiveness. We receive your unconditional love, and all of the blessings that you have for us.Jesus is the Lord.Amen."Trust in the Lord, and do good...thou shalt be fed.Delight thyself also in the Lord ; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass."- Psalm 37:3-5.

St. Francis Catholic University Meditation preached by Fr. Michael Casey. To learn more: www.stfranciscatholic.org/

"...Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you"- Matthew 5:5."And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient"- Romans 1:28."...dear brothers and sisters...be not weary in well doing."- 2 Thessalonians 3:13.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we give you thanks in all things.Immanuel, help us!- Psalm 70.Abba Father, please encourage our faith, hope, and love right now. We repent of our sin. We forgive and receive forgiveness. We receive your unconditional love. We receive all of the blessings that you have for us.Jesus is the Lord.Amen."Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth..." Isaiah 54:4."Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs."- Isaiah 61:7."For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."- Romans 10:11.

"Fear not;for thou shalt not be ashamed...thou shalt not be put to shame"-Isaiah 54:4."Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows...he was wounded for our sins.He was beaten that we might have peace...and we are healed."- Isaiah 53:4-5.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank you for your promises;We thank you for new mercies every morning, and for your faithfulness: Lamentations 3:22-23.Immanuel, God with us, Eternal King we repent of our sin.Help us, Lord God Almighty:Only You know how hard we try- Philippians 3:14.We receive the love that You have for us;We receive all of the blessings that YOU have for us.We love you: John 15:10.Jesus is the Lord. Amen."It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not."- Lamentations 3:22"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."- Philippians 3:14.

"...Mary stood without... weeping...and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre...Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, “Sir...if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”Mary! Jesus said.She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master...Jesus...stood in the midst, and saith...Peace be unto you."- Excerpt from John 20.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank you for your peace and presence: especially during our moments of uncertainty and sorrow.Immanuel, God with us, your life-giving healing, Holy Word reminds us that even when we think we have figured out a plan to help you carry out the promises you have made to us...you have already blessed us with the miracle: we only need have faith in YOU; we must watch and pray. Abba Father, we thank you for the wonderfully talented brain and body that you have equipped us with, but moreover, we are thankful for your continuous assurance that it is not by our strength, or knowledge that allows us to receive the fullness of God Almighty, but our belief in your faithfulness- Hebrews 11:6.We thank you for allowing us to see your glory.We thank you for blessing us even through doubt.We repent of our sin.We receive your unconditional love, and your peace that surpasses all understanding.We thank you for being acquainted intimately with the desires of our heart, and the longings of our entire being: and answering. We forgive and receive forgiveness. We receive all of the special miracles, promises, answered prayers, and blessings that you have for us.Jesus is the Lord.Amen."Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands."- Proverbs 14:1."And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer, and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."- Isaiah 65:24.

Beloved,"And Abraham said, My son, God will provide..."- Genesis 22:8." Death and life are in the power of the tongue..."- Proverbs 18:21."...choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live"- Deuteronomy 30:19.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank you for your faithfulness: to us, and YOUR Word. We thank you for this season of increased faith, hope, and love.We thank you for giving us, in the earth, gladness in proportion to our former misery: for replacing the evil years with good- Psalm 90:15.We thank you for clean, circumcised hearts.We repent of our sin.We forgive and receive forgiveness. We receive your unconditional love, grace, and mercy.We thank you for loving us so very much, and for continuously reminding us that you will NEVER leave us, nor forsake us;We trust you, Abba Father, Immanuel, Eternal King.We rebuke, in the name of Jesus Christ Our Risen Saviour, the enemy, lies, confusion, pride, and all the things of this world that try to exalt themselves against the Knowledge of God: 2 Corinthians 10:5.We receive all of the blessings that you have for us. Jesus is the Lord.Amen."...to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.Deuteronomy 30:6.

"Judge not, that ye be not judged....Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.""...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance..."-Matthew 7:20, Galatians 5:22-23.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, help us to watch and pray.We repent of our sin.We receive your forgiveness.We receive your unconditional love.We receive all of the answered prayers, heart's desires, special miracles, works, and blessings that you have for us.Jesus is the Lord.Amen."...Jesus told them... Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation..."- Matthew 26:31...41.

"Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.O satisfy us early with thy mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands eatablish thou it."- Excerpt Psalm 90.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank for this season of increased faith, hope, and love with You.We thank you for speaking to our heart and reminding us that, "all things work together for good to them that love God."- Romans 8:28.Abba Father, we love you so very much and thank you for being sovereign;You are never tired, or weary, or exhausted of unconditionally loving us: thank you.We repent of our sin, and we ask for your forgiveness. "...teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."- Psalm 90:12.We thank you for the blessing of friends and family; Immanuel, God with us, place within us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us: Psalm 51:10.We repent of our sin.We receive your unconditional love, and your forgiveness. We receive all of the special miracles, heart's desires, answered prayers, and blessings that you have for us.Jesus is the Lord. Amen."Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.Even youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."- Isaiah 40:28-31.

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind..."-Philippians 2:3."...Remember my chains. May God's grace be with you."- Colossians 4:18.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank you for our brothers and sisters in Christ who have humbly remained faithful to YOU; we thank you for their examples of wonderful faith: especially during unjust persecution.Abba Father, we pray your Holy Words found in Romans 10 back to you;"Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed...For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."God Almighty you are merciful: please be merciful to us right now;Help us to share the fruit of Your Spirit that is manifest in our life: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self- control- Galatians 5:22-23.Help us to forgive, wholeheartedly.Help us to share our testimony with love;As Joseph said in Genesis 50 regarding the evil done towards him..."You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people."Immanuel, God with us, we know through your Holy Word that the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world;Help us to keep our mind stayed on you, and our whole self in the strait gate-1John 2:15-17, Matthew 7:14.We receive all of the blessings that YOU have for us.Jesus is the Lord. Amen."Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly...the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!"- Acts 16:25-26."They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."- Psalm 126:5."Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised"- Hebrews 10:23.

"...But Jesus held his peace." -Matthew 26:63."...power belongeth to God.Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy"- Psalm 62:11-12."This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes."- Psalm 118: 23.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we sing HALLELUJAH! We rejoice and give you praise;Thank you God for being Wonderful!As humbly as we know to be, we are in your presence thanking you for all things.Abba Father, we thank you for teaching us the discipline of staying still, of being quiet, and of listening to the voice of the Holy Ghost;We thank you for helping us to trust in YOU completely:allowing you to handle the heart of man. In today's reading we are reminded that when accused, betrayed, and left alone,"Jesus held his peace."Lord God Almighty, help us and hear our cry;Help us not to let anyone or thing beguile us to give up the peace that you have given us: the peace that is bought with your precious blood and life.We, too, stand with the confidence of Jesus Christ and "realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us"- Matthew 26:53.We thank you, Immanuel, for never leaving us.We repent of our sin.We forgive and receive forgiveness. We love and receive your unconditional love.We receive all of the blessings that you have for us.Jesus is the Lord.Amen."... when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I."-Psalm 61:2.My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him."- Psalm 62: 5.

"For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, 'If you are the son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.'But Jesus told him, 'No! The Scriptures say, People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."- Matthew 4:1-4."...know also, that in the last days there will be difficult times.For people will love only themselves......scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, unthankful, unholy,Without natural affection...lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;...from such turn away....from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable...It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."- Excerpt from 2 Timothy 3 KJV and NLT.Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we joyfully thank you for being all powerful, all knowing, and ever present; we thank you that your ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Lord God Almighty we thank you for your son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, who was able to defeat the devil in all forms;We thank you for strengthening Jesus during his wilderness moment: allowing him not to forfeit the mission you gave him.We thank you for teaching us to lean on your Holy Word in all circumstances and not our knowledge, nor own understanding. We repent of our sin.We forgive and receive forgiveness. We thank you for loving us unconditionally. We thank you for blessing us with answered prayers, heart's desires, and all of the blessings that you have for us: we receive them.Jesus is the Lord. Amen."For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord..."- Jeremiah 29:11.

Luke 15:11-32 9:30am Service

Mighty Creator - Merciful Father by