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July 31, 2026

Broadcast

                  Wolves in Sheeps' Clothing - Part 5
                            Matthew 7:15-20
                              07/31/2026


        15   Beware of false prophets, who come to you in
             sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
        16   You will recognize them by their fruits. Are
             grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from
             thistles?
        17   So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the
             diseased tree bears bad fruit.
        18   A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a
             diseased tree bear good fruit.
        19   Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut
             down and thrown into the fire.
        20   Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
             (ESV)

        This week we have looked at Jesus' warning about false
   prophets in light of the Prayer of the Church:
        Grant to us, Lord, the Spirit to think and do always
        such things as are right, that we, who cannot do
        anything that is good without You, may be enabled by
        You to live according to Your will.


        Jesus said:
        Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's
        clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will
        recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered
        from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  So, every
        healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree
        bears bad fruit.  A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit,
        nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.  Every tree
        that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown
        into the fire.  Thus you will recognize them by their
        fruits.


        We invite you to come to Trinity Lutheran Church each Sunday
   at 9:00 a.m. to see if you hear the truth of God's Word.  If you
   think we are in error, if you disagree with us, we need to talk.
   If you do agree with us, we want you to join us.  Either way, we
   truly desire to discuss God's Word with you, to show from the
   Bible that our redemption from sin, death, and the power of the
   devil is because of God's grace alone for the sake of Christ
   alone.

        Our continuing prayer for you is that you hear the good news
   of Christ Jesus for your eternal redemption.  For, as Saint Paul
   wrote to Timothy: ``[God] desires all people to be saved and to
   come to the knowledge of the truth.''  Grant this, Lord, for
   Jesus' sake.  Amen.

July 30, 2026

Broadcast

                  Wolves in Sheeps' Clothing - Part 4
                            Matthew 7:15-16
                              07/30/2026


        15   Beware of false prophets, who come to you in
             sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
        15   You will recognize them by their fruits. Are
             grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from
             thistles?  (ESV)

        Our prayer this week asks God to guide and direct our faith
   and actions.
        Grant to us, Lord, the Spirit to think and do always
        such things as are right, that we, who cannot do
        anything that is good without You, may be enabled by
        You to live according to Your will.


        Who do you trust to tell you the truth of God's Word?  In
   the end, your relationship with God matters.  Twice the Psalmist
   warns us: ``The fool says in his heart, There is no God.''[1] You
   may not like that truth, and it may certainly make you
   uncomfortable, but God's offer of the forgiveness of your sins
   for the sake of Christ Jesus still stands.

        Does science, which is based on observations and theories,
   tell the truth?  Sometimes, but how many scientific facts we
   learned in school have been proven to be inadequate or even
   false?  Does philosophy, human reasoning, tell the truth?  If so,
   why are there so many opinions, so many different world views
   that are diametrically opposed?

        If you are so inclined to speak with a pastor, ask them to
   prove their teaching from the pages of the Bible alone.  Ask them
   if the Bible is the Word of God, or if it merely contains the
   Word of God.  The fruits of the false prophet is their teaching.
   Jesus warned us: ``Beware of false prophets, who come to you in
   sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will
   recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from
   thornbushes, or figs from thistles?''

        May our Lord guide us in the way of truth for the sake of
   Jesus.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Psalms 14:1a (ESV), Psalms 53:1a (ESV)

                                  15/

July 29, 2026

Broadcast

                  Wolves in Sheeps' Clothing - Part 3
                             Matthew 7:15
                              07/29/2026


        15   Beware of false prophets, who come to you in
             sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
             (ESV)

        Last Sunday we prayed:
        Grant to us, Lord, the Spirit to think and do always
        such things as are right, that we, who cannot do
        anything that is good without You, may be enabled by
        You to live according to Your will.


        How does the Holy Spirit guide us in all things?  As
   Lutherans, we believe, teach, and confess that the Holy Spirit
   does not speak to us directly either in visions or dreams.  He
   speaks to us through God's Word, through means that are
   verifiable, that other people can look at and discuss.

        Jesus warned His disciples: ``Beware of false prophets, who
   come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous
   wolves.''  There are false prophets who make claims that God
   directly told them to take a certain action, to do a certain
   thing.  Often, the action is self serving, which begs the
   question if the message is actually from God.

        Do we expect a new revelation from God that supersedes the
   Bible?  The author of Hebrews wrote: ``Long ago, at many times
   and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but
   in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he
   appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created
   the world.''[1] Jesus taught His disciples and sent them to
   proclaim God's Word to all people.  These disciples, the
   apostles, also wrote what Jesus said and taught so that the
   message of hope can be spread to more people.

        May our Lord grant us faith and wisdom to hear His holy
   Word.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Hebrews 1:1-2 (ESV)

July 28, 2026

Broadcast

                  Wolves in Sheeps' Clothing - Part 2
                             Matthew 7:15
                              07/28/2026


        15   Beware of false prophets, who come to you in
             sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
             (ESV)

        This weeks prayer is a plea for the Holy Spirit to guide us
   in the way of truth, and that we live according to God's will.
        Grant to us, Lord, the Spirit to think and do always
        such things as are right, that we, who cannot do
        anything that is good without You, may be enabled by
        You to live according to Your will.


        How do we know God's will?  We know the warning that Jesus
   gave: ``Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's
   clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.''  He calls on us to
   recognize false teaching, so the ability to recognize those who
   pervert the message of truth must be easy and accessible to all
   people.

        A prophet is someone who proclaims, ``Thus says the Lord.''
   They presume to speak for God.  They presume to know God's divine
   will.  They presume to advise us in our decisions, in our
   beliefs, and in our actions.

        Can the words of the prophet be verified by the clear
   meaning of the Bible?  Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, told
   the disciples where to find God's will when He said, ``Your word
   is truth.''[1] We know God's will, for Saint Paul, writing as
   inspired by the Holy Spirit, told Timothy, ``God would have all
   people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.''
   This agrees with Jesus' teaching.  Does the prophet agree with
   the written Word of God?

        May our Lord grant us the opportunity to hear and learn His
   Word so that we may recognize the wolf in sheep's clothing.
   Amen.
   ____________________

   1. John 17:17b

July 27, 2026

Broadcast

                  Wolves in Sheeps' Clothing - Part 1
                            Matthew 7:15-20
                              07/27/2026


        15   Beware of false prophets, who come to you in
             sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
        16   You will recognize them by their fruits. Are
             grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from
             thistles?
        17   So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the
             diseased tree bears bad fruit.
        18   A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a
             diseased tree bear good fruit.
        19   Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut
             down and thrown into the fire.
        20   Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
             (ESV)

        Our prayer of the Church this week confesses that our
   thoughts and actions must be guided by the Holy Spirit, otherwise
   all we think and do is tainted by sin.
        Grant to us, Lord, the Spirit to think and do always
        such things as are right, that we, who cannot do
        anything that is good without You, may be enabled by
        You to live according to Your will; through Jesus
        Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with
        You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.


        How do we know God's will?  How does the Holy Spirit guide
   us in all things?  Who do you trust to tell you the truth?

        Jesus said, as He was finishing the Sermon on the Mount:
        Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's
        clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will
        recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered
        from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  So, every
        healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree
        bears bad fruit.  A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit,
        nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.  Every tree
        that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown
        into the fire.  Thus you will recognize them by their
        fruits.


        God calls pastors to serve the Church to apply the Word of
   God to each person.  This is the prophetic part of the Office of
   the Ministry.  What should you look for in the message of each of
   these pastors, each of these prophets?  That is the topic this
   week.

        May our Lord grant us wisdom and faith to recognize true
   prophets and avoid false teaching.  Amen.

July 24, 2026

Broadcast

                      I Have Compassion - Part 5
                              Mark 8:8-9
                              07/24/2026


        8    And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up
             the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full.
        9    And there were about four thousand people. And he
             sent them away.  (ESV)

        Faith is knowledge of God's love, agreement that what we
   know is true, and trust in His compassion.  Faith requires that
   we know God's promises, how He gives us that which we need to
   support this life, and the redemption we need to live with Him
   forever.  Faith needs to hear the eyewitness stories of those who
   saw the miracles, who served the bread and gathered the
   leftovers.

        And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the
        broken pieces left over, seven baskets full.  And there
        were about four thousand people. And he sent them away.


        This week we have prayed:
        O God, whose never-failing providence orders all things
        both in heaven and earth, we humbly implore You to put
        away from us all hurtful things and to give us those
        things that are profitable for us.


        So that you may have the knowledge of God's love, so that
   you may trust in His compassion, please accept this invitation to
   join us this Sunday at 9:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church to
   hear of His grace and mercy.  Come to hear how our compassionate
   Father sent His Son to pay the price of our sin so that we may
   have life with Him in His heavenly mansions.

        May our Lord grant us faith to trust in Him, and hearts to
   recognize His love and compassion as He cares for our physical and
   spiritual needs.  Amen.

July 23, 2026

Broadcast

                      I Have Compassion - Part 4
                              Mark 8:5-7
                              07/23/2026


        5    And he asked them, ``How many loaves do you
             have?'' They said, ``Seven.''
        6    And he directed the crowd to sit down on the
             ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having
             given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his
             disciples to set before the people; and they set
             them before the crowd.
        7    And they had a few small fish. And having blessed
             them, he said that these also should be set before
             them.  (ESV)

        God works through means to provide in times of need.  As
   Jesus told His disciples, ``I have compassion on the crowd,'' He
   showed His love for all people.
        And [Jesus] asked them, ``How many loaves do you
        have?'' They said, ``Seven.''  And he directed the
        crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven
        loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave
        them to his disciples to set before the people; and
        they set them before the crowd.  And they had a few
        small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these
        also should be set before them.


        This is not the first time that the disciples saw Jesus feed
   a multitude with a few loaves of bread and several dried fish.
   Yet, this miracle was out of the ordinary, not that God provides
   food and shelter, but the He did so without the normal labor
   normally associated with baking bread.  Jesus multiplied the
   loaves and fish, thus feeding the crowd.

        In providing for our needs, in ordering all things in heaven
   and earth, God gives us food when we are hungry, clothing when we
   are naked, and shelter when we are homeless.  He does this
   through the hands of those who fear and love Him, who serve Him
   by serving their neighbors.  Therefore we pray:
        O God, whose never-failing providence orders all things
        both in heaven and earth, we humbly implore You to put
        away from us all hurtful things and to give us those
        things that are profitable for us.


        May our Lord grant us grace that we may help those in need,
   being the hands of God in action, because of His compassion.
   Amen.

July 22, 2026

Broadcast

                      I Have Compassion - Part 3
                               Mark 8:4
                              07/22/2026


        4    And his disciples answered him, ``How can one feed
             these people with bread here in this desolate
             place?''  (ESV)

        As Jesus traveled in Galilee and Judea and Samaria, people
   followed to learn and to marvel at the miracles He performed.  On
   one such occasion, the crowd had followed Jesus for three days
   and had run out of food.  Jesus told His disciples of His
   concern.  ``And his disciples answered him, `How can one feed
   these people with bread here in this desolate place?'''

        The disciples, like you and me, were at the same time saint
   and sinner.  They trusted in Jesus, but they still worried about
   the way they would solve this problem.  As they looked, all they
   saw was the difficulty of finding bread.

        Does God provide?  Time and again we see His loving hand,
   even in times of disaster.  Unexpected help arrives, supplies are
   found, we discover new ways to use the resources already at hand.
   We remember that God works through means, through you and me as
   we seek to serve our neighbors, especially in times of trouble

        Therefore, we often are part of the answer to the prayer:
        O God, whose never-failing providence orders all things
        both in heaven and earth, we humbly implore You to put
        away from us all hurtful things and to give us those
        things that are profitable for us.


        May our Lord grant us the strength of faith to love and
   serve our neighbors, especially in times of need.  Amen.

July 21, 2026

Broadcast

                      I Have Compassion - Part 2
                              Mark 8:1-3
                              07/21/2026


        1    In those days, when again a great crowd had
             gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called
             his disciples to him and said to them,
        2    ``I have compassion on the crowd, because they
             have been with me now three days and have nothing
             to eat.
        3    And if I send them away hungry to their homes,
             they will faint on the way.  And some of them have
             come from far away.''  (ESV)

        In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered,
        and they had nothing to eat, [Jesus] called his
        disciples to him and said to them, ``I have compassion
        on the crowd, because they have been with me now three
        days and have nothing to eat.  And if I send them away
        hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way.  And
        some of them have come from far away.''


        In faith we pray, ``give us this day our daily bread,''
   knowing that God provides all we need for this life.  In faith we
   understand that God works through means, through the diligent
   work of people who produce, ship, and sell the food, clothing,
   and shelter which keeps us warm and fed.  God provides us with
   the intelligence to set aside and preserve the bounty of creation
   for those years of drought, for those times when our resources
   are stretched thin.  Even then, He provides because of His love
   and compassion.

        Jesus saw the hungry crowd and had compassion.  As the crowd
   desired to learn more about the kingdom of God than to leave so
   they could go home to eat and sleep, they stayed and trusted in
   God to provide.  This is ``seek first the kingdom of God'' in
   action, trusting in our Lord's provision as we give Him honor, as
   we desire to be in His presence.  We confess and trust in God's
   compassion as we pray:
        O God, whose never-failing providence orders all things
        both in heaven and earth, we humbly implore You to put
        away from us all hurtful things and to give us those
        things that are profitable for us.


        May our Lord grant that we recognize His love and mercy as
   He gives us that which we need to support this life.  Amen.

July 20, 2026

Broadcast

                      I Have Compassion - Part 1
                              Mark 8:1-3
                              07/20/2026


        1    In those days, when again a great crowd had
             gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called
             his disciples to him and said to them,
        2    ``I have compassion on the crowd, because they
             have been with me now three days and have nothing
             to eat.
        3    And if I send them away hungry to their homes,
             they will faint on the way.  And some of them have
             come from far away.''  (ESV)

        For the next several weeks our readings will focus on the
   righteousness of faith, how we receive and reflect God's love to
   one another.  God is gracious, kind, and merciful, calling us to
   repentance and providing for our salvation through the death and
   resurrection of Jesus.

        This week's prayer recognizes that all good things come from
   God.  Even when we have problems and setbacks, we know that our
   heavenly Father will use all things for the good of those who
   trust in Him.
        O God, whose never-failing providence orders all things
        both in heaven and earth, we humbly implore You to put
        away from us all hurtful things and to give us those
        things that are profitable for us; through Jesus
        Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with
        You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.


        We see God's love in action, not only for our salvation from
   sin and death, but as He gives us everything we need to support
   this body and life.
        In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered,
        and they had nothing to eat, [Jesus] called his
        disciples to him and said to them, ``I have compassion
        on the crowd, because they have been with me now three
        days and have nothing to eat.  And if I send them away
        hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way.  And
        some of them have come from far away.''


        This week we will explore how God's love and compassion are
   not just for the big things in life, not just when we are looking
   at death and destruction, but for the little things as well.

        May our Lord grant us faith to recognize His compassion so
   that we may fully trust in Him.  Amen.