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July 25, 2025

Broadcast

                       Fishing for Men - Part 5
                               Luke 5:11
                              07/25/2025


        11   And when they had brought their boats to land,
             they left everything and followed him.  (ESV)

        Jesus uses unlikely men to serve as pastors and evangelists
   in His Church.  Consider Simon Peter.  We know that he was not a
   Biblical scholar, one who spent long hours debating the Word of
   God with fellow Rabbis.  He was a fisherman by trade, a partner
   of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.  All three of these men
   were called by Jesus to proclaim the truth that the Kingdom of
   God, the grace of God, was at hand.

        Simon Peter, James, and John all witnessed the miraculous
   catch of fish.  Although Simon Peter confessed to Jesus that he
   was a sinner, unworthy to be in the same boat, Jesus called him
   to be a fisher of men.  No more would Peter toil to catch fish,
   but he would bring people into the safety of the Church.

        Being a fisher of men requires faith.  Not only do you need
   to be convinced of the truth of the message of salvation from sin
   and death because of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, you
   also need to be convinced that God will provide for your physical
   needs.

        Saint Luke tells us of Peter's reaction to the call of
   Jesus.  ``And when they had brought their boats to land, they
   left everything and followed him.''

        The message the Jesus entrusted to Simon Peter, to James, to
   John, and the other disciples, is the same message of God's grace
   and forgiveness which you will hear each Sunday at Trinity
   Lutheran Church.  Come join us each Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m.
   We don't promise it will improve your success at fishing, but you
   will hear of God's love, grace, and mercy for the sake of Christ
   Jesus.

        May our Lord grant that an overabundance of people hear His
   Word and come into the boat of His Church.  Amen.

July 24, 2025

Broadcast

                       Fishing for Men - Part 4
                              Luke 5:8-10
                              07/24/2025


        8    But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at
             Jesus' knees, saying, ``Depart from me, for I am a
             sinful man, O Lord.''
        9    For he and all who were with him were astonished
             at the catch of fish that they had taken,
        10   and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee,
             who were partners with Simon.  And Jesus said to
             Simon, ``Do not be afraid; from now on you will be
             catching men.''  (ESV)

        Simon Peter, along with his partners, James and John, had
   just witnessed the power of Jesus' words.  By giving these
   professional fishermen an unexpected catch, so large that two
   boats began to sink because of the large number of fish, Jesus
   showed His power over nature.

        But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus'
        knees, saying, ``Depart from me, for I am a sinful man,
        O Lord.''  For he and all who were with him were
        astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken,
        and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who
        were partners with Simon.  And Jesus said to Simon,
        ``Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching
        men.''


        Many Sundays, in the liturgy of the Church, we quote the
   words of Saint John, one of the men who witnessed this miracle.
   ``If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just to forgive
   us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.''[1] So
   it was with Simon Peter.  ``Do not be afraid,'' is our Lord's
   declaration that Simon's sins were forgiven, that he did not need
   to fear because he was in the presence of the Son of God.

        Not only was Simon Peter forgiven, but Jesus invited him to
   proclaim the good news of salvation.  Peter, who used to catch
   fish, would now catch people and bring them into the Church.

        May our Lord give us the ability to tell others of the
   Gospel, to bring them the peace of knowing their sins are
   forgiven for the sake of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Broadcast

                       Fishing for Men - Part 3
                               Luke 5:8
                              07/23/2025


        8    But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at
             Jesus' knees, saying, ``Depart from me, for I am a
             sinful man, O Lord.''  (ESV)

        Jesus had been using Simon Peter's boat as a pulpit.  After
   teaching the crowds, Jesus asked Peter to row out into the deeper
   part of the lake, during the heat of the day, and let down his
   nets.  Although the best fishing was at night in the shallower
   water, Simon Peter reluctantly agreed and did as Jesus asked.

        The results were not what he expected.  After all, Simon and
   his partners had fished all night with no results.  They were
   tired, frustrated, and had just finished cleaning their nets.
   They expected the daytime fishing to be futile.  They caught so
   many fish that both boats began to sink.

        When we are confronted with the truth of God's power, we
   stand humbly and in awe.  We are not worthy to witness His
   majesty.  After all, we are sinners who deserve God's eternal
   wrath and punishment.

        ``But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus'
        knees, saying, `Depart from me, for I am a sinful man,
        O Lord.'''


        Simon Peter is not alone in confessing his sin when he
   realized that he was in the presence of the Almighty.  Isaiah
   said much the same when he saw the throne room of heaven.  Most
   of the Old Testament prophets, including Moses, claimed to be
   unworthy of the task given to them.

        God calls sinners to proclaim His Word, to bring to sinners
   the peace which passes all understanding.  Each person God calls
   responds in much the same way, ``I am a sinner, I am not worthy
   to do as You request.''  They are right, it is only by the power
   of the Holy Spirit that men can proclaim God's love.  May our
   Lord grant that as we behold His glory, we also confess that we
   are unworthy sinners in need of His mercy.  Amen.

July 22, 2025

Broadcast

                       Fishing for Men - Part 2
                              Luke 5:4-7
                              07/22/2025


        4    And when he had finished speaking, he said to
             Simon, ``Put out into the deep and let down your
             nets for a catch.''
        5    And Simon answered, ``Master, we toiled all night
             and took nothing! But at your word I will let down
             the nets.''
        6    And when they had done this, they enclosed a large
             number of fish, and their nets were breaking.
        7    They signaled to their partners in the other boat
             to come and help them.  And they came and filled
             both the boats, so that they began to sink.  (ESV)

        Jesus, to better teach the crowds of people interested in
   hearing God's Word, used Simon's boat as a pulpit.  Everyone
   could gather on the shore of the lake where they could both see
   and hear Him teach.

        Saint Luke continues the story of Simon Peter's call to be a
   disciple:
        And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
        ``Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a
        catch.''  And Simon answered, ``Master, we toiled all
        night and took nothing! But at your word I will let
        down the nets.''  And when they had done this, they
        enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were
        breaking.  They signaled to their partners in the other
        boat to come and help them.  And they came and filled
        both the boats, so that they began to sink.


        Consider Simon's reaction.  He and his partners, James and
   John, had been up all night trying to catch fish both for their
   families and to sell in the marketplace.  Their labors were in
   vain.  Tired, probably somewhat disgusted, all the fishermen
   wanted to do was prepare their nets for the next evening's work,
   go home, and get some sleep.  Certainly Jesus using the boat as a
   pulpit was somewhat inconvenient for Simon, but he agreed and
   listened along with the crowd.

        When Jesus suggested that Simon take the freshly cleaned and
   repaired nets and go fishing, Simon agreed reluctantly.  After
   all, Jesus was not a fisherman, but a carpenter and a teacher.
   What did He know about fishing?  Simon soon found out that the
   Word of God, the words spoken by Jesus, are more powerful than
   the best practices of professional fishermen.

        May our Lord grant that we hear Jesus' words and do as He
   asks us to do.  Amen.

July 22, 2025

Broadcast

                       Fishing for Men - Part 1
                              Luke 5:1-3
                              07/21/2025


        1    On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in
             on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by
             the lake of Gennesaret,
        2    and he saw two boats by the lake, but the
             fishermen had gone out of them and were washing
             their nets.
        3    Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's,
             he asked him to put out a little from the land.
             And he sat down and taught the people from the
             boat.  (ESV)

        Jesus uses unlikely men to serve as pastors and evangelists
   in His Church.  Consider Simon Peter.  We know that he was not a
   Biblical scholar, one who spent long hours debating the Word of
   God with fellow Rabbis.  He was a fisherman by trade, a partner
   of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.  All three of these men
   were called by Jesus to proclaim the truth that the Kingdom of
   God, the grace of God, was at hand.

        On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him
        to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of
        Gennesaret, and [Jesus] saw two boats by the lake, but
        the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing
        their nets.  Getting into one of the boats, which was
        Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the
        land. And he sat down and taught the people from the
        boat.


        Jesus began His ministry by teaching the Word of God to
   those who desired to learn.  So many people gathered that He
   needed to separate Himself from the crowd so that everyone could
   see and hear the message of hope.  The boat made a good pulpit.

        Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.
   As we will see this week, Jesus called others to proclaim the
   same Word which He taught, for only the Word of God brings us the
   forgiveness of our sins and life everlasting.

        May our Lord open our hears to hear of God's grace and
   mercy.  Amen.

July 18, 2025

Broadcast

                            Mercy - Part 5
                             Luke 6:41-42
                              07/18/2025


        41   Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's
             eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own
             eye?
        42   How can you say to your brother, ``Brother, let me
             take out the speck that is in your eye,'' when you
             yourself do not see the log that is in your own
             eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your
             own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out
             the speck that is in your brother's eye.  (ESV)

        We show love and concern for each other.  Sometimes we are
   called upon to acknowledge the sin and harmful behavior of our
   neighbor.  Do we do so with arrogant pride and self-
   righteousness?  Or do we do so humbly, first confessing our sin,
   first acknowledging that we also need someone to point out our
   sins?

        Saint Luke recorded Jesus' words:
        Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye,
        but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  How
        can you say to your brother, ``Brother, let me take out
        the speck that is in your eye,'' when you yourself do
        not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite,
        first take the log out of your own eye, and then you
        will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your
        brother's eye.


        We certainly are called by God to help and serve each other.
   Sometimes that includes a difficult conversation that seeks to
   correct a problem, that seeks to avoid harm due to sinful
   behavior.  Before we speak, we prayerfully consider our words and
   actions, confessing our sin before God and man.

        Trinity Lutheran Church is a congregation of redeemed
   sinners who confess that they are not perfect, but that God, in
   His mercy has forgiven them.  Come join us each Sunday morning at
   9:00 a.m. to hear of God's mercy given to us for the sake of the
   death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Receive for yourself the
   peace which passes all understanding, the comfort and hope of
   life everlasting.

        May our Lord grant us wisdom to hear His Word and to serve
   each other with love and compassion.  Amen.

July 17, 2025

Broadcast

                            Mercy - Part 4
                               Luke 6:40
                              07/17/2025


        40   A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone
             when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.
             (ESV)

        Because we are sinners declared holy by God's rich grace,
   love, and mercy for the sake of the death and resurrection of
   Jesus, we also show mercy to others.  That mercy certainly says
   that we tell others about the peace of knowing we are reconciled
   to the Father for the sake of the Son.

        Saint Luke recorded Jesus' words: ``A disciple is not above
   his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like
   his teacher.''  Our teacher can either be of this world as we
   listen to the advice of many, ``Listen to your own heart, do what
   you think is right,'' rather than God's Word, ``Forgive as you
   are forgiven.''

        The devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh make a poor
   teacher.  They are self-centered, slow to accept blame yet quick
   to accuse.  They are self-righteous and hypocritical, demanding a
   perfection in others they are not willing to attempt for
   themselves.

        Our heavenly Father teaches us love, grace, and mercy.  He
   is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, quick to
   forgive even our worst sins.  As we have God the Father as our
   Teacher, as we learn from the Bible about grace and mercy, we
   become forgiving and loving.

        When Jesus said, ``Be merciful even as your Father is
   merciful,'' He invites us to learn of God's love and to reflect
   that love to others.

        May our Lord grant us strength to reflect His grace and
   forgiveness as we love and serve our neighbor.  Amen.

July 16, 2025

Broadcast

                            Mercy - Part 3
                               Luke 6:39
                              07/16/2025


        39   He also told them a parable: Can a blind man lead
             a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?
             (ESV)

        Although we are by nature sinful and unclean, and although
   we have sinned against God and neighbor by actively doing that
   which we should not do, or by not doing what we should do, we are
   forgiven because of God's mercy.  Our heavenly Father sent His
   Son to live, die, and rise again to pay the price of our
   transgressions.  Because God has shown us His mercy, we show the
   same mercy to others.

        Saint Luke wrote: ``He also told them a parable: `Can a
   blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a
   pit?'''  If we, in our self-righteous hypocrisy, are blind to our
   own sin, how can we help our neighbor by calling them to repent?
   We don't know about sin and grace, if we stand in judgment and
   condemnation concerning the shortcomings of others.

        Each Christian desires to help his neighbor.  Sometimes that
   help extends to a warning that actions and beliefs are wrong,
   that actions and beliefs may lead to suffering and death.  But
   that help is done with humility and love, not out of arrogance
   and superiority.  Aware of our own sin, knowing that only by the
   grace of God do we see the light of truth, we gently and
   prayerfully guide others to the same light.

        Showing God's mercy means that we encourage each other, help
   each other, and forgive each other.  It also means we protect
   each other from harm and danger.

        May our Lord grant us wisdom, love, and strength to see our
   own sin even while serving our neighbor.  Amen.

July 15, 2025

Broadcast

                            Mercy - Part 2
                             Luke 6:37-38
                              07/15/2025


        37   Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn
             not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and
             you will be forgiven;
        38   give, and it will be given to you. Good measure,
             pressed down, shaken together, running over, will
             be put into your lap. For with the measure you use
             it will be measured back to you.  (ESV)

        Each day as we pray the Lord's Prayer we ask, ``Forgive us
   our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.''  In
   so doing, we confess that we are sinful, that our only hope is in
   the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who bore the guilt of
   our sin.  We are forgiven for His sake and are free to respond to
   the Father's mercy by showing mercy.

        Jesus explained what Christian mercy is as He taught His
   disciples.
        Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and
        you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be
        forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good
        measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over,
        will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use
        it will be measured back to you.


        Because we are forgiven by God's grace through faith in
   Christ Jesus alone, we dare not judge others as if we are
   superior and more righteous than they.  The wages of sin is
   death, and we do not want to see anyone suffer eternal
   condemnation.  Thus we seek to help our neighbor avoid those
   things which are harmful.  We encourage them to repent and turn
   in faith to Christ.

        Before we speak of our neighbor's sin, we confess before God
   and each other that we also have sinned in thought, word, and
   deed.  We approach our neighbor as their equal, and ask them to
   help us in our own struggles with sin.  By holding each other
   accountable, we look first to God's mercy and grace, then we
   encourage each other in our daily struggles.

        When we forgive and help our neighbor, we do so with love,
   respect, and mercy.  For we also need the same forgiveness, love,
   and respect.  We forgive as we are forgiven, without conditions,
   without condemnation.

        May our Lord grant us strength to reflect His love to our
   neighbor.  Amen.

July 14, 2025

Broadcast

                            Mercy - Part 1
                               Luke 6:36
                              07/14/2025


        36   Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
             (ESV)

        To be a Christian is to acknowledge that we are redeemed
   from sin, death, and the power of the devil because of the death
   and resurrection of Jesus.  We do not earn the forgiveness of our
   sins, for we are born enemies of God.  Nothing we do can make up
   for our sinful nature.  Forgiveness is a gift, given to us
   because of God's great love as our Father sent His Son to bear
   our guilt.

        Jesus told His disciples, ``Be merciful, even as your Father
   is merciful.''  How is our heavenly Father merciful?  He gives us
   all things, natural and spiritual, temporal and eternal, because
   of His great love.  Even those people who do not acknowledge
   God's rich goodness are daily blessed by Him with all things they
   need to support this body and life.  The Father's mercy extends
   to everyone, regardless of who they are or how they act.

        Because we are forgiven by God, because we have received His
   love, grace, and mercy, we reflect the gifts we have been given.
   God does not need our good works, but gives us the opportunity to
   share His love with our neighbor.

        Good works flow from faith, from knowing the gift which is
   ours through Jesus Christ.  Good works do not earn us favor with
   God, but do provide proof that our faith is alive and active.
   This week we will look at the way we reflect the Father's mercy
   as we serve Him by loving our neighbor.

        May our Lord grant us faith to recognize the Father's love
   for His creation.  Amen.