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August 5, 2026

Broadcast

                     Faithful Stewardship - Part 3
                             Luke 16:11-12
                              08/05/2026


        11   If then you have not been faithful in the
             unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the
             true riches?
        12   And if you have not been faithful in that which is
             another's, who will give you that which is your
             own?  (ESV)

        This week we prayed:
        Let Your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers
        of Your humble servants; and that they may obtain their
        petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please
        You.


        Several times Jesus said: ``You shall love the Lord your God
   with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
   mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is
   like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.''[1]

        Although we frequently fail to fulfill the words of our
   Lord, we pray that He guides and directs us to know and do His
   holy will.  Good stewardship means that we seek to use the gifts
   of this life to His glory, both by caring for ourselves and for
   our neighbors.  As we ponder our use of our time, talents, and
   treasures, do we seek first the kingdom of God?  Do we help those
   in need?

        Jesus asked this question.
        If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous
        wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?  And
        if you have not been faithful in that which is
        another's, who will give you that which is your own?


        How we use the things of this world reflects our faith and
   trust in God.

        May our Lord guide us in all our ways that we may do that
   which is pleasing in His sight.  Amen.

   ____________________

   1. Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV)

August 4, 2026

Broadcast

                     Faithful Stewardship - Part 2
                              Luke 16:10
                              08/04/2026


        10   One who is faithful in a very little is also
             faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a
             very little is also dishonest in much.  (ESV)

        This week we prayed:
        Let Your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers
        of Your humble servants; and that they may obtain their
        petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please
        You.


        Faith, which is trust in God's great love and mercy, is a
   gift He gives to those who believe that Christ Jesus died and
   rose again to redeem us from sin, death, and the power of the
   devil.  Because faith is a gift, something we cannot earn by our
   good works, something we do not deserve, we respond in
   thanksgiving.

        We ask God to hear our prayers because of His grace.
   However, we ask primarily for His help to love Him with our whole
   heart and our neighbors as ourselves.  Again, this is something
   we cannot do on our own, it requires God making us do that which
   is pleasing in His sight.

        We are all stewards of His gifts in this life.  Thus, we
   pray that we may be found faithful, using our time, talents, and
   treasures for the furtherance of the kingdom of God and to help
   those in need.  We pray this because we desire to do His will and
   walk in His ways.  Jesus said: ``One who is faithful in a very
   little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a
   very little is also dishonest in much.''

        May our Lord find us faithful in our stewardship of His
   abundant gifts.  Amen.

August 3, 2026

Broadcast

                     Faithful Stewardship - Part 1
                             Luke 16:10-13
                              08/03/2026


        10   One who is faithful in a very little is also
             faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a
             very little is also dishonest in much.
        11   If then you have not been faithful in the
             unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the
             true riches?
        12   And if you have not been faithful in that which is
             another's, who will give you that which is your
             own?
        13   No servant can serve two masters, for either he
             will hate the one and love the other, or he will
             be devoted to the one and despise the other. You
             cannot serve God and money.  (ESV)

        During this portion of the Church Year we are looking at the
   righteousness of the kingdom of heaven.  How does your faith
   influence your life?  Is going to church on Sunday the joyful
   beginning of the week, or is it a chore which must be done to,
   hopefully, gain merit with God?  Is giving your time, talents,
   and treasure for the good of others something we do out of guilt,
   or is it a pleasure to help?

        This week we prayed:
        Let Your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers
        of Your humble servants; and that they may obtain their
        petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please
        You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who
        lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God,
        now and forever.


        Over the next few days we will examine this prayer in light
   of the Gospel reading from last Sunday.
        One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful
        in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is
        also dishonest in much.  If then you have not been
        faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to
        you the true riches?  And if you have not been faithful
        in that which is another's, who will give you that
        which is your own?  No servant can serve two masters,
        for either he will hate the one and love the other, or
        he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
        You cannot serve God and money.


        May our Lord strengthen us in faith towards Him and in
   fervent love for one another.  Amen.

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.