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December 12, 2025

Broadcast

                        Things to Come - Part 5
                             Luke 21:34-36
                              12/12/2025

        34   But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed
             down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of
             this life, and that day come upon you suddenly
             like a trap.
        35   For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of
             the whole earth.
        36   But stay awake at all times, praying that you may
             have strength to escape all these things that are
             going to take place, and to stand before the Son
             of Man.  (ESV)

        Jesus was teaching His disciples about the judgment of all
   people at the end of the age.  His warning was not only for His
   disciples, but for all people of all time.

        But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down
        with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this
        life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.
        For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the
        whole earth.  But stay awake at all times, praying that
        you may have strength to escape all these things that
        are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of
        Man.


        How do we prepare for our Lord's return?  We know that our
   faith is God's gracious gift which He gives us through His Holy
   Word and the sacraments of baptism, the Lord's Supper, and
   absolution.  God's Word clearly tells us that our hope of the
   forgiveness of our sins lies only in Christ Jesus.  Whoever
   believes in Him as the only-begotten Son of God who was
   crucified, died, and risen for our sake, has the promise of
   everlasting life.

        The Christian faith is not about our good works, although we
   do many good works as a response of our faith.  The Christian
   faith is about Jesus dying and rising again to pay the price of
   our sin.  The Christian faith is about God's love.

        Please allow Trinity Lutheran Church to help you prepare for
   our Lord's coming as the righteous Judge by joining us each
   Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. to learn more of God's mercy.

        May our Lord grant you wisdom and faith to hear and trust in
   Christ Jesus alone.  Amen.

December 11, 2025

Broadcast

                        Things to Come - Part 4
                             Luke 21:34-36
                              12/11/2025

        34   But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed
             down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of
             this life, and that day come upon you suddenly
             like a trap.
        35   For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of
             the whole earth.
        36   But stay awake at all times, praying that you may
             have strength to escape all these things that are
             going to take place, and to stand before the Son
             of Man.  (ESV)

        Jesus was teaching His disciples about the judgment of all
   people at the end of the age.  His warning was not only for His
   disciples, but for all people of all time.

        But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down
        with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this
        life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.
        For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the
        whole earth.  But stay awake at all times, praying that
        you may have strength to escape all these things that
        are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of
        Man.


        We all take to heart the Boy Scout motto, ``Be Prepared.''
   This time of year we keep a blanket and food and a shovel in the
   car, not that we expect to be stranded, but in case that happens.
   We stock up on the non-perishable items that we may need in case
   of a blizzard.  Many have a backup generator to power their
   houses in the event of an electrical outage.

        In the same way we prepare for winter, we should prepare for
   the coming of Christ Jesus to judge the living and the dead.  Our
   preparation is not by having candles and matches and extra food,
   but in reading, learning, and hearing about God's rich grace,
   love, and mercy.  We prepare for Jesus' second coming by
   acknowledging that He is here, even now, with those who have
   faith in Him.

        May our Lord grant us wisdom to hear His Word and to believe
   it.  Amen.

December 10, 2025

Broadcast

                        Things to Come - Part 3
                             Luke 21:29-33
                              12/10/2025

        29   And he told them a parable: ``Look at the fig
             tree, and all the trees.
        30   As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for
             yourselves and know that the summer is already
             near.
        31   So also, when you see these things taking place,
             you know that the kingdom of God is near.
        32   Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass
             away until all has taken place.
        33   Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will
             not pass away.''  (ESV)

        Jesus was teaching His disciples about the judgment of all
   people at the end of the age.  Although He did not tell the
   disciples exactly when this would happen, He told them of various
   signs which will point to the end of days.

        And he told them a parable: ``Look at the fig tree, and
        all the trees.  As soon as they come out in leaf, you
        see for yourselves and know that the summer is already
        near.  So also, when you see these things taking place,
        you know that the kingdom of God is near.  Truly, I say
        to you, this generation will not pass away until all
        has taken place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but
        my words will not pass away.''


        We prepare for our Lord's return, we prepare for our own
   last day, by hearing and trusting in His Word.  The Word of God
   explains that we, of our own reason and strength, cannot live in
   a way that assures us of eternal life with our heavenly Father.
   The Word tells us that the Father sent His Son to die in our
   place, to pay the debt of our guilt, to conquer death and the
   grave.  His resurrection is a foretaste of our own resurrection.

        Today is the day of your salvation.  We do not and cannot
   know when He will return again.  We do not and cannot know when
   we will fall asleep awaiting the final trumpet sound.  Therefore,
   prepare, even as you prepare for the changing seasons.

        May our Lord grant us faith to hear His Word, to believe it,
   and to know that our hope is only in Him.  Amen.

December 9, 2025

Broadcast

                        Things to Come - Part 2
                             Luke 21:25-28
                              12/09/2025

        25   And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars,
             and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity
             because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,
        26   people fainting with fear and with foreboding of
             what is coming on the world.  For the powers of
             the heavens will be shaken.
        27   And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a
             cloud with power and great glory.
        28   Now when these things begin to take place,
             straighten up and raise your heads, because your
             redemption is drawing near.  (ESV)

        It was Tuesday of Holy Week, several days before Jesus was
   crucified, that He and His disciples took a break while walking
   from Jerusalem to Bethany.  There, while sitting on the Mount of
   Olives, the disciples marveled at the beauty of the city and
   temple.  Jesus told them the city and temple would be destroyed.

        And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and
        on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because
        of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people
        fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is
        coming on the world.  For the powers of the heavens
        will be shaken.  And then they will see the Son of Man
        coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when
        these things begin to take place, straighten up and
        raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing
        near.


        Those who do not know Christ Jesus, those who rely on their
   own reason, strength, and abilities, will be left trembling and
   fearful at the signs of Jesus' return.  Christians, on the other
   hand, believe that God is ultimately in control, that the changes
   on earth and in the heavens are a sign that Jesus is coming to
   take the faithful to their heavenly Father's home.

        Faith in Christ Jesus gives us a new perspective which helps
   us deal with the very real and frightening problems of this life.
   Yet, for the sake of Christ, we know the end of the story as we
   await life in the mansions of heaven.

        May our Lord grant us faith to trust in Him, to hold to His
   promise of life everlasting.  Amen.

December 8, 2025

Broadcast

                        Things to Come - Part 1
                             Luke 21:25-27
                              12/08/2025

        25   And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars,
             and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity
             because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,
        26   people fainting with fear and with foreboding of
             what is coming on the world.  For the powers of
             the heavens will be shaken.
        27   And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a
             cloud with power and great glory.  (ESV)

        We prepare for the second coming of Jesus by looking at His
   first coming, and by looking at how He comes to the Church today.
   This season of Advent reminds us to prepare, for just as the
   people were surprised at Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection,
   so will they be surprised at His return to judge the living and
   the dead.

        The historic Gospel lesson for the second Sunday in Advent
   gives both a warning and hope.  We are reminded that our Lord's
   return will be a calamity for most of the world, yet that those
   who have not rejected Him have a reason to rejoice.

        And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and
        on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because
        of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people
        fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is
        coming on the world.  For the powers of the heavens
        will be shaken.  And then they will see the Son of Man
        coming in a cloud with power and great glory.


        We are in the last times and have been since Jesus ascended
   into heaven.  The apostles and Evangelists expected Him to return
   in their lifetime, and every succeeding generation felt they
   would be the last.

        Do we see a greater fear worldwide caused, in part, by
   better communication?  Does our science cause us to tremble as we
   try to decode the meaning of climate observations, the shift of
   tectonic plates, and increased natural disasters?  Jesus' words
   have power today, even as they had power when He spoke them on
   the Tuesday before He was betrayed.

        May our Lord grant us faith to hold firmly to Christ Jesus
   so that we may understand the changes and chances of this world.
   Amen.

December 5, 2025

Broadcast

                       A New Beginning - Part 5
                           Matthew 21:10-11
                              12/05/2025

        10   And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was
             stirred up, saying, ``Who is this?''
        11   And the crowds said, ``This is the prophet Jesus,
             from Nazareth of Galilee.''  (ESV)

        We are at the beginning of the new Church Year.  As we
   prepare to celebrate the incarnation of Jesus, to commemorate His
   birth in Bethlehem as foretold by the prophets, we confess our
   faith.  For the next year we will answer the question posed by
   the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

        And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was
        stirred up, saying, ``Who is this?''  And the crowds
        said, ``This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of
        Galilee.''


        How does this story play out?  This Jesus, who rode into
   Jerusalem to bear our sins and to be our Savior, remains with His
   Church through Word and Sacrament.  He is with us also through
   the Holy Office of the ministry, where His called and ordained
   servants act in His place and on His behalf to serve His people.

        Christ Jesus came into Jerusalem in the flesh.  Christ Jesus
   comes into the Church in grace.  Christ Jesus is coming again in
   glory.

        This is a new beginning.  In honor of the new year, in
   celebration of our Lord's grace in allowing you the opportunity
   to receive His gifts of mercy, please join us at Trinity Lutheran
   Church each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. to learn more of this Jesus.
   During Advent, we also gather at noon and 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays
   in honor of this season.

        May our Lord grant you a blessed Advent as you prepare to
   celebrate Jesus Christ, true God and true man, born to redeem you
   from sin and death.  Amen.

December 4, 2025

Broadcast

                       A New Beginning - Part 4
                             Matthew 21:9
                              12/04/2025

        9    And the crowds that went before him and that
             followed him were shouting, ``Hosanna to the Son
             of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of
             the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!''  (ESV)

        During Advent we look at the threefold coming of Jesus.  He
   came in the flesh to bear our sins and to be our Savior.  He
   comes in grace to the Church through Word and sacrament.  He will
   come again in glory to judge both the living and the dead.

        As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the pilgrim throng who
   comprised this makeshift parade sang the traditional songs which
   had been in use since the time of King David.  Matthew recorded:
   ``And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were
   shouting, `Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes
   in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!'''

        ``Hosanna'' is a Hebrew word which means ``save us now.''
   Little did the crowd realize that these words penned by the
   Psalmist would see their fulfillment within days.  As the crowds
   shouted and sang, they confessed that Jesus is true God.

        The pilgrims, like you and I, desired the glory of victory,
   the assurance that life will be easy and enjoyable.  They looked
   for temporal salvation, the restoration of the Kingdom of David
   and Solomon, the glory days of Judah.

        ``Save us now,'' however, is much more than physical
   pleasure and power over our enemies.  It is the eternal
   forgiveness as Christ Jesus overcame death and the grave.  The
   Son of David, foretold by prophet and poet, is the answer to the
   prayer.

        May our Lord grant us faith to see in Jesus our Redeemer,
   even as we cry out ``Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name
   of the Lord.''  Amen.

December 3, 2025

Broadcast

                       A New Beginning - Part 3
                            Matthew 21:6-8
                              12/03/2025

        6    The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed
             them.
        7    They brought the donkey and the colt and put on
             them their cloaks, and he sat on them.
        8    Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road,
             and others cut branches from the trees and spread
             them on the road.  (ESV)

        As we begin this new Church Year, we are preparing to
   celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ, who was conceived by
   the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.  He was born so to
   ride into Jerusalem during the governorship of Pontius Pilate, to
   be crucified as the worst of criminals, and to rise again from
   the dead.  By reading of the events of Palm Sunday on the first
   Sunday in Advent, we confess that Jesus came in our place to bear
   our sin and be our Savior.

        There were faithful Jewish people from all over the known
   world who journeyed to Jerusalem for the Passover feast.  Many of
   these pilgrims recognized Jesus as the Messiah.  They reacted to
   Jesus directing His disciples to obtain a donkey colt so that He
   would enter into the city on the back of this beast of burden.

        The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.
        They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them
        their cloaks, and he sat on them.  Most of the crowd
        spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut
        branches from the trees and spread them on the road.


        Although Jesus humbly rode into the city, the crowds
   announced His arrival.  They expected to see some great works,
   some miracles, or maybe the final confrontation in which the
   forces of Rome would be expelled from the land and the Kingdom
   restored to the heirs of David and Solomon.  What they saw,
   several days later, was the bruised, tortured, wounded body of
   Jesus hanging lifeless on the cross as a strange darkness lay
   over the whole world.

        May our Lord grant us faith and wisdom to understand His
   first coming has redeemed us from sin and death.  Amen.

December 2, 2025

Broadcast

                       A New Beginning - Part 2
                            Matthew 21:4-5
                              12/02/2025

        4    This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the
             prophet, saying,
        5    ``Say to the daughter of Zion, `Behold, your king
             is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey,
             and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'''
             (ESV)

        We are beginning to prepare to celebrate the incarnation of
   the Son of God as He came to us in human form.  From the day that
   Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, our heavenly Father prepared
   to send His Son to redeem us from sin, death, and the power of
   the devil.  As is the case of our Lord's coming in glory, the
   prophecies were in place, but the date was unknown.

        As Jesus approached Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, He directed
   two disciples to borrow a donkey colt.  Even though the world was
   created though Jesus, even though He is true God, He chose to
   enter the city on this humble beast of burden.

        Jeremiah the prophet had foretold this event.
        This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the
        prophet, saying, ``Say to the daughter of Zion,
        `Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and
        mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast
        of burden.'''


        Jesus fulfilled the prophetic words of prophet, poet, and
   priest.  He truly became man, born of the virgin Mary, to bear
   your sins and mine on the cross of Calvary.  As true God, He was
   sinless.  As true man, He was able to die and rise again for our
   salvation.

        The Old Testament message of God's grace, love, and mercy
   pointed to the cross and empty grave.  The New Testament message
   shows how God fulfilled His promises in ways that are beyond our
   imagination.

        May our Lord grant us faith to hear the prophets and to see
   Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promise of redemption.  Amen.

December 1, 2025

Broadcast

                       A New Beginning - Part 1
                            Matthew 21:1-3
                              12/01/2025

        1    Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to
             Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent
             two disciples,
        2    saying to them, ``Go into the village in front of
             you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied,
             and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to
             me.
        3    If anyone says anything to you, you shall say,
             `The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at
             once.  (ESV)

        We are now at the beginning of a new Church Year.  Advent,
   which begins on the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saint Andrew,
   November 30, is a penitential season where we prepare for the
   celebration of Jesus' incarnation.  It is a time of preparation,
   a somber season that is also filled with joy.

        Our readings, our hymns, our thoughts are focused on the
   threefold coming of Jesus.  We define the threefold coming of
   Jesus as His coming in the flesh, His coming in grace, which is
   the Church, and His coming in glory at the end of the ages.  As a
   shorthand, Christ came, Christ is here, Christ is coming again.

        This first week of the Advent season turns our focus to
   Christ Jesus coming in the flesh.  What best explains His
   incarnation than to look at Holy Week, the week during which
   Jesus died and rose again to pay the price of our sin?  The
   events of Palm Sunday led directly to the cross, grave, and empty
   tomb.

        Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to
        Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two
        disciples, saying to them, ``Go into the village in
        front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey
        tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to
        me.  If anyone says anything to you, you shall say,
        `The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once.


        So begins the season of Advent, our Lord enters Jerusalem to
   the cheers of the crowd.  He enters Jerusalem as the Lamb of God
   who takes away the sins of the world.

        May our Lord bless each of us this Advent season with the
   peace which comes from knowing God's love.  Amen.