Author: admin

May 23, 2025

Broadcast

                          The Helper - Part 5
                             John 16:14-15
                              05/23/2025


        14   He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine
             and declare it to you.
        15   All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said
             that he will take what is mine and declare it to
             you.  (ESV)

        We believe, teach, and confess that God is three Persons yet
   one God.  The Father created us and sent His Son to die and rise
   again to redeem us from sin, death, and the power of the devil.
   The Son, Jesus, is both true God and true man, begotten of His
   Father from eternity, yet born of the virgin Mary.  The Holy
   Spirit brings us to faith in Christ Jesus, giving us the ability
   to hold to the promise of salvation earned for us on the cross of
   Calvary.

        The night Jesus was betrayed, while comforting His
   disciples, He also told them of the work of each person of the
   Trinity.
        He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and
        declare it to you.  All that the Father has is mine;
        therefore I said that he will take what is mine and
        declare it to you.


        The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are of one will, even as
   they are one true God.  Their will is that all people accept the
   salvation earned by Jesus Christ, that all people come to the
   knowledge of the truth of salvation from sin and eternal death by
   God's rich love alone, for the sake of Christ Jesus alone.

        The Holy Spirit ensures that the Christian Church will last
   forever, even if individual congregations may open or close.  He
   causes the truth of God's love to be proclaimed.  Please join us
   at Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday morning to receive the hope
   and comfort of God's rich love and mercy, the assurance of the
   forgiveness of your sins.

        God grant this for Jesus' sake.  Amen.

May 22, 2025

Broadcast

                          The Helper - Part 4
                             John 16:12-13
                              05/22/2025


        12   I still have many things to say to you, but you
             cannot bear them now.
        13   When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you
             into all the truth, for he will not speak on his
             own authority, but whatever he hears he will
             speak, and he will declare to you the things that
             are to come.  (ESV)

        Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night He was betrayed, spoke
   words of comfort and hope to His disciples to prepare them for
   His death, resurrection, and ascension.
        I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot
        bear them now.  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will
        guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on
        his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak,
        and he will declare to you the things that are to come.


        The disciples were not ready to learn, to accept the truth
   that Jesus would soon be arrested, tried, tortured, crucified,
   and die.  Even on Easter morning, the disciples did not believe
   the report of the women who had witnessed the empty tomb.  On the
   day that Christ Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples asked
   Him if He would restore the earthly kingdom of Israel.

        Only after the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of
   Truth, did the disciples understand the work of Jesus Christ.
   His kingdom is not of this world, but is a kingdom of grace and
   mercy given to those who trust in His sacrificial death and His
   glorious resurrection.  The Holy Spirit inspired the prophets and
   evangelists who recorded God's Word for our salvation.  The Holy
   Spirit calls each of us to faith in Christ Jesus through the
   spoken Word, and through the visible Word of the Sacraments.

        May our Lord grant that we hear the Spirit of Truth, that we
   know He speaks of Christ Jesus for our salvation from sin and
   death.  Amen.

May 21, 2025

Broadcast

                          The Helper - Part 3
                             John 16:8-11
                              05/21/2025


        8    And when he comes, he will convict the world
             concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
        9    concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;
        10   concerning righteousness, because I go to the
             Father, and you will see me no longer;
        11   concerning judgment, because the ruler of this
             world is judged.  (ESV)

        The Holy Christian Church is not called holy and perfect
   because the members of the Church are perfect.  Far from it.  The
   Holy Christian Church is called holy and perfect because Jesus
   Christ died and rose again to pay the price of the sins of all
   people.  It is the work of the Holy Spirit to make the Church
   perfect in God's sight by bringing each member of the Church to
   faith in Jesus Christ.

        Our Lord spoke of the work of the Helper, the Holy Spirit,
   on the night He was betrayed.
        And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning
        sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin,
        because they do not believe in me; concerning
        righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will
        see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the
        ruler of this world is judged.


        This sin which condemns the world is rejecting the grace,
   love, and mercy of God as found in Jesus Christ.  Those who have
   faith in Jesus, those who have knowledge of His saving work, who
   acknowledge the truth of the revelation about Jesus, and trust in
   Him for their salvation have eternal life.  The Holy Spirit
   reveals the righteousness of God and the righteousness of faith
   through the Word and Sacraments.  Had Jesus not ascended, had
   Jesus not sent the Holy Spirit, the world might not have learned
   the truth of the Gospel.  Finally, the Holy Spirit, as He causes
   the mirror of God's Law to show us our sin, also shows the
   judgment of those who reject God's mercy.  The devil, the world,
   and our own sinful flesh stand condemned by the law.  Only
   because of the love and grace of God do we find that Jesus has
   fulfilled the law on our behalf.

        May our Lord grant us wisdom to hear His Word, that the Holy
   Spirit may create and sustain us in faith in Jesus Christ.  Amen.

May 20, 2025

Broadcast

                          The Helper - Part 2
                               John 16:7
                              05/20/2025


        7    Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your
             advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away,
             the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I
             will send him to you.  (ESV)

        Pontius Pilate asked Jesus, ``Are you a king?''  ``Jesus
   answered, `My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of
   this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might
   not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the
   world.'''[1] This spiritual kingdom is the Church, those who
   believe and trust that Jesus suffered, died, and rose again to
   pay the price of their sin.  Although Jesus would no longer be
   visible to the Church, He made a promise to the disciples.
        Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your
        advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the
        Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send
        him to you.


        Once Jesus had accomplished His mission of paying the price
   for all sins, once He gave His life for the salvation of all
   people, the Holy Spirit caused that message of hope to be spread
   throughout the world.  For forty days after Easter, Jesus proved
   to His disciples and many other witnesses that the bonds of death
   are broken, the tomb is empty.

        The Kingdom of God is not found in the visible things of
   this world.  The Kingdom of God is the truth that the Father sent
   His only-begotten Son to redeem and deliver us from the power of
   the devil.  He governs us as a King of Righteousness, life, and
   salvation against sin, death, and an evil conscience.

        It is the work of the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to call,
   gather, and enlighten the Church with the truth of God's grace,
   love, and mercy.

        May our Lord grant us the faith to recognize Jesus as the
   Lord of the Church, the one who has reconciled us to God the
   Father.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. John 18:36 (ESV)

May 19, 2025

Broadcast

                          The Helper - Part 1
                              John 16:5-7
                              05/19/2025


        5    But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of
             you asks me, Where are you going?
        6    But because I have said these things to you,
             sorrow has filled your heart.
        7    Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your
             advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away,
             the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I
             will send him to you.  (ESV)

        This week's Gospel lesson records Jesus' words on the night
   He was betrayed.  As Jesus and His disciples walked from the
   upper room to the Garden of Gethsemane, He reminded them of God's
   grace and mercy.  Within a few minutes everything would change
   for the followers of Jesus.
        But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you
        asks me, Where are you going?  But because I have said
        these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
        Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your
        advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the
        Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send
        him to you.


        Jesus was going away.  His first departure would be when
   Judas betrayed Him.  Before the next evening, Jesus would lie
   lifeless in the tomb, seemingly gone forever.  Yet, on Easter the
   tomb was empty, Jesus rose from the dead.  But for the good of
   the Church, Jesus had to ascend to His Father.

        Jesus' words to the disciples the night He was betrayed did
   bring them sorrow.  They were not certain what to make of this
   news, and they certainly did not realize how quickly Jesus would
   be taken from them.  But Jesus promised they would not be alone,
   for He promised them the Holy Spirit.

        This week we will be looking at the Helper, the Holy Spirit,
   who brings the Church to faith in Jesus Christ as the way, the
   truth, and the life.

        May our Lord give you comfort and hope in times of sorrow
   and confusion.  Amen.

May 16, 2025

Broadcast

                        A Little While - Part 5
                              John 16:22
                              05/16/2025


        22   So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you
             again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one
             will take your joy from you.''  (ESV)

        Jesus said, ``A little while, and you will see me no longer;
   and again a little while, and you will see me.''  He also
   promised His disciples, ``So also you have sorrow now, but I will
   see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take
   your joy from you.''

        The Church waits for the coming of Jesus, the end of the
   ``little while'' where we are unable to see Him face to face.
   While we wait, we read His Words, study His promises, and trust
   in the sacrifice He made to redeem us from sin, death, and the
   power of the devil.  In the midst of life, in the tragedies and
   triumphs while we wait, we have the eternal hope of life
   everlasting in the mansions of the Father.

        Yet Jesus did not leave us without His presence, without His
   comfort.  He sent the Holy Spirit to call us to faith, to
   enlighten us with the gifts God bestows upon His people.  Faith
   is the sure and certain knowledge that Jesus' death and
   resurrection are for you and your redemption from sin and death.
   Faith is more than knowledge, it is acknowledging and agreeing
   that the message of hope is true.  Faith is the trust in that
   true message, you are saved from the guilt of your sin, you are
   given life in Jesus' name, by God's rich gift of love and grace
   alone.

        In order to give us a tangible proof of His mercy, Jesus
   gave the Church the sacraments which bring us the forgiveness of
   sins and renew our faith in Him.  God invites us to come into His
   presence to receive these gifts, given without price, given out
   of His love.  Please accept His invitation by joining us at
   Trinity Lutheran Church to hear His Word, to receive His gift of
   redemption, as we gather each Sunday at 9:00 a.m.

        May our Lord grant you the peace and joy which come from
   knowing Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Broadcast

                        A Little While - Part 4
                             John 16:21-22
                              05/15/2025


        21   ``When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow
             because her hour has come, but when she has
             delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the
             anguish, for joy that a human being has been born
             into the world.
        22   So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you
             again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one
             will take your joy from you.''  (ESV)

        The Royal Air Force and the state of Kansas have similar
   mottoes.  While the Royal Air Force says, ``Per ardura ad
   astra,'' Kansas intones, ``Ad astra per aspera.''  Those in the
   blue suits with silver wings say ``Through adversity to the
   stars,'' and the Sunflower State replies, ``To the stars through
   difficulty.''  Both would appreciate Jesus' words as He taught
   His disciples.

        ``When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because
        her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby,
        she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a
        human being has been born into the world.  So also you
        have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your
        hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from
        you.''


        While we are in the little while between Jesus' Ascension
   and His return, we indeed have sorrow.  Each person knows the
   grief of separation, the fear of the unknown, the concern for our
   daily bread and shelter and clothing.  Christians and non-
   Christians alike suffer tragedies and setbacks.  For those who
   have rejected God's gift of love, grace, and mercy, the pains and
   sorrows of this life seem unending.  They have no hope.  For
   those who have faith in Jesus, these same pains and sorrows are
   but a little while, something which can be tolerated because
   there is a positive end in sight.  Jesus is coming to take His
   people to live with Him forever.

        The joys of this world are fleeting.  Even as we bask in the
   sunlight while on vacation, we know that work awaits, thus our
   earthly joys are tempered with the cares of this life.  But in
   Christ Jesus we have the hope of the resurrection and life
   everlasting, that joy that can never be taken away.  May our Lord
   grant us the hope which brings us the true joy of His grace and
   mercy.  Amen.

May 14, 2025

Broadcast

                        A Little While - Part 3
                              John 16:20
                              05/14/2025


        20   Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and
             lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be
             sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.''
             (ESV)

        The words Jesus spoke to the disciples the night He was
   betrayed are also given to the Church.
        Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament,
        but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but
        your sorrow will turn into joy.''


        Jesus ascended into heaven forty days after Easter.  The
   Church no longer physically sees Him and longs for His return.
   While we wait, the Church is at odds with the world.  When the
   world and the Church agree, the Church as taken its eyes off of
   Jesus, turning to the secular god of popularity and acceptance.

        Only as the Church confronts the world, accuses the world of
   the selfishness of sin, does the Church truly prepare the world
   for hearing the Gospel.  Only as we know that we are sinful, only
   as we weep and lament that our own wisdom and strength cannot
   reconcile us to God, are we prepared to hear the good news of
   Jesus Christ.

        The good news is this.  Jesus died on the cross to pay the
   price of your sin and mine.  Jesus rose on the third day, proving
   that His sacrifice is acceptable in the Father's sight.  The
   forgiveness of sins earned by Jesus as He died and rose is given
   to you as a gift, unearned and undeserved.  As you believe this,
   you have the assurance of eternal life.  The faith, the trust,
   which allows you to believe that Jesus died and rose again for
   you is also a gift from God, not your own work.

        May our Lord turn our lament over our sin into the joy of
   His salvation.  Amen.

May 13, 2025

Broadcast

                        A Little While - Part 2
                             John 16:19-20
                              05/13/2025


        19   Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said
             to them, ``Is this what you are asking yourselves,
             what I meant by saying, `A little while and you
             will not see me, and again a little while and you
             will see me?'
        20   Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and
             lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be
             sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.''
             (ESV)

        The disciples were confused.  They were walking with Jesus
   to the Garden of Gethsemane after the dinner where Jesus
   instituted the Lord's Supper.  Although Jesus had done and said
   many things that evening, His words about leaving and returning
   were the most perplexing.

        Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to
        them, ``Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I
        meant by saying, `A little while and you will not see
        me, and again a little while and you will see me?'
        Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament,
        but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but
        your sorrow will turn into joy.''


        All of the things Jesus taught, all His prophecies, were
   revealed to be true.  Within a few minutes, Jesus was arrested
   and taken before the High Priest, Pilate, Herod, and back to
   Pilate.  He bore the wood of the cross for His execution.  His
   followers gave Him a hasty burial, one they intended to complete
   in a little while, after the Sabbath day.

        The disciples wept and lamented because Jesus was dead.  The
   chief priests and rulers of the Temple rejoiced for the same
   reason.  Pilate was relieved because he had avoided another nasty
   confrontation with the Jewish leaders.

        This changed on the third day.  Although the realization
   took a while, the truth of the resurrection and the promised
   coming of the Holy Spirit brought joy to the disciples.

        May the presence of Christ Jesus, who comes to us today in
   Word and sacrament, bring you the joy of knowing your sins are
   forgiven for His sake.  Amen.

May 12, 2025

Broadcast

                        A Little While - Part 1
                             John 16:16-18
                              05/12/2025


        16   ``A little while, and you will see me no longer;
             and again a little while, and you will see me.''
        17   So some of his disciples said to one another,
             ``What is this that he says to us, `A little
             while, and you will not see me, and again a little
             while, and you will see me'; and, ``because I am
             going to the Father?'''
        18   So they were saying, ``What does he mean by `a
             little while'? We do not know what he is talking
             about.''  (ESV)

        During the forty-nine days of the Easter Season, the Church
   focuses on Jesus' words of comfort which He gave His disciples on
   the night He was betrayed.  We are preparing for His Ascension
   where He is no longer visibly present.  The Gospel reading for
   this week, part of the conversation Jesus had with His disciples
   as they walked from the upper room to the Garden of Gethsemane,
   speaks both of Jesus' death and resurrection, and His Ascension.

        ``A little while, and you will see me no longer; and
        again a little while, and you will see me.''  So some
        of his disciples said to one another, ``What is this
        that he says to us, `A little while, and you will not
        see me, and again a little while, and you will see me';
        and, ``because I am going to the Father?'''  So they
        were saying, ``What does he mean by `a little while'?
        We do not know what he is talking about.''


        Within a few short minutes, Jesus would be met in the Garden
   by Judas and the Temple guards.  There He would be forcibly taken
   away from the disciples, tortured, crucified, and buried.  For
   three days the disciples could not see their Lord, for He was in
   the tomb.

        Even at this point of Jesus' time on earth, His disciples
   expected that Jesus would restore the temporal kingdom of David
   and Solomon.  They did not know, they did not understand, that
   Jesus' kingdom is a spiritual kingdom, an eternal kingdom which
   is not of this world.

        This week we will examine Jesus' words, finding hope even in
   the turmoil of our own days.

        May our Lord grant you the joy of knowing your sins are
   forgiven for the sake of Jesus Christ.  Amen.