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November 21, 2025

Broadcast

                       Sheep and Goats - Part 5
                             Matthew 25:46
                              11/21/2025

        46   And these will go away into eternal punishment,
             but the righteous into eternal life.  (ESV)

        The Gospel reading for this week, the Second Last Sunday of
   the Church Year, concerns the judgment, when Christ returns and
   the angels separate all people into two groups.  On His right
   hand are the sheep, on His left the goats.  The sheep He invites
   to enter into the kingdom prepared for them before the foundation
   of the world.  The goats are condemned to eternity with the
   angels who rebelled against God.

        ``And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the
   righteous into eternal life.''

        We believe, teach, and confess that all people are conceived
   in sin, and are born an enemy of God.  Only as our heavenly
   Father, in His grace and mercy, sent His Son to die to pay the
   price of our sin, do we have the hope of everlasting life.  The
   sinless Son of God took upon Himself our sin, suffered the fires
   of hell on our behalf, and defeated death.  He rose from the
   dead, foreshadowing our own resurrection.

        Good works, the way we accept the ones God has sent to
   proclaim His undeserved love, are simply evidence of faith.
   Where the world may be indifferent, if not openly hostile, to
   those who preach the Word, the sheep who have faith in Christ
   gladly hear and respond to the good news of Christ Jesus.

        Please join us at Trinity Lutheran Church each Sunday
   morning at 9:00 a.m. as we gather to hear of God's love, grace,
   and mercy as found in Christ Jesus.  He died and rose again so
   that you may be gathered with the sheep, blessed eternally by the
   Father.

        May our Lord grant you faith to trust this message of hope.
   Amen.

November 20, 2025

Broadcast

                       Sheep and Goats - Part 4
                           Matthew 25:41-45
                              11/20/2025

        41   Then he will say to those on his left, ``Depart
             from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire
             prepared for the devil and his angels.
        42   For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was
             thirsty and you gave me no drink,
        43   I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked
             and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and
             you did not visit me.''
        44   Then they also will answer, saying, ``Lord, when
             did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or
             naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister
             to you?''
        45   Then he will answer them, saying, ``Truly, I say
             to you, as you did not do it to one of the least
             of these, you did not do it to me.''  (ESV)

        The Gospel reading for this week, the Second Last Sunday of
   the Church Year, concerns the judgment, when Christ returns and
   the angels separate all people into two groups.  On His right
   hand are the sheep, on His left the goats.  The sheep He invites
   to enter into the kingdom prepared for them before the foundation
   of the world.  The goats hear a different verdict.

        Then he will say to those on his left, ``Depart from
        me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the
        devil and his angels.  For I was hungry and you gave me
        no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was
        a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you
        did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not
        visit me.''  Then they also will answer, saying,
        ``Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a
        stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not
        minister to you?''  Then he will answer them, saying,
        ``Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of
        the least of these, you did not do it to me.''


        Where the sheep were blessed by the Father, the goats are
   cursed by their own words.  Where heaven is prepared for people,
   hell is unfit for human habitation.  The eternal torment is the
   result of rejecting God.

        The goats readily admit they did not listen to or care for
   those sent by God to proclaim the forgiveness of sins for the
   sake of Christ.  They didn't have to martyr those who preach the
   good news.  Indifference is just as condemning.

        May our Lord grant that we hear His Word, and that His Word
   creates the faith which holds firmly to His promise of eternal
   life.  Amen.

November 18, 2025

Broadcast

                       Sheep and Goats - Part 2
                           Matthew 25:34-36
                              11/18/2025

        34   Then the King will say to those on his right,
             ``Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit
             the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation
             of the world.
        35   For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was
             thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger
             and you welcomed me,
        36   I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you
             visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.''
             (ESV)

        The Gospel reading for this week, the Second Last Sunday of
   the Church Year, concerns the judgment, when Christ returns and
   the angels separate all people into two groups.  On His right
   hand are the sheep, on His left the goats.

        Then the King will say to those on his right, ``Come,
        you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom
        prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For
        I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and
        you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed
        me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you
        visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.''


        Although many will say that Jesus is talking of good works
   in general, the way we treat those people in need, others suggest
   Jesus is talking of the care for those who bring the message of
   God's grace, love, and mercy.  How did you treat the messenger
   who brought you the good news that Jesus Christ bore the price of
   your sin, that because of Him you are forgiven?  Did you care for
   the pastor, the missionary, the chaplain who proclaims God's
   grace and love?

        We know that the fulfillment of God's Law is to love Him
   with all our heart and soul and strength, and to love our
   neighbor as ourselves.  But everyone cares for their family,
   friends, and neighbors, so these good works are not the cause of
   salvation.  What is the response of the sheep to Jesus' words?
   We find out tomorrow.

        May our Lord grant us opportunities to reflect His love to
   our neighbors, even as we hear and respond to His message of
   grace.  Amen.

November 17, 2025

Broadcast

                       Sheep and Goats - Part 1
                           Matthew 25:31-33
                              11/17/2025

        31   When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all
             the angels with him, then he will sit on his
             glorious throne.
        32   Before him will be gathered all the nations, and
             he will separate people one from another as a
             shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
        33   And he will place the sheep on his right, but the
             goats on the left.  (ESV)

        The sign in front of the church says ``The end is coming.''
   Next Sunday is the last Sunday of the Church Year, so this
   warning may be overlooked.  However, in the past six weeks we
   have hosted two funerals, so for some the warning is very real.
   Even as we try to ignore the truth, we are ever closer to the
   judgment, the day when we are called to give an account of our
   stewardship of this life.

        When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the
        angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious
        throne.  Before him will be gathered all the nations,
        and he will separate people one from another as a
        shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  And he
        will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the
        left.


        There is no neutral position.  As much as we would like to
   think that we can be lost in the crowd, we will either be on the
   right hand or the left hand of Christ Jesus as He sits on His
   judgment throne.  Remaining silent, having no opinion, is just as
   condemning as actively persecuting the Church to silence the
   message of salvation by grace through faith for the sake of
   Christ.

        The end is indeed coming.  This week we will again hear that
   God desires that all people be placed on His right hand, that
   heaven is prepared for all people.  Those who are saved are saved
   because of God's love.  Those who are lost are lost because of
   the hardness of their own hearts.

        May our Lord grant that we hear of His grace and mercy for
   our eternal blessing.  Amen.

November 14, 2025

Broadcast

                    Is What You Hear True? - Part 5
                           Matthew 24:27-28
                              11/14/2025

        27   For as the lightning comes from the east and
             shines as far as the west, so will be the coming
             of the Son of Man.
        28   Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will
             gather.  (ESV)

        Jesus warned His disciples about the false prophets who
   would arise following His ascension.  There is no doubt both as
   to where Jesus can be found in the Church, and when He comes
   again in glory on the last day.
        For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as
        far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of
        Man.  Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will
        gather.


        It is not the place of the Church to make moral demands on
   society, but the Church prays that the members of each
   congregation make a positive impact in their community.  It is
   not the place of the Church to replace the government or to make
   demands of secular leaders, but to encourage each citizen to be
   active in caring for their neighbors, which includes being
   involved in public decision making.  The place of the Church is
   to prepare each person for eternity.

        Today our Lord is found in the Church, in the proclaimed and
   visible Word.  We hear the Law which shows us our need for a
   Savior.  We hear the Gospel which tells us of God's love, grace,
   and mercy, that Jesus died and rose again to bring us the
   forgiveness of our sins.

        When He returns, the world will know.  Meanwhile, where the
   good news of Jesus is not proclaimed, the false prophets gather
   to feast.

        Please join us this Sunday at Trinity Lutheran Church to
   learn more of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  The Divine
   Service begins at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Bible study.

        May our Lord grant you faith in Christ Jesus that you may
   know the truth of God's love.  Amen.

November 13, 2025

Broadcast

                    Is What You Hear True? - Part 4
                           Matthew 24:25-26
                              11/13/2025

        25   See, I have told you beforehand.
        26   So, if they say to you, ``Look, he is in the
             wilderness,'' do not go out.  If they say, ``Look,
             he is in the inner rooms,'' do not believe it.
             (ESV)

        Jesus warned His disciples about the false prophets who
   would arise following His ascension.
        See, I have told you beforehand.  So, if they say to
        you, ``Look, he is in the wilderness,'' do not go out.
        If they say, ``Look, he is in the inner rooms,'' do not
        believe it.


        As we are looking at our Lord's warning, as we are studying
   God's Word about His coming to judge the living and the dead, we
   realize that this is practical theology.  How are you preparing
   for Christ's return?  We don't know when that day will come, or
   when our Lord will call us to rest from our labors.

        Too often we put aside the important decisions, hoping that
   we can deal with them in the future.  Yet, too often we realize
   that our procrastination and delay has cost us dearly.  In the
   same way we put off buying life insurance or talk about funeral
   planning because we don't want to think about our last days, we
   also hide from God.

        The world offers many paths of spirituality which sound
   pleasant, which require no real commitment.  Yet, in the end
   these spiritual paths which do not include Christ Jesus are
   hollow and empty and unsatisfying.  Is what you hear true about
   finding comfort and peace in this life?

        May our Lord grant that we have the wisdom to think of these
   things, and to look for the truth of God's grace and mercy.
   Amen.

November 12, 2025

Broadcast

                    Is What You Hear True? - Part 3
                           Matthew 24:25-26
                              11/12/2025

        25   See, I have told you beforehand.
        26   So, if they say to you, ``Look, he is in the
             wilderness,'' do not go out.  If they say, ``Look,
             he is in the inner rooms,'' do not believe it.
             (ESV)

        Jesus warned His disciples about the false prophets who
   would arise following His ascension.
        See, I have told you beforehand.  So, if they say to
        you, ``Look, he is in the wilderness,'' do not go out.
        If they say, ``Look, he is in the inner rooms,'' do not
        believe it.


        The Church has always fought to maintain the truth of God's
   Word in both doctrine and practice.  Anything that takes our eyes
   off of the message of salvation by grace through faith for the
   sake of Christ causes harm, even if it is done with the best of
   intentions.

        As a way to help remember the most important teachings about
   God, the Church as developed short summaries of doctrine.  These
   creeds and confessions are not God's Word but explain God's Word
   and serve as a touchstone to recognize false teaching.  Each
   phrase of the creeds and confessions have been examined in light
   of God's Word and have been found to be accurate.

        ``I believe in God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and
   earth,'' tells us that other explanations of the beginning of the
   universe cannot be true.  ``I believe in Jesus Christ, His only
   Son, our Lord,'' speaks of the work of Jesus, His virgin birth,
   His death, and His resurrection.  When the History Channel
   suggests that the virgin birth is merely a story, we look at the
   Apostles' Creed that clearly states that Mary was a virgin.  ``I
   believe in the Holy Spirit'' teaches us how we are brought to
   faith and how that faith is sustained.

        May our Lord give us wisdom to hear the truth of His grace,
   love, and mercy.  Amen.

November 11, 2025

A special thank you today to all the veterans who have served this nation

Broadcast

                    Is What You Hear True? - Part 2
                           Matthew 24:23-24
                              11/11/2025

        23   Then if anyone says to you, ``Look, here is the
             Christ!'' or ``There he is!''  do not believe it.
        24   For false christs and false prophets will arise
             and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead
             astray, if possible, even the elect.  (ESV)

        The disciples asked Jesus about the end of the age, about
   the signs and the time of His return.  Jesus warned His
   disciples:
        Then if anyone says to you, ``Look, here is the
        Christ!'' or ``There he is!''  do not believe it.  For
        false christs and false prophets will arise and perform
        great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if
        possible, even the elect.


        That warning was true from before the day Christ Jesus was
   born through all history.  How do we recognize false prophets and
   false christs?  Their message is not one of death and
   destruction, but of subtle lies and half truths.  Their message
   tempts us to ask the same question the serpent asked Eve, ``Did
   God really say?''

        The Holy Spirit has given the Church the Bible, the
   inspired, complete, and inerrant Word of God.  Our first task to
   detect false prophets is to know what the Word of God says.  This
   means that we must be in the Word, not relying on someone else to
   tell us what the Word says.

        These ``Moments of Meditation'' should lead you to the Bible
   to see if what you are hearing on the radio, what you are reading
   on the Trinity website, what you are receiving in the daily
   email, is true.  Trust, but verify.  Remember, pastors and
   teachers are also sinners who can and do make mistakes, so test
   the words you hear against the Word of God.

        May our Lord grant us wisdom to read, learn, study, and
   understand His Holy Word.  Amen.

November 10, 2025

Broadcast

                    Is What You Hear True? - Part 1
                           Matthew 24:23-24
                              11/10/2025

        23   Then if anyone says to you, ``Look, here is the
             Christ!'' or ``There he is!''  do not believe it.
        24   For false christs and false prophets will arise
             and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead
             astray, if possible, even the elect.  (ESV)

        We are now beginning the last three weeks of the Church
   Year.  In December we prepared for the celebration of Jesus'
   birth, remembering that He took on our human flesh so to redeem
   us from sin, death, and the power of the devil.  For twelve days
   we celebrated Christmas followed by Epiphany, the Gentiles'
   Christmas.  The Epiphany season led us to Lent where we pondered
   our sin and the death of Jesus.

        However, Jesus, being the perfect Son of God and also true
   man, burst forth from the tomb on Easter Sunday.  His death was
   for our forgiveness.  His resurrection is a foretaste of our
   resurrection.

        For fifty days, a week of weeks, we celebrated Easter and
   our Lord's Ascension.  From the day of Pentecost, and for the
   past six months, we pondered the work of God through the Church,
   our confession of faith, and our daily lives.

        Now we reflect on our Lord's promise to return in glory to
   judge the living and the dead.  Jesus warned His disciples:
        Then if anyone says to you, ``Look, here is the
        Christ!'' or ``There he is!''  do not believe it.  For
        false christs and false prophets will arise and perform
        great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if
        possible, even the elect.


        This week we will look at Jesus' warning even as we look at
   our preparation for His return.

        May our Lord grant us faith to hear God's Word and believe
   it.  Amen.