Author: admin

August 19, 2024

Broadcast

                      Redeeming Israel -- Part 1
                            Isaiah 29:17-18
                              08/19/2024


        17   Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon
             shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the
             fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest?
        18   In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a
             book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes
             of the blind shall see.  (ESV)

        We believe, teach, and confess that the Bible is the
   inspired Word of God.  Therefore, the prophecies about the coming
   of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, are also accurate.  This week's
   Gospel lesson speaks of Jesus healing a deaf-mute.  This week's
   Old Testament foretells not only this physical healing, but the
   redemption of the world by the Messiah.

        Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon shall
        be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field
        shall be regarded as a forest?  In that day the deaf
        shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom
        and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.


        There are two interesting things about these verses from
   Isaiah.  First, God acts in His own time, at a time we least
   expect.  Second, the acts of God are unexpected.  Lebanon, known
   for its great forests, will be an open field, while the field
   becomes a forest.  The things of God are hidden, not presented in
   the way we expect.  That which redeems us from sin, death, and
   the power of the devil, the death of Jesus on the cross, is far
   from the glory we expect to see.

        The deaf, the Gentile nations, now hear the Word of God,
   they now see the grace, mercy, and love of our heavenly Father.
   Meanwhile, at the time of Isaiah the ten tribes of Israel were
   captured and removed from history.

        This week we will be looking at Isaiah's description of the
   blessings which come from God as the Messiah, the Chosen One,
   comes to redeem us from the guilt of our sin.

        May our Lord grant us ears to hear and eyes to see His rich
   grace and mercy.  Amen.

August 16, 2024

Broadcast

                        Cain and Abel -- Part 5
                            Genesis 4:11-15
                              08/16/2024


        11   ``And now you are cursed from the ground, which
             has opened its mouth to receive your brother's
             blood from your hand.
        12   When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield
             to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a
             wanderer on the earth.''
        13   Cain said to the LORD, ``My punishment is greater
             than I can bear.
        14   Behold, you have driven me today away from the
             ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I
             shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth,
             and whoever finds me will kill me.''
        15   Then the LORD said to him, ``Not so! If anyone
             kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him
             sevenfold.'' And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest
             any who found him should attack him.  (ESV)

        ``And now you are cursed from the ground, which has
        opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from
        your hand.  When you work the ground, it shall no
        longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a
        fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.''  Cain said to
        the LORD, ``My punishment is greater than I can bear.
        Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground,
        and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a
        fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds
        me will kill me.''  Then the LORD said to him, ``Not
        so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on
        him sevenfold.'' And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest
        any who found him should attack him.


        The story of Cain and Abel ends, not with everlasting
   punishment, but God's rich grace, love, and mercy.  Cain deserved
   death.  Cain received a lesser punishment, but was given the
   assurance of God's love and protection.

        We suffer the consequence of our sin, but that does not take
   away God's mercy.  Rather, our heavenly Father sent His Son to
   bear the price of our sin, to suffer and die to bear our guilt.
   In rising from the dead, Jesus showed His victory over sin,
   death, and the devil.  He gives us His righteousness, the
   complete pardon of our sins.  We therefore fear, love, and trust
   in God above all things.

        Please join us at Trinity Lutheran Church at 9:00 a.m. on
   Sunday to hear more about God's grace, love, and mercy.  May our
   Lord grant you faith that trusts in Him, which receives from Him
   pardon and peace.  Amen.

August 15, 2024

Broadcast

                        Cain and Abel -- Part 4
                            Genesis 4:8-10
                              08/15/2024


        8    Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were
             in the field, Cain rose up against his brother
             Abel and killed him.
        9    Then the LORD said to Cain, ``Where is Abel your
             brother?'' He said, ``I do not know; am I my
             brother's keeper?''
        10   And the LORD said, ``What have you done? The voice
             of your brother's blood is crying to me from the
             ground.''  (ESV)

        Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in
        the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and
        killed him.  Then the LORD said to Cain, ``Where is
        Abel your brother?'' He said, ``I do not know; am I my
        brother's keeper?''  And the LORD said, ``What have you
        done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me
        from the ground.''


        The story of Cain and Abel is a warning about pride,
   jealousy, and sin.  Repeatedly Moses speaks of the relation
   between the two men, they were brothers, the eldest of Adam's
   children.  Rather than being the hope of redemption as desired by
   Eve, Cain showed how sin and rebelliousness is passed from father
   to child.  No one born of a human father can redeem another from
   sin and eternal death.

        Yet, God accused Cain saying that we are our brother's
   keeper.  The way we treat each other is a reflection on the way
   we accept God's rich grace and mercy.  Those who reject the
   physical and spiritual gifts from God also are selfish towards
   their neighbor.

        Many years after Cain introduced murder as the ultimate harm
   to another, God indeed sent the Redeemer expected by Eve because
   of God's promise.  Jesus, who is truly the son of man, born of
   the virgin Mary, and the Son of God, conceived by the Holy
   Spirit, bore the price of our sin.  As we are called by the
   Gospel, given faith in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit working
   through Word and Sacrament, we reflect God's love in our dealings
   with others.  We delight in loving our neighbors, in being our
   brother's keeper.

        May our Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it
   to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

August 14, 2024

Broadcast

                        Cain and Abel -- Part 3
                             Genesis 4:6-7
                              08/14/2024


        6    The LORD said to Cain, ``Why are you angry, and
             why has your face fallen?
        7    If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if
             you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door.
             Its desire is for you, but you must rule over
             it.''  (ESV)

        Modern humans are no different than our earliest ancestors.
   We quickly blame others for our own shortcomings.  Cain was angry
   that his sacrifice was not accepted by God, not that he hoped to
   be accepted for only going through the external motions.
   Sacrifices require faith, something that Cain lacked.

        The LORD said to Cain, ``Why are you angry, and why has
        your face fallen?  If you do well, will you not be
        accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching
        at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule
        over it.''


        Here we see the progression from a lack of faith to overt
   sin.  Cain became jealous of Abel's faith.  Rather than repent,
   rather than taking heed to God's desires, Cain decided to ignore
   the truth that faithlessness and pride are sins which may lead to
   additional sins.

        Certainly we are not going to murder someone of whom we are
   jealous.  That does not, however, mean that we may not harm them
   in some other way.  The desires of our hearts result in action.
   ``Sin's desire is for you, but you must rule over it.''  That
   warning is valid today as well.  What can we do to overcome the
   temptation to sin?  Trust in God's promises, hold firmly to His
   Word, and know that the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh
   have been defeated by the suffering, death, and resurrection of
   Jesus Christ.

        Can we overcome all temptations?  No, but we desire to fight
   against them, to seek first God's grace, and to respond to our
   neighbors, even those with whom we may be angry, with love and
   respect.

        May our Lord give us the strength of faith to trust in Him.
   Amen.

August 13, 2024

Broadcast

                        Cain and Abel -- Part 2
                             Genesis 4:3-5
                              08/13/2024


        3    In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an
             offering of the fruit of the ground,
        4    and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his
             flock and of their fat portions.  And the LORD had
             regard for Abel and his offering,
        5    but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So
             Cain was very angry, and his face fell.  (ESV)

        In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an
        offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also
        brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat
        portions.  And the LORD had regard for Abel and his
        offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no
        regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.


        Adam, the first man, taught his sons about God.  Although
   this morning's verses are the first mention of a sacrifice in the
   Bible, undoubtedly Adam instructed Cain and Abel that it is good
   to give thanks to God for His rich blessings.  Sacrifices are to
   be given in faith.  By sacrificing the firstborn of his flock,
   Abel shows faith that God will provide future blessings.  Cain,
   on the other hand, made sure that he had plenty on hand before
   giving to God.

        Do we trust God and give to Him our time, talents, and
   treasure even when we are not certain of the future?  Do we show
   knowledge, agreement, and trust in His promise of providing us
   our daily bread?  Or do we give from our abundance, waiting until
   we have more than enough before giving an offering back to Him?

        The sacrifices of time, talent, and treasure are not simply
   to the church, but for the good of our neighbor.  Indeed, giving
   to the church while ignoring God's directive to love our neighbor
   as ourselves is not pleasing to anyone.  Serving God by serving
   our neighbor, trusting in His goodness and mercy, not our own
   strength, shows our faith in Him.

        May our Lord grant us faith to trust in Him, both for
   physical blessings and for life everlasting for the sake of Jesus
   Christ.  Amen.

August 12, 2024

Broadcast

                        Cain and Abel -- Part 1
                             Genesis 4:1-2
                              08/12/2024


        1    Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and
             bore Cain, saying, I have gotten a man with the
             help of the LORD.
        2    And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was
             a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the
             ground.  (ESV)

        This weeks Bible readings give us both a warning and hope.
   For the Old Testament, we heard of Cain and Abel, where Cain
   murdered Abel because of Abel's faith.  Our Gospel reading was
   the well-known parable of the Publican and Pharisee, where the
   publican or tax-collector, was forgiven his sins because he
   confessed that he was a sinner, and the Pharisee refused to admit
   any sin.  Finally, our Epistle reading gives us the hope that we
   do not earn our salvation from sin and death, but that it is
   given as a gift.  ``For by grace you have been saved through
   faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not
   a result of works, so that no one may boast.''[1]

        This week we will look at the story of Cain and Abel,
   examine Abel's faith, and see the warning given to all people.
   ``Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain,
   saying, `I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.'  And
   again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep,
   and Cain a worker of the ground.''

        We believe, teach, and confess that the Bible is truly the
   inspired Word of God, therefore it is true as regards the history
   of humanity.  Adam and Eve, being driven from Eden because of
   their sin, began to be fruitful and multiply.  Knowing God's
   promise of a Savior, which was given the day our first parents
   defied God, Eve was convinced that her first-born was the one who
   would deliver them from sin and death.  In the Hebrew Eve says,
   ``I have gotten a man, the LORD.''  She would be sorely
   disappointed.

        May our Lord grant us wisdom to learn from the past so that
   we may know Him all the days of our life.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

August 9, 2024

Broadcast

                           Warning -- Part 5
                             Jeremiah 8:12
                              08/09/2024


        12   Were they ashamed when they committed abomination?
             No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not
             know how to blush.  Therefore they shall fall
             among the fallen; when I punish them, they shall
             be overthrown, says the LORD.  (ESV)

        This week we have been looking at the parallels between the
   modern United States and the ancient nation of Judah in the years
   leading to the Babylonian Captivity.  What once were nations
   built on the truth of God's Word had now abandoned Him for the
   lies of the world.  Jeremiah called for Judah and Jerusalem to
   confess their sins, to repent, and to turn to God.  That is also
   the call for the Christian Church, and has been since the day
   that Christ Jesus rose from the dead.

        Jeremiah, speaking as commanded by God, said:
        Were they ashamed when they committed abomination?  No,
        they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to
        blush.  Therefore they shall fall among the fallen;
        when I punish them, they shall be overthrown, says the
        LORD.


        Is this our fate?  Can we turn from the false idols of this
   world, repent, and acknowledge the love, grace, and mercy of our
   Creator?  The question is not about this nation, but about each
   individual.

        Here is your invitation to discuss these issues, to hear the
   truth of God's Holy Word, and to return to the loving arms of our
   heavenly Father.  Our salvation from sin, death, and the power of
   the devil has been earned for us by the suffering, death, and
   resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Join us on Sunday mornings at
   Trinity Lutheran Church at 9:00 a.m. to learn more of God's grace
   and mercy.

        May our hope be in Christ Jesus, who has redeemed us from
   sin, and who has given to us the gift of life.  Amen.

August 8, 2024

Broadcast

                           Warning -- Part 4
                           Jeremiah 8:10-11
                              08/08/2024


        10   Therefore I will give their wives to others and
             their fields to conquerors, because from the least
             to the greatest everyone is greedy for unjust
             gain; from prophet to priest, everyone deals
             falsely.
        11   They have healed the wound of my people lightly,
             saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace.
             (ESV)

        A bit over two-thousand years before the birth of Jesus, God
   chose Abraham as the patriarch of His people.  Over the years,
   the children of Israel endured slavery in Egypt, were highly
   prosperous during the reign of David and Solomon, were led into
   captivity, and returned to their land.  No other ancient people
   have survived in the way of the descendants of Abraham.

        Yet God warned them of His wrath and punishment as they
   turned from serving the truth to serving idols.  He said through
   the prophet Jeremiah:
        Therefore I will give their wives to others and their
        fields to conquerors, because from the least to the
        greatest everyone is greedy for unjust gain; from
        prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely.  They have
        healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ``Peace,
        peace,'' when there is no peace.


        In the past fifty years, this nation has turned from God and
   began worshiping that which, in the end, has no value.  We no
   longer seek the answers to the question, ``Why am I here?''
   because we are taught that, as we evolved from some primordial
   goo, there is no purpose.  We have, as a nation, rejected the
   truth of God's Word.

        God, in His mercy, gave the children of Israel a warning, a
   chance to return to Him, to acknowledge His rich blessings.  He
   gives us that same warning, even as we see tensions in the Middle
   East, Asia, and throughout the world.

        As God longed to be gracious to His chosen people, He longs
   to be gracious to you.  He sent Jesus to redeem you from sin and
   death, and offers that gift of eternal life to you for Christ's
   sake.  There is meaning in life, for God created us in His image,
   and has restored us by His love.  May our Lord grant us the
   wisdom to seek Him, to see His mercy as our Creator.  Amen.

August 7, 2024

Broadcast

                           Warning -- Part 3
                            Jeremiah 8:8-9
                              08/07/2024


        8    How can you say, We are wise, and the law of the
             LORD is with us?  But behold, the lying pen of the
             scribes has made it into a lie.
        9    The wise men shall be put to shame; they shall be
             dismayed and taken; behold, they have rejected the
             word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?
             (ESV)

        Our money has the motto, ``In God we trust,'' and we pledge
   allegiance to the flag, saying, ``One nation under God.''  Our
   founding fathers saw this nation as Christian, as the Supreme
   Court declared in 1892, and reaffirmed in several subsequent
   decisions.[2] This does not mean that Christianity is the
   official religion, but this nation was built on the morality of
   the Ten Commandments, and recognized that we are called to serve
   one another.

        Yet Jeremiah's words to the nation of Judah and those living
   in Jerusalem strike an interesting chord.
        How can you say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD
        is with us?  But behold, the lying pen of the scribes
        has made it into a lie.  The wise men shall be put to
        shame; they shall be dismayed and taken; behold, they
        have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is
        in them?


        Are we making the same mistakes which caused the downfall of
   Judah as they were led into captivity for seventy years?  We pray
   for this nation, that we truly become wise by acknowledging God's
   rich grace and favor.  This we do by repenting of our sins, by
   admitting that by ourselves we cannot do that which is right and
   proper.  Then, we hold firmly to the truth of God's love, that He
   sent Jesus Christ to live, die, and rise again for our salvation.
   As individuals, our holding to the truth of God's Word helps our
   neighbors, and our nation.

        May our Lord grant us faith in Him, that we know of His
   bountiful mercy.  Amen.
   ____________________

   2. See:  Brewer,  D.  J.  (1905).  The United States: A Christian
      Nation.  Available on Kindle.

August 6, 2024

Broadcast

                           Warning -- Part 2
                             Jeremiah 8:7
                              08/06/2024


        7    Even the stork in the heavens knows her times, and
             the turtledove, swallow, and crane keep the time
             of their coming, but my people know not the rules
             of the LORD.  (ESV)

        The modern United States is much like ancient Judah and
   Jerusalem in the years before the Jews were carried into
   captivity.  Each person looked to everything but the truth of
   God's Word for wisdom and strength.  Judah looked to idols, the
   United States looks to human reason and science, even though
   neither has lasting power.

        God, speaking through Jeremiah, said:
        Even the stork in the heavens knows her times, and the
        turtledove, swallow, and crane keep the time of their
        coming, but my people know not the rules of the LORD.


        The percentage of people who claim no religion climbed from
   five percent in the early 1970s to almost thirty percent
   today.[1] They look to their own desires, their own definition of
   right and wrong, fueled by the idea that we are meaningless blobs
   formed by chance and without purpose.  Is it a wonder that you
   can hardly watch the news?

        Yet, God our heavenly Father sent His Son to pay the price
   of our sin, to redeem us from our selfishness, and to turn our
   hearts to the good of our neighbor.  The birds of the air know
   their Creator, even while the pinnacle of creation denies that we
   are created in God's image to serve Him by acknowledging Him and
   by serving each other in love.

        May our Lord grant that we know Him and accept His bountiful
   love for our eternal blessing.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/09/13/how-u-s-
      religious-composition-has-changed-in-recent-decades/