Author: admin

February 21, 2025

Broadcast

                          Hired Help - Part 5
                           Matthew 20:15-16
                              02/21/2025


        15   ``Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what
             belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?''
        16   So the last will be first, and the first last.
             (ESV)

        Saint Matthew recorded Jesus' words: ``For the kingdom of
   heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the
   morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.''  God's ways are not
   our ways.  We compare ourselves to others, not content to accept
   the gracious gifts given to us by God.

        The kingdom of heaven is the kingdom of grace, where God the
   Father sent His only-begotten Son to redeem and deliver us from
   the power of the devil, to give us the gift of the forgiveness of
   sins which leads to everlasting life.  The Holy Spirit calls us
   to faith in Christ Jesus through the proclaimed Word and the
   sacraments which were given to the Church by Jesus.

        As you and I compare ourselves to others, we demand that God
   act according to our rules.  Yet He told those who grumbled,
   ```Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?
   Or do you begrudge my generosity?'  So the last will be first,
   and the first last.''

        We give thanks and praise to God that He treats us with
   grace and mercy, not according to our works.  He desires that all
   people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

        Come into the vineyard of God's Church to hear of His love,
   grace, and mercy.  Each Sunday morning we gather at Trinity
   Lutheran Church to learn more of this gift which we do not earn,
   but which we receive at God's invitation.

        May our Lord grant that we hear His call to enter the
   vineyard, to be found as one who trusts only in Jesus Christ for
   redemption from sin and death.  Amen.

February 20, 2025

Broadcast

                          Hired Help - Part 4
                           Matthew 20:11-14
                              02/20/2025


        11   And on receiving [the denarius] they grumbled at
             the master of the house,
        12   saying, ``These last worked only one hour, and you
             have made them equal to us who have borne the
             burden of the day and the scorching heat.''
        13   But he replied to one of them, ``Friend, I am
             doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for
             a denarius?
        14   Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give
             to this last worker as I give to you.''  (ESV)

        The workday is over.  The master of the house instructed his
   steward to pay those who were laboring in the vineyard.  To the
   ones who worked an hour, the steward gave a full day's pay.  To
   the ones who worked from dawn, the steward gave a full day's pay.

        And on receiving [the denarius] they grumbled at the
        master of the house, saying, ``These last worked only
        one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have
        borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.''
        But he replied to one of them, ``Friend, I am doing you
        no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?
        Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to
        this last worker as I give to you.''


        Even in the vineyard, the Church, there are people who take
   their eyes off of the Master to compare themselves with others.
   ``Why is he getting better treatment?''  We become jealous.  ``I
   do more than he does.''  We become proud.

        God the Father sent His Son into the world to redeem each
   sinner as an individual.  You and I are different, having been
   called to different vocations, having been called into God's
   vineyard at different times.  You and I are treated as
   individuals by God, not as another face in the crowd.  The Father
   loved you enough to send His Son to redeem you from sin and
   death.

        As we look at the Father, as we look at Jesus Christ, we see
   God's love in action.  That you received the same gift of grace
   that I received reflects on God's mercy, not our twisted sense of
   right and wrong.

        May our Lord grant us faith to accept with thanksgiving and
   praise the gift of life given to us for the sake of Jesus Christ.
   Amen.

February 19, 2025

Broadcast

                          Hired Help - Part 3
                            Matthew 20:8-10
                              02/19/2025


        8    And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard
             said to his foreman, ``Call the laborers and pay
             them their wages, beginning with the last, up to
             the first.''
        9    And when those hired about the eleventh hour came,
             each of them received a denarius.
        10   Now when those hired first came, they thought they
             would receive more, but each of them also received
             a denarius.  (ESV)

        The master of the house had hired workers to labor in his
   vineyard.  Some were hired at dawn, some were hired near the end
   of the day.  Now the work day is over, and it is time to settle
   accounts.

        And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said
        to his foreman, ``Call the laborers and pay them their
        wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.''  And
        when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of
        them received a denarius.  Now when those hired first
        came, they thought they would receive more, but each of
        them also received a denarius.


        This parable is not about the hiring practices of a
   vineyard.  This parable is about the kingdom of heaven.  Those
   who do not reject the call to labor in the vineyard, those who
   have faith in God's promises, those who trust in Jesus Christ as
   their Redeemer from sin and death, are equal in the kingdom.
   After all, you cannot have partial eternal life.  Either you are
   in God's presence for eternity, or you are removed from His
   sight.

        Evening was the end of the age.  Those who were hired at the
   eleventh hour did not earn the gift of God's rich grace and
   favor.  Those who were hired at the third hour, or the sixth
   hour, or the ninth hour did not earn the gift of God's rich love.
   Even those who were hired at dawn received more than a just wage,
   they also did not deserve the denarius.  All people have sinned
   and have fallen short of the glory of God.  Those who have not
   rejected God's invitation, no matter when that invitation was
   given, receive the same.  God's ways are not our ways.

        May our Lord grant that we hear His invitation, that we
   enter into the vineyard of His Church to receive His eternal
   blessings of life and the forgiveness of our sins.  Amen.

February 18, 2025

Broadcast

                          Hired Help - Part 2
                            Matthew 20:6-7
                              02/18/2025


        6    And about the eleventh hour he went out and found
             others standing. And he said to them, ``Why do you
             stand here idle all day?''
        7    They said to him, ``Because no one has hired us.''
             He said to them, ``You go into the vineyard too.''
             (ESV)

        The master of the house went out at dawn to hire laborers to
   work in his vineyard.  After negotiating a fair wage with the
   laborers, the master sent them to work.  Because there was much
   to accomplish, and little time to finish the work, the master
   went out multiple times during the day, each time finding more
   people to do the work needed.

        And about the eleventh hour he went out and found
        others standing. And he said to them, ``Why do you
        stand here idle all day?''  They said to him, ``Because
        no one has hired us.'' He said to them, ``You go into
        the vineyard too.''


        The laborers hired at dawn knew they would get a standard
   day's wage.  Those hired later in the morning, those hired in the
   early afternoon, knew they would receive fair compensation.
   Finally, the laborers hired for one hour of work knew their day
   would not be a complete loss, but they would earn something.

        This parable is about the kingdom of heaven.  God's ways are
   not our ways.  What seems fair to you and I turns out to be
   opposed to God's rich love, grace, and mercy.

        The master, God the Father, calls people into His Church,
   into His presence, to bring the good news of salvation by grace
   through faith for the sake of Christ to all nations.  The Church
   exists to pour out God's love, to give to people the gift of
   eternal life.  It does not exist to give us the rules by which we
   earn God's favor, but rather to give us the forgiveness of our
   sins.  The works done by those who are called into the Church are
   done in response to the gift they receive from God.

        May our Lord grant that we hear His call, receive His grace,
   and reflect His mercy.  Amen.

February 17, 2025

Broadcast

                          Hired Help - Part 1
                            Matthew 20:1-5
                              02/17/2025


        1    For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a
             house who went out early in the morning to hire
             laborers for his vineyard.
        2    After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a
             day, he sent them into his vineyard.
        3    And going out about the third hour he saw others
             standing idle in the marketplace,
        4    and to them he said, ``You go into the vineyard
             too, and whatever is right I will give you.''
        5    So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour
             and the ninth hour, he did the same.  (ESV)

        We believe, teach, and confess that our salvation from sin,
   eternal death, and the power of the devil is a gift from God.
   Because everyone is born in sin, because everyone desires to
   place things as a higher priority than God, because we daily act
   in selfish ways which harm our neighbor, our good works cannot
   earn us heaven.  Indeed, because we are by nature sinful, we
   cannot even begin to look for God, much less do enough to earn
   eternal life.

        For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house
        who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for
        his vineyard.  After agreeing with the laborers for a
        denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.  And
        going out about the third hour he saw others standing
        idle in the marketplace, and to them he said, ``You go
        into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will
        give you.''  So they went. Going out again about the
        sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same.


        God continually seeks people to become part of His Church,
   to labor in His vineyard, to accept the truth that Jesus lived,
   died, and rose again to pay the price of our sin.  ``Come, follow
   me,'' the Savior said to His disciples.  They left fishing boats
   and other jobs, friends and family, all the comforts of home to
   learn of the kingdom of heaven.

        This week we will learn of God's rich love, grace, and mercy
   which gives the fullness of heaven to those who believe in Him.

        May our Lord grant that we hear His call, that we join with
   the faithful who hear His Word.  Amen.

February 7, 2025

               A Light to Lighten the Gentiles - Part 5
                             Luke 2:34-35
                              02/07/2025


        34   And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his
             mother, ``Behold, this child is appointed for the
             fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign
             that is opposed
        35   (and a sword will pierce through your own soul
             also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be
             revealed.''  (ESV)

        Simeon's words about Jesus being the light for revelation to
   the Gentiles and the glory of God's people comes with a price.
   Many people rejected Jesus, in the same way that many people
   today refuse to listen to the good news of salvation from sin and
   eternal death for the sake of Christ.

        And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
        ``Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and
        rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is
        opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul
        also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be
        revealed.''


        From this moment in the Temple, people were divided by the
   news that the salvation of all people was revealed.  Mary would
   especially suffer as she saw her Son rejected, and eventually
   crucified.  Simeon's words would come true, many in Israel, many
   today, rise to the glory of God, or fall in condemnation, as they
   hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

        Are you numbered among those who have not rejected the gift
   of salvation by grace through faith for the sake of Christ?  Do
   you desire to learn more, to see what Simeon saw in the infant
   Jesus?  Please join us each Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. at
   Trinity Lutheran Church to hear of God's love, grace, and mercy.

        May our Lord grant you the peace which comes from knowing
   your sins are forgiven.  Amen.

February 6, 2025

Broadcast

               A Light to Lighten the Gentiles - Part 4
                               Luke 2:33
                              02/06/2025


        33   And his father and his mother marveled at what was
             said about him.  (ESV)

        Mary and Joseph, on the fortieth day after Jesus was born,
   brought Him to the Temple in Jerusalem in accordance with the
   purification and redemption laws given by God to Moses.  The
   actions of the parents reflected on Jesus, who had to keep God's
   Law perfectly on behalf of all sinners.  Yet Jesus, at forty days
   old, had to rely on His faithful parents who took their God-given
   responsibilities seriously.

        While entering the Temple, the family was stopped by a man
   who had been promised by God that he would see the Christ, the
   Savior of the world.  Mary and Joseph knew the extraordinary
   circumstances of Jesus' birth, and the shepherds heard the
   proclamation of the angels the night Jesus was born.

        Simeon, however, was not present at Jesus' birth.  Yet this
   faithful man who was waiting for the consolation of Israel, the
   Redeemer, recognized Jesus.  His words, which we call the Nunc
   Dimittis, ``Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in
   peace,'' clearly told Jesus' parents about the work of their Son.

        Saint Luke recorded: ``And his father and his mother
   marveled at what was said about him.''  Clearly Simeon was
   speaking the prophetic word of God as enabled by the Holy Spirit.
   All who heard this word stood in awe of God's rich blessing of
   life and salvation, even as they wondered how this infant would
   carry the sins of the world.

        May our Lord grant us faith to recognize our Savior and to
   proclaim His goodness.  Amen.

February 5, 2025

Broadcast

               A Light to Lighten the Gentiles - Part 3
                             Luke 2:27-32
                              02/05/2025


        27   And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and
             when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do
             for him according to the custom of the Law,
        28   he took him up in his arms and blessed God and
             said,
        29   ``Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in
             peace, according to your word;
        30   for my eyes have seen your salvation
        31   that you have prepared in the presence of all
             peoples,
        32   a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for
             glory to your people Israel.''  (ESV)

        Jesus Christ is the Light of the world, a light no darkness
   can overcome.  Forty days after He was born, Simeon, a devout
   believer in God, told this to Joseph and Mary as they went to the
   Temple to offer the sacrifices according to the law given to
   Moses.

        And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the
        parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him
        according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in
        his arms and blessed God and said, ``Lord, now you are
        letting your servant depart in peace, according to your
        word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you
        have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light
        for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your
        people Israel.''


        Simeon confessed that he, a slave to God, was happy to be
   released from his service on earth, for he had seen the Messiah,
   the promised Redeemer of the world.  This forty-day old baby in
   the arms of His mother is not only the glory of Israel, but the
   One who brings the light of God's love to all people.

        There are many traditions concerning light on the fortieth
   day after Christmas based on Simeon's words.  The candles which
   are used in the church are blessed this day, as are the voices of
   those who proclaim the light of truth to the nations.  This is
   the source of Groundhogs Day, an acknowledgment of the light of
   spring.

        May our Lord enlighten us with the truth that Jesus Christ
   is our hope and our salvation.  Amen.

February 4, 2025

Broadcast

               A Light to Lighten the Gentiles - Part 2
                             Luke 2:25-26
                              02/04/2025


        25   Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was
             Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout,
             waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the
             Holy Spirit was upon him.
        26   And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
             that he would not see death before he had seen the
             Lord's Christ.  (ESV)

        Although Joseph, Mary, and Jesus going to the Temple forty
   days after He was born was unremarkable, for many other families
   did the same thing, the visit was far from normal.  The Son of
   God, the Messiah, the Redeemer of the world appeared in His
   Father's house for the first time.  He did this to fulfill the
   Law given to Moses about the sacrifices needed for the birth of a
   child.

        Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was
        Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting
        for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was
        upon him.  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy
        Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen
        the Lord's Christ.


        We know nothing of this devout man except that the Lord had
   promised that he would see the Messiah before he died.  God, in
   His grace, love, and mercy, provided for the salvation of all
   people, a salvation promised first in the Garden of Eden and
   repeated through the centuries.

        As we recognize our need for a Savior, as we acknowledge our
   sin and our inability to redeem ourselves from eternal
   condemnation, we also long to see the love and grace of God.
   Like Simeon, we desire to see the consolation of Israel, and of
   all people.

        May our Lord grant that we behold His Christ as our Savior
   from sin and death.  Amen.

February 3, 2025

Broadcast

               A Light to Lighten the Gentiles - Part 1
                             Luke 2:22-24
                              02/03/2025


        22   And when the time came for their purification
             according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up
             to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
        23   (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, Every
             male who first opens the womb shall be called holy
             to the Lord)
        24   and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said
             in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or
             two young pigeons.  (ESV)

        Yesterday was Groundhog Day, a celebration of spring that
   has its roots in the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple in
   Jerusalem.  This sounds far fetched, but this week we will be
   looking at the Presentation, and some of the traditions
   surrounding this day.

        The Presentation of Jesus, also known as the Purification of
   Mary, happens forty days after Christmas.  Saint Luke recorded:
        And when the time came for their purification according
        to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem
        to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law
        of the Lord, Every male who first opens the womb shall
        be called holy to the Lord) and to offer a sacrifice
        according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, a
        pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.


        Jesus came to fulfill God's Law on our behalf, not to
   abolish the Law.  This included His circumcision and naming on
   the eighth day of His life, which we discussed on January 1.
   This included the rites of purification for Mary, forty days
   after the birth of a male, and the redemption sacrifice required
   for a first-born son.

        On His fortieth day, therefore, Jesus was in the Temple, a
   dove was sacrificed on His behalf.  Jesus was under the Law for
   our benefit.  He took on the requirements of the Law for our
   salvation.

        May our Lord grant that we see Jesus as our Savior, the
   perfect Son of God.  Amen.