Author: admin

November 5, 2024

Broadcast

                      For All the Saints - Part 2
                          Revelation 7:11-12
                              11/05/2024


        11   And all the angels were standing around the throne
             and around the elders and the four living
             creatures, and they fell on their faces before the
             throne and worshiped God,
        12   saying, ``Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and
             thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to
             our God forever and ever! Amen.''  (ESV)

        The traditional hymns for the Feast of All Saints, hymns
   such as ``Behold a Host Arrayed in White,'' and ``Jerusalem, the
   Golden,'' and ``For All the Saints Who From Their Labors Rest''
   speak of everyone in heaven joining in song with the angels.  Our
   communion liturgy includes the phrase, ``Therefore with angels
   and archangels, and all the company of heaven'' praising God by
   singing ``Holy, holy, holy!''

        Saint John saw and heard this heavenly song:
        And all the angels were standing around the throne and
        around the elders and the four living creatures, and
        they fell on their faces before the throne and
        worshiped God, saying, ``Amen! Blessing and glory and
        wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might
        be to our God forever and ever! Amen.''


        Truly the song of the angels, the song of heaven, declares
   the glory of God, even as the shepherds heard the same
   proclamation on the night Jesus was born.  All of heaven declares
   that the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, receive all
   praise and worship.  Christ Jesus, the only-begotten Son of the
   Father, reveals the Father, and we believe the words of the Son
   because of the working of the Holy Spirit who has given to us the
   gift of faith.

        What comfort we have as we sing the same words once recorded
   by Saint John, the words recorded by Isaiah, the words sung even
   now by the saints and angels who surround the throne of God.  The
   voices of the Church Militant, the Church on earth, join with the
   voices of the Church Triumphant in this everlasting praise of
   God.

        May our Lord grant us the faith which holds to His promise
   of life everlasting.  Amen.

November 4, 2024

Broadcast

                      For All the Saints - Part 1
                           Revelation 7:9-10
                              11/04/2024


        9    After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude
             that no one could number, from every nation, from
             all tribes and peoples and languages, standing
             before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in
             white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
        10   and crying out with a loud voice, ``Salvation
             belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to
             the Lamb!''  (ESV)

        Since the beginning of the Christian Church, ever since
   Stephen was stoned as the first martyr, Christians have
   remembered those who died making the good confession of faith.
   By the seventh century, the Church dedicated the first of
   November as the day upon which these confessors and martyrs would
   be commemorated.  The Feast of All Saints, which we celebrated
   last Sunday, recalls the memories of all the faithful departed
   and the triumph of Jesus Christ over all false gods.

        Our first reading during the Divine Service was from
   Revelations, Saint John's vision of heaven and of the last days.
   He wrote:
        After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that
        no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes
        and peoples and languages, standing before the throne
        and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm
        branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud
        voice, ``Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the
        throne, and to the Lamb!''


        The host robed in white are celebrating the victory of Jesus
   over sin, death, and the power of the devil.  This scene reminds
   us of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday while the crowds
   waved branches, crying, ``Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the
   Name of the Lord.''  Indeed, ``Hosanna'' means, ``Save us,
   Lord.''  That salvation comes to us through the Lamb of God, the
   Paschal Lamb, who is the very Son of God.

        This week we will study John's vision which brings us
   comfort and hope.  May our Lord grant you the peace of knowing
   His mercy.  Amen.

November 1, 2024

Broadcast

                         Here I Stand - Part 5
                           Revelation 14:6-7
                              11/01/2024


        6    Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead,
             with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who
             dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and
             language and people.
        7    And he said with a loud voice, ``Fear God and give
             him glory, because the hour of his judgment has
             come, and worship him who made heaven and earth,
             the sea and the springs of water.''  (ESV)

        Why did Luther choose the evening of October 31 to post his
   Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in
   Wittenberg?  Today, November first, is All Saints' Day, where the
   Church gathers to remember those people who have died believing
   in Christ Jesus.  Because everyone would be going to the Church
   on this day, Luther was certain that his statements for debate
   would be seen.

        The Church is built on the message of the angel once seen by
   Saint John.
        Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with
        an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on
        earth, to every nation and tribe and language and
        people.  And he said with a loud voice, ``Fear God and
        give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has
        come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the
        sea and the springs of water.''


        Faith in Jesus Christ comes by hearing.  Please join us at
   9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning to hear of God's rich grace, love,
   and mercy as found in Jesus Christ alone.  The message you will
   hear is the eternal Gospel which is for all people.

        We are privileged to be able to respond to the good news of
   salvation by grace through faith for the sake of Christ by
   hearing God's Word, receiving His good and gracious gifts of
   forgiveness and everlasting life, and joining with the faithful
   in praise and thanksgiving.

        May our Lord grant that you hear the cry of the angel, that
   you hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that you trust in Him
   alone.  Amen.

October 31, 2024

Broadcast

                         Here I Stand - Part 4
                           Revelation 14:6-7
                              10/31/2024


        6    Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead,
             with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who
             dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and
             language and people.
        7    And he said with a loud voice, ``Fear God and give
             him glory, because the hour of his judgment has
             come, and worship him who made heaven and earth,
             the sea and the springs of water.''  (ESV)

        Several Lutheran commentators suggest that Saint John's
   words written in the book of Revelations apply to Martin Luther.
   The prophecies of that book have come to pass, with the exception
   of the final judgment, hence the thought that the universal
   proclamation of the truth of the Gospel now remains unfettered.
        Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with
        an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on
        earth, to every nation and tribe and language and
        people.  And he said with a loud voice, ``Fear God and
        give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has
        come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the
        sea and the springs of water.''


        Martin Luther is an example for all Christians.  When
   confronted with the demand that he compromise his doctrine, his
   understanding of the truth of the Bible, he retorted:
        Unless I can be instructed and convinced from the Holy
        Scriptures or with open, clear, and distinct grounds
        and reasoning - and my conscience is captive to the
        Word of God - then I cannot and will not recant,
        because it is neither safe nor wise to act against
        conscience.  Here I stand.  I can do no other.  God
        help me!  Amen.[1]


        May our Lord grant that each Christian take a clear and firm
   stand on the truth of the Gospel, that God so loved the world
   that He gave His only-begotten Son to pay the price of our sin.
   Where there is the forgiveness of sins, there is eternal life.

        May you have a blessed Reformation Day, knowing that your
   are saved from sin and death by Christ Jesus alone.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Luther the Reformer; James Kittelson; Augsburg; p. 161

October 30, 2024

Broadcast

                         Here I Stand - Part 3
                           Revelation 14:6-7
                              10/30/2024


        6    Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead,
             with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who
             dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and
             language and people.
        7    And he said with a loud voice, ``Fear God and give
             him glory, because the hour of his judgment has
             come, and worship him who made heaven and earth,
             the sea and the springs of water.''  (ESV)

        Saint John, the Evangelist, was in exile on the island of
   Patmos when he had a vision of the last days.  He recorded:
        Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with
        an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on
        earth, to every nation and tribe and language and
        people.  And he said with a loud voice, ``Fear God and
        give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has
        come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the
        sea and the springs of water.''


        Confessional Lutherans hold to the Biblical teaching
   concerning our salvation from sin, death, and the power of the
   devil.  Unlike some church bodies, we believe, teach, and confess
   that Jesus Christ alone is our way to the Father.  Jesus,
   Himself, said, ``I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one
   comes to the Father except by me.''[1] Confessional Lutherans
   believe, teach, and confess that our salvation is a gift from
   God, as the Holy Spirit works through the proclaimed Word and the
   Sacraments which Christ Jesus gave to the Church.  This salvation
   is given to all who trust in Jesus Christ as the One who paid the
   price of all sins.  Saint Paul wrote: ``If you confess with your
   mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God
   raised him from the dead, you will be saved.''[2] Confessional
   Lutherans believe the final and absolute authority to determine
   the teachings of the Church are the clear words of the Old and
   New Testaments alone.  Other works, other books, even human
   logic, are held captive to the Word of God.  May our Lord grant
   that the eternal Gospel be proclaimed clearly for the good of all
   people.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. John 14:6
   2. Romans 10:9 (ESV)

October 29, 2024

Broadcast

                         Here I Stand - Part 2
                           Revelation 14:6-7
                              10/29/2024


        6    Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead,
             with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who
             dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and
             language and people.
        7    And he said with a loud voice, ``Fear God and give
             him glory, because the hour of his judgment has
             come, and worship him who made heaven and earth,
             the sea and the springs of water.''  (ESV)

        Last Sunday Trinity Lutheran Church celebrated the
   Reformation.  The first reading was from Revelations the
   fourteenth chapter.
        Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with
        an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on
        earth, to every nation and tribe and language and
        people.  And he said with a loud voice, ``Fear God and
        give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has
        come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the
        sea and the springs of water.''


        Some Lutheran commentators suggest that this passage refers
   to Martin Luther, who brought to light the truth that our
   salvation from sin and eternal death is by God's rich love
   alone.[1] The eternal Gospel is the good news that God our
   heavenly Father sent His Son to live, suffer, die, and rise again
   to pay the price of our sin.  This redemption is offered to us
   freely, it is not something which we either earn or deserve.

        Those who are saved by grace through faith for the sake of
   Christ will stand forever with the angels and archangels and the
   company of heaven to praise and honor the Triune God.  This good
   news is for all people for all time.  This good news is for you.

        May our Lord grant that we may clearly proclaim God's love,
   grace, and mercy to everyone, especially our friends, families,
   and neighbors.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. See Kretzmann's commentary on Revelations 14:6-7

October 28, 2024

Broadcast

                         Here I Stand - Part 1
                           Revelation 14:6-7
                              10/28/2024


        6    Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead,
             with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who
             dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and
             language and people.
        7    And he said with a loud voice, ``Fear God and give
             him glory, because the hour of his judgment has
             come, and worship him who made heaven and earth,
             the sea and the springs of water.''  (ESV)

        On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, a Roman Catholic monk,
   posted ninety-five statements for debate on the door of the
   Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany.  The debate he desired
   never happened, but the face of Christianity changed forever with
   his actions.

        At stake is the question, ``how are we saved from sin and
   eternal death?''  The Church of Rome was selling indulgences,
   essentially a way to reduce the amount of punishment for sins
   already confessed and forgiven.

        Luther questioned this practice and the doctrine of
   purgatory.  He could not reconcile the teaching of the Church
   with the words of Scripture, especially Romans 3, ``For all have
   sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by
   his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ
   Jesus.''[1]

        Luther never wanted to leave the Roman Catholic Church, but
   was forced out as he sought to reform the Church.  This week we
   will look at some of the history of the Reformation.

        May our Lord grant us grace to know the truth of God's Word
   and to trust in Him alone.  Amen.

October 25, 2024

Broadcast

                       In the Beginning - Part 5
                             Genesis 2:1-3
                              10/25/2024


        1    Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and
             all the host of them.
        2    And on the seventh day God finished his work that
             he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from
             all his work that he had done.
        3    So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy,
             because on it God rested from all his work that he
             had done in creation.  (ESV)

        Today is the last day of the traditional work week.
   Certainly this weekend will be busy, but most people have
   Saturday and Sunday to do things with and for their families.
   Those who are scheduled by their employers for weekend shifts
   often receive additional pay or other benefits for the
   inconvenience.

        Moses recorded in the second chapter of Genesis:
        Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all
        the host of them.  And on the seventh day God finished
        his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh
        day from all his work that he had done.  So God blessed
        the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God
        rested from all his work that he had done in creation.


        In the Old Testament, the Sabbath, the seventh day, was
   designated as the day of rest.  However, early in the history of
   the Christian Church, the Apostles and other believers moved the
   day of rest to the eighth day, the first day of the week, to
   commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Every Sunday we
   gather at God's invitation to hear of His love, of the redemption
   from sin and death which He provides through the innocent
   suffering and death of Jesus Christ.  We gather on Sunday to hear
   that Jesus broke the bond of death, that He paid the price of our
   transgressions, and offers to us eternal life.

        Please join us at Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday at 9:00
   a.m. to hear more of the almighty God who made, redeemed, and
   sanctified the world.  May our Lord richly bless you.  Amen.

October 24, 2024

Broadcast

                       In the Beginning - Part 4
                            Genesis 1:26-27
                              10/24/2024


        26   Then God said, ``Let us make man in our image,
             after our likeness. And let them have dominion
             over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the
             heavens and over the livestock and over all the
             earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on
             the earth.''
        27   So God created man in his own image, in the image
             of God he created him; male and female he created
             them.  (ESV)

        Two years, Matt Walsh, a political commentator, wrote a very
   controversial book, ``What is a Woman?''  That seems like such a
   simple question, yet Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson
   was unable to answer it during her confirmation hearings.

        Moses wrote in the first chapter of Genesis:
        Then God said, ``Let us make man in our image, after
        our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish
        of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over
        the livestock and over all the earth and over every
        creeping thing that creeps on the earth.''  So God
        created man in his own image, in the image of God he
        created him; male and female he created them.


        God created humans, male and female, to care for the earth,
   to wisely use the resources of the land, and to populate the
   planet.  Being created in God's image means that the man and
   woman were created holy and without sin.  Our desire for
   knowledge, our quest for information, our ability to communicate,
   our desire for companionship, also stem from this image of God.

        Although the man and woman later defied God, the truth
   remains that ``male and female He created them,'' for the purpose
   of subduing the earth.  Male and female are distinct and
   complimentary.  They work together to bless the world with new
   generations who also tend and keep God's creation.

        May our Lord give us the wisdom to understand His creation,
   and to wisely use that which He has provided.  Amen.

October 23, 2024

Broadcast

                       In the Beginning - Part 3
                            Genesis 1:11-13
                              10/23/2024


        11   And God said, ``Let the earth sprout vegetation,
             plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing
             fruit in which is their seed, each according to
             its kind, on the earth.'' And it was so.
        12   The earth brought forth vegetation, plants
             yielding seed according to their own kinds, and
             trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each
             according to its kind. And God saw that it was
             good.
        13   And there was evening and there was morning, the
             third day.  (ESV)

        According to the United States Department of Agriculture,
   about 88 percent of the soybean crop in Minnesota had been
   harvested as of October 13, 2024.[1] While looking at the soybean
   fields a few weeks ago, you might have noticed some stalks of
   corn growing in the rows.  No one would suggest that somehow the
   beans had mutated into corn.  Rather, one would rightly conclude
   that there were kernels of corn in the seed which was planted
   last spring.  Likewise the weeds which infested the beans were
   not caused by some sort of evolution, but by natural processes
   where seeds may be blown or transported by insects or animals.

        This agrees with the words of Genesis:
        And God said, ``Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants
        yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which
        is their seed, each according to its kind, on the
        earth.'' And it was so.  The earth brought forth
        vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own
        kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed,
        each according to its kind. And God saw that it was
        good.  And there was evening and there was morning, the
        third day.


        We expect bean fields to produce beans and corn fields to
   produce corn and sunflower fields to produce sunflowers.  Can we
   question the idea of macro-evolution that suggests that one
   species may mutate to become another species?  If that teaching
   is correct, why do we no longer see such changes?  What happened
   to give us the sure and certain hope that planting a field of
   beans will produce more beans?

        May our Lord grant us faith to see His almighty power in
   sustaining this world.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Minnesota/Publications/Crop_Progress_&_Condition/2024/MN-Crop-Progress-10-15-24.pdf