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October 17, 2025

Broadcast

                          The Feast - Part 5
                              Luke 14:11
                              10/17/2025

        11   For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
             and he who humbles himself will be exalted.  (ESV)

        Jesus was invited to a Sabbath dinner at the home of a ruler
   of the Pharisees.  He told a parable about a wedding feast,
   giving the advise to not seek the place of honor, but a place of
   humility.  This advise was not only about a banquet, not only
   about dealing with others, but about our relationship with God.

        ``For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he
   who humbles himself will be exalted.''

        Each Sunday we confess our sins, that we are by nature
   sinful and unclean.  In this confession, we pray for God's grace
   and mercy for the sake of the suffering, death, and resurrection
   of Jesus Christ as the atoning sacrifice for all our
   transgressions.  It is very hard to be prideful and arrogant when
   you confess that you have failed to obey God and to love your
   neighbor.  You do what is wrong, you don't do what is right.
   That is very humbling.

        Yet the Church is not for the person who believes they are
   perfect, that they are worthy of God's rich and abundant
   blessings.  The Church is for the humble tax collector who beats
   his chest saying, ``God, be merciful to me, the sinner.''

        Jesus Christ says to all who trust in Him alone for
   redemption from sin and eternal death, ``Friend, come up
   higher.''  How can you not desire to hear the good news of God's
   grace, love, and mercy?  Your sins are forgiven for the sake of
   Christ Jesus.  Join us at Trinity Lutheran Church each Sunday
   morning at 9:00 a.m. to learn more of this amazing gift of grace.

        May our Lord grant us faith to confess our sin and receive
   His blessing of forgiveness.  Amen.

October 16, 2025

Broadcast

                          The Feast - Part 4
                             Luke 14:7,10
                              10/16/2025

        7    Now he told a parable to those who were invited,
             when he noticed how they chose the places of
             honor, saying to them...
        10   ``But when you are invited, go and sit in the
             lowest place, so that when your host comes he may
             say to you, ``Friend, move up higher.'' Then you
             will be honored in the presence of all who sit at
             table with you.''  (ESV)

        Jesus was invited to a Sabbath dinner at the home of a ruler
   of the Pharisees.
        Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when
        he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying
        to them...  ``But when you are invited, go and sit in
        the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may
        say to you, ``Friend, move up higher.'' Then you will
        be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with
        you.''


        We have related this parable to the practice of Closed
   Communion, where the Sacrament of the Altar is reserved for those
   people who hold a common confession of faith.  Since the time of
   the Reformation, the three major branches of Western Christianity
   have been divided over the word ``is'' when Jesus said, ``This is
   my body, this is my blood.''

        What is the purpose of the Lord's Supper?  Is it to show a
   unity of faith even if we disagree on the meaning of Jesus'
   words?  Jesus, Himself, said,``for the remission of your sins.''

        When we confess our sin, we declare ourselves unworthy of
   God's rich grace and blessing.  Yet it is the repentant sinner
   who hears the words, ``Friend, move up higher.''  It is the
   repentant sinner who accepts God's grace, who trusts in the death
   and resurrection of Jesus for redemption from sin and death.
   They trust not in their works, but in God's love.  They trust
   Jesus' words, even if the words are a mystery of faith.

        May our Lord grant us the humble heart to receive His gift
   of salvation, to trust in Christ Jesus alone.  Amen.

October 15, 2025

Broadcast

                          The Feast - Part 3
                             Luke 14:7,10
                              10/15/2025

        7    Now he told a parable to those who were invited,
             when he noticed how they chose the places of
             honor, saying to them...
        10   ``But when you are invited, go and sit in the
             lowest place, so that when your host comes he may
             say to you, ``Friend, move up higher.'' Then you
             will be honored in the presence of all who sit at
             table with you.''  (ESV)

        Jesus was invited to a Sabbath dinner at the home of a ruler
   of the Pharisees.
        Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when
        he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying
        to them...  ``But when you are invited, go and sit in
        the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may
        say to you, ``Friend, move up higher.'' Then you will
        be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with
        you.''


        For the last few weeks we have been looking at the Christian
   life, at the works which show our faith.  We can summarize the
   teachings of the church as salvation by grace through faith for
   the sake of Christ.  Because we cannot earn our salvation,
   because even the best of our good works cannot balance our sin,
   we stand humble before God.

        What is the evidence of faith as we are guests in a
   congregation to which we do not belong?  Humility respects the
   teachings and practice of the host congregation.  If the
   congregation says, ``Members of sister congregations are welcome
   to join us in the Lord's Supper, however please talk to the
   pastor first,'' we talk to the pastor.  In fact, that is a
   delightful conversation, both for the pastor and the guest.  As
   guests, we do not make demands, but we may make requests.

        May our Lord help us to overcome pride and arrogance, that
   we may truly receive His gifts of forgiveness and mercy.  Amen.

October 14, 2025

Broadcast

                          The Feast - Part 2
                              Luke 14:7-9
                              10/14/2025

        7    Now he told a parable to those who were invited,
             when he noticed how they chose the places of
             honor, saying to them,
        8    ``When you are invited by someone to a wedding
             feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest
             someone more distinguished than you be invited by
             him,
        9    and he who invited you both will come and say to
             you, Give your place to this person, and then you
             will begin with shame to take the lowest place.''
             (ESV)

        Jesus was invited to a Sabbath dinner at the home of a ruler
   of the Pharisees.
        Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when
        he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying
        to them, ``When you are invited by someone to a wedding
        feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest
        someone more distinguished than you be invited by him,
        and he who invited you both will come and say to you,
        `Give your place to this person,' and then you will
        begin with shame to take the lowest place.''


        Why would someone presume to be deserving of a place of
   honor when invited to a banquet?  At the root of all sin is the
   desire to be like God, to replace God, to be honored by one and
   all.  Pride and arrogance are evidence of a sinful nature.

        Is this parable realistic?  Consider the person who comes
   into your house as a guest but ignores the rules and standards of
   the household.  They put their feet on the coffee table, they
   light a cigar even though you ask them not to smoke, they make
   demands to be served without offering to help.  Will you invite
   them back?

        Consider someone who comes into the church building as a
   guest.  When they demand to be served the Lord's Supper when they
   are not members of the church, when they demand the pastor or
   priest ignore doctrine and practice, are they not being just as
   arrogant?

        The host of the banquet, the host of a guest, the pastor or
   priest who is responsible for the proper teaching and practice in
   the church do not take delight in asking the guest to abide by
   the rules.  They are looking for the best interest of all
   concerned.

        May our Lord grant us humility in our dealings with others.
   Amen.

October 13, 2025

Broadcast

                          The Feast - Part 1
                             Luke 14:1, 7
                              10/13/2025

        1    One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of
             a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him
             carefully. ...
        7    Now he told a parable to those who were invited,
             when he noticed how they chose the places of
             honor...  (ESV)

        For several weeks the grocery stores and other outlets have
   been selling Halloween candy.  Some people have started to
   decorate their yards for the same celebration.  For Lutherans,
   however, the last day of October is special for a different
   reason.  On that day, in 1517, Martin Luther posted a series of
   questions about doctrine and practice on the door of the church
   in Wittenberg.  He wanted to engage in an honest debate because
   he disagreed with the Pope and the Roman Church.

        Over the years the divide between the Catholics and
   Lutherans grew.  Yet there is a doctrinal practice which both
   confessional Lutherans and the Catholics enforce.  Neither the
   Roman Catholics nor Missouri Synod Lutherans serve the Lord's
   Supper to those who are not members of their faith group.  This
   is true also of several other Lutheran bodies, including the
   Wisconsin Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

        Late in Jesus' public ministry, the religious rulers paid
   close attention to His words and actions.  The Pharisees tried
   repeatedly to discredit Jesus, but to no avail.  Saint Luke
   recorded, ``One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a
   ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. ...
   Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed
   how they chose the places of honor...''

        This week we will be looking at Jesus' words at this Sabbath
   meal.  The lesson of humility is also related to our practice of
   Closed Communion,

        May our Lord grant us faith to trust in Him, and to
   willingly serve our neighbor.  Amen.

October 10, 2025

Broadcast

                        Things to Come - Part 5
                             Luke 7:16-17
                              10/10/2025

        16   Fear seized them all, and they glorified God,
             saying, ``A great prophet has arisen among us!''
             and ``God has visited his people!''
        17   And this report about him spread through the whole
             of Judea and all the surrounding country.  (ESV)

        Jesus disrupted the funeral of a young man in the city of
   Nain in Galilee.  He stopped the funeral procession, touched the
   pallet upon which the young man was lying, and commanded the dead
   man to rise.  Our Lord then presented the young man to his
   mother, a widow.

        How did the crowds react?  How would you react if you
   witnessed such a miracle?  Would you say, ``That is
   interesting,'' turn around and forget what you saw?  Of course
   not.

        Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying,
        ``A great prophet has arisen among us!'' and ``God has
        visited his people!''  And this report about him spread
        through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding
        country.


        Jesus has overcome death and the grave through His suffering
   on the cross, through His glorious resurrection.  His sacrifice
   was to pay the price of our sins.  For His sake, we are declared
   holy and righteous in God's sight, free from the condemnation for
   our transgressions.

        Like the witnesses of the young man's return to life, we
   cheerfully and loudly proclaim God's rich grace, love, and mercy.
   Please join us each Sunday morning at Trinity Lutheran Church as
   we proclaim the good news of salvation from sin and death for the
   sake of Christ Jesus.

        May our Lord give you peace, the truth that Jesus paid the
   price for your sins and that for His sake you are promised
   eternal life.  Amen.

October 9, 2025

Broadcast

                        Things to Come - Part 4
                             Luke 7:14-15
                              10/09/2025

        14   Then he came up and touched the bier, and the
             bearers stood still.  And he said, ``Young man, I
             say to you, arise.''
        15   And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and
             Jesus gave him to his mother.  (ESV)

        Jesus, while entering the city of Nain in Galilee, disrupted
   a funeral procession.  The young man who had died was the only
   son of a widow.  A great crowd of people from the city walked
   with her from the town to the cemetery.

        As Jesus entered the city, He stopped the procession and
   said to the widow, ``Do not weep.''
        Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers
        stood still.  And he said, ``Young man, I say to you,
        arise.''  And the dead man sat up and began to speak,
        and Jesus gave him to his mother.


        Jesus hates death.  He raised this young man and returned
   him to his mother.  Just as He raised this man, just as He raised
   the daughter of Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, just as He
   raised Lazarus, He has promised to raise each of us from the
   dead.

        This miracle is a foretaste of the miracle promised on the
   day Jesus returns to judge the living and the dead.  Although we
   do not yet see the resurrection, we look at this young man of
   Nain and see ourselves reflected in His new life.  We see the
   tears of mourning replaced with tears of laughter and shouts of
   joy.

        The victory is ours, but we await the day when we can
   celebrate that victory.  Christ Jesus will soon enter our towns
   to raise our friends, family, and neighbors who are now resting
   from their labors.  Meanwhile, we have hope, for God's promises
   are certain.

        May our Lord grant us faith to trust in Him, to hold firmly
   to the forgiveness of our sins which leads to everlasting life.
   Amen.

October 8, 2025

Broadcast

                        Things to Come - Part 3
                               Luke 7:13
                              10/08/2025

        13   And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on
             her and said to her, ``Do not weep.''  (ESV)

        Jesus, while entering the city of Nain in Galilee, met a
   funeral procession which was carrying a young man for burial.
   This man was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.

        We can imagine the procession, the large crowd from the
   city, the mourners crying and lamenting, the widow dumbfounded
   and overwhelmed with the grief of losing both her husband and
   son.  The separation of death causes pain no matter the
   circumstances.

        ``And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and
   said to her, `Do not weep.'''  Often we hear the trite promises
   and assurances, ``do not weep for everything will work out.''
   Yet we have nothing concrete to offer the bereaved except empty
   phrases meant to console.

        When Jesus says, ``Do not weep,'' He gives reason for hope.
   Our Lord Jesus Christ took upon Himself our sin and the guilt of
   our transgression.  When He assures us that God is in control,
   that we have the hope and promise of eternal life, those words
   are filled with the truth.

        Jesus said, ``Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be
   comforted.''[1] Saint Paul wrote: ``But we do not want you to be
   uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may
   not grieve as others do who have no hope.''[2] We weep, we mourn,
   but do so knowing that our Lord has given His life for the
   redemption of those we love.

        May our Lord grant us hope even in times of distress for the
   sake of His Son.  Amen.














   ____________________

   1. Matthew 5:4

   2. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV)

October 7, 2025

Broadcast

                        Things to Come - Part 2
                             Luke 7:11-12
                              10/07/2025

        11   Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and
             his disciples and a great crowd went with him.
        12   As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a
             man who had died was being carried out, the only
             son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a
             considerable crowd from the town was with her.
             (ESV)

        Soon afterward [Jesus] went to a town called Nain, and
        his disciples and a great crowd went with him.  As he
        drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who
        had died was being carried out, the only son of his
        mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd
        from the town was with her.


        Saint Paul wrote: ``For the wages of sin is death, but the
   free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.''[1]
   Herein lies the problem, we have all sinned and fallen short of
   the glory of God.  No one, except Christ Jesus, has lived a
   perfect life, never breaking the least of God's commandments or
   laws.  We are conceived with sin, born with sin, live with sin,
   and die because we sin.

        There are three kinds of death, each overcome by the death
   and resurrection of Jesus.  The first is temporal death, where
   this sinful and corrupt body rests awaiting the resurrection on
   the day of judgment.  All people are subject to temporal death
   because this sinful body cannot live forever.  The second is
   spiritual death, where we reject God's tender grace, love, and
   mercy.  Christ Jesus overcomes this death through the
   proclamation of the Gospel, both what we hear and what we see
   through the sacraments.  The third is eternal death, eternal
   separation from God.  Those who have rejected the Gospel of
   salvation by grace through faith for the sake of Christ while
   living, suffer this separation after they die.  They wanted
   nothing to do with God, and God gives them what they desire.

        May our Lord grant that we have faith in Jesus who has
   overcome death and the grave, giving us life everlasting.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Romans 6:23 (ESV)

October 6, 2025

Broadcast

                        Things to Come - Part 1
                             Luke 7:11-12
                              10/06/2025

        11   Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and
             his disciples and a great crowd went with him.
        12   As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a
             man who had died was being carried out, the only
             son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a
             considerable crowd from the town was with her.
             (ESV)

        Christians live in the tension of knowing we have eternal
   life for the sake of the suffering, death, and resurrection of
   Jesus, yet we are still dealing with the effects of sin each day.
   The victory over death and the grave has been won, but the
   celebration is in the future.  ``Now but not yet'' is often the
   watch-word.

        This week we will be looking at the miracle when Jesus
   restored the life of the young man of Nain.  We will look at the
   three types of death, and how Christ Jesus has overcome them all.

        Soon afterward [Jesus] went to a town called Nain, and
        his disciples and a great crowd went with him.  As he
        drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who
        had died was being carried out, the only son of his
        mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd
        from the town was with her.


        So begins the account of this miracle where Jesus and His
   followers confront those who mourn the death of this man.  This
   miracle is a foretaste of the day when Jesus will come again to
   call each person from the grave.

        May our Lord give us comfort and hope in times of trouble,
   that we trust in the victory Christ Jesus won over sin and death.
   Amen.