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January 13, 2025

Broadcast

                   The Baptism of Our Lord - Part 1
                             Matthew 3:13
                              01/13/2025


        13   Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to
             John, to be baptized by him.  (ESV)

        Last week the Church celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany,
   the revealing of Jesus as the Son of God to the Gentiles.  As the
   wise men offered their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to
   the infant, they confessed that He is a king, that He is God, and
   that He would die for His people.

        Traditionally, the baptism of Jesus was part of the
   celebration on the day of Epiphany, January 6.  In some Christian
   churches, the Baptism has been moved from Epiphany to the First
   Sunday After Epiphany.

        "Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be
   baptized by him."

        The word "Christ," like the word "Messiah," means "The
   Anointed One."  Prophets, priests, and kings were anointed with
   oil to signify their service to both God and the nation.  Aaron,
   the first high priest, was anointed by Moses at God's command.
   God instructed the prophet Elijah to anoint his successor,
   Elisha.  Samuel anointed David to be king in the place of Saul.

        Jesus, Himself, recognized that He was anointed to
   accomplish God's work when He applied the words of Isaiah to
   Himself.
        The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD
        has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has
        sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim
        liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison
        to those who are bound.[1]


        May our Lord grant us faith to see Jesus as the Prophet,
   Priest, and King anointed by God for our salvation.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Isaiah 61:1 (ESV) quoted in Luke 4:18

January 10, 2025

Broadcast

                           Epiphany - Part 5
                             Matthew 2:12
                              01/10/2025


        12   And being warned in a dream not to return to
             Herod, they departed to their own country by
             another way.  (ESV)

        The story of the Magi, the Wise Men, brings hope to all
   people.  As they sought the King of the Jews, they found the
   Savior for all people.  Jew and gentile alike find hope in the
   infant, the King who is the God who dies for His people.

        Jesus' death and resurrection were in the future, however.
   Yet the devil, working through evil men such as King Herod,
   sought to kill the baby Jesus.  They would succeed, but not
   before Jesus had taught His disciples about the love, grace, and
   mercy of the Father.  Everything Jesus taught can be found in the
   pages of the Old Testament, even as the scribes found the place
   of His birth in the book of Micah.

        ``And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they
   departed to their own country by another way.''

        The Wise Men found the King of the Jews for whom they were
   looking.  By their gifts they proclaimed Him a king, but His
   kingdom is not of this world.  They proclaimed Him to be God, one
   to whom the incense of prayer ascends, one who hears and answers
   in love.  Finally, they proclaimed His death for the redemption
   of Jew and Gentile alike, a death which could not hold Him.

        There is so much more to learn of the Infant of Bethlehem.
   Wise men still seek Him, the King of the Jews, the one born to
   redeem us from sin and death.  Please join us at 9:00 each Sunday
   morning to hear of Jesus Christ, our only hope.

        May our Lord grant us faith to find Him.  Amen.

January 9, 2025

Broadcast

                           Epiphany - Part 4
                            Matthew 2:9-11
                              01/09/2025


        9    After listening to the king, they went on their
             way. And behold, the star that they had seen when
             it rose went before them until it came to rest
             over the place where the child was.
        10   When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly
             with great joy.
        11   And going into the house they saw the child with
             Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped
             him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered
             him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.  (ESV)

        The Wise Men from the east were seeking the King of the
   Jews.  Having learned of the prophecy by Micah, they took their
   leave of Herod in Jerusalem and traveled to Bethlehem.

        After listening to the king, they went on their way.
        And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose
        went before them until it came to rest over the place
        where the child was.  When they saw the star, they
        rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.  And going into
        the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and
        they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their
        treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and
        frankincense and myrrh.


        Was the star the Magi followed a rare conjunction of planets
   or other stellar bodies?  Was the star a miracle which will never
   be repeated?  We don't know, but many theologians and astronomers
   have proposed different answers to this question.  We will leave
   speculation about the star to some other occasion.

        The gifts brought by the Magi were a testimony about the
   Child.  Gold is the perfect gift to pay tribute to a king, and
   Jesus is certainly the King of Creation.  Frankincense gives a
   pleasing odor as it burns, the smoke rising.  Often incense is
   likened to the prayers of the faithful to God, as the Psalmist
   said, ``Let my prayers rise before you as incense.''[1] Myrrh is
   used to embalm a body before burial.

        The gifts proclaimed that Jesus is the King, true God, who
   will die for His people.

        May our Lord grant that we recognize the Infant of Bethlehem
   as confessed by the Wise Men who sought Him.  Amen.

January 8, 2025

Broadcast

                           Epiphany - Part 3
                             Matthew 2:7-8
                              01/08/2025


        7    Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and
             ascertained from them what time the star had
             appeared.
        8    And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ``Go and
             search diligently for the child, and when you have
             found him, bring me word, that I too may come and
             worship him.''  (ESV)

        Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem seeking the King of
   the Jews.  Being astronomers and astrologers, they looked to the
   heavens to discern what would be happening on earth.  God, in His
   wisdom, did not disappoint them, but showed them a clear sign
   which pointed to the birth of the Messiah.

        Eager to find the One foretold, the One of whom their
   predecessors had heard about from Daniel and other Jewish
   captives, the Magi traveled to Jerusalem.  There, the scribes and
   chief priests pointed them to the prophet Micah and his
   prediction that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.

        Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and
        ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
        And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ``Go and search
        diligently for the child, and when you have found him,
        bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.''


        The Magi, who were not aware of local politics in Judea,
   heard the request of Herod.  This seemed a reasonable request.
   When they heard where the Child was to be born, they left the
   city, vowing to return with the good news.

        May our Lord grant us the faith to seek the Child of
   Bethlehem for our eternal blessing.  Amen.

January 7, 2025

Broadcast

                           Epiphany - Part 2
                             Matthew 2:3-6
                              01/07/2025


        3    When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled,
             and all Jerusalem with him;
        4    and assembling all the chief priests and scribes
             of the people, he inquired of them where the
             Christ was to be born.
        5    They told him, ``In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it
             is written by the prophet:
        6    `And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are
             by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for
             from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my
             people Israel.'''  (ESV)

        Yesterday, the Feast of the Epiphany, we began the story of
   the Magi who sought Jesus.  Where else would you go to seek the
   King of the Jews but the capitol city, Jerusalem?  That is where
   the Wise Men asked, ``Where is He who is born the King of the
   Jews?"
        When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and
        all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief
        priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them
        where the Christ was to be born.  They told him, ``In
        Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the
        prophet: `And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
        are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for
        from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people
        Israel.'''


        The prophet Micah had clearly foretold the birth of the one
   for whom the Wise Men were seeking.  For years the chief priests
   and scribes had known this prophecy, which had now come true.

        We also can trust the Word of God to show us the truth where
   we find our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Only the Bible tells us of
   God's rich grace, love, and mercy.

        May our Lord grant that you find the Redeemer as you hear
   His Word.  Amen.

January 6, 2025

Broadcast

                           Epiphany - Part 1
                             Matthew 2:1-2
                              01/06/2025


        1    Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in
             the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from
             the east came to Jerusalem,
        2    saying, ``Where is he who has been born king of
             the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and
             have come to worship him.''  (ESV)

        Today is the Feast of the Epiphany, the day where the Church
   celebrates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus.  Because
   the Magi, the Wise Men, were not Jewish, today is often called
   the Gentile's Christmas.

        Epiphany comes from the Greek word which means ``dawn'' or
   ``sunrise.''  It is an unveiling, a revealing, or an appearance.
   During the Epiphany season, which lasts from January 6 to the
   Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, we see how Jesus is revealed as
   both true God and true man.

        Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the
        days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east
        came to Jerusalem, saying, ``Where is he who has been
        born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose
        and have come to worship him.''


        Since before the days of the Babylonian Captivity, six
   hundred years before the birth of Jesus, the sages of Babylon and
   Persia were astronomers.  While the children of Israel lived in
   Babylon, Daniel and several other Jews rose to positions of power
   in the court.  The Magi would have known about the prophecies of
   the Messiah, and would study the stars to seek wisdom.

        When a star appeared in the appropriate place in the sky,
   the Magi saw the sign that a new King was born in Israel.  They
   went seeking for this king.

        Please join us at Trinity this evening, at 7:00 p.m. for the
   Epiphany Service with Saint Paul, Fulda, where we will hear more
   about the Magi.  May our Lord continue to bless you with faith
   and wisdom.  Amen.

January 3, 2025

Broadcast

               From Everlasting to Everlasting - Part 5
                            Psalm 90:14-17
                              01/03/2025


        14   Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast
             love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our
             days.
        15   Make us glad for as many days as you have
             afflicted us, and for as many years as we have
             seen evil.
        16   Let your work be shown to your servants, and your
             glorious power to their children.
        17   Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and
             establish the work of our hands upon us; yes,
             establish the work of our hands!  (ESV)

        During the week we have seen the reports and videos about
   the events of the past twelve months.  We sought answers to the
   wars in the Ukraine and Middle East, and celebrated the successes
   of this nation.  Knowing that our Lord has placed us in a country
   where the government is designed to listen to the citizens, we
   voted according to our beliefs, praying that our newly elected
   leadership would govern according to God's gracious will.

        In the end, all that matters is God's grace.  He created us.
   He sustains us.  He redeems us for the sake of Christ Jesus.  He
   gives us the ability to serve Him by serving our neighbor.  He
   gives us wisdom as we seek to know more about Him, to fear, love,
   and trust in Him above all things.

        Moses wrote:
        Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
        that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.  Make us
        glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for
        as many years as we have seen evil.  Let your work be
        shown to your servants, and your glorious power to
        their children.  Let the favor of the Lord our God be
        upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us;
        yes, establish the work of our hands!


        Please join us on Sunday morning at Trinity Lutheran Church
   to hear more about God's rich love, grace, and mercy.  This is
   one new year's resolution which will bear eternal fruit, which
   will be a blessing to you now and forever.

        May our Lord grant you His favor.  Amen.

January 2, 2025

Broadcast

               From Everlasting to Everlasting - Part 4
                            Psalm 90:11-13
                              01/02/2025


        11   Who considers the power of your anger, and your
             wrath according to the fear of you?
        12   So teach us to number our days that we may get a
             heart of wisdom.
        13   Return, O LORD! How long?  Have pity on your
             servants!  (ESV)

        Having acknowledged our sin, we consider God's judgment.
   Moses wrote:
        Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath
        according to the fear of you?  So teach us to number
        our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.  Return, O
        LORD! How long?  Have pity on your servants!


        The power of God's wrath was poured out, not on Adam and
   Eve, not on you and I, but on Jesus Christ.  Saint Paul wrote to
   Timothy, ``God would have all people to be saved and come to the
   knowledge of the truth.''[1] Jesus was forsaken by God in your
   place and mine so that we will never be deprived of His love.

        The fear of the Lord, knowing of His perfect righteousness,
   is the beginning of wisdom.  Each day, knowing that our times are
   in His hands alone, we look to Him for love and pity.  Therefore
   we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, knowing
   that God's grace and mercy are sufficient.  We reflect His love
   in our dealings with others, loving our neighbor, helping each
   other.

        May our Lord grant us the wisdom to trust in Him, to know
   our days are in His keeping, and to seek first His kingdom.
   Amen.
   ____________________

   1. 1 Timothy 2:4

January 1, 2025

Broadcast

               From Everlasting to Everlasting - Part 3
                             Psalm 90:8-10
                              01/01/2025


        8    You have set our iniquities before you, our secret
             sins in the light of your presence.
        9    For all our days pass away under your wrath; we
             bring our years to an end like a sigh.
        10   The years of our life are seventy, or even by
             reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but
             toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly
             away.  (ESV)

        Happy New Year.  This morning as we contemplate the eighth
   day of Jesus' life, the day He first bled for the sins of the
   world as He was named and circumcised, we remember that His name
   means ``The LORD is Our Salvation.''  Our only hope for the
   forgiveness of our sins is found in this infant who is destined
   to die for our transgressions, only to rise again to give us
   eternal life with Him.

        Today is also the day many people make resolutions to
   accomplish great things, be it to lose 25 pounds, or give up
   smoking, or to finish that college degree.  Resolutions say that
   we have failed in the past, that we need to improve.  Moses said
   the same thing in the Psalm we are studying this week.
        You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins
        in the light of your presence.  For all our days pass
        away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end
        like a sigh.  The years of our life are seventy, or
        even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is
        but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly
        away.


        Saint Paul reminds us, ``For the wages of sin is death, but
   the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
   Lord.''[1] Because of our sin we stand condemned.  Because the
   LORD is our Salvation, we know that we have the forgiveness of
   our sins.  Though this life is short, we have the promise of
   eternity in the mansions of heaven.

        May our Lord grant you a safe and blessed New Year.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Romans 6:23 (ESV)

December 31, 2024

Broadcast

               From Everlasting to Everlasting - Part 2
                             Psalm 90:3-6
                              12/31/2024


        3    You return man to dust and say, Return, O children
             of man!
        4    For a thousand years in your sight are but as
             yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the
             night.
        5    You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like
             a dream, like grass that is renewed in the
             morning:
        6    in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in
             the evening it fades and withers.  (ESV)

        This week, as we ponder the year in review, we hear the Word
   of God as given through Moses.  Psalm 90 speaks of God's
   creation, power, and might.  It speaks of our rebellion, our sin,
   and the curse of our transgressions.

        You return man to dust and say, Return, O children of
        man!  For a thousand years in your sight are but as
        yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.
        You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a
        dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in
        the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the
        evening it fades and withers.


        This year, as we learned of the passing of various famous
   people such as Teri Garr, James Earl Jones, Bob Newhart, and Phil
   Donahue, we were made aware of our own mortality.  While some
   would suggest that we eat, drink, and be merry, we rather should
   look at the cause of our short life span and prepare for
   eternity.

        We prepare by acknowledging our Creator, admitting that His
   justice is fair, and trusting in His grace and mercy.  Our help
   is in the Name of the Lord, our Redeemer from sin, death, and the
   power of the devil is Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of the
   Father.

        May our Lord grant us faith to hear His Word, to believe
   that which we learn from the pages of Scripture, and to trust
   only in Him.  Amen.