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A New Beginning – Part 3

December 3, 2025

                       A New Beginning - Part 3
                            Matthew 21:6-8
                              12/03/2025

        6    The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed
             them.
        7    They brought the donkey and the colt and put on
             them their cloaks, and he sat on them.
        8    Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road,
             and others cut branches from the trees and spread
             them on the road.  (ESV)

        As we begin this new Church Year, we are preparing to
   celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ, who was conceived by
   the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.  He was born so to
   ride into Jerusalem during the governorship of Pontius Pilate, to
   be crucified as the worst of criminals, and to rise again from
   the dead.  By reading of the events of Palm Sunday on the first
   Sunday in Advent, we confess that Jesus came in our place to bear
   our sin and be our Savior.

        There were faithful Jewish people from all over the known
   world who journeyed to Jerusalem for the Passover feast.  Many of
   these pilgrims recognized Jesus as the Messiah.  They reacted to
   Jesus directing His disciples to obtain a donkey colt so that He
   would enter into the city on the back of this beast of burden.

        The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.
        They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them
        their cloaks, and he sat on them.  Most of the crowd
        spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut
        branches from the trees and spread them on the road.


        Although Jesus humbly rode into the city, the crowds
   announced His arrival.  They expected to see some great works,
   some miracles, or maybe the final confrontation in which the
   forces of Rome would be expelled from the land and the Kingdom
   restored to the heirs of David and Solomon.  What they saw,
   several days later, was the bruised, tortured, wounded body of
   Jesus hanging lifeless on the cross as a strange darkness lay
   over the whole world.

        May our Lord grant us faith and wisdom to understand His
   first coming has redeemed us from sin and death.  Amen.

A New Beginning – Part 2

December 2, 2025

Broadcast

                       A New Beginning - Part 2
                            Matthew 21:4-5
                              12/02/2025

        4    This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the
             prophet, saying,
        5    ``Say to the daughter of Zion, `Behold, your king
             is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey,
             and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'''
             (ESV)

        We are beginning to prepare to celebrate the incarnation of
   the Son of God as He came to us in human form.  From the day that
   Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, our heavenly Father prepared
   to send His Son to redeem us from sin, death, and the power of
   the devil.  As is the case of our Lord's coming in glory, the
   prophecies were in place, but the date was unknown.

        As Jesus approached Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, He directed
   two disciples to borrow a donkey colt.  Even though the world was
   created though Jesus, even though He is true God, He chose to
   enter the city on this humble beast of burden.

        Jeremiah the prophet had foretold this event.
        This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the
        prophet, saying, ``Say to the daughter of Zion,
        `Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and
        mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast
        of burden.'''


        Jesus fulfilled the prophetic words of prophet, poet, and
   priest.  He truly became man, born of the virgin Mary, to bear
   your sins and mine on the cross of Calvary.  As true God, He was
   sinless.  As true man, He was able to die and rise again for our
   salvation.

        The Old Testament message of God's grace, love, and mercy
   pointed to the cross and empty grave.  The New Testament message
   shows how God fulfilled His promises in ways that are beyond our
   imagination.

        May our Lord grant us faith to hear the prophets and to see
   Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promise of redemption.  Amen.

A New Beginning – Part 1

December 1, 2025

Broadcast

                       A New Beginning - Part 1
                            Matthew 21:1-3
                              12/01/2025

        1    Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to
             Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent
             two disciples,
        2    saying to them, ``Go into the village in front of
             you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied,
             and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to
             me.
        3    If anyone says anything to you, you shall say,
             `The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at
             once.  (ESV)

        We are now at the beginning of a new Church Year.  Advent,
   which begins on the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saint Andrew,
   November 30, is a penitential season where we prepare for the
   celebration of Jesus' incarnation.  It is a time of preparation,
   a somber season that is also filled with joy.

        Our readings, our hymns, our thoughts are focused on the
   threefold coming of Jesus.  We define the threefold coming of
   Jesus as His coming in the flesh, His coming in grace, which is
   the Church, and His coming in glory at the end of the ages.  As a
   shorthand, Christ came, Christ is here, Christ is coming again.

        This first week of the Advent season turns our focus to
   Christ Jesus coming in the flesh.  What best explains His
   incarnation than to look at Holy Week, the week during which
   Jesus died and rose again to pay the price of our sin?  The
   events of Palm Sunday led directly to the cross, grave, and empty
   tomb.

        Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to
        Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two
        disciples, saying to them, ``Go into the village in
        front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey
        tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to
        me.  If anyone says anything to you, you shall say,
        `The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once.


        So begins the season of Advent, our Lord enters Jerusalem to
   the cheers of the crowd.  He enters Jerusalem as the Lamb of God
   who takes away the sins of the world.

        May our Lord bless each of us this Advent season with the
   peace which comes from knowing God's love.  Amen.

The End – Part 4

November 28, 2025

Broadcast

                           The End - Part 4
                           Matthew 25:10-13
                              11/28/2025

        10   And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom
             came, and those who were ready went in with him to
             the marriage feast, and the door was shut.
        11   Afterward the other virgins came also, saying,
             ``Lord, lord, open to us.''
        12   But he answered, ``Truly, I say to you, I do not
             know you.''
        13   Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor
             the hour.  (ESV)

        The traditional Gospel reading for the last week of the
   Church Year is the parable of the Ten Virgins.  Five took oil for
   their lamps as they went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five did
   not.  When the bridegroom appeared, the five who had no oil
   realized their sad plight.  Because the wise virgins were unable
   to share their oil, the foolish quickly left in an effort to
   obtain that which they lacked.

        And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came,
        and those who were ready went in with him to the
        marriage feast, and the door was shut.  Afterward the
        other virgins came also, saying, ``Lord, lord, open to
        us.''  But he answered, ``Truly, I say to you, I do not
        know you.''  Watch therefore, for you know neither the
        day nor the hour.


        We do not know the day or hour when the Bridegroom will
   arrive, nor do we know the day or hour when we will fall asleep.
   For some, today is the last opportunity to find the oil of faith.
   For others, that day is far in the future.

        Jesus' death and resurrection paid the price of each sin
   committed by each person.  That gift of forgiveness is offered to
   you, not because of your good works, but because of God's love,
   grace, and mercy.  You may choose to ignore this message of hope,
   to your dismay, or you may choose to learn more about our Lord
   Jesus Christ.

        If you desire to learn more, please join us at Trinity
   Lutheran Church each Sunday at 9:00 a.m.

        The end is here.  May our Lord richly bless you with wisdom,
   faith, and hope in the coming Church Year.  Amen.

Thanksgiving

November 27, 2025

Broadcast

                             Thanksgiving
                            1 Timothy 2:1-4
                              11/27/2025


        1    First of all, then, I urge that supplications,
             prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made
             for all people,
        2    for kings and all who are in high positions, that
             we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and
             dignified in every way.
        3    This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of
             God our Savior,
        4    who desires all people to be saved and to come to
             the knowledge of the truth.  (ESV)

        Saint Paul wrote to Timothy:
        First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers,
        intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all
        people, for kings and all who are in high positions,
        that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and
        dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is
        pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires
        all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of
        the truth.


        On this day of Thanksgiving, we pray for our nation and give
   glory to God for all His blessings.
        Almighty God, You have given us this good land as our
        heritage.  Grant that we remember Your generosity and
        constantly do Your will.  Bless our land with honest
        industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of
        life.  Save us from violence, discord, and confusion,
        from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of
        action.  Make us who came from many nations with many
        different languages a united people.  Defend our
        liberties, and give those whom we have entrusted with
        the authority of government, the President and Congress
        of the United States, the Governor and Legislature of
        this state, all our judges and magistrates, the spirit
        of wisdom that there may be justice and peace in our
        land.  When times are prosperous, let our hearts be
        thankful; and in troubled times do not let our trust in
        you fail.

             Almighty God, Your mercies are new every morning
        and You graciously provide for all our needs of body
        and soul.  Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may
        acknowledge Your goodness, give thanks for Your
        benefits and serve You in willing obedience all our
        days; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who
        lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God,
        now and forever.  Amen.

        From Trinity Lutheran Church to you and your family, may our
   Lord richly bless you this day.  Amen.

The End – Part 3

November 26, 2025

Broadcast

                           The End - Part 3
                            Matthew 25:8-9
                              11/26/2025

        8    And the foolish said to the wise, ``Give us some
             of your oil, for our lamps are going out.
        9    But the wise answered, saying, ``Since there will
             not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the
             dealers and buy for yourselves.''  (ESV)

        The traditional Gospel reading for the last week of the
   Church Year is the parable of the Ten Virgins.  Five took oil for
   their lamps as they went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five did
   not.  When the bridegroom appeared, the five who had no oil
   realized their sad plight.

        And the foolish said to the wise, ``Give us some of
        your oil, for our lamps are going out.  But the wise
        answered, saying, ``Since there will not be enough for
        us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for
        yourselves.''


        Salvation from sin, death, and the power of the devil is by
   God's grace and love.  Faith hears the message of the Gospel,
   that our sins are forgiven for the sake of the death and
   resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Faith trusts that word of hope.

        I can tell you why I have the hope of eternal life, and
   share my faith with you, but I cannot instill faith in your
   heart.  That is the work of the Holy Spirit.  I cannot give you
   my oil, no matter how much I desire so to do.  You find the oil
   only where God says faith is found, in His Word, both heard and
   seen.

        May our Lord grant us wisdom to hear His Word, to believe
   it, and to trust in Him alone for our salvation.  Amen.

The End – Part 2

November 25, 2025

Broadcast

                           The End - Part 2
                            Matthew 25:5-7
                              11/25/2025

        5    As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became
             drowsy and slept.
        6    But at midnight there was a cry, ``Here is the
             bridegroom! Come out to meet him.''
        7    Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their
             lamps.  (ESV)

        The traditional Gospel reading for the last week of the
   Church Year is the parable of the Ten Virgins.  Five took oil for
   their lamps as they went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five did
   not.

        As the virgins waited for the bridegroom, they grew weary
   and fell asleep.  Each person faces temporal death while awaiting
   the return of Jesus to judge the living and the dead.  But there
   is the promise of the resurrection as the angels announce the
   coming of our Lord.

        The virgins fell asleep with the oil of faith they possessed
   in this life.  Faith is knowledge of Jesus Christ, agreement that
   the knowledge is true, and trust in Him as the object of faith.
   Lack any of the three, even if you did many good works while
   living, you lack the oil of faith.

        At the resurrection those who trusted in their own good
   works, those who believe that their redemption from sin, eternal
   death, and the power of the devil lies in their own strength,
   will find their lamps will not light.  They lack the oil, there
   is no light.

        We believe, teach, and confess that faith is a gift from God
   as the Holy Spirit creates and sustains our faith through the
   Word and sacraments.  We need to hear the law to see our sin.  We
   need to hear the Gospel to know that Jesus' death and
   resurrection paid the price of our sin.

        May our Lord grant us faith to hear His Word, to believe His
   word, and to trust in His Word.  Amen.

The End – Part 1

November 24, 2025

Broadcast

                           The End - Part 1
                            Matthew 25:1-4
                              11/24/2025

        1    Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten
             virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the
             bridegroom.
        2    Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
        3    For when the foolish took their lamps, they took
             no oil with them,
        4    but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
             (ESV)

        Yesterday was the last Sunday of the Church Year.  For
   twelve months we have looked at the life of Jesus, how His birth,
   death and resurrection are our hope, and at the response of the
   Church.  We are at the end, the place where we ask how this
   affects each person as an individual.

        Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who
        took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.  Five
        of them were foolish, and five were wise.  For when the
        foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,
        but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.


        Unlike the Sheep and the Goats which we discussed last week,
   this parable concerns only those people who claim to be part of
   the Church.  Those outside the Church have received that which
   they desired, being removed from God's sight.  Jesus warned His
   listeners, ``Not everyone who says to me `Lord, Lord' will enter
   into the kingdom of heaven.''[1]

        The bridegroom is Christ, the virgins are the members of the
   church on earth.  We can look at the lamps as being good works,
   and the oil as faith.

        Every member of the church desires to do good works, to live
   a Christian life.  Is that life done out of a fear of punishment,
   coerced by God's wrath, or is that life the result of God's love
   being reflected by one who trusts in Christ Jesus above all
   things?  Each of the virgins looked and acted like they had faith
   in Christ, but some trusted only in their good works.

        May our Lord grant us faith which reflects His love, grace,
   and mercy.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Matthew 7:21a (ESV)

Sheep and Goats – Part 5

November 21, 2025

Broadcast

                       Sheep and Goats - Part 5
                             Matthew 25:46
                              11/21/2025

        46   And these will go away into eternal punishment,
             but the righteous into eternal life.  (ESV)

        The Gospel reading for this week, the Second Last Sunday of
   the Church Year, concerns the judgment, when Christ returns and
   the angels separate all people into two groups.  On His right
   hand are the sheep, on His left the goats.  The sheep He invites
   to enter into the kingdom prepared for them before the foundation
   of the world.  The goats are condemned to eternity with the
   angels who rebelled against God.

        ``And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the
   righteous into eternal life.''

        We believe, teach, and confess that all people are conceived
   in sin, and are born an enemy of God.  Only as our heavenly
   Father, in His grace and mercy, sent His Son to die to pay the
   price of our sin, do we have the hope of everlasting life.  The
   sinless Son of God took upon Himself our sin, suffered the fires
   of hell on our behalf, and defeated death.  He rose from the
   dead, foreshadowing our own resurrection.

        Good works, the way we accept the ones God has sent to
   proclaim His undeserved love, are simply evidence of faith.
   Where the world may be indifferent, if not openly hostile, to
   those who preach the Word, the sheep who have faith in Christ
   gladly hear and respond to the good news of Christ Jesus.

        Please join us at Trinity Lutheran Church each Sunday
   morning at 9:00 a.m. as we gather to hear of God's love, grace,
   and mercy as found in Christ Jesus.  He died and rose again so
   that you may be gathered with the sheep, blessed eternally by the
   Father.

        May our Lord grant you faith to trust this message of hope.
   Amen.

Sheep and Goats – Part 4

November 20, 2025

Broadcast

                       Sheep and Goats - Part 4
                           Matthew 25:41-45
                              11/20/2025

        41   Then he will say to those on his left, ``Depart
             from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire
             prepared for the devil and his angels.
        42   For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was
             thirsty and you gave me no drink,
        43   I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked
             and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and
             you did not visit me.''
        44   Then they also will answer, saying, ``Lord, when
             did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or
             naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister
             to you?''
        45   Then he will answer them, saying, ``Truly, I say
             to you, as you did not do it to one of the least
             of these, you did not do it to me.''  (ESV)

        The Gospel reading for this week, the Second Last Sunday of
   the Church Year, concerns the judgment, when Christ returns and
   the angels separate all people into two groups.  On His right
   hand are the sheep, on His left the goats.  The sheep He invites
   to enter into the kingdom prepared for them before the foundation
   of the world.  The goats hear a different verdict.

        Then he will say to those on his left, ``Depart from
        me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the
        devil and his angels.  For I was hungry and you gave me
        no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was
        a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you
        did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not
        visit me.''  Then they also will answer, saying,
        ``Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a
        stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not
        minister to you?''  Then he will answer them, saying,
        ``Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of
        the least of these, you did not do it to me.''


        Where the sheep were blessed by the Father, the goats are
   cursed by their own words.  Where heaven is prepared for people,
   hell is unfit for human habitation.  The eternal torment is the
   result of rejecting God.

        The goats readily admit they did not listen to or care for
   those sent by God to proclaim the forgiveness of sins for the
   sake of Christ.  They didn't have to martyr those who preach the
   good news.  Indifference is just as condemning.

        May our Lord grant that we hear His Word, and that His Word
   creates the faith which holds firmly to His promise of eternal
   life.  Amen.