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October 22, 2025

Broadcast

                        Two Questions - Part 3
                           Matthew 22:37-40
                              10/22/2025

        37   And he said to him, ``You shall love the Lord your
             God with all your heart and with all your soul and
             with all your mind.
        38   This is the great and first commandment.
        39   And a second is like it: You shall love your
             neighbor as yourself.
        40   On these two commandments depend all the Law and
             the Prophets.''  (ESV)

        A Pharisee, a lawyer, asked Jesus, ``Teacher, which is the
   great commandment of the Law?''
        And he said to him, ``You shall love the Lord your God
        with all your heart and with all your soul and with all
        your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.
        And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor
        as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the
        Law and the Prophets.''


        On Monday I suggested that we can summarize Christianity
   with two questions.  The first is: What is our condition as we
   compare ourselves to God's Law?  Unfortunately, no one can say
   they have always loved God with their whole heart and soul and
   mind.  We have failed, thus stand condemned.  Likewise, no one
   has always, and in every circumstance, loved their neighbor with
   the same intensity and care with which we love ourselves.

        The law acts like a mirror, showing us our sin, showing us
   that we cannot, by our own works and desires, be reconciled to
   God.  No matter how we try, in our hearts, in our souls, in our
   minds, we place ourselves above God and neighbor.  Even if we are
   active in doing good works, there is always that selfish part
   which is sin.

        Fortunately, tomorrow and Friday we will look at the second
   question, ``Who is Jesus?''  In Him and because of His death and
   resurrection, we are forgiven, we stand perfect before God.

        May our Lord grant us wisdom to confess our sins to receive
   forgiveness for the sake of Christ Jesus.  Amen.

October 21, 2025

Broadcast

                        Two Questions - Part 2
                           Matthew 22:37-40
                              10/21/2025

        37   And he said to him, ``You shall love the Lord your
             God with all your heart and with all your soul and
             with all your mind.
        38   This is the great and first commandment.
        39   And a second is like it: You shall love your
             neighbor as yourself.
        40   On these two commandments depend all the Law and
             the Prophets.''  (ESV)

        On Monday of Holy Week, the week Jesus died and rose again,
   He was in the Temple debating with the Sadducees and Pharisees.
   A Pharisee, a lawyer, asked Jesus a question in an attempt to
   catch Jesus with either a lie or a contradiction.  ``Teacher,
   which is the great commandment of the Law?''

        And he said to him, ``You shall love the Lord your God
        with all your heart and with all your soul and with all
        your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.
        And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor
        as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the
        Law and the Prophets.''


        Rather than list one of the 613 laws of the Jewish religion,
   Jesus summarized the entire Law.  We love God above all things,
   we love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves.  The dietary
   laws, the Sabbath laws, the ceremonial laws, and even the civil
   laws are contained in these short words.

        This was the only answer Jesus could give which would not
   cause controversy and arguments.  This was the only answer Jesus
   could give which could destroy the evil intent of the lawyer's
   question.

        May our Lord grant us faith to understand the Law as being
   given in love so that we may reflect God's love.  Amen.

October 20, 2025

Broadcast

                        Two Questions - Part 1
                           Matthew 22:34-36
                              10/20/2025

        34   But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced
             the Sadducees, they gathered together.
        35   And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to
             test him.
        36   ``Teacher, which is the great commandment in the
             Law?''  (ESV)

        The Church Year is quickly coming to a close.  Next Sunday
   we will celebrate the Reformation, where the Church rediscovered
   the truth of the Gospel.  After that comes All Saints' Day, an
   ancient festival of the Church which commemorates all those who
   now rest from their labors.  That leaves the three last Sundays
   of the Church Year as we ponder the last days of this earth and
   the coming of Christ Jesus to judge the living and the dead.

        Therefore, we will take this final week of what some call
   ``ordinary time'' to review the two questions which determine if
   we understand the purpose of Jesus' incarnation, death, and
   resurrection.  How we answer the questions shows our
   understanding of the purpose of the Church, the purpose of God's
   Word, and the grace of God.  The two questions are simple.  What
   is our condition as we compare ourselves to God's Law?  Who is
   Jesus?

        On Monday of Holy Week, the day after Jesus triumphantly
   rode into Jerusalem to the shouts of palm-waving crowds, the
   Sadducees and Pharisees, the rulers of the Temple, attempted to
   trick Jesus with a series of question.  What sounds like a
   legitimate question was actually meant as a trap.

        But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the
        Sadducees, they gathered together.  And one of them, a
        lawyer, asked him a question to test him.  ``Teacher,
        which is the great commandment in the Law?''


        This is a legitimate question when you consider that there
   are 613 laws which are observed in the Jewish religion.  But this
   question was meant as a test, so that whatever answer Jesus gave
   could be twisted.

        May our Lord grant us faith and wisdom to answer questions
   about Jesus.  Amen.

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.