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July 17, 2025

Broadcast

                            Mercy - Part 4
                               Luke 6:40
                              07/17/2025


        40   A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone
             when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.
             (ESV)

        Because we are sinners declared holy by God's rich grace,
   love, and mercy for the sake of the death and resurrection of
   Jesus, we also show mercy to others.  That mercy certainly says
   that we tell others about the peace of knowing we are reconciled
   to the Father for the sake of the Son.

        Saint Luke recorded Jesus' words: ``A disciple is not above
   his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like
   his teacher.''  Our teacher can either be of this world as we
   listen to the advice of many, ``Listen to your own heart, do what
   you think is right,'' rather than God's Word, ``Forgive as you
   are forgiven.''

        The devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh make a poor
   teacher.  They are self-centered, slow to accept blame yet quick
   to accuse.  They are self-righteous and hypocritical, demanding a
   perfection in others they are not willing to attempt for
   themselves.

        Our heavenly Father teaches us love, grace, and mercy.  He
   is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, quick to
   forgive even our worst sins.  As we have God the Father as our
   Teacher, as we learn from the Bible about grace and mercy, we
   become forgiving and loving.

        When Jesus said, ``Be merciful even as your Father is
   merciful,'' He invites us to learn of God's love and to reflect
   that love to others.

        May our Lord grant us strength to reflect His grace and
   forgiveness as we love and serve our neighbor.  Amen.

July 16, 2025

Broadcast

                            Mercy - Part 3
                               Luke 6:39
                              07/16/2025


        39   He also told them a parable: Can a blind man lead
             a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?
             (ESV)

        Although we are by nature sinful and unclean, and although
   we have sinned against God and neighbor by actively doing that
   which we should not do, or by not doing what we should do, we are
   forgiven because of God's mercy.  Our heavenly Father sent His
   Son to live, die, and rise again to pay the price of our
   transgressions.  Because God has shown us His mercy, we show the
   same mercy to others.

        Saint Luke wrote: ``He also told them a parable: `Can a
   blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a
   pit?'''  If we, in our self-righteous hypocrisy, are blind to our
   own sin, how can we help our neighbor by calling them to repent?
   We don't know about sin and grace, if we stand in judgment and
   condemnation concerning the shortcomings of others.

        Each Christian desires to help his neighbor.  Sometimes that
   help extends to a warning that actions and beliefs are wrong,
   that actions and beliefs may lead to suffering and death.  But
   that help is done with humility and love, not out of arrogance
   and superiority.  Aware of our own sin, knowing that only by the
   grace of God do we see the light of truth, we gently and
   prayerfully guide others to the same light.

        Showing God's mercy means that we encourage each other, help
   each other, and forgive each other.  It also means we protect
   each other from harm and danger.

        May our Lord grant us wisdom, love, and strength to see our
   own sin even while serving our neighbor.  Amen.

July 15, 2025

Broadcast

                            Mercy - Part 2
                             Luke 6:37-38
                              07/15/2025


        37   Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn
             not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and
             you will be forgiven;
        38   give, and it will be given to you. Good measure,
             pressed down, shaken together, running over, will
             be put into your lap. For with the measure you use
             it will be measured back to you.  (ESV)

        Each day as we pray the Lord's Prayer we ask, ``Forgive us
   our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.''  In
   so doing, we confess that we are sinful, that our only hope is in
   the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who bore the guilt of
   our sin.  We are forgiven for His sake and are free to respond to
   the Father's mercy by showing mercy.

        Jesus explained what Christian mercy is as He taught His
   disciples.
        Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and
        you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be
        forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good
        measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over,
        will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use
        it will be measured back to you.


        Because we are forgiven by God's grace through faith in
   Christ Jesus alone, we dare not judge others as if we are
   superior and more righteous than they.  The wages of sin is
   death, and we do not want to see anyone suffer eternal
   condemnation.  Thus we seek to help our neighbor avoid those
   things which are harmful.  We encourage them to repent and turn
   in faith to Christ.

        Before we speak of our neighbor's sin, we confess before God
   and each other that we also have sinned in thought, word, and
   deed.  We approach our neighbor as their equal, and ask them to
   help us in our own struggles with sin.  By holding each other
   accountable, we look first to God's mercy and grace, then we
   encourage each other in our daily struggles.

        When we forgive and help our neighbor, we do so with love,
   respect, and mercy.  For we also need the same forgiveness, love,
   and respect.  We forgive as we are forgiven, without conditions,
   without condemnation.

        May our Lord grant us strength to reflect His love to our
   neighbor.  Amen.

July 14, 2025

Broadcast

                            Mercy - Part 1
                               Luke 6:36
                              07/14/2025


        36   Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
             (ESV)

        To be a Christian is to acknowledge that we are redeemed
   from sin, death, and the power of the devil because of the death
   and resurrection of Jesus.  We do not earn the forgiveness of our
   sins, for we are born enemies of God.  Nothing we do can make up
   for our sinful nature.  Forgiveness is a gift, given to us
   because of God's great love as our Father sent His Son to bear
   our guilt.

        Jesus told His disciples, ``Be merciful, even as your Father
   is merciful.''  How is our heavenly Father merciful?  He gives us
   all things, natural and spiritual, temporal and eternal, because
   of His great love.  Even those people who do not acknowledge
   God's rich goodness are daily blessed by Him with all things they
   need to support this body and life.  The Father's mercy extends
   to everyone, regardless of who they are or how they act.

        Because we are forgiven by God, because we have received His
   love, grace, and mercy, we reflect the gifts we have been given.
   God does not need our good works, but gives us the opportunity to
   share His love with our neighbor.

        Good works flow from faith, from knowing the gift which is
   ours through Jesus Christ.  Good works do not earn us favor with
   God, but do provide proof that our faith is alive and active.
   This week we will look at the way we reflect the Father's mercy
   as we serve Him by loving our neighbor.

        May our Lord grant us faith to recognize the Father's love
   for His creation.  Amen.

Broadcast

                         Coming Home - Part 5
                              Luke 15:24
                              07/11/2025


        24   `` `For this my son was dead, and is alive again;
             he was lost, and is found.'  And they began to
             celebrate.''  (ESV)

        The parable of the Prodigal Son is a story of Law and
   Gospel, of sin and redemption.  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]

        In this parable, the Father of the story certainly is our
   heavenly Father.  The son who wasted the Father's gifts is each
   sinner, each person who has strayed from God's love.

        As the young son saw the poverty of sin and the lack of hope
   and comfort given by the world, he longed for the grace of God.
   You and I, without knowing the Father's love, seek our peace in
   all sorts of destructive ways.  It could be substance abuse, or
   reckless behavior, or seeking peace through hard work and having
   lots of toys.  In the end, however, the things of this world do
   not satisfy.

        We were dead in the trespass of our sins, as we learned from
   the mirror of God's Law.  Repenting, we throw ourselves on the
   Lord's mercy and grace, finding there full redemption and pardon.
   Forgiven, we are alive in Christ.

        The Father told His servents, `` `For this my son was dead,
   and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.'  And they began
   to celebrate.''

        Please come home, the Father is waiting and desires to
   restore you to His family.  Come hear the word of hope, receive
   the comfort of the Gospel, as you are invited to join us each
   Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church.  May our
   Lord grant you the peace of knowing your sins are forgiven and
   that you are part of the Father's family.  Amen.

July 10, 2025

Broadcast

                         Coming Home - Part 4
                             Luke 15:20-23
                              07/10/2025


        20   ``And he arose and came to his father. But while
             he was still a long way off, his father saw him
             and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and
             kissed him.
        21   And the son said to him, `Father, I have sinned
             against heaven and before you.  I am no longer
             worthy to be called your son.'
        22   But the father said to his servants, `Bring
             quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put
             a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
        23   And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let
             us eat and celebrate.' '' (ESV)

        In this week's study we are reading the parable of the
   Prodigal Son.  We've come to the point in the story where the
   young man, who had wasted his father's money with worthless
   things, came to his senses.  He returned to his Father, repentant
   and willing to simple be a servant.

        The Law of God, which shows us our sin, leads to the Gospel,
   which shows us our Savior.  Jesus continued:
        ``And he arose and came to his father. But while he was
        still a long way off, his father saw him and felt
        compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
        And the son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against
        heaven and before you.  I am no longer worthy to be
        called your son.'  But the father said to his servants,
        `Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and
        put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.  And
        bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and
        celebrate.' ''


        Our heavenly Father longs and waits for our return to Him.
   Even before the young man finished confessing his sin, even
   before begging to be allowed the most menial job in the Father's
   household, the Father restored him in his position as son of the
   family.  The forgiveness is complete, given out of love and not
   our works.

        This is the Gospel, that Jesus Christ died on the cross and
   rose from the dead so that you and I can be restored fully to the
   household of faith.

        May our Lord grant that, as we are condemned by the Law, we
   know that we are redeemed and saved by the Gospel.  Amen.

July 9, 2025

Broadcast

                         Coming Home - Part 3
                             Luke 15:17-19
                              07/09/2025


        17   ``But when he came to himself, he said, `How many
             of my father's hired servants have more than
             enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!
        18   I will arise and go to my father, and I will say
             to him, ``Father, I have sinned against heaven and
             before you.
        19   I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat
             me as one of your hired servants.'' ' '' (ESV)

        Yesterday, in reading the parable of the Prodigal Son, we
   saw that the young man had reached the bottom.  Accused by the
   Law, he was living with the pigs, longing for the comfort of
   knowing he was important to someone, yet finding no hope.

        Jesus continued:
        ``But when he came to himself, he said, `How many of my
        father's hired servants have more than enough bread,
        but I perish here with hunger!  I will arise and go to
        my father, and I will say to him, ``Father, I have
        sinned against heaven and before you.  I am no longer
        worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your
        hired servants.'' ' ''


        The Law, a mirror which shows us our sin, did its proper
   work.  What we do when confronted with our transgressions against
   God and neighbor determines our future.  We can continue to
   wallow with the pigs, hoping for some resolution which the world
   cannot give, or we can return to our home with God.

        Repenting of our sin means suffering the embarrassment when
   we realize we are not in control, we are not God, we have done
   foolish and hurtful things.  We don't deserve God's love, yet
   know that God has compassion.  Thus, confronted with our
   inability to overcome the guilt of our sin, we throw ourselves on
   God's mercy.

        May our Lord give us the strength to repent of our sin, to
   return to our Father's house, and to receive His love.  Amen.

July 8, 2025

Broadcast

                         Coming Home - Part 2
                             Luke 15:14-16
                              07/08/2025


        14   ``And when he had spent everything, a severe
             famine arose in that country, and he began to be
             in need.
        15   So he went and hired himself out to one of the
             citizens of that country, who sent him into his
             fields to feed pigs.
        16   And he was longing to be fed with the pods that
             the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.''
             (ESV)

        This week we are reviewing the parable of the Prodigal Son.
   As you recall, the younger of two sons selfishly asked his father
   to give him his inheritance.  Shortly after receiving the money,
   the young man left home.  Jesus continued the story:
        ``And when he had spent everything, a severe famine
        arose in that country, and he began to be in need.  So
        he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of
        that country, who sent him into his fields to feed
        pigs.  And he was longing to be fed with the pods that
        the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.''


        Frequently, we find that when we leave the teachings of the
   church behind, we start to experience an inner longing for peace.
   The world cannot give the comfort of knowing our sins are
   forgiven.  Therefore we look elsewhere, such as substance abuse
   or reckless living or in the pursuit of power and wealth.
   Nothing satisfies us, however.

        There are two main teachings in the Bible.  The first is the
   Law, which not only keeps us from sinning because of our fear of
   the consequences, but also shows us our sin.  In the parable, the
   young man eventually comes to understand the effect of living
   apart from his father, the loneliness and deprivation which
   cannot be filled by things or self-help philosophies.

        We each stand accused by the Law.  We look to the world for
   help, but find nothing.  Those things which we hope will ease our
   inner pain and sorrow simply cause more problems.  We are like
   the young man, wallowing in the mud with the pigs, longing to
   find some sort of comfort.

        May our Lord use His Law to convict us of sin, that we see
   our lost condition for our eternal good.  Amen.

July 7, 2025

Broadcast

                         Coming Home - Part 1
                             Luke 15:11-13
                              07/07/2025


        11   And [Jesus] said, ``There was a man who had two
             sons.
        12   And the younger of them said to his father,
             `Father, give me the share of property that is
             coming to me.' And he divided his property between
             them.
        13   Not many days later, the younger son gathered all
             he had and took a journey into a far country, and
             there he squandered his property in reckless
             living.''  (ESV)

        In these early weeks of the second half of the Church Year,
   we look at the fundamental teachings of the Church.  Most basic
   is the forgiveness of our sins because of God's rich grace and
   love alone.  The parable of the Prodigal Son tells us of our
   sinful nature and of God's mercy.

        And [Jesus] said, ``There was a man who had two sons.
        And the younger of them said to his father, `Father,
        give me the share of property that is coming to me.'
        And he divided his property between them.  Not many
        days later, the younger son gathered all he had and
        took a journey into a far country, and there he
        squandered his property in reckless living.''


        The situation is simple.  We have been raised in God's
   presence, probably going to worship services each Sunday morning.
   American society is built on Christian principles, although we
   are certainly not all Christians.  We hold to the Ten
   Commandments and have at least a passing idea of who Jesus is,
   the One born to die and rise again to redeem us from eternal
   death.

        But, thinking that we know better than God, we leave the
   church, we turn our backs on His love, and misuse all His
   blessing.  This is the effect of original sin, the desire to be
   like God, the desire to replace God, the desire to serve our own
   selfish wants and whims.

        This week we will see the result of leaving God's home and
   the joy of knowing the Father's love.

        May our Lord grant you His richest blessings this coming
   week.  Amen.

July 4, 2025

Broadcast

                         Prayer for the Nation
                            1 Timothy 2:1-2
                              07/04/2025


        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.  (ESV)

        Saint Paul wrote:
        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.


        On this Independence Day, it is fitting, therefore, to offer
   the prayer once delivered by George Washington:
        Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt
        keep the United States in Thy holy protection, that
        Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to
        cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to
        government, and entertain a brotherly affection and
        love for one another and for their fellow citizens of
        the United States at large.

             And Finally that Thou wilt most graciously be
        pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy,
        and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility,
        and pacific temper of mind which were the
        characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed
        religion, and without an humble imitation of whose
        example in these things, we can never hope to be a
        happy nation.

             Grant our supplication, be beseech Thee, through
        Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.[1]
   ____________________

   1. Written at Newburg, June 8, 1783, and sent to the Governors of
      all the States.  From 1942 Armed Forces hymnal.