Category: Moments of Meditation

August 22, 2025

Broadcast

Faithful in Little, Faithful in Much – Part 5
Luke 16:13
08/22/2025

13
No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (ESV)

This week we have been discussing stewardship as evidence of our faith. Either we trust in God to provide our daily bread, or we trust in the temporal and changing things of this world. Jesus warned His disciples:

No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

The way we use the gifts of God entrusted to us in this life clearly reflects our faith in Him. All that we have and do is given to us by God as a trust, as something for which we will give an account when we depart this life. On the day of judgment, the good stewards will be commended by God for using their time, talents, and treasure to reflect His love to their neighbors.

We are not redeemed from sin, death, and the power of the devil, by our good stewardship. Rather, good stewardship of those things entrusted to us is a response to God’s grace, love, and mercy. You and I have the assurance of eternal life because of the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus, not our works.

Being a good steward of God’s blessings includes accepting His invitation to gather together with others to receive His love. Please join us each Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church as we hear of His grace and mercy.

May our Lord grant you the peace of knowing His blessings are both temporal and eternal, given for the sake of Christ Jesus. Amen.

August 21, 2025

Broadcast

Faithful in Little, Faithful in Much – Part 4
Luke 16:12
08/21/2025

12
And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? (ESV)

How a person uses temporal things is a clear indication of their view of spiritual things. God appoints us as managers of His creation. In the end, we own nothing, we are only care-takers and stewards of the goodness of God’s blessings. If we are selfish, we misuse and destroy the property of others. If we truly care about out neighbor, we treat their property with respect. Jesus told His disciples: ‘‘And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?’’

Our true and permanent riches come only when we have eternal life. That life is assured as we have faith in Christ Jesus, in His death and resurrection as sufficient for our redemption from sin and eternal death. Although we do not earn eternal life by our good works, by our stewardship of those things entrusted to us, our management of the blessings of time, talent, and treasure give evidence of our faith.

We see the evidence of a lack of faith, as people deface the property of others. Vandalism, carelessness, littering, and hoarding are all evidence of our selfish nature.

Proper stewardship is a response to God’s rich grace, love, and mercy. We seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, by beginning and ending each day with prayer. We frequently accept His invitation to be in His presence to receive the forgiveness of our sins. Being blessed by God, we share our time, talent, and treasures with our neighbors, using those things entrusted to us for their benefit.

May our Lord grant that we reflect His love and mercy as we are stewards of His grace. Amen.

August 19, 2025

Broadcast

Faithful in Little, Faithful in Much – Part 2
Luke 16:10
08/19/2025

10
One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. (ESV)

Jesus told His disciples, ‘‘One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.’’ How does this apply to each Christian? We remember the words of Job as he first lost all of his children and his wealth. Rather than cursing God, as encouraged by his wife, Job exclaimed: ‘‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.’’[1]

All that we have, including our life, is a gift from God loaned to us for our stay on earth. We bring nothing into this world, we take nothing from this world. That which we claim to own will pass to another.

God will call us to account for that which He has entrusted to our care. Have we been selfish, or have we be generous? How we use the gifts of time, talent, and treasure reflects our understanding of Jesus’ words: ‘‘But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.’’[2]

Adam’s defiant act of eating the forbidden fruit was not the sin which condemned all people, but was the outward act which betrayed the sin of desiring to be like God, to replace God, to be in control. Selfish use of our time, talents, and treasure reflect that same sin. There is a direct correlation of the decline of religion in the United States with the decline of volunteering in the community.

May our Lord grant that we be faithful in our use of His gracious gifts. Amen.

August 18, 2025

Broadcast

Faithful in Little, Faithful in Much – Part 1
Luke 16:10
08/18/2025

10
One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. (ESV)

During this portion of the Church Year, the congregations which still use the historic Gospel readings are studying the righteousness of faith. We are asking the question, ‘‘How does being saved by grace through faith for the sake of Jesus Christ affect our lives?’’ As we ponder this question, we must remember that we are redeemed from sin, death, and the power of the devil by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Good works certainly follow our salvation, but are absolutely not the cause of our salvation.

Our good works are the way that we show the faith in our hearts. Because none of us can actually see what is hidden inside another, the only way we can come to the conclusion that a person is a Christian is if they act like a Christian. As we heard Jesus say last week, ‘‘By their fruits you shall know them.’’[1]

This week our Gospel lesson speaks of stewardship, our care for the things God entrusts to each person. The way we use temporal things is a clear indication of our view of spiritual things. Jesus told His disciples, ‘‘One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.’’

Let us be very clear on this one point. Many times the word ‘‘stewardship’’ is used by a congregation to talk of raising funds to meet the budget. We will not be using the term in that way, but in our approach to everything God has entrusted to us.

May our Lord grant us wisdom to recognize Him as the source of all things, that we are caretakers of His creation. Amen.

August 15, 2025

Broadcast

                        False Prophets- Part 5
                            Matthew 7:22-23
                              08/15/2025


        22   On that day many will say to me, ``Lord, Lord, did
             we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons
             in your name, and do many mighty works in your
             name?''
        23   And then will I declare to them, ``I never knew
             you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.''
             (ESV)

        Jesus taught His disciples: ``Beware of false prophets, who
   come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous
   wolves.''  This week we have been looking at some of the
   teachings of the false prophets.

        Either we receive the forgiveness of our sins and life
   everlasting from God by our own works and efforts, or God
   forgives us because of His grace, love, and mercy as found in
   Jesus Christ.  If we rely on our own efforts, we are doomed to
   failure.  Yet the false prophets focus on works and not on Christ
   Jesus.

        Our Lord and Savior said:
        On that day many will say to me, ``Lord, Lord, did we
        not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your
        name, and do many mighty works in your name?''  And
        then will I declare to them, ``I never knew you; depart
        from me, you workers of lawlessness.''


        Even while standing before the judgment seat of God, the
   false prophets look to their own actions, their own good works.
   Even if their works were done in the name of Jesus, they did not
   know Jesus nor did they understand the Gospel.

        What will you hear each Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. at
   Trinity Lutheran Church?  Our salvation from sin and death is
   because of God's rich grace and love alone.  We are saved, not by
   our works, but through the gift of faith which trusts that His
   death and resurrection paid the price for our sin.

        May our Lord grant that you accept the invitation to join us
   to receive the good news of salvation by grace through faith for
   the sake of Christ.  Amen.

August 14, 2025

Broadcast

                        False Prophets- Part 4
                             Matthew 7:21
                              08/14/2025


        21   Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will
             enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does
             the will of my Father who is in heaven.  (ESV)

        Jesus warned His disciples: ``Not everyone who says to me,
   `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who
   does the will of my Father who is in heaven.''

        One of the sad facts about American Christianity is the
   average parishioner does not know what his or her church actually
   teaches.  To begin, only about thirty percent of Christians
   regularly attend a service and fewer than that attend a Bible
   study.  If we expect a piano student to practice thirty minutes a
   day, or the high school football team to practice during the
   week, shouldn't we expect Christians to learn more about their
   faith at least once a week?

        Feel free to ask your pastor about the creation account, is
   it history or myth?  Ask what Jesus means by the word ``is'' as
   He instituted the Lord's Supper, or about original sin, the
   effect of baptism, and the purpose of the Ten Commandments in the
   life of a Christian.  Ask if the source of doctrine in your
   church is more than the Word of God, and if the Bible is inerrant
   and true.

        I am happy to answer these questions for you, to explain the
   doctrine and practice of the Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod,
   and the teaching of this congregation.  Please contact me at
   Trinity Lutheran Church.

        Know this about the Christian Church.  The true message can
   be stated in the words of Saint Paul as he taught of the will of
   the Father in heaven.  ``Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you
   will be saved, you and your household.''[1]

        May our Lord grant us wisdom to know the truth of His Word.
   Amen.

   ____________________

   1. Acts 16:31

August 13, 2025

Broadcast

                        False Prophets- Part 3
                            Matthew 7:19-20
                              08/13/2025


        19   Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut
             down and thrown into the fire.
        20   Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
             (ESV)

        Jesus told His disciples: ``Beware of false prophets, who
   come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous
   wolves.''  What is the fate of those who teach salvation by works
   rather than salvation through Christ Jesus alone?  What happens
   to those who trust this message that our actions, hopes, and
   desires can make up for the sins we have committed against God
   and our neighbor?

        Those who were listening to Jesus teach heard Him say:
   ``Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown
   into the fire.  Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.''

        What are some of the warning signs of a false prophet?  If
   they teach that there is no God, nothing beyond this life, that
   all things exist without purpose or design, that definitely is a
   false teacher.  If they teach that the Bible contains not only
   the Word of God, but stories, myths, or errors, they may be a
   false teacher.  If they demand that you eat certain foods, wear
   certain clothing, give a certain amount of money to their
   ministry, they may be a false teacher.  If they refuse to accept
   the ancient teaching of the Church as confessed in the creeds
   which condemn heresies about God, they may be a false teacher.
   The fruit of a false teacher is doubt.  You doubt the source of
   the teaching, you doubt God's love, you doubt your salvation.

        What is the message of a true prophet?  You and I are born
   in sin and desire nothing to do with God.  Yet God, in His mercy,
   knowing that we cannot, by our own reason or strength, believe in
   Him or please Him, sent His Son to redeem us from sin and death.
   You have the promise of eternal life because Jesus paid the price
   of your sin.

        May our Lord grant us wisdom to know of His love and mercy.
   Amen.

August 12, 2025

Broadcast

                        False Prophets- Part 2
                            Matthew 7:16-18
                              08/12/2025


        16   You will recognize them by their fruits. Are
             grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from
             thistles?
        17   So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the
             diseased tree bears bad fruit.
        18   A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a
             diseased tree bear good fruit.  (ESV)

        Jesus told His disciples: ``Beware of false prophets, who
   come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous
   wolves.''  How do we recognize these false teachers who come to
   us in the name of Jesus?  There certainly are signs which help us
   recognize those who pervert the good news of salvation from sin
   and death by God's rich love alone for the sake of the death and
   resurrection of Jesus.

        There are only two ways to look at obtaining eternal life,
   of receiving the reward of heaven.  The first is to perfectly
   keep God's Law in every respect, to earn the right to live in
   eternal paradise.  That is unobtainable, but that is the message
   of most religions.  The second is to rely completely on God's
   rich grace, love, and mercy.  This is the true teaching of Christ
   Jesus, that God sent His Son to pay the price of our sin.

        Jesus continued:
        You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes
        gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  So,
        every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased
        tree bears bad fruit.  A healthy tree cannot bear bad
        fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.


        If the teacher, if the pastor, insists on certain actions
   for you to be saved from the guilt of your sin, that is a false
   preacher.  The fruits of teaching about works is despair and
   hopelessness.  Following the rules doesn't help, because we know
   we cannot reach the standard of perfection the Law demands.

        May our Lord grant us wisdom to recognize the fruits of
   false teaching so that we may hold firmly to the truth of God's
   grace.  Amen.

August 11, 2025

Broadcast

                        False Prophets- Part 1
                             Matthew 7:15
                              08/11/2025


        15   Beware of false prophets, who come to you in
             sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
             (ESV)

        How does a Christian act in this world?  That is the
   question we have been looking at for the past few weeks as we
   study the righteousness of the Christian faith.  We know that we
   are redeemed from sin, death, and the power of the devil because
   Jesus took our sins upon Himself, paying the price of our
   rebellion against God.

        Faith, which is knowledge of Jesus, agreement that the
   message about Jesus is true, and trust in that message, is a gift
   of God.  Without faith in Jesus the Christ as our Redeemer from
   sin and death, we have no hope, either in this world or the next.

        Jesus told His disciples: ``Beware of false prophets, who
   come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous
   wolves.''  If we are to hold firmly to God's rich grace as found
   in Jesus, we need be be certain that the words we hear, the books
   we read, the videos we watch, teach the fullness of God's Word.

        This week we will study Jesus' warning so that we may learn
   about the signs of a false prophet.  We will also discover that
   some false prophets and teachers freely use Jesus name even while
   denying the truth of God's Word.

        As always, I invite you to contact me at Trinity Lutheran
   Church if you have any questions, comments, or concerns about
   this broadcast or anything else you desire to know about
   Confessional Lutheran teaching.

        May our Lord continue to bless and keep you in the one true
   faith unto life everlasting.  Amen.

August 8, 2025

Broadcast

                          Compassion - Part 5
                               Mark 8:9
                              08/08/2025


        9    And there were about four thousand people. And he
             sent them away.  (ESV)

        This week we have been looking at Jesus' miracle of feeding
   4,000 people with seven loaves of bread and several small fish.
   We have come to know that our Lord provides for our physical
   needs.  Jesus had compassion on the crowd, He has compassion on
   you.

        Saint Paul reminded the congregation in Rome: ``He who did
   not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not
   also with him graciously give us all things?''[1]

        Jesus, who fed 4,000 people because of His great love and
   compassion, cares for you both physically and spiritually.  God
   would have all people to be saved and come to the knowlege of the
   truth of His love.  Our redemption from sin and eternal death is
   the gracious gift because of the life, death, and resurrection of
   Jesus Christ.  God's physical care shows His eternal desire that
   we should be with Him forever.

        The message you hear each week at Trinity Lutheran Church
   brings you the hope which comes from knowing our Lord's love and
   compassion.  Please join us each Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. to
   hear the good news of salvation by grace through faith for the
   sake of Christ.  Like the 4,000 people who were fed in the
   wilderness, you need do nothing to receive this gift of God's
   grace and mercy.  Merely sit down, receive the compassion of
   Jesus, and depart knowing your sins are forgiven.

        May our Lord grant that we receive His grace and blessings
   for our eternal benefit.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Romans 8:32 (ESV)