Category: Turn Your Radio On 2025

July 31, 2025

Broadcast

                    Fulfilling God's Word - Part 4
                            Matthew 5:17-18
                              07/31/2025


        17   Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law
             or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them
             but to fulfill them.
        18   For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth
             pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from
             the Law until all is accomplished.  (ESV)

        Jesus told His disciples:
        Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the
        Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to
        fulfill them.  For truly, I say to you, until heaven
        and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass
        from the Law until all is accomplished.


        There are two answers to the question, ``How do you get to
   heaven?''  The first answer, which is the basis of every religion
   except Christianity, an answer based on logic, says we must live
   to balance the evil we do by doing good works.  The problem is
   simple, we can never do enough good to balance the evil.

        The second answer, the heart of being a Christian, is
   redemption from sin and death because of God's rich love, grace,
   and mercy.  When Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, when
   He cried out from the cross, ``It is finished,'' that fulfillment
   was complete.  Our relationship with God changed, for we can, in
   faith, point to Jesus' righteousness as our own.

        As people declared holy in God's sight for the sake of the
   death and resurrection Jesus, what is our relationship to the
   Law?  Now it becomes a guideline, a way of life in response to
   God's love.  Because we have received God's grace, we honor Him
   above all things even as we reflect His love to our neighbors.
   Our good works do not earn us a place in heaven, but are the
   result of having a place in heave.

        May our Lord grant that we receive His grace, love, and
   mercy for our eternal life with Him.  Amen.

July 30, 2025

Broadcast

                    Fulfilling God's Word - Part 3
                            Matthew 5:17-18
                              07/30/2025


        17   Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law
             or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them
             but to fulfill them.
        18   For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth
             pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from
             the Law until all is accomplished.  (ESV)

        Jesus told His disciples:
        Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the
        Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to
        fulfill them.  For truly, I say to you, until heaven
        and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass
        from the Law until all is accomplished.


        If Jesus indeed came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets,
   this means that Jesus accepted the Old Testament as
   authoritative.  He accepted the Old Testament as God's Word,
   revealed by the Holy Spirit to men who wrote as they were
   inspired.  This is why Jesus, in debating with the scribes and
   Pharisees, said, ``Scripture cannot be broken.''[1]

        Jesus is not a new Moses, bringing new and different laws
   which the Church must follow.  The Law of God is perfect.  The
   promise of the Law is simple, ``do this and you will live.''[2]
   There is no need to see Jesus as a new law-giver, but one who
   teaches the truth of the Law.

        While Jesus taught, He spoke of the proper fulfilling of the
   Law.  We are to be perfect in thought, word, and deed.  The
   mirror of the Law shows us our failings, that we have not lived
   perfectly.  Therefore the Law prepares us to hear the Gospel, the
   good news that Jesus Christ bore the guilt of our sin

        If the Word of God cannot be trusted, then we have no hope.
   But if, as Jesus taught, the Word of God stands forever, then we
   can hold firmly in faith to God's rich promise of the forgiveness
   of our sins and life everlasting.  May our Lord grant us faith
   which holds to the truth of His Word for our eternal comfort and
   joy.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. John 10:35b

   2. Leviticus 18:5; Nehemiah 9:29; Ezekiel 20:11

July 29, 2025

Broadcast

                    Fulfilling God's Word - Part 2
                            Matthew 5:17-18
                              07/29/2025


        17   Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law
             or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them
             but to fulfill them.
        18   For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth
             pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from
             the Law until all is accomplished.  (ESV)

        Jesus told His disciples:
        Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the
        Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to
        fulfill them.  For truly, I say to you, until heaven
        and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass
        from the Law until all is accomplished.


        How does Jesus relate to Moses and the prophets, the Old
   Testament Bible, which is the only source the Apostles had to
   teach in the early church?  The Word of God, which is written in
   both the Old and New Testaments, will stand forever.  Jesus, even
   with His death and resurrection, did not abolish the Law, the Ten
   Commandments.  The threat of punishment given by the Law still
   keeps us from overtly bad behavior.  Because the Law acts like a
   mirror, we can see where we have sinned and why we need a Savior.

        Jesus fulfilled the Law by His perfect obedience.  Jesus
   fulfilled the prophets by doing exactly what they said,
   suffering, dying, and rising again to take upon Himself the guilt
   of our sin.  In fulfilling the Scriptures, we have a different
   relationship with God, one that looks to Jesus as our Redeemer
   from sin, death, and the power of the devil.

        May our Lord grant us faith to see Him as the fulfillment of
   the Old Testament for our salvation.  Amen.

July 28, 2025

Broadcast

                    Fulfilling God's Word - Part 1
                            Matthew 5:17-18
                              07/28/2025


        17   Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law
             or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them
             but to fulfill them.
        18   For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth
             pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from
             the Law until all is accomplished.  (ESV)

        The past several weeks we have been looking at the way that
   Christ Jesus calls people into His Church.  We are called out of
   this world and into God's presence to receive the gift of the
   forgiveness of our sins which brings us everlasting life.  Before
   we can receive the gift of forgiveness for the sake of the
   suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we need to know that
   we are sinners.

        There are two great teachings in the Bible.  God gives us
   His Law to curb our behavior, to act as a mirror to show us our
   sins, and to be a guideline for living according to His good
   will.  The Law holds out the promise that we can keep it
   perfectly, which is false and misleading.  We are born in sin
   which means that, long before we know the difference between
   right and wrong, we choose the wrong.

        God gives us His Gospel to show us our Savior.  Jesus told
   His disciples:
        Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the
        Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to
        fulfill them.  For truly, I say to you, until heaven
        and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass
        from the Law until all is accomplished.


        Jesus fulfilled the Law on our behalf.  When we confess our
   sins before God, we are forgiven because Jesus bore our guilt on
   the cross.  In turn, we are credited with His perfect obedience.

        This week we will begin looking at the righteousness of our
   faith, that we are declared holy in God's sight, even while we
   continue to sin, to act against our own desires.

        May our Lord grant us faith to see our sin and to see our
   Savior.  Amen.

July 25, 2025

Broadcast

                       Fishing for Men - Part 5
                               Luke 5:11
                              07/25/2025


        11   And when they had brought their boats to land,
             they left everything and followed him.  (ESV)

        Jesus uses unlikely men to serve as pastors and evangelists
   in His Church.  Consider Simon Peter.  We know that he was not a
   Biblical scholar, one who spent long hours debating the Word of
   God with fellow Rabbis.  He was a fisherman by trade, a partner
   of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.  All three of these men
   were called by Jesus to proclaim the truth that the Kingdom of
   God, the grace of God, was at hand.

        Simon Peter, James, and John all witnessed the miraculous
   catch of fish.  Although Simon Peter confessed to Jesus that he
   was a sinner, unworthy to be in the same boat, Jesus called him
   to be a fisher of men.  No more would Peter toil to catch fish,
   but he would bring people into the safety of the Church.

        Being a fisher of men requires faith.  Not only do you need
   to be convinced of the truth of the message of salvation from sin
   and death because of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, you
   also need to be convinced that God will provide for your physical
   needs.

        Saint Luke tells us of Peter's reaction to the call of
   Jesus.  ``And when they had brought their boats to land, they
   left everything and followed him.''

        The message the Jesus entrusted to Simon Peter, to James, to
   John, and the other disciples, is the same message of God's grace
   and forgiveness which you will hear each Sunday at Trinity
   Lutheran Church.  Come join us each Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m.
   We don't promise it will improve your success at fishing, but you
   will hear of God's love, grace, and mercy for the sake of Christ
   Jesus.

        May our Lord grant that an overabundance of people hear His
   Word and come into the boat of His Church.  Amen.

July 24, 2025

Broadcast

                       Fishing for Men - Part 4
                              Luke 5:8-10
                              07/24/2025


        8    But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at
             Jesus' knees, saying, ``Depart from me, for I am a
             sinful man, O Lord.''
        9    For he and all who were with him were astonished
             at the catch of fish that they had taken,
        10   and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee,
             who were partners with Simon.  And Jesus said to
             Simon, ``Do not be afraid; from now on you will be
             catching men.''  (ESV)

        Simon Peter, along with his partners, James and John, had
   just witnessed the power of Jesus' words.  By giving these
   professional fishermen an unexpected catch, so large that two
   boats began to sink because of the large number of fish, Jesus
   showed His power over nature.

        But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus'
        knees, saying, ``Depart from me, for I am a sinful man,
        O Lord.''  For he and all who were with him were
        astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken,
        and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who
        were partners with Simon.  And Jesus said to Simon,
        ``Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching
        men.''


        Many Sundays, in the liturgy of the Church, we quote the
   words of Saint John, one of the men who witnessed this miracle.
   ``If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just to forgive
   us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.''[1] So
   it was with Simon Peter.  ``Do not be afraid,'' is our Lord's
   declaration that Simon's sins were forgiven, that he did not need
   to fear because he was in the presence of the Son of God.

        Not only was Simon Peter forgiven, but Jesus invited him to
   proclaim the good news of salvation.  Peter, who used to catch
   fish, would now catch people and bring them into the Church.

        May our Lord give us the ability to tell others of the
   Gospel, to bring them the peace of knowing their sins are
   forgiven for the sake of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Broadcast

                       Fishing for Men - Part 3
                               Luke 5:8
                              07/23/2025


        8    But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at
             Jesus' knees, saying, ``Depart from me, for I am a
             sinful man, O Lord.''  (ESV)

        Jesus had been using Simon Peter's boat as a pulpit.  After
   teaching the crowds, Jesus asked Peter to row out into the deeper
   part of the lake, during the heat of the day, and let down his
   nets.  Although the best fishing was at night in the shallower
   water, Simon Peter reluctantly agreed and did as Jesus asked.

        The results were not what he expected.  After all, Simon and
   his partners had fished all night with no results.  They were
   tired, frustrated, and had just finished cleaning their nets.
   They expected the daytime fishing to be futile.  They caught so
   many fish that both boats began to sink.

        When we are confronted with the truth of God's power, we
   stand humbly and in awe.  We are not worthy to witness His
   majesty.  After all, we are sinners who deserve God's eternal
   wrath and punishment.

        ``But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus'
        knees, saying, `Depart from me, for I am a sinful man,
        O Lord.'''


        Simon Peter is not alone in confessing his sin when he
   realized that he was in the presence of the Almighty.  Isaiah
   said much the same when he saw the throne room of heaven.  Most
   of the Old Testament prophets, including Moses, claimed to be
   unworthy of the task given to them.

        God calls sinners to proclaim His Word, to bring to sinners
   the peace which passes all understanding.  Each person God calls
   responds in much the same way, ``I am a sinner, I am not worthy
   to do as You request.''  They are right, it is only by the power
   of the Holy Spirit that men can proclaim God's love.  May our
   Lord grant that as we behold His glory, we also confess that we
   are unworthy sinners in need of His mercy.  Amen.

July 22, 2025

Broadcast

                       Fishing for Men - Part 2
                              Luke 5:4-7
                              07/22/2025


        4    And when he had finished speaking, he said to
             Simon, ``Put out into the deep and let down your
             nets for a catch.''
        5    And Simon answered, ``Master, we toiled all night
             and took nothing! But at your word I will let down
             the nets.''
        6    And when they had done this, they enclosed a large
             number of fish, and their nets were breaking.
        7    They signaled to their partners in the other boat
             to come and help them.  And they came and filled
             both the boats, so that they began to sink.  (ESV)

        Jesus, to better teach the crowds of people interested in
   hearing God's Word, used Simon's boat as a pulpit.  Everyone
   could gather on the shore of the lake where they could both see
   and hear Him teach.

        Saint Luke continues the story of Simon Peter's call to be a
   disciple:
        And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
        ``Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a
        catch.''  And Simon answered, ``Master, we toiled all
        night and took nothing! But at your word I will let
        down the nets.''  And when they had done this, they
        enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were
        breaking.  They signaled to their partners in the other
        boat to come and help them.  And they came and filled
        both the boats, so that they began to sink.


        Consider Simon's reaction.  He and his partners, James and
   John, had been up all night trying to catch fish both for their
   families and to sell in the marketplace.  Their labors were in
   vain.  Tired, probably somewhat disgusted, all the fishermen
   wanted to do was prepare their nets for the next evening's work,
   go home, and get some sleep.  Certainly Jesus using the boat as a
   pulpit was somewhat inconvenient for Simon, but he agreed and
   listened along with the crowd.

        When Jesus suggested that Simon take the freshly cleaned and
   repaired nets and go fishing, Simon agreed reluctantly.  After
   all, Jesus was not a fisherman, but a carpenter and a teacher.
   What did He know about fishing?  Simon soon found out that the
   Word of God, the words spoken by Jesus, are more powerful than
   the best practices of professional fishermen.

        May our Lord grant that we hear Jesus' words and do as He
   asks us to do.  Amen.

July 22, 2025

Broadcast

                       Fishing for Men - Part 1
                              Luke 5:1-3
                              07/21/2025


        1    On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in
             on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by
             the lake of Gennesaret,
        2    and he saw two boats by the lake, but the
             fishermen had gone out of them and were washing
             their nets.
        3    Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's,
             he asked him to put out a little from the land.
             And he sat down and taught the people from the
             boat.  (ESV)

        Jesus uses unlikely men to serve as pastors and evangelists
   in His Church.  Consider Simon Peter.  We know that he was not a
   Biblical scholar, one who spent long hours debating the Word of
   God with fellow Rabbis.  He was a fisherman by trade, a partner
   of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.  All three of these men
   were called by Jesus to proclaim the truth that the Kingdom of
   God, the grace of God, was at hand.

        On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him
        to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of
        Gennesaret, and [Jesus] saw two boats by the lake, but
        the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing
        their nets.  Getting into one of the boats, which was
        Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the
        land. And he sat down and taught the people from the
        boat.


        Jesus began His ministry by teaching the Word of God to
   those who desired to learn.  So many people gathered that He
   needed to separate Himself from the crowd so that everyone could
   see and hear the message of hope.  The boat made a good pulpit.

        Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.
   As we will see this week, Jesus called others to proclaim the
   same Word which He taught, for only the Word of God brings us the
   forgiveness of our sins and life everlasting.

        May our Lord open our hears to hear of God's grace and
   mercy.  Amen.

July 18, 2025

Broadcast

                            Mercy - Part 5
                             Luke 6:41-42
                              07/18/2025


        41   Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's
             eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own
             eye?
        42   How can you say to your brother, ``Brother, let me
             take out the speck that is in your eye,'' when you
             yourself do not see the log that is in your own
             eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your
             own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out
             the speck that is in your brother's eye.  (ESV)

        We show love and concern for each other.  Sometimes we are
   called upon to acknowledge the sin and harmful behavior of our
   neighbor.  Do we do so with arrogant pride and self-
   righteousness?  Or do we do so humbly, first confessing our sin,
   first acknowledging that we also need someone to point out our
   sins?

        Saint Luke recorded Jesus' words:
        Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye,
        but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  How
        can you say to your brother, ``Brother, let me take out
        the speck that is in your eye,'' when you yourself do
        not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite,
        first take the log out of your own eye, and then you
        will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your
        brother's eye.


        We certainly are called by God to help and serve each other.
   Sometimes that includes a difficult conversation that seeks to
   correct a problem, that seeks to avoid harm due to sinful
   behavior.  Before we speak, we prayerfully consider our words and
   actions, confessing our sin before God and man.

        Trinity Lutheran Church is a congregation of redeemed
   sinners who confess that they are not perfect, but that God, in
   His mercy has forgiven them.  Come join us each Sunday morning at
   9:00 a.m. to hear of God's mercy given to us for the sake of the
   death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Receive for yourself the
   peace which passes all understanding, the comfort and hope of
   life everlasting.

        May our Lord grant us wisdom to hear His Word and to serve
   each other with love and compassion.  Amen.