Category: Turn Your Radio On 2024

August 23, 2024

Broadcast

                      Redeeming Israel -- Part 5
                            Isaiah 29:23-4
                              08/23/2024


        23   For when he sees his children, the work of my
             hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name;
             they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will
             stand in awe of the God of Israel.
   And those who go astray in spirit will come to
             understanding, and those who murmur will accept
             instruction.  (ESV)

        On Easter morning, Jesus' grave was empty.  He who died on
   the cross, He who was wrongfully condemned to suffer, abandoned
   the grave.  Jesus showed Himself to the women, to the disciples,
   to five hundred followers.  His resurrection foreshadows our own
   resurrection when He returns to judge both the living and the
   dead.  We have seen the salvation of our God.

        For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in
        his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will
        sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of
        the God of Israel.  And those who go astray in spirit
        will come to understanding, and those who murmur will
        accept instruction.


        Those who have faith in Jesus Christ, who has revealed the
   love of our heavenly Father, will join their voices in praise and
   thanksgiving in response to His mercy.  Many will come to know of
   the redemption from sin and death, the promise of heaven, and
   will turn to God and receive eternal life.

        The message you hear each Sunday at Trinity Lutheran Church
   when we gather at 9:00 a.m. is the message of hope.  You are
   saved from sin and eternal death because of God's love and grace
   alone, because of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection
   alone.  There is no need to fear, for God, Himself, has given you
   life.

        May our Lord grant us faith, by the working of the Holy
   Spirit, to trust in Him.  Amen.

August 22, 2024

Broadcast

                      Redeeming Israel -- Part 4
                             Isaiah 29:22
                              08/22/2024


        22   Therefore thus says the LORD, who redeemed
             Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: ``Jacob
             shall no more be ashamed, no more shall his face
             grow pale.''  (ESV)

        Isaiah, the prophet, foretells the future by looking at the
   past.  ``Therefore thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham,
   concerning the house of Jacob: `Jacob shall no more be ashamed,
   no more shall his face grow pale.'''

        God called Abraham from a pagan land, from worshiping idols,
   to be the patriarch of the people from whom the Messiah would
   come.  Abraham believed God's promises, left Ur of the Chaldees,
   and traveled to Canaan.  He trusted God, Abraham had faith, and
   that was counted for righteousness in God's sight.

        God also called Jacob's descendants from Egypt and settled
   them in the land once promised to Abraham.  Isaiah, who foretold
   the Babylonian captivity, showed that God would again return His
   chosen people to Jerusalem.

        In the same way that we were held captive to sin and death,
   we also were redeemed, returned to God, by the death and
   resurrection of Jesus Christ.  We, who are no longer ashamed of
   our sin and rebellion, for we have been declared righteous in
   God's sight, can call upon our heavenly Father in times of
   trouble, and praise Him with songs of thanksgiving.

        May the God who redeemed Abraham and Jacob bring us also the
   blessings of His salivation from sin, death, and the power of the
   devil.  Amen.

August 21, 2024

Broadcast

                      Redeeming Israel -- Part 3
                            Isaiah 29:20-21
                              08/21/2024


        20   For the ruthless shall come to nothing and the
             scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall
             be cut off,
        21   who by a word make a man out to be an offender,
             and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate,
             and with an empty plea turn aside him who is in
             the right.  (ESV)

        Both those who persecute the faithful, and those who
   proclaim false doctrine as the truth of God's Word will come to
   ruin.  Isaiah spoke of the coming judgment, when the Messiah,
   Jesus, returns to judge both the living and the dead.
        For the ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer
        cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off,
        who by a word make a man out to be an offender, and lay
        a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and with an
        empty plea turn aside him who is in the right.


        Where Jesus promises that those who are humble, those who
   confess that they have sinned, those who acknowledge that they
   cannot save themselves, will be redeemed from death and
   condemnation, the ones who reject Him have no hope.  Ruthless
   people serve themselves at the detriment of others.  Scoffers
   deny the truth of God's Word, even actively working against the
   truth that Jesus came to save sinners.

        Does God desire for those who reject Him to be condemned?
   No, He sent Jesus Christ to pay the price of sin for all people
   of all time.  When Jesus cried out, ``It is finished,''
   redemption from sin and death became an accomplished fact which
   stands forever.

        May our Lord turn our hearts to Him, that we trust Him,
   receive His blessings, and reflect His love to those around us.
   Amen.

August 20, 2024

Broadcast

                      Redeeming Israel -- Part 2
                             Isaiah 29:19
                              08/20/2024


        19   The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and
             the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One
             of Israel.  (ESV)

        Confessional Lutherans speak of the ``theology of glory''
   versus the ``theology of the cross.''  The theology of glory
   expects to see the victory of God, the faithful blessed with
   great riches, and the Christian land overflowing with milk and
   honey.  The theology of the cross says that the glory of Christ
   Jesus is seen in His suffering, death, and resurrection.
   Christians will be persecuted in this world because of their
   beliefs.

        Isaiah wrote, ``The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD,
   and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of
   Israel.''

        Jesus, the King of Creation, was born in a humble barn.  He
   said, ``Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the
   earth.''[1] It was the humble tax collector who prayed, ``God, be
   merciful to me, the sinner,''[2] who returned home justified,
   forgiven, with the hope of salvation.

        Each Sunday we confess our sins before God, acknowledging
   that we are by nature sinful and unclean.  We confess that we
   have not done that which should be done towards God and neighbor,
   while actively doing that which denies God and harms those around
   us.  Yet, because of God's love and mercy, He pronounces that we
   are forgiven for sake of Jesus Christ.  We therefore have the joy
   of His salvation and praise Him for His goodness.

        May our Lord keep our eyes on the cross of Christ Jesus, who
   has purchased and won us from sin and death by His holy precious
   blood and innocent suffering and death.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Matthew 5:5

   2. Luke 18:13

August 19, 2024

Broadcast

                      Redeeming Israel -- Part 1
                            Isaiah 29:17-18
                              08/19/2024


        17   Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon
             shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the
             fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest?
        18   In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a
             book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes
             of the blind shall see.  (ESV)

        We believe, teach, and confess that the Bible is the
   inspired Word of God.  Therefore, the prophecies about the coming
   of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, are also accurate.  This week's
   Gospel lesson speaks of Jesus healing a deaf-mute.  This week's
   Old Testament foretells not only this physical healing, but the
   redemption of the world by the Messiah.

        Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon shall
        be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field
        shall be regarded as a forest?  In that day the deaf
        shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom
        and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.


        There are two interesting things about these verses from
   Isaiah.  First, God acts in His own time, at a time we least
   expect.  Second, the acts of God are unexpected.  Lebanon, known
   for its great forests, will be an open field, while the field
   becomes a forest.  The things of God are hidden, not presented in
   the way we expect.  That which redeems us from sin, death, and
   the power of the devil, the death of Jesus on the cross, is far
   from the glory we expect to see.

        The deaf, the Gentile nations, now hear the Word of God,
   they now see the grace, mercy, and love of our heavenly Father.
   Meanwhile, at the time of Isaiah the ten tribes of Israel were
   captured and removed from history.

        This week we will be looking at Isaiah's description of the
   blessings which come from God as the Messiah, the Chosen One,
   comes to redeem us from the guilt of our sin.

        May our Lord grant us ears to hear and eyes to see His rich
   grace and mercy.  Amen.

August 16, 2024

Broadcast

                        Cain and Abel -- Part 5
                            Genesis 4:11-15
                              08/16/2024


        11   ``And now you are cursed from the ground, which
             has opened its mouth to receive your brother's
             blood from your hand.
        12   When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield
             to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a
             wanderer on the earth.''
        13   Cain said to the LORD, ``My punishment is greater
             than I can bear.
        14   Behold, you have driven me today away from the
             ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I
             shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth,
             and whoever finds me will kill me.''
        15   Then the LORD said to him, ``Not so! If anyone
             kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him
             sevenfold.'' And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest
             any who found him should attack him.  (ESV)

        ``And now you are cursed from the ground, which has
        opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from
        your hand.  When you work the ground, it shall no
        longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a
        fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.''  Cain said to
        the LORD, ``My punishment is greater than I can bear.
        Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground,
        and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a
        fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds
        me will kill me.''  Then the LORD said to him, ``Not
        so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on
        him sevenfold.'' And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest
        any who found him should attack him.


        The story of Cain and Abel ends, not with everlasting
   punishment, but God's rich grace, love, and mercy.  Cain deserved
   death.  Cain received a lesser punishment, but was given the
   assurance of God's love and protection.

        We suffer the consequence of our sin, but that does not take
   away God's mercy.  Rather, our heavenly Father sent His Son to
   bear the price of our sin, to suffer and die to bear our guilt.
   In rising from the dead, Jesus showed His victory over sin,
   death, and the devil.  He gives us His righteousness, the
   complete pardon of our sins.  We therefore fear, love, and trust
   in God above all things.

        Please join us at Trinity Lutheran Church at 9:00 a.m. on
   Sunday to hear more about God's grace, love, and mercy.  May our
   Lord grant you faith that trusts in Him, which receives from Him
   pardon and peace.  Amen.

August 15, 2024

Broadcast

                        Cain and Abel -- Part 4
                            Genesis 4:8-10
                              08/15/2024


        8    Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were
             in the field, Cain rose up against his brother
             Abel and killed him.
        9    Then the LORD said to Cain, ``Where is Abel your
             brother?'' He said, ``I do not know; am I my
             brother's keeper?''
        10   And the LORD said, ``What have you done? The voice
             of your brother's blood is crying to me from the
             ground.''  (ESV)

        Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in
        the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and
        killed him.  Then the LORD said to Cain, ``Where is
        Abel your brother?'' He said, ``I do not know; am I my
        brother's keeper?''  And the LORD said, ``What have you
        done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me
        from the ground.''


        The story of Cain and Abel is a warning about pride,
   jealousy, and sin.  Repeatedly Moses speaks of the relation
   between the two men, they were brothers, the eldest of Adam's
   children.  Rather than being the hope of redemption as desired by
   Eve, Cain showed how sin and rebelliousness is passed from father
   to child.  No one born of a human father can redeem another from
   sin and eternal death.

        Yet, God accused Cain saying that we are our brother's
   keeper.  The way we treat each other is a reflection on the way
   we accept God's rich grace and mercy.  Those who reject the
   physical and spiritual gifts from God also are selfish towards
   their neighbor.

        Many years after Cain introduced murder as the ultimate harm
   to another, God indeed sent the Redeemer expected by Eve because
   of God's promise.  Jesus, who is truly the son of man, born of
   the virgin Mary, and the Son of God, conceived by the Holy
   Spirit, bore the price of our sin.  As we are called by the
   Gospel, given faith in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit working
   through Word and Sacrament, we reflect God's love in our dealings
   with others.  We delight in loving our neighbors, in being our
   brother's keeper.

        May our Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it
   to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

August 14, 2024

Broadcast

                        Cain and Abel -- Part 3
                             Genesis 4:6-7
                              08/14/2024


        6    The LORD said to Cain, ``Why are you angry, and
             why has your face fallen?
        7    If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if
             you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door.
             Its desire is for you, but you must rule over
             it.''  (ESV)

        Modern humans are no different than our earliest ancestors.
   We quickly blame others for our own shortcomings.  Cain was angry
   that his sacrifice was not accepted by God, not that he hoped to
   be accepted for only going through the external motions.
   Sacrifices require faith, something that Cain lacked.

        The LORD said to Cain, ``Why are you angry, and why has
        your face fallen?  If you do well, will you not be
        accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching
        at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule
        over it.''


        Here we see the progression from a lack of faith to overt
   sin.  Cain became jealous of Abel's faith.  Rather than repent,
   rather than taking heed to God's desires, Cain decided to ignore
   the truth that faithlessness and pride are sins which may lead to
   additional sins.

        Certainly we are not going to murder someone of whom we are
   jealous.  That does not, however, mean that we may not harm them
   in some other way.  The desires of our hearts result in action.
   ``Sin's desire is for you, but you must rule over it.''  That
   warning is valid today as well.  What can we do to overcome the
   temptation to sin?  Trust in God's promises, hold firmly to His
   Word, and know that the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh
   have been defeated by the suffering, death, and resurrection of
   Jesus Christ.

        Can we overcome all temptations?  No, but we desire to fight
   against them, to seek first God's grace, and to respond to our
   neighbors, even those with whom we may be angry, with love and
   respect.

        May our Lord give us the strength of faith to trust in Him.
   Amen.

August 13, 2024

Broadcast

                        Cain and Abel -- Part 2
                             Genesis 4:3-5
                              08/13/2024


        3    In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an
             offering of the fruit of the ground,
        4    and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his
             flock and of their fat portions.  And the LORD had
             regard for Abel and his offering,
        5    but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So
             Cain was very angry, and his face fell.  (ESV)

        In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an
        offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also
        brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat
        portions.  And the LORD had regard for Abel and his
        offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no
        regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.


        Adam, the first man, taught his sons about God.  Although
   this morning's verses are the first mention of a sacrifice in the
   Bible, undoubtedly Adam instructed Cain and Abel that it is good
   to give thanks to God for His rich blessings.  Sacrifices are to
   be given in faith.  By sacrificing the firstborn of his flock,
   Abel shows faith that God will provide future blessings.  Cain,
   on the other hand, made sure that he had plenty on hand before
   giving to God.

        Do we trust God and give to Him our time, talents, and
   treasure even when we are not certain of the future?  Do we show
   knowledge, agreement, and trust in His promise of providing us
   our daily bread?  Or do we give from our abundance, waiting until
   we have more than enough before giving an offering back to Him?

        The sacrifices of time, talent, and treasure are not simply
   to the church, but for the good of our neighbor.  Indeed, giving
   to the church while ignoring God's directive to love our neighbor
   as ourselves is not pleasing to anyone.  Serving God by serving
   our neighbor, trusting in His goodness and mercy, not our own
   strength, shows our faith in Him.

        May our Lord grant us faith to trust in Him, both for
   physical blessings and for life everlasting for the sake of Jesus
   Christ.  Amen.

August 12, 2024

Broadcast

                        Cain and Abel -- Part 1
                             Genesis 4:1-2
                              08/12/2024


        1    Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and
             bore Cain, saying, I have gotten a man with the
             help of the LORD.
        2    And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was
             a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the
             ground.  (ESV)

        This weeks Bible readings give us both a warning and hope.
   For the Old Testament, we heard of Cain and Abel, where Cain
   murdered Abel because of Abel's faith.  Our Gospel reading was
   the well-known parable of the Publican and Pharisee, where the
   publican or tax-collector, was forgiven his sins because he
   confessed that he was a sinner, and the Pharisee refused to admit
   any sin.  Finally, our Epistle reading gives us the hope that we
   do not earn our salvation from sin and death, but that it is
   given as a gift.  ``For by grace you have been saved through
   faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not
   a result of works, so that no one may boast.''[1]

        This week we will look at the story of Cain and Abel,
   examine Abel's faith, and see the warning given to all people.
   ``Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain,
   saying, `I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.'  And
   again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep,
   and Cain a worker of the ground.''

        We believe, teach, and confess that the Bible is truly the
   inspired Word of God, therefore it is true as regards the history
   of humanity.  Adam and Eve, being driven from Eden because of
   their sin, began to be fruitful and multiply.  Knowing God's
   promise of a Savior, which was given the day our first parents
   defied God, Eve was convinced that her first-born was the one who
   would deliver them from sin and death.  In the Hebrew Eve says,
   ``I have gotten a man, the LORD.''  She would be sorely
   disappointed.

        May our Lord grant us wisdom to learn from the past so that
   we may know Him all the days of our life.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)