Friday, September 27, 2013

"Confused"

Daily Devos  

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). 



"Confused"

September 26, 2013
blackeyed SusanFor I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes .... Romans 1:16a

When I was young, I had a hero: the Lone Ranger. How could you not like a guy who didn't shoot to kill, who rode a white horse, and never stuck around for any embarrassing "Thank you, masked man. Whoever you are?"

When I became an adult, I had a hero: Clayton Moore, the fellow who played the Lone Ranger on television. Knowing he was the hero of millions of children, he tried to live his life worthy of that honor. (Try to find some star or athlete or singer or politician who does that today!)

Most of us have idols. Ten-year-old Erin Shead of Lucy Elementary School in Millington, Tennessee, has an idol. When her teacher asked her to write an essay about a person she idolized, she wrote, "I look up to God. I love Him and Jesus, and Jesus is His earthly Son. I also love Jesus." I hope that Shead keeps her promise that God will "always be the number one Person I look up to."

That might be easier said than done. You see, Shead's teacher told her she could not use God as an idol for the assignment. She had to take her essay home because it couldn't stay on school property.

Of course, it is possible this might have been an honest mistake made by a teacher who doesn't understand the First Amendment. It's possible, but not likely. A spokesman for the Shelby School District said, "Teachers are prohibited from promoting religious beliefs in the classroom." He also said, "The school doesn't have a policy about students expressing their religious beliefs."

So, why couldn't Shead write about God? The district's spokesman didn't have an answer.

Amazing! Last week the U.S. Supreme Court said, "In God We Trust" will stay on our coins and during that same week a teacher in Tennessee basically said, "We may trust God, but we can't write about Him."

All of this means I have a new hero.

I'm going to look up to and, as best as I can, encourage students like Erin Shead who not only love the Lord, but aren't afraid to say so. Sadly, they are growing up in a country that is mighty confused. It is my prayer all of us old veterans may do all we can to encourage these young folks to be witnesses for the Savior who gave His life, so they might have life.

Oh, by the way, you should know the teacher approved of Shead's second choice of heroes: Michael Jackson.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, be with our courts and our schools. May they learn to send a right and consistent message to the young of America. And, even if they don't, may our young trust in and hold fast to You and Your only Son, their Savior. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Pastor KlausIn Christ I remain His servant and yours,


Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Worship for St. Michael and All Angels - 2013

Tuesday after Pentecost 18
September 24, 2013

The Lord be with you

This coming Sunday is the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels. Michael is an Archangel, and so it seems odd to say “saint” Michael. However, when we remember the word “saint” literally means “holy one,” then calling an angel a saint doesn't seem that odd. We are saying “holy” Michael. Of course, all the angels are holy.

The readings reflect the angel/Michael theme. Our Old Testament lesson is Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1-3. Our second lesson is Revelation 12:7-12. For our Gospel lesson, we are given a choice, either Matthew 18:1-11 or Luke 10:17-20. I have chosen the Luke reading. As we will be using the service of Prayer and Preaching (page 260) for our liturgy, we will be using the appointed Psalm for the Day instead of the Introit. It is Psalm 91. The antiphon is verse 11. Many of you will recognize it as the Psalm that inspired Luther’s great hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our God.”

Our opening hymn will be “The Son of God Goes Forth to War” (LSB 661). Our sermon hymn will be “Stand up, Stand Up for Jesus” (LSB 660). Our closing hymn will be “Onward, Christian Soldiers” (LSB 662).

Our sermon is titled “Combat” and the text will be Revelation 12:10. Typically I preach thematic sermons. However this Sunday I will deliver an “expository” sermon. What that basically means is that I will go through the lesson from Revelation, verse by verse, and “expound” on it. It will be a little bit more like a Bible study.

In our prayers, we will remember the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Presbyterian Church in America, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. We will remember the persecuted believers in Tajikistan. We will remember Ginger Taff-Lagergren, our missionary in South Africa. We will continue to remember the churches in our denomination. This week we lift up before our Lord Christ, Dundalk, MD; Immanuel, Easton, MD; Faith, Eldersburg, MD; Advent, Forest Hill, MD; and Good Shepherd, Charleston, SC. We will continue to remember all those who have been misled by our cultures advocacy of sexual immorality and abortion. We ask, not only that the Lord turn our country around, but also that he bring healing to the lives damaged by our current culture. We will remember the modern slave trade and ask God to bless all efforts pleasing in his sight to end this sinful practice. We will remember the Lutheran Malaria Initiative as we seek to end Malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. Of course we will also pray the collect of St. Michael and All Angels.

Don’t forget that our “Opening Worship Moments” actually begin a little before 10:30. During these moments we receive prayer requests and greet each other in the name of the Lord. This way we are singing our opening hymn at 10:30.

Each of the hymns Sunday are well known. Below is a video of our opening hymn, “The Son of God Goes Forth to War” (LSB 661).


We continue in the Gospel of Luke in our Sunday morning Bible study. All are welcome. Bible study begins at 9:00 am.  

Preview of Lessons
Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1-3
Daniel’s book is a fascinating read, though portions can be difficult to understand. He was one of the Jews that were taken into captivity by the Babylonians in 605 bc. He was selected, along with others, to be trained as an adviser and administrator in the Babylonian empire. He continued on in that position when the Persians conquered the Babylonians. He interpreted dreams and had visions of his own. This reading comes from his visions. In Daniel 10:1-10 the prophet had a vision he did not understand. He prayed for understanding. In verses 10-14 an angel appears to explain things. The angel says that as soon as Daniel began to pray he was given the job of coming to Daniel, but Satan interfered. Michael then came and engaged Satan, freeing up the other angel to complete his mission. Satan here is called the “prince of Persia.” One thing this reveals is that spiritual forces are indeed involved in the governments of the world. The angel refers to the “Latter Days,” which is the Old Testament way of referring to the “End Times,” that is, the New Testament Age. In the reading from chapter 12, Michael again appears. He is called the “great prince who has charge of your people.” Some understand this as referring to the Jews of today. It certainly did refer to the Jews of Daniel’s day for they were the Lord’s people. However, someone becomes one of the Lord’s people by grace through faith. Therefore the understanding that Michael’s is the angel with special responsibilities for Christians today seems a better fit. Daniel sees the resurrection, on the Last Day, of all whose name is written in the Book of Life.

Revelation 12:7-12
Verses 1-6 tell of how Jesus came to earth and returned in the ascension. Satan opposed this, and lost. Verses 7-12 will be the topic of the sermon, but in summary we can say that Satan looses the right to accuse us and he isn't happy about that. Verses 13-17 have Satan being cast down onto the earth, where he rages against Christ’s Church. As this is the text for the sermon, I’ll write no more here.

Luke 10:17-20
As I said above, there are two options for Sunday’s Gospel. The reading from Matthew speaks more of angelic activity. This reading speaks more of the defeat of Satan. Jesus sent 72 disciples out, preparing towns for his anticipated visit. They come back and report on their activity, very excited. Jesus first interprets what they have done. Every time the word of God is received, Satan is defeated. We should understood the words “serpents” and “scorpions” in a symbolic way. Calling Satan a serpent dates back to Genesis 3 and the Fall of humanity. The scorpion image comes much from the sting of scorpions. (1 Corinthians 15:55-56; Revelation 9:5). However the real joy for a believer is not any moment by moment victory of Satan, but the eternal victory we receive because our name is written in the Book of Life.  

Lesson Synopsis (from the LC-MS)
Our Father in Heaven Protects His Children
by Giving His Holy Angels Charge Over Them
We live in “a time of trouble” (Dan. 12:1), in the midst of great tribulation; for Satan and his wicked angels have been thrown out of heaven and have come down to earth “in great wrath,” with woeful “temptations to sin” and with constant accusations (Rev. 12:8–12; Matt. 18:7). Even so, we are encouraged by the presence and protection of St. Michael and the holy angels, whom God sends to help us in the strife (Dan. 10:11–13). By “the authority of his Christ,” His holy angels guard and keep us in body and soul. These heavenly servants of God preserve His human messengers on earth, the ministers of “the blood of the Lamb,” against all the power of the enemy; for by “the word of their testimony,” the Church is saved and the devil is defeated (Rev. 12:10–11; Luke 10:18–19). By their preaching and Baptism of repentance, the old Adam and the old evil foe are “drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6); and as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, so are His people delivered and raised from the dust of the earth through the forgiveness of their sins (Dan. 12:1–3).

Tidbits

  • As those who were in Church this past Sunday know, I am in San Diego right now. I will be returning Friday evening. I am visiting my mother, whose health is declining.  
  • The LWML is having a Tea after our worship service this coming Sunday.
  • The newsletter should be available Sunday.
Well, I pray we will see you Sunday.

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor John Rickert 

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Rivers of Disappointment

Daily Devos


Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). 



"Rivers of Disappointment"

September 21, 2013
birdhouse, greenery(God said) "And call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." Psalm 50:15

Sir Alexander Mackenzie is a Canadian hero.

An early fur trader and explorer, Mackenzie accomplished a magnificent feat when he led an expedition across Canada from Fort Chipewyan on Lake Athabasca to the Pacific Ocean. His incredible journey was completed in 1793, 11 years before Lewis and Clark began their famous expedition to the West.

Mackenzie's earlier attempt in 1789, however, had been a major disappointment.

He and his explorers had set out to find a water route to the Pacific. With high hopes and some furious paddling, the valiant group followed the mighty Mackenzie River. Unfortunately, the river emptied into the Atlantic Ocean and not the Pacific.

In his writings, Mackenzie called it the "River of Disappointment."

You know, many of us find ourselves paddling up rivers of disappointments of our own. We struggle and strain. We try to do worthwhile things, but we just don't end up where we expect.

This sinful world dictates most of us will face situations that look hopeless, and will get the better of us. That makes me wonder: was the hymn writer speaking directly to you when he asked, "Are we weak and heavy laden?"? Do you feel a need to reply in the affirmative when he suggests you might be "Cumbered with a load of care"? (The Lutheran Hymnal, 457, verse 3)

If so, you may also want to heed his suggestion to "Take it to the Lord in prayer."

Of course, that suggestion is nothing new. The Lord said much the same thing in Psalm 50. Scripture records God urging His people to "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." Now you should know God is not making an empty promise here.

After humankind fell into sin, the Lord set into motion the one and only plan that could rescue sinners from the terrible verdict that was sure to be pronounced on them when Judgment Day -- the ultimate day of trouble -- came. That plan which would deliver us was begun and finished in the Person of God's Son, our Savior: Jesus Christ.

Because of the Redeemer's work, His life, His suffering, and death, all who are given faith in Him find they have been delivered. No longer is hell their final and eternal destination. On the contrary, they are guaranteed a place in heaven where tears are not allowed and disease is a thing of the past.

With confidence we know that the Lord who has safely brought us through the river of trouble, can and will do the same, when we must travel some of the smaller rivers and streams we must navigate in this world.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that You and not our troubles are in control of my destiny. May I give thanks for the Savior whose life was offered for my eternal deliverance. With Him by my side and in my heart may I courageously navigate life's rivers of disappointment. In Jesus' Name I pray it. Amen.
Pastor KlausIn Christ I remain His servant and yours,


Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries

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Thursday, September 19, 2013

Worship Notes for Pentecost 18 - 2013



Thursday after Pentecost 17
September 19, 2013

The Lord be with you

This coming Sunday is the 18th Sunday after Pentecost. It is also the first day of Fall. And it is the Commemoration of Jonah. Some deny that the book of Jonah is historical simply because it is unlikely that any large fish would swallow a man whole, only for him to escape three days later. Others point to the documentation that shows men have indeed been swallowed whole by a large fish, only to escape later. Such arguments reduce the book to just a few verses. They also ignore the reality that the God of heaven and earth is not bound by probability tables. The book reads as an historical account. Jesus speaks of Jonah as an historical figure. These two facts are enough for me. Focusing on the fish’s role misdirects our attention. You might say the book is about a reluctant prophet or evangelist. You might say the book is about how human priorities are not God’s priorities. You might say the book presents Jonah as a type of Christ. All these things would be more to the point of the book. Jonah is commissioned by God to bring God’s Word to a Gentile nation. The Father sends the Son to bring God’s saving Word to a sinful humanity. In bringing his message Jonah is swallowed by a great fish (buried), only to be “resurrected” three days later. Jesus’ message is confirmed and empowered by his death and resurrection. The people of Nineveh repented, came to faith through the word preached by Jonah, and received salvation. In like manner, those who hear the word of Christ and believe in the promises made concerning him in that word, receive life and salvation. Of course, types are never as great as their fulfillment. Jonah was a reluctant prophet while Jesus willingly came. Jonah could be self-centered while Jesus was selfless. So we can see Jesus, not only in how Jonah was like our Lord, but also in how he was different from Jesus.

We will be receiving the Lord’s Supper Sunday. To prepare you may reread Luther’s treatment of the Sacrament of the Altar in the Small Catechism, page 326 of the hymnal. For our liturgy we will use Divine Service 3, page 184 in the hymnal. Our opening hymn will be “O Savior, Precious Savior” (LSB 527). Our sermon hymn will be “Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” (LSB 528). Our closing hymn will be “O Jesus So Sweet, O Jesus So Mild” (LSB 546). Our distribution hymns will be “Come, Let Us Eat” (LSB 626), “Christ, the Word of God Incarnate” (LSB 540), and “Drawn to the Cross, Which Thou Hast Blessed” (LSB 560). The appointed lessons are Amos 8:4-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-15; Luke 16:1-15. The text for Sunday’s sermon will be 1 Timothy 2:4. The sermon is titled “Access.”

Don’t forget that our “Opening Worship Moments” actually will begin a little before 10:30. During these moments we receive prayer requests and greet each other in the name of the Lord. This way we are singing our opening hymn at 10:30.

In our prayers, we will remember The Episcopal Church of the United States of America and their Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori. We will remember the persecuted believers in Syria. We will remember Ginger Taff-Lagergren, our missionary in South Africa. She asks that we pray, that God would use her to spread His love and that she would be a help to others with challenges in their day-to-day life, also that the Lord protect her and keep her in good health, so that she may serve to her fullest capacity. Finally, to thank the Lord that she has answered His call to serve in South Africa! We will continue to remember the churches in our denomination. This week we lift up before our Lord Trinity, Chestertown, MD; Our Shepherd, Columbia, MD; St. Paul’s, Crofton, MD; Trinity, Cumberland, MD; and Mt. Olive, Irmo, SC. We will continue to remember all those who have been misled by our cultures advocacy of sexual immorality and abortion. We ask, not only that the Lord turn our country around, but also that he bring healing to the lives damaged by our current culture. We will remember the modern slave trade and ask God to bless all efforts pleasing in his sight to end this sinful practice. We will remember the Lutheran Malaria Initiative as we seek to end Malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. We will remember those threatened by the floods in Colorado.

Below is a video of our opening hymn, “O Savior, Precious Savior.” It is sung by St. Andrew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.


We continue in the Gospel of Luke in our Sunday morning Bible study. All are welcome. Bible study begins at 9:00 am.  

Preview of Lessons
Amos 8:4-7
Through Amos, God condemns those who economically oppress others. This is part of an extended vision concerning the Latter Days and God’s judgment of humanities sin. Whether we do it through government programs, or through some charitable institution like Lutheran World Relief, or through individual involvement, as Christians we know that we are indeed our brother’s keeper.

1 Timothy 2:1-15
Sunday’s message will be based on this reading, so I’m not going to say a lot. Something I probably will not mention in the sermon is the subtle rebuke of Caesar worship. We are to pray for all who are in high positions, not to them. To bring that forward to today, the government is not the source of all good, but God is. We pray for our president, governors, etc., but not to them. There is only one mediator between god and men, and it ain’t the president … it is Jesus. As Christians, we remember that all we say and do does indeed reflect our faith and that others are watching (that is all the “braided hair” stuff). Paul’s comments about the fall into sin is interesting. He says Eve was deceived, but man wasn’t. However, Adam also sinned. In other words, Adam chose Eve over God. Perhaps that is why our sin-nature is identified as our “Old Adam” and not our “Old Eve.” Verse 15 is difficult, but probably should be understood as a reference to the birth of Jesus.

Luke 16:1-15
This parable has confused many. It has been called the parable of the unjust steward. The “hero” in the story is the rich man. He is the image of God. The steward is us. He waists his owners resources. Soon, the steward will lose his position. The steward proceeds to reduce the debt others owe the master. The master commends the steward for acting shrewdly. Today this doesn’t make much sense because of the difference in our cultures. What the steward did made the rich man look good in the eyes of the neighbors. Now the rich man could either repudiate the actions of the steward, and look heartless, or endorse his actions, and look like it was his own generosity. The steward is wise as he relied on his belief that the master desired to be known as merciful. The true riches are, of courses, spiritual riches, God’s word and sacraments. Christ goes on to point out that money makes a very poor god. In this section he echoes the sentiment of our Old Testament reading.

Lesson Synopsis (from the LC-MS)
The Lord Is Rich in His Grace and Mercy
Because God our Savior desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4), He urges that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people (1 Tim. 2:1). Christians should so pray without anger or quarreling, but adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control (1 Tim. 2:8, 9). For the Lord does not forget the poor of the land (Amos 8:4). He remembers them according to the foolishness of the cross. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God (Luke 16:15). Though we try to justify ourselves before men, God knows our sinful hearts and calls us to repentance (Luke 16:15). Though we are not strong enough to dig and are ashamed to beg (Luke 16:3), He justifies us by His grace and welcomes us into His eternal dwellings (Luke 16:9). More shrewd than even the sons of this world (Luke 16:8), He requires His stewards of the Gospel to bestow forgiveness freely.

Tidbits

  • Church council has been moved to this Sunday.

Well, I pray we will see you Sunday.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert

"Scrooges"

Daily Devos


Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). 



"Scrooges"

September 19, 2013
lamp post, fernLet all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32
Although it's only September, I am able to share that Scrooge is alive and well.

Actually, his name is not Scrooge. It's John Devaney, a 64-year-old resident of Narragansett, Rhode Island. Of course, Mr. Devaney doesn't walk around saying, "Bah, humbug, Christmas!" No, our present-day Scrooge makes his displeasure known by suing folks. Right now he has filed against Rhode Island's Attorney General Peter Kilmartin, Bishop T. J. Tobin, Archbishop Carlo Vigano, and Pope Francis.

And if you are wondering what these supposed scallywags have done to Mr. Devaney, I can tell you his lawsuit accuses them of having violated his rights and denying him the "peaceful enjoyment of his property." Indeed, Mr. Devaney claims the actions of these folks have been part of the reason he is divorced. Because of what they have done, he has been left irritable and argumentative.

And if you want to know exactly what these folks have done, I can share they have done nothing other than being remotely connected to St. Thomas More Catholic Parish and St. Peters by-the-Sea Episcopal Church. It is these churches that are responsible because they ring their bells.

That's it. Those bonging bells are responsible for Mr. Devaney's divorce.

Now I've had some fun here at the expense of Mr. Devaney, but the truth is most of us get irritable and argumentative because of little things which, quite often, aren't sins. Me, I get upset when people leave their shopping carts in the middle of a parking space ... or when they drive s-l-o-w-l-y in the fast lane ... or when they come in during the last five minutes of a two-hour movie and ask, "What's happened so far?" or ....

Wow! I didn't know my list was that long.

Maybe yours is too.

So, what shall we do about our out-of-proportion-to-the-infraction reaction? I think the answer can be found in the life of our Savior. As I look at Jesus' time on earth, I can plainly see Jesus always loved sinners. No matter what they did, He continued to care for them, reach out to them, call them to repentance of their sins, and offer them the forgiveness that comes to those who have faith in Him as their Savior.

Because Jesus loved them doesn't mean He loved everything about them. Read the Gospels and you will find that Jesus wasn't overly pleased with the Pharisees' hypocrisy, with the crowd's earthly demands, and with His own disciples' lack of understanding. He loved those moneychangers, but He still upset their tables, didn't He?

Now the church must always condemn the things which God condemns, but search as I will, I find nothing in the Bible that condemns unreturned shopping carts, slow drivers, or folks who come late to movies. This is why we who are washed from our sins by Jesus' precious blood, we must work at putting aside all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice. In its place we are to substitute forgiveness and a tender heart.

It's a big order, but it's something we need to do because the Savior doesn't want His followers to be crabby, cantankerous Scrooges.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, let me keep my eyes focused on repairing my shortcomings, failures and sins. When it comes to others, may I treat them as Jesus has dealt with me. In His Name. Amen.
Pastor KlausIn Christ I remain His servant and yours,


Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

"A LITTLE THING"

Daily Devos 

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). 



"A Little Thing"

September 16, 2013
Jews, scroll(Jesus said) "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same." Luke 6:32-33

We have a very good friend who is an occupational therapist, working exclusively with children.

In recent years Pam and I have learned a great deal from her. Although she cannot and does not ever share any patient information, there have been times when we've seen her with a smile that stretches from ear to ear. When we ask her about her obvious good news, she says something like, "One of my kids turned his head today."

At first we thought big deal; all children turn their heads. Then we found out not all children can. When one of this lady's children turns a head, or lifts an arm, or takes a step, it's monumental good news. More often than not those little things are the result of months of work, encouragement and pain.

Now I share that with you to help explain why I think the tweet that was sent out by Hasan Rouhani, the president of Iran, is a big deal. That tweet said, "As the sun is about to set here in Tehran, I wish all Jews, especially Iranian Jews, a blessed Rosh Hashanah," that is a blessed Jewish New Year.

Now if you and I had sent out a similar tweet, it would have been met with yawns. But when someone like Rouhani does it, it's a big deal. After all, the fellow who was in office ahead of Rouhani hated the Jews and maintained the Holocaust never happened. Now I'm not saying this small gesture is going to mean "peace in our time," but I am suggesting what Rouhani did was a brave thing and a far better thing than rattling military sabers and making overt threats.

All of this leads me to suggest that we Christians ought to love our enemies.

When Jesus was among us, He loved and gave His life to save everyone. Then He encouraged those who were given faith in Him as Savior to do the same for others.

His is an order which is sometimes difficult to fulfill. You see, most of us have someone who just simply drives us bonkers. When we're being honest with ourselves, we admit we don't love that individual; we don't like that individual; we don't even want to be in the same room as that individual.

Yet, that is precisely the individual Jesus tells us to care about.

So, let's try, shall we? Let's do something ... anything ... even a small thing to reach out to that individual and show them that Jesus' request hasn't fallen on deaf ears.

Starting to love our enemies: it's the least we can do in thanksgiving for Him who died for those who crucified Him.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks Jesus didn't only preach the truth, He lived it. He has never asked His followers to go where He has not already been. This is why I ask that I be given the desire and strength to love my enemies. May the Savior grant me the grace to care for those who bug me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Pastor KlausIn Christ I remain His servant and yours,


Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries

Friday, September 13, 2013

Worship for Pentecost 17 - 2013



Friday after Pentecost 16
September 13, 2013

The Lord be with you

This coming Sunday is the 17th Sunday after Pentecost.  For our liturgy we will use the service of Prayer and Preaching (page 260). This adaptation of the old monastic “hours” is a service of the word (i.e., we will not celebrate the Lord’s Supper). Instead of the Introit, we will use the appointed Psalm for the day, which is Psalm 1. The appointed lessons are Ezekiel 34:11-24, 1 Timothy 1:5-17, and Luke 15:1-13.

We are making a change to our start time, beginning a bit before 10:30 with our “Opening Worship Moments.” These “moments” are the pre-service announcements, receiving prayer requests, and greeting each other. How much time we allot to these “moments” is still in flux, but the goal is to sing our opening hymn at 10:30.

The sermon text will be 1 Timothy 1:15. The sermon is titled “Chief of Sinners Though I be.” Our opening hymn will be “Jesus Sinners Doth Receive” (LSB 609). Our sermon hymn will be “Chief of Sinners Though I Be” (LSB 611). Our closing hymn will be “I Lay My Sins on Jesus” (LSB 606).

Below is a video of our sermon hymn, “Chief of Sinners Though I Be.” It is performed by the Lutheran Warbler. I’m happy to announce that my computer has been fixed, so I’m able to be more selective in my hymn picking.


In our prayers, we will remember the Southern Baptist Convention and their president, Rev. Bryant Wright. We will remember the persecuted believers around the world. We will remember Ginger Taff-Lagergren, our missionary in South Africa. She asks that we pray that God would use her to spread His love and that she would be a help to others with challenges in their day-to-day life, also that the Lord protect her and keep her in good health, so that she may serve to her fullest capacity. Finally, to thank the Lord that she has answered His call to serve in South Africa! We will continue to remember the churches in our denomination. This week we lift up before our Lord Our Savior, Bryans Road, MD; Our Shepherd, Cambridge, MD; St. Paul, Catonsville, MD; Galilee, Chester, MD; and Grace, Summerville, SC. We will continue to remember all those who have been misled by our cultures advocacy of sexual immorality and abortion. We ask, not only that the Lord turn our country around, but also that he bring healing to the lives damaged by our current culture. We will remember the modern slave trade and ask God to bless all efforts pleasing in his sight to end this sinful practice. We will remember the Lutheran Malaria Initiative as we seek to end Malaria in sub-Saharan Africa.

In our Sunday morning Bible study we are in our third read through of the Gospel of Luke. We are using the “book” method of studying Luke. This means we are giving our own titles to the book, and small sections, seeking to capture in our own words, the message of Luke. Currently we are giving a title to each chapter. Everyone is welcome to join us and provide your own titles. In discussing our titles and why we like them, we are discussing the themes of Luke. Bible study begins at 9:00 am.  

Preview of Lessons
Ezekiel 34:11-24
This passage is an extended metaphor, much like a parable. In it the Lord is depicted as a shepherd and humanity (especially those who are called by his name) as sheep. The Lord is not pleased with the sheep as the strong ones are taking advantage of the week ones. So God will intervene on behalf of the abused sheep, sending a Good Shepherd identified as “David.” The reference to the Old Testament Shepherd/King David is obvious as the background, but the Bible does not teach reincarnation (Hebrews 9:27), so the text is not primarily speaking of King David. Instead, it points to the “greater” David, our Lord Jesus. The greatest danger in preaching this text is feeling self-righteousness. “All those other sheep are the ones muddying the waters. Aren’t we blessed to be the ones that drink only pure water?” This has even been taken to the point by some where they justify the sin of skipping corporate worship because they don’t want to associate with the sheep who muddy the waters. We should leave the judging to the Lord, as the text says. We need to focus on drinking from the sweet stream of Word and Sacrament.

1 Timothy 1:5-17
Paul calls us to love others, as the Ezekiel text does also. He lists all kinds of sins, explaining that the Law of God exposes these. Any sin can be self-justified. The Law of God, though, exposes it for what it is, bringing us to sorrow. The Gospel then shines the light of God’s love on the situation, giving us sure hope of forgiveness. Indeed this was the purpose of the coming of Jesus, to save sinners. However, in this life, we remain sinners, so we always need the forgiveness of Jesus. That is all here for my sermon is based on this text.

Luke 15:1-10
Certainly both of the other readings can be understood in light of how important it is to the Lord that the spiritually lost are found. This reading would underscore that idea. Jesus tells two parables, inspired by criticism of him by some scribes and Pharisees, because our Lord was keeping company with “tax collectors and sinners.” Each parable teaches that the Lord loves the “lost” and will go to extreme lengths to “find” them. Because it is familiar, we just might not catch the surprising elements in the story, especially in the lost sheep parable. What “responsible” shepherd would leave 99 sheep to go looking for one? What “responsible” shepherd would find more joy in finding one lost sheep than over 99 who are safe? This is even more shocking as the context indicates the lost sheep are the “tax collectors and sinners.” You and I are the good sheep that didn’t wander away. Maybe, once upon a time, you were in the “tax collector and sinner” category, that is, a person society looked down on, but now you are in the fold. Well, our Shepherd didn’t stop searching for the socially outcast sinners just because you were brought to faith. Of course culture determines who the “tax collectors and sinners” are. In God’s eyes, we all need to be found. Praises God that he has found us. May he continue to add to his fold, both around the world, and here at Lamb of God.

Lesson Synopsis (from the LC-MS)
Jesus Christ Is the Good Shepherd of His Sheep
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). As He had mercy on Paul in order to display his perfect patience (1 Tim. 1:16), so also does He seek out His sheep from all the places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness (Ezek. 34:12). To deliver His flock, He will seek the lost … bring back the strayed … bind up the injured, and … strengthen the weak (Ezek. 34:16), and they shall no longer be a prey (Ezek. 34:22). He sets over them one great Good Shepherd, the Son of David, who shall feed them and be their shepherd (Ezek. 34:23). For Christ Jesus is the one man who, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them would leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it (Luke 15:4). When He finds the lost one and brings it home rejoicing, the angels of God and all the company of heaven rejoice with Him, with great joy (Luke 15:7, 10).

Tidbits

  • The September newsletter is posted on this blog. Just go to the newsletter link.

  • We rejoice that we have received enough money for a new heater.

Well, I pray we will see you Sunday.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert