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Sermons and Bible Studies from Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi and Peace Lutheran Church in Oxford, MS
Episodes
Monday Nov 20, 2023
Monday Nov 20, 2023
Monday Nov 20, 2023
Introit: Ps. 95:1-4; antiphon: Ps. 95:6-7a
Gradual: Ps. 116:8, 1
Old Testament: Is. 51:9-16
Psalm 126 (antiphon: v. 1)
Epistle: Col. 1:9-14
ProperVerse: Ps. 36:9
Gospel: Matt. 9:18-26
The Strength of the Lord Is Our Salvation from Sin, Death, and Darkness
A shroud of darkness engulfs us. Sin, death, and disease threaten to sever us from life's fullest measure. Without new life in Christ Jesus, there would be no light to dissipate, dispel, or curb grief and sadness. But Jesus has qualified us "to share in the inheritance of the saints of light" delivering us from the dark domain (Col. 1:9-14). "I have put my words in your mouth and covered you in the shadow of my hand,ÉYou are my people" (Is. 51:9-16). The presence of Christ, in word, wine, bread, and water, confronts our sinful nature with forgiveness. In the sacraments, God claims us to be His very own children, creating, and sustaining our faith. So in Christ, we humbly receive the words, "your faith has made you well" (Matt. 9:18-26). On the last day God will surely awaken us also from slumber in resurrection glory.
Monday Nov 20, 2023
Monday Nov 20, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Introit: Ps. 85:1, 7, 9, 11; antiphon: Jer. 29:11a, 12
Gradual: Ps. 44:7-8
Old Testament: Prov. 8:11-22
Psalm 111 (antiphon: v. 10a)
Epistle: Phil. 3:17-21
ProperVerse: Ps. 115:11
Gospel: Matt. 22:15-22
Render to God the things of God
When confronted with the civic duty of paying taxes, our Lord Jesus, Wisdom incarnate, walked "in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice" (Prov. 8:20) and discerned that wisdom "is better than jewels" and "better than gold, even fine gold" (Prov. 8:11, 19). When we set our minds on earthly things, such as wealth and passing glory, our "end is destruction" (Phil. 3:19). However, our humble and prudent Lord has rendered "to God the things that are God's" (Matt. 22:21), namely, perfect fear, love, and trust, as well as the complete sacrifice for our sin. In so doing, He also rendered to Caesar the things of honor and justice, submitting to the law of the land that put Him on the cross. The true "riches and honor are with [Him]," because "enduring wealth and righteousness" (Prov. 8:18) are found in our heavenly citizenship from which "we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." He "will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself" (Phil. 3:20-21).
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
First Reading: Revelation 7:(2-8) 9-17
Psalm 149 (antiphon: v. 4)
Epistle: 1 John 3:1-3
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
Saints Are Blessed in the Eternal Presence of Christ
"A great multitude from all tribes and peoples and languages," cry out "salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne" (Rev. 7:9-17). Faith-filled saints from every place and time with unified voices eternally magnify the Lamb of God. As His beloved children, we too, "shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:1-3). Joined with the throng of angels and a myriad of saints, we shall "serve him day and night in his temple" (Rev. 7:9-17). In our earthly tension vacillating between saint and sinner, faith and doubt, sacred and profane, we earnestly seek Jesus to calm our fears, comfort our spirits, and forgive our sins. The Holy Spirit, through faith in Christ propels us forward, fortifying us in Word and Sacrament, to our eternal home. In the midst of our constant struggle as believers, we need to be blessed. And so we are. The poor in spirit, the meek, the hungry, the thirsty, the merciful, the pure, and the persecuted are all blessed and we will most certainly inherit the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:1-12).