Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church - Olive Branch, MS

October 13, 2024 - Trinity 20 Sermon

Color: Green

Old Testament: Isaiah 55:1–9
Psalm: Psalm 27:1–9; antiphon: v. 8
Epistle: Ephesians 5:15–21
Gospel: Matthew 21:33–44
Gospel: Matthew 22:1–14
Introit: Psalm 48:1, 9–11; antiphon: Liturgical Text
Gradual: Psalm 145:15–16
Verse: Psalm 130:1–2a

Jesus Invites Us to His Wedding Feast to Receive Abundant Righteousness
 
The Holy Spirit sounds forth the Gospel call: “See, I have prepared my dinner . . . Come to the wedding feast” (Matt. 22:1–14). But many reject this invitation in favor of worldly pursuits. And so the call goes out to others, both the good and the bad. For the wedding invitation is not based on the qualifications of those invited but on the basis of the merits and work of Christ. The feast is free: “He who has no money, come, buy and eat . . . delight yourselves in rich food.” (Is. 55:1–9). Those rejecting the Spirit’s work shall experience God’s wrath and judgment. Those who are not clothed in Christ’s righteousness shall be cast into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Let us therefore seek the Lord while He may be found, for He will have mercy upon us. Let us redeem the time, being filled with the Spirit, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 5:15–21).

October 12, 2024 - Psalm 90 Sermon

Teach Us to Number Our Days Conference - Psalm 90 Sermon

October 10, 2024 - Peace Lutheran Oxford, MS - Exodus 8:20-9:35

Exodus 8:20-9:35

October 9, 2024 - Midweek Ministry - Revelation 2:8-17

Revelation 2:8-17

October 6, 2024 - Peace Lutheran Oxford MS - Acts 3

Acts 3:1-16

October 6, 2024 - Trinity 19 Sermon

Color: Green

Old Testament: Genesis 28:10–17
Psalm: Psalm 84; antiphon: v. 8
Epistle: Ephesians 4:22–28
Gospel: Matthew 9:1–8
Introit: Psalm 78:1–3, 4b; antiphon: Psalm 35:3b; 34:17a, 6b; 48:14a
Gradual: Psalm 141:1–2
Verse: Psalm 98:1a

Jesus’ Incarnation Secures for Us Life, Forgiveness, and Healing
 
The Lord does not require us to ascend to Him; in mercy He descends to us (Gen. 28:10–17). The ladder in Jacob’s dream was not for climbing; it was the means by which the Lord came to bless Jacob. This event finds its fulfillment in Christ who descended from His throne to save and bless us. By His incarnation He is the eternal bridge between heaven and earth. “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Matt. 9:1–8). The Lord was present in the flesh to absolve the paralytic. Jesus also healed and restored this man’s body. “For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation” (Small Catechism). The Lord still has power on earth to forgive sins. In holy absolution He raises up the new man (Eph. 4:22–28) and bestows the healing medicine which will bring about our resurrection on the Last Day. Thus we say with Jacob, “This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” (Gen. 28:17)

Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship

October 3, 2024 - Peace Lutheran Oxford, MS - Exodus 7:14-8:19

Exodus 7:14-8:19

October 2, 2024 - Midweek Ministry - Revelation 1:9-2:7

Revelation 1:9-2:7

September 29, 2024 - Peace Lutheran Oxford, MS - Acts 2:40-47

Acts 2:40-47

September 29, 2024 - St. Michael Sermon

Old Testament: Daniel 10:10–14; 12:1–3
Psalm: Psalm 91; antiphon: v. 11
Epistle: Revelation 12:7–12
Gospel: Matthew 18:1–11
Gospel: Luke 10:17–20
Introit: Psalm 103:20–22; antiphon: v. 1
Gradual: Psalm 91:11; 103:1
Verse: Revelation 12:11

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. 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). 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).