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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
Thursday Dec 28, 2023
Thursday Dec 28, 2023
Old Testament: Exodus 40:17–21, 34–38
Psalm: Psalm 2; antiphon: v. 7
Epistle: Titus 3:4–7
Gospel: John 1:1–18
Gospel: John 1:1–14
Introit: Psalm 98:1–4; antiphon: Isaiah 9:6
Gradual: Psalm 118:26a, 27a, 23
Verse: Liturgical Text
The Living and Life-Giving Word of God Dwells among Us in the Flesh
In the beginning God created all things through His Word, His Son. But man fell into sin, and with man all creation was cursed. Therefore, God spoke His Word again, this time into the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle of our human nature (Ex. 40:17–21, 34–38). “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:1–14). The Son of God took on our flesh and blood and died on the cross in order that we might receive the right to become the children of God through faith. Baptized into Christ’s body, we are made partakers of a new Genesis, “the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:4–7). In Christ, the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man has truly appeared.
Thursday Dec 28, 2023
Thursday Dec 28, 2023
Old Testament: Isaiah 9:2–7
Psalm: Psalm 96; antiphon: v. 2
Epistle: Titus 2:11–14
Gospel: Luke 2:1–14
Gospel: Luke 2:1–20
Introit: Psalm 2:1–2, 4–6; antiphon: Liturgical Text
Gradual: Psalm 98:3b–4a, 2
Verse: Psalm 95:1a, 6b
The Light of Christ Shines Forth in the Darkness
Heaven and earth rejoice on this night because the glory of the Triune God is manifested in the human birth of “our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). In Him, the Father’s grace, mercy and peace rest upon the world. The silence of death is broken by this “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). And all we who have gone astray like lost and wandering sheep, who have “walked in the darkness” of doubt and fear and sinful unbelief, behold “a great light” in the nativity of Christ (Is. 9:2). In Him “the grace of God has appeared” (Titus 2:11). For this Child of Mary who is born for us, this dear Son of God who is given to us, will bear the burden of our sin and death in His own body on the cross. He thereby establishes a government of peace, “with justice and with righteousness,” which shall have no end; not by any work of man, but “the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this” (Is. 9:7).
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
Old Testament: Deuteronomy 18:15–19
Psalm: Psalm 111; antiphon: v. 9
Epistle: Philippians 4:4–7
Gospel: John 1:19–28
Gospel: Luke 1:39–56
Introit: Psalm 19:1, 4–6; antiphon: Isaiah 45:8a
Gradual: Psalm 145:18, 21
Verse: Psalm 40:17b
John the Baptizer Points Everyone to the Messiah
The coming of God in all His unveiled power at Mount Sinai was terrifying to the people of Israel. The thundering voice of the Lord puts sinners in fear of death (Deut. 18:15–19). God, therefore, raised up a prophet like Moses—the Messiah, the Christ. God came to His people veiled in human flesh. The skies poured down the Righteous One from heaven; the earth opened her womb and brought forth Salvation (Introit) through the blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of the Lord (Luke 1:39–56). The fruit of her womb is the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the One whose sandal strap John was not worthy to loose (John 1:19–28). In Jesus we are delivered from fear and anxiety. In Him alone we have the peace of God which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:4–7).
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
Old Testament: Isaiah 40:1–8
Old Testament: Isaiah 40:1–11
Psalm: Psalm 85; antiphon: v. 9
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 4:1–5
Gospel: Matthew 11:2–11
Gospel: Matthew 11:2–10
Introit: Psalm 85:1–2, 6, 8; antiphon: Philippians 4:4–5
Gradual: Psalm 80:1–2
Verse: Psalm 80:2b
John the Baptizer Prepares the Way for the Lord
The voice of the Baptizer cried out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord . . .” (Isa. 40:1). John called the people to be made ready for the Messiah’s coming through repentance, for “all flesh is grass” (Isa. 40:6). Now He asks from prison, “Are you the one who is to come . . .?” (Matt. 11:2). Jesus’ works bear witness that He is. The sick are made well; the dead are raised, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them. Their iniquity is pardoned; they have received from the Lord’s hand double forgiveness for all their sins. The “stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Cor. 4:1) still deliver Christ’s overflowing forgiveness to the poor in spirit, comforting God’s people with the word of the Gospel which stands forever. This Gospel produces rejoicing among all those who believe.
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
Saturday Dec 16, 2023
Saturday Dec 16, 2023
Saturday Dec 16, 2023
Saturday Dec 16, 2023
Old Testament: Malachi 4:1–6
Psalm: Psalm 50:1–15; antiphon: v. 15
Epistle: Romans 15:4–13
Gospel: Luke 21:25–36
Introit: Psalm 80:1, 3, 14, 17; antiphon: Isaiah 62:11b; 30:30, 29
Gradual: Psalm 50:2–3a, 5
Verse: Luke 21:26b–27
The Lord Comes on the Last Day
The day on which our Lord returns will be a “great and awesome day” (Mal. 4:5). For He will come in a cloud with great power and glory. To the wicked and the proud, it will be a Day of judgment that will “set them ablaze” (Mal. 4:1). The signs preceding this Day will bring them fear and fainting. But to those who believe, who fear the name of the Lord, this Day is one to look forward to and rejoice in: “. . . straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). Christ our Redeemer is coming; the Sun of Righteousness will bring healing in His wings. Let us, then, give attention to the words of the Lord, which do not pass away. Let us “through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures” (Rom. 15:4) be strengthened in our hope by the Holy Spirit and watch diligently for Jesus’ coming. Then, by God’s grace, we shall escape all these things that will come to pass and stand before the Son of Man.
Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship