Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church - Olive Branch, MS

August 20, 2023 - Trinity 11 Sermon

Introit: Ps. 68:1, 3, 7a, 10b, 19; antiphon: Ps. 68:5b, 6a, 35b
Gradual: Ps. 28:7b, 1a, 2a
Old Testament: Gen. 4:1-15
Psalm 50:7-23 (antiphon: v. 14)
Epistle: Eph. 2:1-10
      or 1 Cor. 15:1-10
ProperVerse: Ps. 90:1
Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

The Lord Lifts Up the Lowly
"And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard" (Gen. 4:1-15). For unlike Abel, Cain's offering did not proceed from a heart that revered and trusted in the Lord. Thus, the lowly tax collector who prayed, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" was the one who went down to his house justified before God, not the respectable, outwardly righteous Pharisee who trusted in himself and his own good living (Luke 18:9-14). "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" (Eph. 2:1-10). The one who penitently despairs of his own righteousness and relies completely on the atoning mercy of God in Christ is the one who is declared righteous. For Christ died for our sins and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:1-10). Therefore, "everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

August 20, 2023 - Bible Study - Isaiah Pt 2

Isaiah 6

August 16, 2023 - Lutheranism 101 - Service of the Sacrament Pt. 1

Service Of the Sacrament, Divine Service, Worship

August 13, 2023 - Peace Lutheran Oxford, MS - What We Believe - Prayer (Final Session)

Last Part of the Lord's Prayer and Devotional Life

August 13, 2023 - Trinity 10 Sermon

Introit: Ps. 55:1, 4-5, 16; antiphon: Ps. 55:16a, 17b, 18a, 22a
Gradual: Ps. 17:8, 2
Old Testament: Jer. 8:4-12
      or Jer. 7:1-11
Psalm 92 (antiphon: v. 4)
Epistle: Rom. 9:30-10:4
      or 1 Cor. 12:1-11
ProperVerse: Ps. 88:1
Gospel: Luke 19:41-48

Jesus Weeps for Jerusalem
Our Lord wept over Jerusalem for the destruction that would soon come upon her. For she did not recognize the time of God's visitation in Christ, who had come to bring her peace (Luke 19:41-48). Through His prophets God had consistently called His people to turn from their deceit and false worship. "But My people do not know the judgments of the Lord" (Jer. 8:4-12). They sought to establish their own righteousness rather than receive Christ's righteousness through faith (Rom. 9:30-10:4). So it was that God was in His temple to cleanse it, a precursor to the once-for-all cleansing from sin which He would accomplish in the temple of His own body on the cross. God grant us to know the things that make for our peace-His visitation in the Word and Sacraments-that by the Holy Spirit we may penitently confess "Jesus is Lord" (1 Cor. 12:1-11).

August 13, 2023 - Bible Study - Isaiah Pt. 1

Isaiah Part 1

August 9, 2023 - Lutheranism 101 - Service of the Word - Final

Final Session on the Service of the Word

August 6, 2023 - Trinity 9 Sermon

Introit: Ps. 54:1-3, 7; antiphon: Ps. 54:4-5
Gradual: Ps. 8:1
Old Testament: 2 Sam. 22:26-34
Psalm 51:1-12 (antiphon: v. 18)
Epistle: 1 Cor. 10:6-13
ProperVerse: Ps. 112:1
Gospel: Luke 16:1-9 (10-13)

The Steward's Shrewdness Sanctified
"The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness" (Luke 16:1-9). The steward's shrewdness is praiseworthy for two reasons. First, he knew the master would be merciful. He trusted that the master would honor the debts he forgave in the master's name. In the same way, though we have squandered our heavenly Father's possessions in selfishness and sin, Jesus is the Steward who has canceled our debt, knowing that His forgiveness will be honored by the Father because of the holy cross. Secondly, the steward was shrewd in using oil and wheat to provide for his earthly welfare. So also do these earthly elements aid us when pressed into heavenly use in the anointing of baptism and the wheat of the Lord's Supper. Those who have the Sacraments will have an eternal home when their earthly home fails. These provide us aid in times of temptation (1 Cor. 10:6-13). For the Lord is our strength and a shield to all who trust in Him (2 Sam. 22:26-34).

August 6, 2023 - Bible Study - Obadiah

Prophets of Judah - Obadiah 

July 30, 2023 - Trinity 8 Sermon - Guest Pastor Neil Vanderbush

Beware of False Prophets
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matt. 7:15). Deceit has its strength in masquerading as the truth. False prophets speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord (Jer. 23:16-29). They deny the judgment of the Lord, speaking peace to the unrepentant, when in truth there is condemnation and wrath. "You will recognize them by their fruits" (Matt. 7:20). The "fruits" of a true prophet are not outward righteousness or success but faithfulness in proclaiming the Word of the Lord. This is the will of the Father in heaven, that pastors take heed to the flock, the Father's adopted ones (Rom. 8:12-17), warning them against the wolves and their lies, and shepherding the Church of God which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:27-38). For indeed, the cross is that good tree bearing good fruit-namely, the body and blood of Christ, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.