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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 Jul 06, 2023
Thursday Jul 06, 2023
Thursday Jul 06, 2023
Old Testament: Isaiah 11:1-5
Psalm 138 (antiphon: v. 8a)
Epistle: Romans 12:9-16
Gospel:Luke 1:39-45 (46-56)
The Visitation
Today Zechariah's house is prepared to sing: the Lord God of Israel has visited His people (Luke 1:68). For the Scriptures are being fulfilled: there shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit (Isa. 11:1). What could raise a King from a dead line? Only the Lord Himself! This is no son of man's will, but the Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15). The Word of the Lord has done this, and so all are blessed in Him. The greeting of blessed Mary causes John to leap in Elizabeth's womb (Luke 1:41). Both are delighted at what the Word has wrought: "blessed is she who believed there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken by the Lord" (Luke 1:45). Likewise we too rejoice with those who rejoice (Rom. 12:12-15), for our joyful hope is the Lord who has visited us to redeem us-not just a town in Judah but our entire fallen world. The Holy Spirit discloses where salvation is to be found: in the Most Blessed Fruit of Mary's blessed womb. And the whole Church rejoices, saying, "my Beloved Bridegroom, behold, He comes!" (Song of Sol. 2:8)
Thursday Jul 06, 2023
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Introit: Ps. 25:1-2a, 5b, 15, 20; antiphon: Ps. 25:16, 18\rGradual: Ps. 55:22a, 16, 18a
Old Testament: Micah 7:18-20
Psalm 103:1-13 (antiphon: v. 8)
Epistle: 1 Tim. 1:12-17
or 1 Peter 5:6-11\rProperVerse: Ps. 18:1-2a
Gospel: Luke 15:1-10
or Luke 15:11-32\r
Jesus Receives Sinners
"This man receives sinners and eats with them" (Luke 15:2). The Pharisees' statement of judgment against Jesus is in fact a proclamation of Gospel truth. For our God is one who delights in mercy, who casts all our sins into the depths of the sea through the cross (Micah 7:18-20). "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tim. 1:15). Those who refuse to be counted as sinners also refuse Jesus who came only for sinners. Those like the older son (Luke 15:11-32), who think they are righteous of themselves, will not join in the heavenly celebration over the sinner who repents and so remain outside of the Father's house. Let us therefore be on guard against self-righteously trusting in our own merits. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you" (1 Peter 5:6). Rejoice that Jesus receives sinners like us and that He still sits at table with us in the Holy Supper, bestowing His forgiveness and life.
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
Introit: Ps. 18:1-2a, 27, 30a, 49; antiphon: Ps. 18:18-19\rGradual: Ps. 120:1-2
Old Testament: Prov. 9:1-10
Psalm 34:12-22 (antiphon: v. 11)
Epistle: Eph. 2:13-22
or 1 John 3:13-18
ProperVerse: Ps. 7:17
Gospel: Luke 14:15-24
The Gospel Call Goes Out to All\rWisdom has issued an invitation to the divine feast: "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight" (Prov. 9:5-6). This is the call of the Spirit of Christ to believe the Gospel and to receive His saving gifts in the Holy Supper. Many make excuses and reject this invitation, even as the Jews did in the days of Jesus, yet the Master's house will be filled. The Gospel call therefore goes out to the lowly and despised, into the highways, even to all the Gentiles (Luke 14:15-24). For "you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (Eph. 2:13-22). In Christ, believing Jews and Gentiles are no longer strangers but fellow members of the household of God. The enmity of class and race is put to death through the cross. Having been reconciled in the one Body of Christ, we are enabled to love one another (1 John 3:13-18) as we await the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which will have no end.