Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church - Olive Branch, MS

August 7, 2024 - Apologetics 101 - Mere Christianity Book 3 Part 2

Book 3 chapters 4-12

August 4, 2024 - Peace Lutheran Oxford, MS - Evangelism Part 1

Evangelism Introduction

August 4, 2024 - Trinity 10 Sermon

Old Testament: Jeremiah 8:4–12
Old Testament: Jeremiah 7:1–11
Psalm: Psalm 92; antiphon: v. 4
Epistle: Romans 9:30—10:4
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 12:1–11
Gospel: Luke 19:41–48
Introit: Psalm 55:1, 4–5, 16; antiphon: vv. 16a, 17b, 18a, 22a
Gradual: Psalm 17:8, 2
Verse: Psalm 88:1

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).

July 31, 2024 - Apologetics 101 - Mere Christianity Book 3 Part 1

Book 3 part 1

July 28, 2024 - Trinity 9 Sermon

Color: Green

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 22:26–34
Psalm: Psalm 51:1–12; antiphon: v. 18
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 10:6–13
Gospel: Luke 16:1–13
Gospel: Luke 16:1–9
Introit: Psalm 54:1–3, 7; antiphon: vv. 4–5
Gradual: Psalm 8:1
Verse: Psalm 112:1

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).

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

July 24, 2024 - Apologetics 101 - Mere Christianity Book 2

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity Book 2

July 21, 2024 - Peace Lutheran Oxford, MS - Mark 15

Mark 15 

July 21, 2024 - Trinity 8 Sermon

Color: Green

Old Testament: Jeremiah 23:16–29
Psalm: Psalm 26; antiphon: v. 12
Epistle: Romans 8:12–17
Second Reading: Acts 20:27–38
Gospel: Matthew 7:15–23
Introit: Psalm 48:1, 3, 11, 14; antiphon: vv. 9–10
Gradual: Psalm 31:2b, 1a
Verse: Psalm 78:1

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.

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

Apologetics 101 - Mere Christianity Book 1

C.S Lewis,  Mere Christianity Book 1

July 14, 2024 - Trinity 7 Sermon

Genesis 2:7-17