Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church - Olive Branch, MS

October 15, 2023 - Trinity 19 Sermon

Introit: Ps. 78:1-3, 4b; antiphon: Ps. 35:3b; 34:17a, 6b; 48:14a
Gradual: Ps. 141:1-2
Old Testament: Gen. 28:10-17
Psalm 84 (antiphon: v. 8)
Epistle: Eph. 4:22-28
ProperVerse: Ps. 98:1a
Gospel: Matt. 9:1-8

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)

October 15, 2023 - Bible Study - Habakkuk and Zephaniah

Finishing Habakkuk and starting Zephaniah 

October 11, 2023 - Lutheranism 101 - The Reformation Continued

Timeline of the reformation

October 8, 2023 - Peace Lutheran Oxford MS, What We Believe - Closed Communion

Closed Communion and practical issues in the Lord’s Supper

October 8, 2023 - Trinity 18 Sermon

Introit: Ps. 122:1, 6, 8-9; antiphon: Eccl. 36:16-17a
Gradual: Ps. 122:1, 7
Old Testament: Deut. 10:12-21
Psalm 34:8-22 (antiphon: v. 19)
Epistle: 1 Cor. 1:(1-3) 4-9
ProperVerse: Ps. 117:1
Gospel: Matt. 22:34-46

In Life and Death, Christ Fulfills the Law of God
The Pharisees ask a Law question. Jesus asks a Gospel question. The Pharisees seek to test Jesus in His own words. Jesus seeks to "test" them in the saving reality of who He is as the Messiah (Matt. 22:34-46). The Law requires you to "fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul" and to "love the sojouner" (Deut. 10:12-21). Failure to keep the Law perfectly brings judgment. On the other hand, the Gospel brings the grace of God given by Jesus Christ, that you may be blameless in the day of His return (1 Cor. 1:1-9). Jesus is David's Son yet David's Lord, true God and true man. He is Love incarnate who fulfilled all the demands of God's Law on our behalf, that we might be saved from the Law's condemnation and sanctified in the Gospel's forgiveness. Thereby we see that "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor. 1:9).

October 8, 2023 - Bible Study - Habakkuk continued

key passages from Habakkuk

October 4, 2023 - Lutheranism 101 - The Reformation

Reformation History Continued 

October 1, 2023 - Peace Lutheran Oxford, MS - Installation of Vicar Bennett

Installation of Vicar Jake Bennett

October 1, 2023 - Peace Lutheran Oxford, MS - What We Believe - The Lord’s Supper Continued

Reality Revisited and Closed Communion

October 1, 2023 - St. Michael and All Angels Sermon

Old Testament: Daniel 10:10-14; 12:13
Psalm 91 (antiphon: v. 11)
Epistle: Revelation 12:7-12
Gospel: Matthew 18:1-11 or
      Luke 10:17-20

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; for 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); and 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).