Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church - Olive Branch, MS

February 12, 2023 - Sexagesima Sermon

Introit: Ps. 44:1-2, 7-8; antiphon: Ps. 44:23, 25a, 26a
Gradual: Ps. 83:18, 13
Old Testament: Is. 55:10-13
Psalm 84 (antiphon: v. 4)
Epistle: 2 Cor. 11:19-12:9
      or Heb. 4:9-13
Tract: Ps. 60:1-2, 5
Gospel: Luke 8:4-15

Scripture Alone
The Sower sows the seed of His Word (Luke 8:4-15). This Word is living and powerful (Heb. 4:9-13) to conceive new life in those who hear it. But the planting of Christ is attacked by the devil, the world, and the flesh. Satan snatches the Word away from hard hearts. The riches and pleasures of this life choke off faith. Shallow and emotional belief withers in time of temptation and trouble. But see how Christ bears this attack for us! Christ's cross was planted in the hard and rocky soil of Golgotha. A crown of thorns was placed upon His head. Satan and His demons hellishly hounded and devoured Him. Yet, through His dying and rising again, He destroyed these enemies of ours. Jesus is Himself the Seed which fell to the ground and died in order that it might sprout forth to new life and produce much grain. In Him, the weak are strong (2 Cor. 11:19-12:9). He is the Word of the Father which does not return void (Is. 55:10-13) but yields a harvest hundredfold.

February 12, 2023 - Bible Study - Athaliah

2 Kings 11

February 5, 2023 -Septuagesima Sermon

Introit: Ps. 18:1-2a, 27, 32, 49; antiphon: Ps. 18:5-6a
Gradual: Ps. 9:9-10, 18-19a
Old Testament: Ex. 17:1-7
Psalm 95:1-9 (antiphon: v. 6)
Epistle: 1 Cor. 9:24-10:5
Tract: Ps. 130:1-4
Gospel: Matt. 20:1-16

Grace Alone
The people of Israel contended with the Lord in the wilderness (Ex. 17:1-7). They were dissatisfied with His provision. In the same way, the first laborers in the vineyard complained against the landowner for the wage he provided them (Matt. 20:1-16). They charged him with being unfair, but in reality he was being generous. For the Lord does not wish to deal with us on the basis of what we deserve but on the basis of His abounding grace in Christ. The first-those who rely on their own merits-will be last. "For they were overthrown in the wilderness" (1 Cor. 10:5). But the last, those who rely on Christ, will be first. For Christ is the Rock (1 Cor. 9:24-10:5). He is the One who was struck and from whose side blood and water flowed that we may be cleansed of our sin.

February 5, 2023 - Bible Study - Lutheran Hymnody and Satanic Arts

A one off study 

January 29, 2023 - Transfiguration Sermon

Introit: Ps. 84:1-2a, 4, 10-11; antiphon: Ps. 77:18
Gradual: Ps. 45:2a, 110:1
Old Testament: Ex. 34:29-35
      or Ex. 3:1-14
Psalm 2 (antiphon: v. 7)
Epistle: 2 Peter 1:16-21
ProperVerse: Ps. 96:2-3
Gospel: Matt. 17:1-9

Jesus Is Transfigured and Manifests His Glory
The Lord appeared to Moses in the light of the burning bush (Ex. 3:1-14). Later Moses' face would shine with the light of God's glory when he came down from Mount Sinai (Ex. 34:29-35). At the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared with the One who is the Light of Light Himself (Matt. 17:1-9). Jesus' glory as God shines with brilliant splendor in and through His human nature. By this epiphany, our Lord confirmed the prophetic word (2 Pet. 1:16-21), revealing that He is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. He manifested His majesty as the eternal Son of the Father, and He wonderfully foreshowed our adoption as sons (Collect). We who have been baptized into Christ's body are given a glimpse of the glory that we will share with Him in the resurrection on the Last Day.

January 29, 2022 - Bible Study - Ahaziah

2 Chronicles 22

January 25, 2023 - Confession and Absolution - Final

Part 3 confession and absolution 

January 22, 2023 - Epiphany 3 Sermon

Introit: Ps. 97:1, 10-12; antiphon: Ps. 97:6,9
Gradual: Ps. 102:15-16
Old Testament: 2 Kings 5:1-15a
Psalm 110:1-4 (antiphon: v. 2a)
Epistle: Rom. 1:8-17
      or Rom. 12:16-21
ProperVerse: Ps. 97:1
Gospel: Matt. 8:1-13

Jesus Came for Gentiles, Too
The Gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Gentile (Rom. 1:8-17). Even in the Old Testament, the Gentiles were beneficiaries of God's saving power. Though unimpressed at first with the Word of God, a Syrian commander is persuaded to receive that Word, and in the water he is cleansed and brought to faith in the God of Israel (2 Kings 5:1-15a). Evil is overcome by good (Rom 12:16-21). So also in the New Testament, a Roman centurion demonstrates great and humble faith in the Lord (Matt. 8:1-13). All he needs is the Word of Christ, for he trusts that Jesus' Word of healing has authority to accomplish what it says. And indeed it does. The centurion's faith is praised by our Lord above that of any Israelite. For the last shall be first, and the first last. Apart from faith in Christ, there is no salvation-not even for a Jew-but only weeping and gnashing of teeth.

January 22, 2023 - Bible Study - Jehoram and Ahaziah

2 Chronicles 21-22

January 18, 2023 - Lutheranism 101 - Confession Part 2

Confession and Absolution part 2