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Episodes
Sermons and Bible Studies from Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi and Peace Lutheran Church in Oxford, MS
Episodes
Saturday Jul 15, 2023
Saturday Jul 15, 2023
Introit: Ps. 27:1a, 11-12, 14; Ps. 27:7, 9
Gradual: Ps. 84:9, 8
Old Testament: 1 Kings 19:11-21
Psalm 16 (antiphon, v. 11)
Epistle: 1 Cor. 1:18-25
or 1 Peter 3:8-15
ProperVerse: Ps. 21:1
Gospel: Luke 5:1-11
Jesus Makes Fishers of Men
The Lord called fishermen to be fishers of men (Luke 5:1-11). The net they would use is the message of the cross, which is foolishness and a stumbling block to the world (1 Cor. 1:18-25). The power of God to save is not in spectacular signs like wind and fire and earthquakes (1 Kings 19:11-21), nor is it to be found in human intelligence and wisdom. The power of God to save comes in the still, small voice of the preaching of Christ crucified. In worldly darkness the disciples could catch nothing. But in the light of Christ, whose Word was attached to the water, the boats were filled with fish. So it is that in Baptism you have been drawn in to the ship of the Church. Though the nets are breaking and some who hear the Word do not believe, pastors continue to cast the net of the Gospel and the Sacraments, that Christians may abide in the boat of the Church and that we may be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:8-15).
Saturday Jul 15, 2023
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