Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church - Olive Branch, MS

August 15, 2024 - Peace Lutheran Oxford, MS - Exodus 1

Exodus 1

August 14, 2024 - Apologetics 101 - Mere Christianity Book 4

Book 4 Mere Christianity 

August 11, 2024 - Peace Lutheran Oxford, MS - Evangelism Part 2

Why we Evangelize 

August 11, 2024 - Trinity 11 Sermon

Color: Green

Old Testament: Genesis 4:1–15
Psalm: Psalm 50:7–23; antiphon: v. 14
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 15:1–10
Epistle: Ephesians 2:1–10
Gospel: Luke 18:9–14
Introit: Psalm 68:1, 3, 7a, 10b, 19; antiphon: vv. 5b, 6a, 35b
Gradual: Psalm 28:7b, 1a, 2a
Verse: Psalm 90:1

The Lord Lifts Up the Lowly
 
“And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard” (Gen. 4:1–15). For unlike Abel, Cain’s offering did not proceed from a heart that revered and trusted in the Lord. Thus, the lowly tax collector who prayed, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” was the one who went down to his house justified before God, not the respectable, outwardly righteous Pharisee who trusted in himself and his own good living (Luke 18:9–14). “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:1–10). The one who penitently despairs of his own righteousness and relies completely on the atoning mercy of God in Christ is the one who is declared righteous. For Christ died for our sins and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:1–10). Therefore, “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

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