Author Archives: St. John's and Grace Lutheran Parish

Sabbath Humility

Text: Luke 14:1-11 In our readings this week, we seem to have two streams of thought going on. The first stream we heard in the Old Testament reading, in St. Paul, and the second half of the Gospel text. The word that comes to mind in all three readings is humility. Our Lord encourages usContinue reading “Sabbath Humility”

He Will Command His Angels

Text: Psalm 91:11-12 We sang together in the Psalm, “He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” (Psalm 91:11-2, English Standard Version) In the Gospel, we heard our Lord say, “See that youContinue reading “He Will Command His Angels”

When God Blesses You

Text: Luke 17:11-19 St. Paul wrote to the Galatians in the Epistle reading that those who belong to Christ Jesus, “have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 4:24, English Standard Version) He wrote this to encourage them and us in our walk as Christians, that we do not fall backward into theContinue reading “When God Blesses You”

Christ, the Good Samaritan

Text: Luke 10:23-37 Dear friends in Christ, St. Paul wrote to the Galatians in our Epistle reading, Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scriptures imprisoned everything under sin,Continue reading “Christ, the Good Samaritan”

Don’t Forget Me

Text: Deuteronomy 6:4-15 Today we’ve had the glad opportunity to speak together the words of the Holy Spirit through King David in Psalm 119. Psalm 119 is the great Psalm of the Word. It is an acrostic psalm, which means the lines of the psalm follow the pattern of the Hebrew alphabet. In Psalm 119Continue reading “Don’t Forget Me”

The Day of Your Visitation

Text: Luke 19:41-48 During Holy Week, while Jesus was teaching in the temple, He told a parable about a man who planted a vineyard and rented it out to tenants. When the time for fruit came, the man sent his servants to the tenants, but they beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again, theContinue reading “The Day of Your Visitation”

The Secret to Being Content

Texts: Philippians 4:10-13; Matthew 6:25-34 A. “Not that I am speaking of being in need,” St. Paul said, “for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facingContinue reading “The Secret to Being Content”

Dishonest Manager(s), Merciful Master

Text: Luke 16:1-9 (10-13) The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive youContinue reading “Dishonest Manager(s), Merciful Master”

Beware of False Prophets

Text: Matthew 7:15-23 In today’s Epistle, we heard part of St. Paul’s farewell address to the pastors of the Church in Ephesus. Shortly after, he would be leaving them to go to Jerusalem and they would never again see him face-to-face. In his final words to them, Paul said, I did not shrink from declaringContinue reading “Beware of False Prophets”