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”

Oh, How Great is Your Compassion

Text: Mark 8:1-9 In Psalm 23, King David confesses his faith in God’s loving kindness. He gives thanks to the God who leads him beside still waters, and who restores his soul by the saving Word. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” sang David, “I will fear no evil,Continue reading “Oh, How Great is Your Compassion”

Altogether Different

Text: Matthew 5:17-26 In John 3, the Pharisee Nicodemus came to visit our Lord under the cover of night. As a member of the Pharisees near the beginning of our Lord’s ministry, he couldn’t be seen taking a positive attitude toward our Lord; yet, he desired to hear more from Him, so he went byContinue reading “Altogether Different”

Working with the Word

Text: Luke 5:1-11 St. Paul wrote to the Colossians, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16, English Standard Version) With these words, St. Paul encouraged the Colossians in theirContinue reading “Working with the Word”

Merciful Like Our Father

Text: Luke 6:36-42 In the Lutheran Church, nearly every confirmation class follows – more or less – the same course. Using Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, we first learn the Ten Commandments, which are God’s will for our lives as His people. Then, we learn the Apostles’ Creed – which is what God would have usContinue reading “Merciful Like Our Father”

To Seek and to Save the Lost

Text: Luke 15:1-10 In Luke 19, just before the Triumphal Entry, our Lord passed through the town of Jericho. Now, in the town of Jericho there was a man named Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was a tax collector. Or, rather, he was a “chief tax collector,” and he was quite wealthy. (Luke 19:2, English Standard Version) InContinue reading “To Seek and to Save the Lost”

The Heavenly Banquet

Text: Luke 14:15-24 The psalmist speaks prophetically by the Holy Spirit in Psalm 118, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Psalm 118:22-23, English Standard Version) That verse is familiar to us because it comes up all over the New Testament.Continue reading “The Heavenly Banquet”

The Rich Man and Lazarus

Text: Luke 16:19-31 James, the brother of our Lord, wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in the second chapter of his epistle, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him… Faith by itself, if it does not have works,Continue reading “The Rich Man and Lazarus”