The First Sunday in, but not of, Lent begins this day in the Church as it has for centuries. That is, the faithful, you, continue to hear proclamations of Christ’s victories over temptations that occurred in a wilderness long ago. On Lent I, the Son of God’s besting humankind’s old evil foe is declared.
Out of that eternal reality, we are called again to remember that Jesus’ facing and victorying over temptation happened just before He began His earthly, incarnate, public ministry….Fore more, click on the title above.
Author: kyriss
Called by Jesus to turn one’s heart focus from self to God
Our sermon for this Ash Wednesday has been drawn forth from our inspired readings. In them, today, you are being called by Jesus to turn your heart focus from self to God. This day, we pray that your heart-thoughts would be guided by the following dynamically translated verse:
Where your treasure remains, there your heart remains. …for more, click on the title above.
Faith alone: Lessons from a blind man
Everything—yes, everything—hinges and depends upon the Word of God in Christ. However, because that Word centers in His Cross, Christ’s Word remains a great Mystery, and even His disciples were blind to what it means and signifies—both for Him and for themselves—until it was revealed and explained by the Holy Spirit….For more, click on the title above.
God’s will is ours to hear in the proclamation of His Word
Who is the sower?
Conveniently, our dear Lord Jesus Christ has done some of the work for us this morning, in that He states the meaning of the parable plainly to His disciples and to you. The Parable of the Sower is quite well known, yet somehow the meaning of it gets muddled and confused, even though Jesus plainly says what it means. Let me elaborate on this….For more, click on the title above.
Jesus feeds His apostles
Some suggested that John’s Gospel is like an Eastern Orthodox liturgy. It goes on and on and on. Chapter 20 has brought a perfect conclusion. But then, there is something more. The whole chapter 21 is like a sermon that does not know when to stop. There is just so much there that we can’t fit in, least of all the risen Lord. …For more, click on the title above
Because I am a Christian, I am a Lutheran
Septuagesima is so named because we Christians have entered the 70-day countdown that comes before the time, God-willing, when we will again celebrate the Highest, most Holy Feast in the Church Year, that of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus still asks all who hear of the “Laborers in the Vineyard:”
“Is it not proper for me to do that which I will with my things? Or does your eye remain evil because I AM good? Thus, they will be, the last ones first, and the first ones last.”
…For more, click on the title above.
Jesus’ beautiful baptism fitting to fulfill all righteousness
It is His Presence that we celebrate at every gathering of any Lord’s Service to us. It is Who He was, is, and ever shall be that the Word of God continually places before us. It is He, Jesus, Whom we are called to receive in the Faith on account of God’s grace toward us, sinners though we continue to be.
That is why days such as today have a prominent position in the life of the New Testament Church. In today’s readings we hear of the prophecy concerning God’s Son, and its fulfillment in Jesus. That is why the Baptism of our Lord is remembered in the rightly confessing Church during Epiphanytide each year. This is one day of the Year in which we are given to specifically hear that Jesus’ beautiful Baptism remains necessary to fulfill all righteousness. …for more, click on the title above.
Wise men still seek Him
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day, Epiphany, we celebrate Christ’s revealing of Himself to the gentiles, the magi. The word “epiphany” literally means “reveal,” and we can see it used by people of all kinds with that meaning. Yet, today we focus our attention on the magi who visit our Lord….For more, click on the text above.
Jesus shed first blood to fulfill God’s Holy Law
Today marks the eighth day of Christmas, and, as well, it is used to commemorate the eighth day of Jesus’ life outside of Mother Mary’s womb. For the Old Covenant faithful—to whom Jesus, Mary, and Joseph belonged by birthright and covenantal promises—since long before the time that God gave His Holy Law to the Israelites through Moses, male circumcision had been important.
Since the Law of Moses, the eighth day of an Israelite baby boy’s life held great significance. The eighth day was one in which the infant would be seen as having been sealed under God’s Covenant, having won an advantage against all in this fallen creation that would oppose his eternal life, through his own blood. …for more, click on the title above.