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Trusting the Gospel

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Mark 7:31–35

Faith grows out of the Word of God, producing the good fruit of love and mercy and all manner of godly care for one's neighbor.

Faithful Suffering

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: 1 Peter 5:6–10

"It assuages and comforts the sufferer beyond measure to know that he does not suffer alone, but with a great multitude."

That Which Makes for Peace

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Luke 19:41–42

God has opened the treasures of his holy gospel to us, so we may learn his will. Will we believe and know peace or disbelieve and suffer wrath?

Nothing More

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Luke 17:3–5

"We should therefore despair of ourselves and pray to God for faith as the apostles did. When we have faith we need nothing more..."

Evident Faith

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Matthew 7:21

Once we have been baptized into Christ and believe, his will is that we should then live accordingly, obeying God and doing what is commanded.

God’s Dollar

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Mark 8:4–6

"Christ commands the disciples to set the loaves before the multitude, by which he shows that he will administer his work and gifts through the instrumentality of human agencies."

Daily Word, Pentecost 15A

Daily Bible Readings for the Week of the Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost, Year A

Click HERE for an online Jigsaw puzzle of the above Scripture graphic. Join us for Morning Prayer in the chapel, Monday through Friday* at 8:30am, where we read and discuss these Scriptures and pray together. We do the same during Vespers in the parsonage Sunday evenings at 6pm. Join us! The parsonage is across the street from the church.  Our readings for the week of the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost are listed below. Each verse is linked and will open to Biblia so you may read online. Click the link to read online or read in your Bible. The additional reading each day speaks to the common conversation between the three ...

Blessed Ears

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Matthew 13:15–17

What would it help the critics of Christ if the gospel was preached twice as clearly as it is? They are so deafened by their own conceits that they can hear nothing else.

No Other Gods

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Exodus 20:1–3

"When we come before God the Father, Christ will say: Father! Although they have not wholly fulfilled thy law, yet I have done so, let this be to their benefit because they believe in me."

A Cup of Cold Water

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: 1 John 3:14–18

"Oh, how heavy and terrible the impending judgment for those who have denied to Christ the Lord, in his thirst, even the cup of cold water."

That They May Hear and Believe

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Mark 7:32–35

Luther uses the this story to illustrate how office of ministry brings the Word to people so that they may hear and be given faith to believe.

The Heavenly Force

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 3:5–11

The Spirit impresses Christ and his works upon the heart, making it a true book which does not consist in tracing mere letters and words, but in true life and action.

Faith Bears Fruit

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Matthew 7:15–20

Good works do not make one pious or good. One must first be good and pious at heart. The tree must first be there to bear the fruit.

Exercise Judgment

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Matthew 7:15

So much of what false teachers' have afflicted the church with in recent decades is easily overcome by exercising judgment through the Word.

Trusting God with the Future

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Mark 8:8

No one thinks of saving for posterity, but live as if they rejoice in destroying everything at once. Yet in all this destruction God will nevertheless help us.

God Will Take Care of You

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Mark 8:1–2

"All who faithfully cling to the Word of God will be fed by God; for that is the nature and power of faith, which flows alone out of the Word of God."

Eternal Delight

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Genesis 8:22

Our eternal life, attained through faith in Christ. will be to know God, delight in his wisdom, and enjoy the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Worthy of Your Calling

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Ephesians 3:20–4:1

"The chief thing that should influence a Christian’s outward walk is the remembrance of his calling and appointment by God."

Led by the Spirit

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Romans 8:12–14

"To be 'led by the Spirit of God' means to be given a heart which gladly hears God’s Word and believes that in Christ it has grace and the forgiveness of sins."

Resist!

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: James 1:19–20

"It is natural for us to feel hurt when suffering, injustice, and violence attack us...it becomes necessary to check and restrain the feelings of anger..."

The Sinful Conscience

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Luke 5:4–8

"Not until Peter considered himself unworthy did he become really worthy. Just because you are a sinful person you must the more trust in God."

Without Distinction

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Luke 6:35–36

"Christians must not seek their own, but look at all alike, whether friend or foe, as our heavenly Father does. Without such mercy, there is no true faith."

Bold Peace

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Philippians 4:6–7

"There is peace, strength and comfort in the heart, so that the heart cares for no evil, is really bolder and more joyful in its presence than in its absence."

The Majestic Command

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Genesis 6:21–22

Noah kept his eye on the majesty of him who gave the command. That was enough for him, even though the command seemed absurd or impossible.

Eat What Is in Front of You

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Genesis 6:21–22

God performs his miracles along the lines of natural law. Looking for bread from heaven, rather than by human means, tests God and is a sin.

A Constant Dying

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Romans 8:12–13

Christians have help and strength to resist and mortify sin. and must constantly put to death the flesh lest they be put to death by it.

Our Sufficiency

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 3:4–6

It is a glory that every preacher may be able to say with full confidence that he trusts God for teaching and preaching truly the Word of God.

Bless the Work of Our Hands

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Luke 5:4

Christ keeps aloof from the lazy, unfaithful idlers who will not do as they have been commanded, and will not keep their hands and feet from straying.

On Being Useful

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Luke 5:4–10

Christ has not come to make you afraid, but to remove your sins and distress from you. “Fear not,” he speaks to your heart, and to the whole world.

The Curse of Humanity

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 6:6–10

The curse of humanity is they shall never be satisfied and must endure heartache and everlasting destruction through the things they have coveted.

No Worries

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Luke 15:3–7

If you only remain under Christ's protection and lie still upon his shoulders, you need not be troubled about sin, death, or hell, for he defends you.

God Remembered

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Genesis 7:23–8:1

No life is so difficult as the life of faith, depending only upon the promises of God when the who world seems to say, "God has forgotten all about you."

Revelation of the Divine

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Romans 11:33–36

Scripture shows us that in God there are three persons — not three Gods or three kinds of divinity, but the same undivided, divine essence.

Our Neighbor’s Honor

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Luke 15:1–5

We are to cover the shame of our neighbor with our own honor and piety, not cause wounds caused by gossip that we cannot heal.

Helping Sinners

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Luke 15:1–2

"We should rebuke and deal with the sinner in earnest; yet we are not to despise but sincerely to love him."

The Humble Gospel

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1–3

"The tongue of a minister — the language he employs — must be of that simplicity which preaches naught but Christ," and brings him the glory.

Misdirection

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Luke 24:36–43

We are not to be deceived by so-called ghosts, which are not souls but instead, demons bent on misdirecting a believer's focus on the living Christ.

The Inclination of the Heart

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Genesis 8:20–22

Even pious people can scarcely stand firm, often being entangled by gross sins and natural corruptions, for original sin is complete lawlessness.

Intolerant

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: 1 John 3:13

We teach all to trust in the grace of God, not in their own worthiness, and to render him gratitude for his grace. This is intolerable to the world.

The Divine Reminder

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Romans 6:15–16

Although the Christians senses within himself the presence of evil thoughts and lusts, yet his faith and the Holy Spirit remind him of his baptism.

Blind to Grace

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Psalm 33:4–5

God showers his gifts on an ungrateful world, whose people go about their lives as though sight and hearing were due them. And so, we miss God's grace.

Stewards of the Gospel

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 4:1

Christians do not follow pastors; they follow Christ Jesus. Pastors preach the gospel, a message that leads lost sheep to the one who saves them.

The Righteous Man

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Genesis 6:8–10

Noah is called “just” because he first believed, then “perfect” (“upright”) because he walked in the fear of God and conscientiously avoided sins.

A Friend of Sinners

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Luke 15:1–2

The religious people were enemies of Christ because of the people Jesus called his friends: sinners who wanted to follow him.

Nothing To Do

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Luke 14:23

When one senses his wretchedness, then is the time to believe in Jesus Christ. There are no other means to save you, save be baptized and believe.

The Cares of the Church

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Psalm 46:1–3

"Christians have regard for God’s Word and believe that God cares for them. They commend all things to him and at his word go on with courage."

The Cure for the Conscience

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: John 3:14–15

"Reason argues: You have sinned, you must also atone for your sin. The gospel of Christ says: You have sinned, another must atone for you."

The Golden Age

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Genesis 7:1

We are in the golden age because we have the light of God’s Word and the sacraments are rightly administered in our churches.

The Double Blessing

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Romans 6:20–23

The service of righteousness in Christ has the double blessing of a clear conscience before God and the rich and incorruptible reward of eternal life.

Proof of Faith

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: 1 John 3:13–16

Faith is not an inactive and lifeless thing. When there is faith in the heart, its power will be manifested toward God and one's neighbor.

The Power of the Resurrection

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: John 20:26–29

It is by the power of the resurrection of Christ that Thomas, and us, who are so deep and obdurate in unbelief, are so suddenly changed.

The Heavy Heart

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: John 20:24–25

The most religious person will be lost and condemned if he will not believe. For there is no forgiveness of sins, nor salvation, if one does not believe.

Preference

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Luke 14:15–18

We make excuses, preferring many things against the gospel, for we are no better than were the ancient Jews, who also rejected the gospel for the law.

Division

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 11:17–21

Wherever the Word of God has a foothold, there the devil will be. He will always build his taverns and kitchens by the side of God’s house.

Every Christian

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: John 20:21–23

Jesus sends every Christian to instruct and teach his neighbor, that he may also come to Christ, a power not reserved for popes, bishops, and pastors.

Being Acceptable to God

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Luke 16:19–21

"Poverty and suffering make no one acceptable to God; but if he is already acceptable to God, his poverty and suffering are precious in God’s eyes."

Dead and Alive

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Romans 6:6–11

This old man must be crucified, executed, put out of the way, even here in this life. Were he remains in his strength, faith and spirit cannot be.

Nagging Questions

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Romans 11:33–34

If you wish to proceed wisely and truly apprehend God, you can do no better than to be interested in his Word where he has revealed himself.

The Comfort of Communion

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Luke 14:16–17

The preaching of Christ feeds his guests through holy baptism, comforting and strengthening them through the Sacrament of his body and blood.

The Death that Brings Life

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Romans 6:3–11

Through baptism, Christ dedicates us to himself — he decides for us, elects us — and imparts to us the power of his death and resurrection.

The Need of a Savior

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: John 3:13–15

Before man may receive righteousness and eternal life, there must come One who has eternal righteousness and life, who appeases God’s wrath.

The Overthrow of Nature

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: John 3:5–8

We must abandon the life of the flesh and enter into new life, dead to the old. There must be a real change and an overthrow of nature and feeling.

One God, One Mind

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1–7

Knowing that you all embrace the one true God's Word, hold together in one faith and one mind, not disagreeing as though you had many gods.

The Bread of Life

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: John 6:48–51

"In these words the soul finds a well prepared table, at which it satisfies all hunger; for it knows of a certainty that he who speaks cannot lie."

God Forbid!

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Romans 6:14–15

Sin is not forgiven so that we may sin all the more, taking God's grace for granted and taking advantage, but so that conscience is free to love God.

True Faith

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Matthew 23:37

"Faith, if it is true faith, is of such a nature that it does not rely upon itself, but holds to Christ, and takes refuge under his righteousness."

Losing Faith in Self

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: John 6:44

The preaching of the law shows us that our entire lives and characters, however holy and beautiful they may seem, are nothing before God.

Resembling Cain

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Genesis 4:8

All people are in ancient Cain's very same condition, for unless our nature is helped by the Spirit of God, it cannot maintain itself.

Temperance

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Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Ephesians 5:15–20

Because God has so richly shed upon us the gospel of light, we ought in honor and gratitude to him try to reform and temper ourselves.

The Two Kingdoms

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Matthew 22:15–21

The two powers, God’s and Caesar’s, or spiritual and temporal kingdoms, must be kept apart, Christians especially rendering to each the honor due.

The Death of Sin

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Romans 6:1–4

Christ Jesus was buried that he might, through forgiveness, cover up, mortify, and destroy our sin, whether actually committed or inherent in us.

Strong Medicine

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Romans 5:20–21

God provides strong medicine to cure the sinful condition but this gives no license to make oneself ill so that more medicine may be received.

Blessed Eyes

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Luke 10:21–24

You are blessed if your have heard and seen with your heart the Lord Jesus Christ, for there are those who have heard and seen without perception.

Subject to Hope

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Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Romans 8:20–23

Since man has fallen in sin, we all — the whole creation — must suffer the consequence and be subject to futility and vanity...and yet may have hope.

Exercising Faith

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: John 10:1–4

Following Christ means that our whole life is a constant exercise of faith, whereby we are assured that we have favor with God because of him.

The Rest of Conscience

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: John 3:17–18

My conscience must rest upon the foundation, the eternal, all-knowing truth that God alone is truth, and must rest upon him and nothing else.

The Humble Fear of God

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: 1 Peter 5:5–6

God never lays his hand upon us in order that we would be damned but pursues a course that leads us to repentance, so we would seek his grace.

God's Image in Our Neighbor

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Genesis 9:5–6

Man is made in God's image and God wills that we revere his image in our neighbor, doing all we can for him, protecting him and doing him good.

Cain or Abel

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: 1 John 3:10–12

In Cain, we see the hateful world, and on the other hand, that poor, abject Abel well represents the obscure little brotherhood: the Church of Christ.

The Only and True Light

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: John 1:6–8

"All who preach the doctrines of men make man the light, lead men away from God to themselves, and set themselves up as the true Light."

Our Rock and Anchor

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: John 3:16

"Come what will, let us say: Here is God’s Word; that is my rock and anchor; to that I cling and that abides; and where that abides, there I abide also."

The Hope of Glory

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Romans 8:19–25

Christians are to be confident of eternal glory, to implore the Lord God to hasten the Day, for Jesus has taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come.”

Christ’s Peace

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: John 14:27

We must be able to say that we know we have God’s pledge and the witness of the Holy Spirit, that he wants to be our Father through Christ, his Son.

If You Love Me

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: John 14:15–17

Experience teaches how difficult it is to keep Christ's Word, but the Christian will love Christ, his Word, and his kingdom more than all things of the earth.

Leave

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Genesis 2:24

God uses marriage to get us out of our parents' homes so we may grow up, make a home and family of our own, and enjoy the blessings of that estate.

Woman

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Genesis 2:21–23

One of the sweetest pleasures of Christian marriage is not sexual, that the blessing of the sense of completeness at being merely with one another.

Bless

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Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: 1 Peter 3:8–9

You may be a blessing to your neighbor because you know you are a child of God, received into his grace, and living in the sure hope of salvation.

The Dawn of Glory

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Romans 8:18–19

The whole creation cries out for a speedy end of these injustices and abuses of the ungodly, and for the dawning of glory for the children of God!

Delusions

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Psalm 4:2

If the affections and thoughts of men are without faith in God, they are without Christ and his Word, and therefore, they are without the truth.

Just Passing Through

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: 1 Peter 2:11–12

God would have us occupy this world as guests, striving after an eternal kingdom, abstaining from lusts, maintaining a godly life of good works.

A Revelation

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Genesis 2:20–24

The affection of the intended husband toward his betrothed spouse is of a particular and elevated kind, a knowledge and revelation of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer in Love

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Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Philippians 1:9–11

Christians should love and pray for the salvation of all, for the sanctification of God’s name, the coming of his kingdom, and the fulfilment of his will.

Journey on in Joy

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Psalm 55:12

Even in danger and death, you have a faithful Father and Savior, who has taken you into his own hand, and will preserve you. Journey on in joy.

Open Ears

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: 1 Peter 3:10–12

God’s ears are open to the prayers of the righteous, looking upon you with gracious, winning eyes, his ears alert even to the faintest sound of prayer.

Christ in You

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Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Jude 3–4

One may confess Christ but still deny him in deeds and works, by insisting he is his own lord through his religious observances being the way to salvation.

Spirit Fall

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Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Acts 10:44–48

It is not enough that Christ be preached; the Word must be believed. So, God sends the Holy Spirit to impress the preaching upon the heart.

The Precondition of Kindness

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Hebrews 11:5–6

It is impossible to love, where no faith exists, and impossible to believe, where there is no love. Love of neighbor depends upon the love of God.

The Inner Person

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Luke 16:19–31

We are not condemned because we have great riches, but because we are attached to them and trust in them, instead of in Jesus Christ the Lord.

Beware

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Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Galatians 1:9

God often lays hold upon leaders of sects who blaspheme with false doctrines, inflicting on them unusual punishments for the sake of warning others.

Harmony

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: Romans 12:16

As long as unity of faith and oneness of mind survive, the true Church of God abides, so we must be careful to cherish the virtue of harmony.

Anger Management

Reading the Word with Luther

Series: Reading the Word with Luther

Scripture Text: 1 Peter 3:10

An angry heart knows no moderation, fanning a tiny spark into a conflagration, retaliating and cursing, committing a greater wrong than suffered.