Month: November 2015

SNOW CANCELLED DIVINE SERVICE TODAY

Text: Mark 13:24-37
Date: Last Sunday + Proper 29B + 11/22/15

It was after He entered Jerusalem for the final time, Jesus was sitting with His disciples on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, the bright massive stones gleaming in the sunlight. Then He said, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down” (Mk 13:2). Jesus predicted the coming destruction of the temple. Such a shocking prediction had to seem to the disciples almost unbelievable. But how many things, issues, happenings in our time once beyond belief to us have come and are coming to pass? It is here, just days before that final Passover, before our Lord’s death by crucifixion that Jesus not only foretold the destruction of the temple but also spoke of the Last Day and the coming Judgment and Deliverance of all the saints. Continue reading “My Lord, What a Morning!”

Text: Psalm 16
Date: Pentecost XXV + Proper 28 + 11/15/15

“The day is surely drawing near” declares our Hymn of the Day (LSB 508). For the last two Sundays of the Church Year our attention is drawn to that day, the Day of Judgment.

A review of the books most recently published by Evangelist Billy Graham reveals a Christian man (who recently celebrated his 97^th birthday) thinking more and more about the Last Day, the Day of Judgment and of human existence beyond the grave. Listen to the titles. “Angels” (1995), “Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well” (2011), “The Heaven Answer Book” (2012), “The Reason for My Hope: Salvation” (2013), and his most recent work and possibly his last, “Where I Am: Heaven, Eternity, and Our Life Beyond” (2015). Today we heard Jesus predicting the Last Day saying, “Be on your guard…. But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Mk 13:9, 13). The teaching that there will be a Last Day of Judgment is not only a New Testament one. We heard the prophet Daniel say of those who have died awakening, “some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever” (Dan 12:2-3). So today we listen and learn and grow wise in the faith, as we say in the creed, the faith that “looks for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” How shall we confront our own last day, our death to this world and entrance into eternal life with God? Continue reading “Those Who Are Wise Shall Shine”

Text: Mark 12:38-44
Date: Pentecost XXIV (Proper 27) + 11/8/15

As the closing chapters of the Church Year pass us by we are told not yet about the last days before the judgment but again of the last days of our Lord’s earthly ministry. Today it is Tuesday of the Great and Holy Week, only three days before Jesus’ ultimate goal. He has been confronted by His enemies while He finishes teaching in the Jerusalem temple. Today He warns everyone against the unfaithful scribes and teachers of the Law. Then He has us notice the contrast between the rich folks putting in large sums of money in the offering box and a poor widow’s measly offering of only two small copper coins. I suppose the temptation weighs heavy for a pastor to preach a stewardship sermon on this text. It is after all budget planning time for the next year. And there are a couple of themes related to good stewardship principles. But this is Tuesday of Holy Week. And there is much more here of much more importance. Continue reading “At the End of the Day”