Author: Bethlehem Lutheran
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Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Amos 5:6–7, 10–15 | Hebrews 3:12–19 | Mark 10:17–22 Text: Mark 10:17-22 Covering Points From: Formula of Concord, Article VI – The Third Use of the Law You may or may not remember this from Catechism class, but there are three uses for the Law of God, and in this encounter that Jesus has…
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Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Text: Mark 12:28-37 I think all of us would agree that idolatry is foolish. The idea of manmade gods is a ridiculous notion. The Lord, through Isaiah gives this illustration in chapter 44: He cuts down cedars, or he chooses a cypress tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of…
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Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
+ Holy Baptism of Blair Elouise Rosenbaum + Readings: Numbers 11:4–6, 10–16, 24–29 | James 5:1–20 | Mark 9:38–50 Text: Mark 9:38-50 (covering points of Formula of Concord, Article V – Law and Gospel) 38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because…
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Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Jeremiah 11:18–20 | James 3:13—4:10 | Mark 9:30–37 Text: James 3:13—4:10 (covering points from Formula of Concord, Article III – The Righteousness of Faith) “Even in Your Weakness, He is Strong to Save” Why do Christians act so unchristian sometimes? Bitter divisions and resentment separate people from the congregation, and congregations from one another. …
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Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Isaiah 50:4–10 | James 3:1–12 | Mark 9:14-29 Text: Mark 9:14-29 covering points from the Formula of Concord, Article I – Original Sin “To Shine on Those Who Sit in Darkness and the Shadow of Death” Arguing, suffering from childhood, inability to help, exasperation, unbelief, convulsions, and near death—This is what the Lord Jesus…
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“Good Works are Necessary (not for Salvation)”
Readings: Isaiah 35:4–7a | James 2:1-26 | Mark 7:24–37 Text: James 2:1-26 (covering points from the Formula of Concord, Article IV – Good Works) “Good Works Are Necessary for Salvation.” Ever since the time of the Reformation lead by Martin Luther, good works have been a point of contention. The Reformers pointed out the gross…
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The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist
Readings: Revelation 6:9–11 | Romans 6:1–5 | Mark 6:14–29Text: Mark 6:14-29 “Martyrs for Marriage” “Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man. For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.” ~ Psalm 71:4-5 ~ In the + Name of…
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Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Isaiah 29:11–19 | Ephesians 5:22–33 | Mark 7:1–13 Text: Mark 7:1-13 In the time of Jesus, the Pharisees were the religious guard for the nation of Israel. After the time of the Exile, and coming out as champions for righteousness after the Maccabean revolt, they held the Scriptures in the highest regard. However, they…
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Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Proverbs 9:1–10 & Joshua 24:1-2(a), 14-18 | Ephesians 5:6–21 | John 6:51–69 Text: Ephesians 5:6-21 “Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.’”~ John 6:68-69 ~ Yesterday at…
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Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Baptism of Inara Fae Means Readings: 1 Kings 19:1-8 | Ephesians 4:17-5:2 | John 6:35–51 Text: Ephesians 4:17—5:2 Everyone has desires and needs, ideals for which they strive, a sense of how it should be. But do we stop and think where that comes from? While humanity was originally created the image and likeness of…