Author: Bethlehem Lutheran
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Third Sunday in Advent
~ Gaudete ~ Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11 | 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 | Matthew 11:2-11 Text: Isaiah 40:1-8 It’s been said that Isaiah is a reflection of the Bible, Old and New Testaments. The first 39 chapters speak of God’s judgment against His wayward people and the nations of the earth. The 40th chapter begins the proclamation…
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Commemoration of Ambrose of Milan
Readings: Ephesians 3:8-12 | John 10:11-16 Text: Ephesians 3:8-12 Who was Ambrose? What led the Church to remember him? Aurelius Ambrosius was born in 339 to a Roman Christian family in Gaul in modern-day Germany. His father was a praetorian prefect, or high-ranking administrator for the province. Ambrose was set to follow in his father’s…
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Second Sunday of Advent
Readings: Malachi 4:1-6 | Romans 15:4-13 | Luke 21:25-36 Text: Malachi 4:1-6 Every day, we are reminded that the godless enjoy prosperity and ease. They are the ones getting their way in the senate, gaining favor in school and society. The boastful sneer at the Christians and speak evil of them falsely (calling them bigots…
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First Sunday in Advent
~ Ad Te Levavi ~ Readings: Jeremiah 23:5-8 | Romans 13:8-14 | Matthew 21:1-9 Text: Matthew 21:1-9 “Your King Comes to You” This is the beginning of Advent, the season leading up to Christmas. This word, Advent, is handed down to us from generations of Christians before us. It means, “to come to” (ad +…
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The Feast of All Saints (observed)
Readings: Revelation 7:2-19 | 1 John 3:1-3 | Matthew 5:1-12 Text: Revelation 7:2-19 Theme: The victory and salvation of the Church of all time belongs to the Lamb, which He has given to you. I. Reading the Book of Revelation is kind of like diving into the Old Testament. It seems to be full of…
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Reformation Sunday
Readings: Revelation 14:6-7 | Romans 3:19-28 | Matthew 11:12-19 Text: Matthew 11:12-19 Theme: The Reformation is about the natural beauty of hearing the Word of Christ in faith. They’re on the side of your head, but they don’t often get much attention (unless something is wrong with them). But on this commemoration of the Reformation,…
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The Feast of St. James of Jerusalem
Readings: Acts 15:12–22a | James 1:1-12 | Matthew 13:54–58 Text: James 1:1-12 Theme: The Lord rescued James from relying on his own understanding, and gave him heavenly wisdom to lead the Church after the Ascension. I. The followers of Jesus after the Ascension have become a mess. Conflict over circumcision (Acts 15:1-5), being driven away…
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Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity
Readings: Deuteronomy 10:12-21 | 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 | Matthew 22:34-46 Text: Matthew 22:34-46 Theme: Knowing the Lord our God, Jesus Christ, is a gift which He gives, not the fruit of our efforts to know Him. I. I remember trying to explain the Trinity to my friend, who was a young Christian. It wasn’t an…
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Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
Readings: Proverbs 25:6-14 | Ephesians 4:1-6 | Luke 14:1-14 Text: Luke 14:1-14 Theme: We exalt ourselves and our works, so God humbles us, so that He would exalt us through His Son. Intro: It all takes place in the Pharisee’s house. In formality, banquets had a protocol of where was proper to recline. The host…
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Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity
Readings: 1 Kings 17:17–24 | Ephesians 3:13–21 | Luke 7:11-17 Text: Luke 7:11-17 In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The name for the town of Nain probably comes from the Hebrew word, na`im, which means “lovely.” It’s familiar to us in English as the woman’s name, Naomi (Ruth 1:2). In God’s wisdom, there’s probably…