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Readings and Propers for 12th Sunday after Pentecost (Series A)
Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost
Proper 16A (August 21–27)
Isaiah 51:1–6; Ps. 138:1-8; Romans 11:33–12:8; Matthew 16:13–20
Entrance: LSB 818 In Thee Is Gladness
Of the Day: LSB 645 Built on the Rock
Offertory: LSB 783 Take My Life and Let It Be
Distribution: LSB 535 How Wide the Love of Christ;
LSB 575 My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
Closing: LSB 662 Onward, Christian Soldiers
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God
Jesus asked His disciples: “But who do you say that I am?” The question is also put to us: “Who do you say that He is?” Flesh and blood do not reveal this to us, but by the Ministry of the Gospel the Father in heaven reveals His Son to us on earth, who has become flesh and suffered death for our salvation. Thus we believe and confess that He is “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16). As He died for our transgressions and was raised for our justification, He looses us from all our sins and preserves our life within His Church, against which even “the gates of hell shall not prevail” (Matt. 16:18–19). His salvation is forever, and His righteousness “will never be dismayed” (Is. 51:6). He comforts us with the Gospel in His Church, so that “joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song” (Is. 51:3). Therefore, “according to the measure of faith that God has assigned” (Rom. 12:3), we also offer ourselves “as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Rom. 12:1) through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Dr Martin Luther:
For he says: “God be merciful to me a sinner.” This knowledge is above the powers of reason. And yet it must previously have been known to him that God is merciful, gracious and friendly to all those who confess their sins, who call upon him and long for grace. As he heard that God is gracious by virtue of his very nature, to all those who humble themselves and seek comfort in him. But to preach thus is always the pure Gospel. (Church Postils, Trinity 11)
Courtesy: LCMS (CPH for certain hymn videos)
Worldview Everlasting – Y'all Confess, Now, Y'hear! (Matthew 16:13-20)
Worldview Everlasting Greek Tuesday takes on Matthew 16:13-20, which means not only throwing down the gauntlet at anti-creedalism but also smacking down that horrible idea of the Papacy, which simultaneously lauding the biggest fish story in the history of the world. None too shabby, that!
Worldview Everlasting – You're Not Worthy To Quantify Your Good Works (Romans 11:33-12:8))
Paul’s epistles are not written in such a way that the first half is the Gospel and the second half is about how to live the Christian life. If you think that, then you’ve missed the entire point. So what are they about? And what does that have to do with the end of Romans 11 and the beginning of Romans 12? You’ll have to watch and find out!
Matthew 16:13-20, “You Are the Christ” – Pastors Rossow and Ostermeyer – Pastors’ Roundtable – Issues, Etc.
Looking Forward to Sunday Morning (3 Year Lectionary): Twelfth Sunday of Pentecost — Dr. Carl Fickenscher — Issues Etc.
Dr. Carl Fickenscher, Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Ind., discusses the readings and propers with Pr. Todd Wilken on Issues Etc. (mp3, 57:19, 52.5 MB, 2017-Aug-21)
Lectionary Podcast - Proper 16 - Series A - Matthew 16:13-20 with Dr. Arthur Just
Dr. Arthur Just, Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Ind., discusses the Gospel lesson from the Greek text.
Matthew 16:13–20 (SBLGNT)
13 Ἐλθὼν δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς τὰ μέρη Καισαρείας τῆς Φιλίππου ἠρώτα τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ λέγων· ⸀Τίνα λέγουσιν οἱ ἄνθρωποι εἶναι τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου;
14 οἱ δὲ εἶπαν· Οἱ μὲν Ἰωάννην τὸν βαπτιστήν, ἄλλοι δὲ Ἠλίαν, ἕτεροι δὲ Ἰερεμίαν ἢ ἕνα τῶν προφητῶν.
15 λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ὑμεῖς δὲ τίνα με λέγετε εἶναι;
16 ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ Σίμων Πέτρος εἶπεν· Σὺ εἶ ὁ χριστὸς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος.
17 ⸂ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ⸃ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Μακάριος εἶ, Σίμων Βαριωνᾶ, ὅτι σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα οὐκ ἀπεκάλυψέν σοι ἀλλʼ ὁ πατήρ μου ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς·
18 κἀγὼ δέ σοι λέγω ὅτι σὺ εἶ Πέτρος, καὶ ἐπὶ ταύτῃ τῇ πέτρᾳ οἰκοδομήσω μου τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, καὶ πύλαι ᾅδου οὐ κατισχύσουσιν αὐτῆς·
19 ⸀δώσω σοι τὰς ⸀κλεῖδας τῆς βασιλείας τῶν οὐρανῶν, καὶ ὃ ⸀ἐὰν δήσῃς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἔσται δεδεμένον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, καὶ ὃ ⸁ἐὰν λύσῃς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἔσται λελυμένον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς.
20 τότε ⸀διεστείλατο τοῖς ⸀μαθηταῖς ἵνα μηδενὶ εἴπωσιν ὅτι αὐτός ⸀ἐστιν ὁ χριστός.
Literal Translation
(13) And coming into the parts of Caesarea of Philip, Jesus questioned His disciples, saying, Whom do men say Me the Son of Man to be?
(14) And they said, Some say John the Baptist, and others Elijah, and others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.
(15) He said to them, But you, whom do you say Me to be?
(16) And answering, Simon Peter said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
(17) And answering, Jesus said to him, Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal it to you, but My Father in Heaven.
(18) And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against her.
(19) And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven. And whatever you bind on earth shall occur, having been bound in Heaven. And whatever you may loose on the earth shall be, having been loosed in Heaven.
(20) Then He warned His disciples that they should tell no one that He is Jesus the Christ.
Scripture quotations marked SBLGNT are from the SBL Greek New Testament. Copyright © 2010 Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software. Holmes, M. W. (2011–2013). The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Lexham Press; Society of Biblical Literature.
Dr. Carl Fickenscher: "Proclaiming God's Word from the Pulpit"
Dr. Carl Fickenscher, Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Ind., discusses Dr. C.F.W. Walther's Insights on what makes a Sermon a Lutheran Sermon
from The Lutheran Teaching of the Office of the Ministry Conference
Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Newton, N.C.
October 20, 2007
Videographer: Barry Propes
Wednesday Family Bible Study begins Sept 6, 2017
The Elders have asked Dr. Paul Schilf, a member of our congregation, to lead a Midweek Family Bible Study. The study will be held Wednesdays at 6:30 pm, starting September 6th. The schedule of topics is:
2017
06-Sep: Gender Identity Disorder - A Lutheran Perspective
13-Sep: Gender Identity Disorder - A Lutheran Perspective
20-Sep: Gender Identity Disorder - A Lutheran Perspective
27-Sep: Gender Identity Disorder - A Lutheran Perspective
04-Oct: The 4th Commandment and Aging Parents
11-Oct: The 4th Commandment and Aging Parents
18-Oct: The Reformation - Historical, Geographical and Theological Perspectives
25-Oct: The Reformation - Historical, Geographical and Theological Perspectives
01-Nov: People with disabilities - Worship and LCMS Church Life
08-Nov: People with disabilities - Worship and LCMS Church Life
15-Nov: 3 Powerful Hymns
22-Nov: No Class - Thanksgiving
29-Nov: No Class - Advent
06-Dec: No Class - Advent
13-Dec: No Class - Advent
20-Dec: No Class - Advent
27-Dec: No Class - Christmas
2018
03-Jan: The Office of the Keys - Catechism Review
10-Jan: No Class
17-Jan: The Office of the Keys - Catechism Review
24-Jan: Baptism - Catechism Review
31-Jan: Baptism - Catechism Review
07-Feb: Lent - Nothing to give up
14-Feb: No Class - Lent
21-Feb: No Class - Lent
28-Feb: No Class - Lent
07-Mar: No Class - Lent
14-Mar: No Class - Lent
21-Mar: No Class - Lent
28-Mar: Same Gender Marriage
04-Apr: Same Gender Marriage
11-Apr: Same Gender Marriage
18-Apr: Same Gender Marriage
25-Apr: 3 Powerful Hymns
02-May: Stress & Sin
09-May: Highlights of the Divine Service
16-May: Highlights of the Divine Service
23-May: Luther on Prayer
Christ Lutheran's 60th Anniversary -- August 13, 2017
The 60th Anniversary of Christ Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was celebrated on Sunday, August 13, 2017, at the church.
The Reverend Stephen F. Gallo, former pastor of our congregation and currently of Burleson, Texas, preached the sermon on Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever," under the theme, "We Are Here to Remember Christ," during the 9:30 am Divine Service.
Hymns sung were LSB 645, "Built on the Rock"; LSB 912, "Christ is Our Cornerstone"; LSB 644, "The Church's One Foundation"; and LSB 861, "Christ Be My Leader". The Sunday School Children sang, "Jesus Loves Me", between the Epistle (Heb. 13:7-9) and the Gospel (Luke 19:1-10) readings. [The Old Testament reading was 1 Kings 8:22-30.]
Pastor Gallo's wife, Gretchen, who was the organist (among other positions) during Pastor Gallo's tenure, was also the guest organist for the Anniversary Divine Service.
Pastor Gallo also conducted the Bible Class on Psalm 1, which was held after the service.
After Bible Class, a lunch was served.
Many members, former members, friends and the current SD District President, the Reverend Scott Sailer, were in attendance. Pictures of the event will be posted at the SD District Website.
Our Location
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4801 E. 6th St Christ Lutheran Church is a member of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. |
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9:30 am Divine Service with Lord's Supper (The Lord's Supper is celebrated every Lord's Day and Festival Service) 10:45 am Sunday School and Bible Classes (except August) Advent and Lenten services: Wednesday, 7:00 pm Note: Services on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day are held at 9:30 am. Recorded sermons can be heard here. |
Christ Lutheran: Member of Issues, Etc. 300
UPDATE: The Voters Assembly, at its meeting of Jan 22, 2017, adopted its 2017 budget, and voted to continue as a member of the Issues, Etc. 300, for the 7th year.
The Voters Assembly at its regular meeting of January 9, 2011, adopted its 2011 budget. As part of its Missions budget is a line item for Issues, Etc. (via Lutheran Public Radio) and has become a member of the Issues, Etc. 300.
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A Listener’s Guide to the Pulpit - Pr Todd Wilken (UPDATED)
Issues, Etc. Journal, Summer 2017
More than a decade ago I wrote “A Listeners Guide to the Pulpit.” At the time, my goal was simple: I wanted to help the average Christian sitting in the pew to tell the difference between good preaching and bad preaching. I dealt with the most egregious forms of bad preaching I could think of, and I thought I had covered it all. I hadn’t. Since then I have become aware of other kinds of bad preaching, some of which I had engaged in myself. To fill in the gaps and confess to my own bad preaching, I offer this update of the original essay.
Most of the preachers were dynamic, engaging, interesting and even entertaining. Most of their sermons were terrible.
How hard could it be? You go to church. The preacher preaches. You sit and listen. Easy, right?
But how do you tell the difference between a good sermon and a bad sermon? What makes good preaching good, and bad preaching bad?
For several years Issues, Etc. has been doing on–air sermon reviews. We’ve reviewed the sermons of Joel Osteen, D. James Kennedy, T.D. Jakes, Robert Schuller, Joyce Meyer, and many less well–known preachers. We’ve reviewed the sermons of Catholics, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Eastern Orthodox, Presbyterians, Pentecostals, and others. Most of these preachers were speaking to packed auditoriums and to worldwide television audiences. Most of the preachers were dynamic, engaging, interesting, and even entertaining. Most of the preachers are considered the best of the best preachers in the world.
Most of their sermons were terrible.
I don’t make this judgment based on my own subjective tastes or my own personal standard. I make this judgment based on the objective difference between good preaching and bad preaching.
Is there an objective standard for good preaching? Yes. It is a standard every Christian should know and use every time they hear a sermon. Every Christian needs to know the difference between a good sermon and a bad sermon.
God’s Two Teachings
St. Paul writes to the young preacher Timothy, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). Paul says that God’s Word of truth must be handled with care. To rightly divide God’s Word is the preacher’s first and most important task. Nineteenth–century theologian, C.F.W. Walther describes what Paul means in his famous treatise, The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel:
The doctrinal contents of the entire Holy Scriptures, both of the Old and the New Testament, are made up of two doctrines differing fundamentally from each other; viz.[namely], the Law and the Gospel … Only he is an orthodox teacher who not only presents all the articles of faith in accordance with Scripture, but also rightly distinguished from each other the Law and the Gospel. (C.F.W. Walther, The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1928, pp. 6 http://www.lutherantheology.com/uploads/works/walther/LG/lecture-01.html, 30 http://www.lutherantheology.com/uploads/works/walther/LG/lecture-04.html.)
Walther was simply following the leader of the sixteenth-century reformer Martin Luther. Luther explained this critical distinction between God’s Law and God’s Gospel and the danger of ignoring it:
It is therefore a matter of utmost necessity that these two kinds of God’s Word be well and properly distinguished. Where this is not done, neither the Law nor the Gospel can be understood, and the consciences of men must perish with blindness and error. The Law has its goal fixed beyond which it cannot go or accomplish anything, namely, until the point is reached where Christ comes in. It must terrify the impenitent with threats of the wrath and displeasure of God. Likewise the Gospel has its peculiar function and task, viz. [namely], to proclaim forgiveness of sin to sorrowing souls. These two may not be commingled, nor the one substituted for the other, without a falsification of doctrine. For while the Law and the Gospel are indeed equally God’s Word, they are not the same doctrine. (Martin Luther, “Sermon on the Distinction Between the Law and the Gospel,” Luther’s Works, St. L. Ed. IX, p. 799.)
Through His Law, God shows us His will. Through His Law, God tells us what He requires and what He forbids. Through His Law, God demands perfect obedience in thought, word and deed. Through His Law, God shows us that we have not done what He requires and have done what He forbids. Through His Law, God says, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind... You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37, 39). Through His Law, God calls anything short of perfect obedience sin.
Through His Gospel, God tells us what He has done in Jesus Christ to save those who have broken His Law. Through His Gospel, God shows us that Jesus has done everything He required of us by His Law. Through His Gospel, God shows us that Jesus has been punished under the Law in our place. Through His Gospel, God answers the perfect demands of His Law with the perfect, sinless death and resurrection of Jesus. The Gospel says, “What the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us” (Rom. 8:3–4).Through His Gospel, God answers the requirements of His Law with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus for us. Through His Gospel, God makes no demands whatsoever. There is only the free gift of God’s grace in Jesus Christ.
What does this have to do with difference between a good sermon and a bad sermon? Everything. The essential difference between a good sermon and a bad sermon is whether or not the preacher rightly divides and applies God's Law and God’s Gospel. A good sermon must show sinners their sin and show sinners their Savior. Again Luther writes:
This difference between the Law and the Gospel is the height of knowledge in Christendom. Every person and all persons who assume or glory in the name of Christian should know and be able to state this difference. If this ability is lacking, one cannot tell a Christian from a heathen or a Jew; of such supreme importance is this differentiation. This is why St. Paul so strongly insists on a clean–cut and proper differentiating of these two doctrines. (Martin Luther, Sermon on Galatians, 1532.)
So these two, Law and Gospel, must always go together in every sermon. They must be carefully divided in every sermon. God's Law must show us our sin, and God's Gospel must silence the Law’s accusations against us with the perfect life, death and resurrection of Jesus for us.
This is not to say that a good sermon will ONLY do this. Good preaching, according to Paul, does many things: It rebukes, reproves, admonishes, corrects, comforts, encourages, trains and teaches (Rom. 15:14; 1 Cor. 10:11; Col. 1:28; 3:16; 2 Tim. 2:4; 3:16; Titus 1:9). But whatever else good preaching does, it must above all rightly condemn us on account of our sin and declare us innocent on account of Jesus.
That was a Good Sermon?
Read more: A Listener’s Guide to the Pulpit - Pr Todd Wilken (UPDATED)