Based on Feast of Pentecost in the Past

 Art by Norma A. Boeckler.

 

 From Norma A. Boeckler

The melodies are linked in the hymn name. 

The lyrics are linked in the hymn number.

• The melody site is linked here.
• TLH Lyrics are linked on the Bethany Lutheran Hymnal Blog

The Hymn #1         Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty    
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

The Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: Hallelujah!

Let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Psalm. Let God arise; let His enemies be scattered: let them also that hate Him flee before Him.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

O God, who didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful people by sending to them the light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth, etc.

The Epistle

Gradual 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created: 

and Thou renewest the face of the earth. Hallelujah!

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful: 

and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

The Gospel 
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn # 224   Luther - Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord 

The Communion Hymn #227       Come, Holy Ghost, in Love 
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #309       Kingo - O Jesus Blessed Lord

In Our Prayers

• Lynda Roper earlier. 
• Christina Jackson's 78th anniversary is today
• Prayers 
•  Norma Boeckler has been included in another art exhibition.

KJV Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

KJV John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

A Pentecost Lesson

KJV John 14:23 If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

The Holy Spirit is so plain and simple - and yet so profound - that we need to pay attention to the concept. The Spirit connects with the Father and Son, the Three are One.

Importance - The Father will send the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, because they do not believe in Jesus Christ. That is the over-riding work of the Spirit, unbelief in the Good Shepherd is the one and only factor. Faith in Jesus Christ is the Spirit's object. This is so simple and yet so profound. And some will obsess on the environment (as they see it), recycling, or many other items.

We have to learn about the Trinity because there is a smog screen of many different attitudes and priorities. People scoff at the Holy Trinity because it is unique, the clear sign of God in Three Persons.

In contrast, the pagan world invents thousands of gods and has enormous sources of their false teaching. From the beginning of the Christian faith, people abandoned their false religions and became believers in Christ. That happened because the teachers and disciples revealed the truth and performed miracles as well. Truth and miracles continue.

So it continues - we pray through the Son and through the Father. Prayer is from the Holy Spirit.

Or this - the Word of God is carefully preserved and saved in the Scriptures -  the unique Word of God, conveyed by the Spirit. 

24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

These brief sayings all point toward the works of God - nothing for those who scorn and reject the Word, everything for the power, energy, and mercy of God. People can fashion themselves very wise - and glory in their rejection of what they cannot see - or what they demand and cannot understand.

A helper pointed out some plants growing fast by the porch and having orange flowers. "What's that? Looks like weeds." I said, "They are weeds. I planted them." Consternation! I added, "Those are butterfly weeds. Butterflies like them, and so do the gardeners." The weed-wacker was put down.

The difficulties of life often put us in strange, hurtful, or awkward situations. What we desire is distant from the way God works, but first we need to defer to the Scriptures and not our instant emotions. They build our Spiritual wisdom.

It's easy to see how people abandon the Word of God. The complexities cannot be imagined, there is so much to study, absorb, and apply. The Holy Spirit's wisdom in the Scriptures often open up to treasures we never imagined until that day we realized the truth.

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

We all know our weaknesses, but the Holy Spirit knows and addresses them. Isn't it absurd that someone can have a problem, say nothing out loud, recall from memory, and connect with God's wisdom? That is the foolishness of mankind, thinking, "That is impossible! 

I can buy some self-help books from the Self-Help Book of the Month Club!  or"An attorney-in-fact, also called an “agent,” is a person who is authorized to act on behalf of another person, known as the “principal,” typically to perform business or other official transactions."

One must have faith in Jesus Christ to open the door to His eternal Kingdom and gather peace from it. And faith comes from Him, or we might say, faith in Him gives us access to God's grace and forgiveness. The Word of God teaches us by hearing, reading, and remembering the Gospel. 

The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity, 2018 - Adopted from 2018

 

The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity, 2018 - Adopted from 2018

 Norma A. Boeckler

The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity, 2018

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

Bethany Lutheran Church, 10 AM Central Standard Time

The Hymn #11                 Safely Through Another Week                      

The Confession of Sins

The Absolution

The Introit p. 16

The Gloria Patri

The Kyrie p. 17

The Gloria in Excelsis

The Salutation and Collect p. 19

The Epistle and Gradual       

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

Praise be to Thee, O Christ!

The Nicene Creed             p. 22

The Sermon Hymn #236                Creator Spirit By Whose Aid         

              

Raised Up by His Hand

The Communion Hymn # 307            Draw Nigh and Take the Body of the Lord   

The Hymn #199      Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. 23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. 26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

http://bookofconcord.org/sd-righteousness.php 

The Book of Concord, Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article III,
The Righteousness of Faith

 6] This article concerning justification by faith (as the Apology says) is the chief article in the entire Christian doctrine, without which no poor conscience can have any firm consolation, or can truly know the riches of the grace of Christ, as Dr. Luther also has written: If this only article remains pure on the battlefield, the Christian Church also remains pure, and in goodly harmony and without any sects; but if it does not remain pure, it is not possible that any error or fanatical spirit can be resisted. (Tom. 5, Jena, p. 159.) 7] And concerning this article especially Paul says that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

1. In the Gospel of John, believing and witnessing to the truth go together - and there is only one Truth in the Bible.
2. This is directly related to creeds, because the people witnessing were responding to the truth, the revelation of Christ Jesus. The witness is the result of God's revelation.
3. In the early Church, there were various Creeds and catechisms. Some poetical passages may very well be reminders of the memorized creeds or hymns they used. 1 Timothy 3:16.
4. Creeds are secondary to Scripture, but that does not make them "boring and irrelevant" as one WELS pastor said.
5. Apostates and unionists do not like creeds. Apostates have lost their faith, and unionists see all roads as leading to God. Both are hostile to faith.
6. Hymns and creeds are born in conflict, so they are valuable for that reason.
7. The Formula of Concord, 1580, came from 50 years of doctrinal strife after the Augsburg Confession. Luther considered himself a "theologian of the Augsburg Confession," as the Book of Concord editors did.
8. Confessions are not weighty chains that imprison us in the past - they are witness to Biblical truths, which inform us and keep us from making the same mistakes again.
9. The Book of Concord is a reference book, which we read in small sections at a time. Justification can be looked up in AC IV and V, the Apology, and FC III.
10. We can see for ourselves in the parts are in agreement with each other and with the Scriptures.

Chemnitz - Apology of the Book of Concord - Ending. 

The Zwinglians are like renters ordering the property owners around so there is peace and harmony. They came after the Lutheran Reformation and declared Sacraments did not offer forgiveness, and the "Holy Spirit did not need a vehicle, like an oxcart." They denied the Real Presence in Holy Communion.

 Universal Objective Justification is a perfect case of this, as Hoenecke falsely claimed, "protecting the Gospel," so much that now WELS-ELS-LCMS are in agreement with each other, and ELCA, against the Chief Article, against Luther, against the Scriptures.

Luther's Galatians

FC. III. 67] Concerning what is needful furthermore for the proper explanation of this profound and chief article of justification before God, upon which depends the salvation of our souls, we direct, and for the sake of brevity herewith refer, every one to Dr. Luther's beautiful and glorious exposition of the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians.

This is another provision, lest the topic be kidnapped by false teachers. The editors thought so highly of this work that they recommended it to everyone for additional study of Justification. How often is it cited and quoted by UOJ salesmen?

Romans 5:1-2 summarizes Romans 4 and then elaborates  further, after 5:2.

5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

5 δικαιωθεντες (Having been justified) ουν (therefore) εκ πιστεως (by faith) ειρηνην εχομεν (we have peace) προς τον θεον (with God) δια του κυριου ημων (through our Lord) ιησου χριστου (Jesus Christ).

2 δι ου (through Whom) και (also) την προσαγωγην εσχηκαμεν (we have an entryway) τη πιστει (by faith) εις την χαριν ταυτην (into this grace) εν η εστηκαμεν (in which grace we stand) και καυχωμεθα (and we boast or exult) επ ελπιδι (in the hope) της δοξης του θεου (of the glory of God).

Raised Up by His Hand

Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 

The Bible teaches a connection between resurrection and faith, because there is no better display of God's power than giving life back to someone who has died. So there are three specific examples revealed to us, not that they were the only ones. So many miracles were performed that the Gospels use examples which teach us.

The three are the widow's son, the synagogue ruler's daughter, and Lazarus - the third one precipitating the crisis that culminated in the death and resurrection of Christ. That left no question about the divinity of Jesus and His titles, Son of God, David's Son, the Savior.

We should not overlook details, such as the status of this young girl's father. He was the head of a synagogue, so the death and resurrection of his daughter had a powerful influence on the entire group and anyone who knew the father. This is another case of Jesus taking the Gospel to the Jewish leadership, so everyone had a chance to believe in Him. If they did not witness the event, they had many witnesses available to tell them about the event. And how could that be suppressed? When something so tragic happens, a complete turnabout is going to be discussed forever, especially when it is death to life.

There are many examples of this around us. Some great difficulty, painful experience, or impossible burden creates a turning point of some type. And there is a before and an after.

Jesus raises people up, just as surely as He raised up the young woman in this miracle. Her father believed in Jesus and came to Him, worshiping Him and saying "My daughter is dead. Lay your hand on her and she will live."

19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

On the way to one miracle - there was another miracle. This gives us a perspective about how much happened during His public ministry. This woman also believed in Him. After suffering for years with no relief from doctors, she concluded that touching His clothing would be enough for healing. She drew near and received that healing. Knowing all, Jesus turned and re-assured her - He does not cast down, but lifts up. The woman was healed.

This was like being raised from the dead, because of all the physical and social problems. So there was definitely a before and an after. She doubtless told everyone, because it could hardly be suppressed, and people ask, "Have you found anything that worked?" This is how the Gospel initially spread, so there were many believers, many curious people too, with everything confirmed by the empty tomb.

23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

Therefore, when Jesus arrived at the home of the synagogue ruler, He had performed a great and greatly appreciated miracle. But He was back to zero with the crowd. When He began to shoo the professional mourners away, they mockingly laughed at Him.

This is the reaction of un-faith to the object of faith. People become blinded by their version of reality and do not see what is plainly before them. Sedona, Arizona has interesting rock formations where sea life is high up in the rocks. Two different guides said, "According to scientists, millions of years ago..." And I finished - "Or the Flood." One said, "Well, yes. I am not getting into that." 

Jesus revealed the girl was about to live again, not that she was in a coma. The crowd knew their stuff. They went to lots of funerals and the poor girl was beyond hope. But there is scornful laughter, which happens when faith antagonizes unbelievers. The Epistle of James 2:19: "They believe but their hides bristle." 

Luther:

1. Dear friends, you know that the Gospel is nothing else than a sermon about one person who is called Christ. And although there are many other books written here and there, and many sermons preached by many different persons, both about the heathen and the Christians, yea, also about the mother of God, St. Peter, angels and many of the saints; yet they are not Gospels, for this alone is the true Gospel which sets before us Christ, and teaches the good things we may hope from him.

2. Of course there is also at times something in the Gospel on John the Baptist, Mary and the Apostles, but this is not properly the Gospel, for they are taken into consideration so as more perfectly to indicate whence Christ came and what his office is. So Luke relates the history of John the Baptist from the beginning, his conception and birth; and that of the Virgin Mary, all which is written not for their sake, but only for the sake of the one person Christ, so that everything written in the Gospel concerns this person Christ alone. In St. Paul’s Epistles there is nothing written about the saints, all there is about Christ alone. The Evangelists describe what miracles and wonders Christ performed; but they write of no work that John or Mary did; but only what Christ did, how he helped the people in body and soul, and how the people clung to him.

25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. 26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

The unseeing or unbelieving were not allowed in for the miracle. They might have remained scornful too. God blinds and hardens those who increasingly oppose His Word.

She rose from the dead, and this miracle was told throughout the land. So we can see how this great sign from God planted faith and fulfilled hopes - the Messiah is here! - and also fired up opposition to Him! - stop this Jesus before he becomes too powerful.

We would like to think, "This is such a wonderful miracle, the whole countryside should have believed in Him and not gone into a suicidal war only a few years later." But as soon as faith is planted or renewed, opposition sets in.

In one case, many years ago, there was no problem with someone going to an old-fashioned Lutheran Church. But he discovered the Reformation and suddenly it became a marriage crisis and an ultimatum.

Two sets of facts go together - one is resurrection and faith, because the foundation of Christianity is the empty grave. Through faith we are forgiven our sins and promised eternal life.

The set of facts is well known and illustrated in Europe - cross and crown. Those who do not bear the cross will not not wear the crown. Faith in the Gospel inspires opposition, ridicule, hatred, and all kinds of opposition from the New Pharisees - the professional religious set, the rulers of the synods and denominations. I can read a book called The Jesuits and check back on the cover - "This reads like Recent Lutheran History 101."

Remedies for the Malady
I realize the Reformation had its moment last month, largely spoiled by those who despise Luther's doctrine, but Reformation is year around at Bethany, because that was a peak century - the 16th.

The first remedy is a knowledge and love for the Scriptures themselves. It is fun to see that a chance remark led a number of people into studying Greek, which we will continue. That provoked even more thirst for Greek. That is not litmus test, but once someone gets a sample of what can be learned, it is difficult to stop. That can be done 100% in English because we have great books for that if only people discover and use them.

If someone is not well armed - for the Word is a shield and a sword - he will be prey to the claims of various books and leaders. That is why the Christian Church needs to renew sermons on the Biblical text, not themes about friendship, time-management, and making new friends (signs of triumphant rationalism, by the way; nothing is new - we keep recycling errors).

Secondly, faith leads to witnessing faith, so we have the remarkable and harmonious Book of Concord, a one-volume Bible commentary. There key statements that keep us from drifting into old errors.

The Chief Article is Justification by Faith.

If someone argues against this, he is against the Book of Concord and by implication - the Scriptures.  I can show Justification by Faith in dozens of Scripture passages.

If we have problems with that statement, there are many places we can go for support and additional education. I am thankful for all the opposition that made me study these topics for years.

And this is so important to understand, grasp, and apply. The great quest of our time is Grace - and that is good - God's love, favor, and forgiveness.

How do we know we really have this grace and all its benefits? We know through faith in Jesus, who takes us by the hand, raises us up, and leaves all sin behind.

Beatitudes - Based on Previous Post

 

Beatitudes - Based on Previous Post

The Hymn #656     Behold a Host Arrayed in White          

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Almighty God, who hast knit together Thine elect 

in one communion and fellow-ship in the mystical body of 

Thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, grant us grace so to follow Thy blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that we may come to those unspeakable joys which Thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love Thee; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

O almighty God, who hast knit together Thine elect in one communion 

and fellowship in the mystical body of Thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, 

grant us grace so to follow Thy blessed saints in all virtuous and godly 

living that we may come to those unspeakable joys which Thou hast prepared 

for those who unfeignedly love Thee; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, 

our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual    

Oh, fear the Lord, ye His saints: 

for there is no want to them that fear Him.

V. They that seek the Lord: 

shall not want any good thing. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden: 

and I will give you rest. Hallelujah!

 

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed             p. 22

The Sermon Hymn # 463            For All the Saints                   

                    The Word of Faith Towards God

The Communion Hymn #313              O Lord We Praise Thee - Luther

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #657            Beautiful Savior

 By Norma A. Boeckler

Revelation - Epistle 7:2 ff

Gospel

KJV Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.