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The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity, 2019
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 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
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
Paul's Encouragement - The Gospel
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
Hymn #50 Lord Dismiss Us
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
Hymn #50 Lord Dismiss Us
In Our Prayers
- Andrea is doing very well.
- Carl Roper and his wife Lynda.
- Thanksgiving - Elizabeth Mior is seeing the cancer depart.
- Pastor K and Doc Lito Cruz - dealing with diabetes.
- Those looking for work and a better income.
- Glen Kotten plans to visit the Philippines. We will meet him at the Shraders. Pastor Shrader continues his battle with cancer. Pastor Jordan's wife and children are recovering from chicken pox.
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| Norma A. Boeckler's artwork |
KJV Ephesians 3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
KJV Luke 7:11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.
SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Lord God, heavenly Father, who didst send Thy Son to be made flesh, that by His death He might atone for our sins and deliver us from eternal death: We pray Thee, confirm in our hearts the hope that our Lord Jesus Christ, who with but a word raised the widow's son, in like manner will raise us on the last day, and grant us eternal life: through Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
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| Norma A. Boeckler's artwork |
Background for the Sermon, Ephesians 3:13-21 - Dwell in your hearts by faith...
Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
This verse includes a simple, plain, but powerful concept - often ignored and even taught against - Christ dwells in our hearts by faith. That simply means that the Gospel Word brings the Savior to us, and He dwells within us by faith, because we receive this Word, grasp it, and do not let go of what God has begun in us.
The Gospel Word remains in us through preaching, teaching, reading, and remembering. This is the divine efficacy of the Word of God, which is demonstrated in the Gospel lesson. The widow's son was dead, like Lazarus at Bethany. But the power of God's Word raised him from the dead, and the young man spoke to everyone.
Jesus displayed the power of His Word, but this is also the power of God's Word everywhere. Wherever the Gospel is taught, the Word raises people up to eternal life, which begins the moment we believe in the Savior, who died for our sins and became the leader in rising from the dead. The Gospel absolves us from our sins in faith, because Jesus comes to us through the Word and remains (or abides) in us through the Word. That is why Jesus compared Himself to the Vine in John 15. He cleanses us as we remain on the Vine through the Gospel Word, and we become even more fruitful (the fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5) through this cleansing, daily forgiveness of sin.
That is why Paul is so optimistic from prison - the ministry of the Word will continue through the ones he trained. The work of the Savior is not confined to one man or one group, but accomplishes His will through the Word. This basic lesson is taught throughout the Scriptures (Isaiah 55:8ff; Genesis 1; John 1; Ephesians) and is not confined to a denomination.
Paul's Encouragement - The Gospel
KJV Ephesians 3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The big problem was Paul's imprisonment, which threatened to move his congregations to despair. This was a repetition of what happened when Jesus was arrested and put on trial. The disciples scattered and barely stayed together. But the risen Lord revived their hopes and strengthened their faith. Since this resurrection was confirmed by hundreds, who heard and saw the risen Lord, the Ephesians and other congregations had a precedent to encourage them.
The era of the Apostolic is known for its willingness to suffer for the Gospel, considering it a great honor to witness to the Faith, even at the risk of torture and death. That continues today, where Christianity is persecuted around the world and scorned even here in America.
Paul indicated here that his difficulties are really glory, not shame, the glory of the only-begotten Son and the Father, witnessed by the Holy Spirit.
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
These are great Gospel exhortations where Paul gives all honor to the power and wisdom of God, the Creator of all. Our own emotions and experiences weaken us when we consider the future. How can we endure such things? But God strengthens us through the Spirit in the Word, which informs and encourages the inner man.
Nothing man can do or say to strengthen people facing difficulties, agonies, and death for the strange crime of believing in Christ. It makes no sense to the Old Adam. But the Spirit in the Word speaks to new creature (new creation) fashioned by the Gospel, which turns a pagan into a believer. God established the universe by His Word, and He establishes each believer the same way - by His Word.
Anything truly worthwhile is mocked, opposed, and forbidden by the world of man. They are blind to the Gospel and if they know anything at all, they hate and persecute the Faith as well. The most subtle are embedded in higher education, even in church education, and carefully train people to disbelieve in Christ but to trust in their scientific methods - especially since they have failed so badly.
In contrast, we can be strengthened at any time by the Gospel Word, by studying Ephesians or the Gospel of John. Although people think congregations and preaching are obsolete (even among those who have GracePoints and Family Gatherings and Pathfinders) - the Spirit preaching the Gospel is the way in which people are strengthened, encouraged. Jesus did this and taught His disciples to do the same. Paul established essential parts of the early Christian Church by preaching and teaching.
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
This simple concept is overlooked, ignored, even opposed by many. On the Roman side, the key is membership in the big corporate church, no matter what people teach or believe - as long as they are loyal to the institution.
On the Calvinist side, the Scriptures are a document that must be made alive, or made relevant, but alone they do not have the power of the Spirit.
From the earliest days of Judaism and Christianity, the Word has divine power on its own, as shown by Jesus' miracles, and attested in Genesis 1 and John 1. Believing means holding and guarding what Jesus has taught because the Spirit actually conveys Christ to us. The Savior is not an outsider, not someone we go out and find, but One who dwells in our hearts by faith, so we are rooted and grounded in love.
Some would like a word other than love to be mentioned here, but love is the first fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace - for ELCA readers, Galatians 5).
42. Paul desires Christ to be efficacious in the hearts of his followers unto the full realization of the promises of the Word — liberation from sin and death, and assurance of grace and eternal life. It is impossible for the heart having such experience to be other than firm and courageous to oppose the terrors of the devil and the world. But the heart which has not yet arrived at this point is here advised what course to take, namely, to pray God for such faith and strength, and to avail himself of the prayers of others to the same end. So much in regard to faith; now follows the mention of love. “That ye, being rooted and grounded in love.”
When someone focuses on the visible institution, there is great dismay and loss of confidence. I have saved photos of the largest Methodist church in America (empty) and similar mausoleums of man's glory. When people put their trust in such monuments, they live in mortar fear that their temples will fall down.
While we are tiny, the Word of God encompasses the universe and Paul has the spiritual vision to see that reality.
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith...
We can see that people moved a long way from the early days, when the faith of the disciples was being tested often. When the storm raged around their boat, they looked at the storm. At this point, Paul is saying, "Do not look at the storm, or the waves washing over the boat. Look at who is with us in the storm, in the same boat with us."
The congregations knew from Paul's preaching and from the Gospels read to them that this was true.
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
κατα την δυναμιν την ενεργουμενην εν ημιν
46. The sum of the matter is this: Depressed or exalted, circumscribed in whatsoever way, dragged hither or thither, I still find Christ. For he holds in his hands everything in heaven or on earth, and all are subject to him — angels, the devil, the world, sin, death and hell. Therefore, so long as he dwells in my heart, I have courage, wherever I go, I cannot be lost. I dwell where Christ my Lord dwells. This, however, is a situation impossible to reason. Should reason ascend a yard above the earth or descend a yard below, or be deprived of the tangible things of the present, it would have to despair. We Christians are, through Christ, better fortified. We are assured that he dwells everywhere, be it in honor or dishonor, hunger, sorrow, illness, imprisonment, death or life, blessing or affliction. It is Paul’s desire for the Ephesians that God give them grace and strength to have such heart-apprehension of his kingdom. He concludes the details of his prayer in these words: “And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fullness of God.”
Whatever we know from the Scriptures, the love of Christ surpasses all human knowledge.
Verse 20 expresses the power of God beyond anything we can ask or think. It is often cited as motivation for prayer, since it not only about asking God but about God's ability to answer in greater abundance than we can think (rationally) or imagine (dream as beyond all reach).
This is a classic verse that includes the efficacy of the Word, whether people recognize it or not.
according to the power that worketh in us,
κατα την δυναμιν την ενεργουμενην εν ημιν
The power is often associated with the power of the Holy Spirit, and the Greek word is the one used for dynamite.
The Holy Spirit is the power that works in us (working always associated with the efficacy of the Word).
When we talk on Facebook, Missionary Jordan Palangyos often have this discussion. He will say, "More power!" and I reply, "The power is in the Word. More Word - it has the power."
And he says, "Amen!"
Trying to establish a mission is impossible by man's standards, but not according to God, who has no limits. He can bring down a kingdom in a day. When Jesus came long, there was no power equal to Roman Empire, which executed Him. Persecution only led to mission growth, and the Empire was knocked into the dustbin of history. The last centuries of the Roman Empire were Christian and served as a repository of the treasures of the Faith - in Greek.
