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| The next time the Day of Epiphany lands on Sunday is 2030. |
The Feast of the Epiphany, 2020
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
Bethany Lutheran Worship, 10 AM Central Standard Time
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 #128 Brightest and Best
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 #128 Brightest and Best
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 #646 Silent Night
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 #646 Silent Night
- Lynda Roper, recovering from a fall.
- We are working on a complete set of my books online, separate from any publisher.
- Pastor and Mrs. Jim Shrader.
- Randy Anderson's leg (Andrea's father).
- Pastor K and Doc Lito Cruz - dealing with diabetes.
- Those looking for work and a better income.
- Our media ministries - Alec Satin, Norma Boeckler, Travis and Lauren Cartee, Pastor Jordan Palangyos.
- Understanding Pilgrim's Progress, Wednesdays, 7 PM..
- BethanyPhilippine Mission has enough to order materials and start on the permanent roof. Some additional items after are - steel doors, windows, seating.
EPIPHANY
Lord God, heavenly Father, who hast given us the light of Thy holy word, the guiding star, which leadeth us to the Christ-child: Send, we beseech Thee, Thy Holy Spirit into our hearts, that we may receive this light and make use of it unto our salvation, and that we, like the wise men, when they were seeking the star, may not be afraid because of any hardship or peril, but put all our trust in Thine only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, as our only Savior; devote our earthly possessions to the advancement of Thy kingdom, and in all things serve Him, Thine only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
Isaiah 60 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. 4 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. 5 Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. 6 The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.
Matthew 2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Background for the Gospel Sermon, Matthew 2:1-12
I posted a page of theories about the Star of Bethlehem. When Kepler presented it as historical fact, he was labeled a "mystic," which was the term the rationalists used for those who believed the Bible to be God's Word. Later the term Pietist was added, so the state churches of Europe were largely divided among the rationalists in control and the believers who chafed against the official, well paid clergy. They formed Bible study cell groups, which they considered the real church. America's Lutheran church bodies all came from this cell group Pietism. Because Pietism avoids doctrinal confessions, the loyalists move into rationalism easily, as they did at Halle University (Henry Muhlenberg, Adolph Hoenecke, and Walther's Bishop Martin Stephan, STD).
We are in a similar situation, where the official clergy are highly paid rationalists who trust surveys, data, trends, and man-made solutions versus the deplorables who argue for the inerrancy of the Bible and Justification by Faith. LCMS-WELS moved easily from their Pietistic origin into an age of rationalism and are now stuck there, nothing of value growing from their sterile weed seeds.
I am fascinated by the Star of Bethlehem for many reasons, including hearing it dismissed as a fable when I was growing up. I had a decades-long interest in astronomy until our neighbor's need for yard illumination ended the fun. My 7 foot tall telescope attracted a lot of attention.
The Star is a scandalon - a faith death trap - for many. One astronomer was angry that planetariums were using Star of Bethlehem programs to attract enormous crowds every December. He did not address its truthfulness, just that awful pandering to the public. The facts remain exactly as they are. By looking at ancient records, scientists can determine that various events would have riveted the attention of those living at that time, for several reasons.
One is simple - in the night sky of a desert country with no artificial illumination worth mentioning, every star, planet, moon, and sky event is looked upon with the greatest interest and general knowledge. I dare people to identify the most obvious stars and planets today, especially with city-glow, clouds, and general lack of interest. We are astronomy illiterate today, and less than Hottentots - in comparison to the ancients.
Secondly - the ancients saw the future in the night sky and they assumed God or gods at work. Are not our planets named after Greek/Roman gods? My favorite recent gardening book is The Sheer Ecstasy of Being a Luna-tic Farmer. We still say moonstruck and even have a popular Cher movie by that name. People are over the moon about grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
We experienced two times when people brought up sky events repeatedly. One was in Sturgis, Michigan (1970s), when Jupiter and Mars traveled in the night sky together for a long time. Everyone kept asking, "What is that?" as if Jupiter and Mars had been newly added. And "How do you know?" The other was the Hale-Bopp comet, which was impossible to miss (1997), which moved me to write a short story based on it. Everyone got wide-eyed when Hale-Bopp arrived and they asked asked, "Did you see the comet?"
The Calvinists rely on human reason to prove the Bible is true. The consequence of trust in human wisdom is a loss of faith when the evidence is factual rather than Scriptural. That is why it is so difficult to discuss doctrine with those who are trained to be loyal to synodical stars rather than the Word, which is ignored for contradicting what sect's celebrities have claimed. No one seems to notice the parallel with Pharisaical dogma.
When we start with the Biblical concept of the Holy Spirit teaching us the mysteries of the Faith (Creation, the Trinity, the Virgin Birth, the Atonement, Resurrection, and Ascension) then we will find all kinds of corroboration in the Bible and in the world around us. For example, the Bible teaches a six-24 hour-day Creation and a day of rest. Various leaders have tried to lengthen the week by making it 10 days, but that has never worked. Why do we all use a seven-day week, world-wide?
America's laws are based upon "the laws of Nature and of Nature's God."
The Declaration of Independence of 1776 established the premise that in America a people might assume the station "to which the laws of Nature and Nature's God entitle them.." Herein lay the security for men's individual rights - an immutable code of law, sanctioned by the Creator of man's rights, and designed to promote, preserve, and protect him and his fellows in the enjoyment of their rights.
If we combine the concepts of ancient astronomy and access to the Old Testament Promises, then the statement of the Wise Men makes perfect sense. They could also be driven by a need for the answers about forgiveness and salvation. The Greek literature cycle is built on the sin of human sacrifice and its guilt being transferred to each generation (Iphigenia). Many centuries later, Luther was profoundly troubled by the concept of sin, forgiveness, and the errors he was taught about works freeing one from guilt.
Going to the ruler of Israel and asking about the King was disturbing to Herod. This was the prevailing issue about Jesus, because Messiah - or Christ - means the king anointed with oil. The ancients anointed monarchs with oil and that continues to this day in English royalty (using whale oil). The custom is so ingrained in us that we use the verb to suggest anyone appointed to a high position (or self-appointed) - "Who anointed him as the greatest star in Hollywood?" Many of the terms associated with Jesus would raise the hackles of the rulers - Messiah, Christ, Son of David, and Lord. His popularity and divine powers were associated with good kings, filled with nobility, virtue, kindness, generosity, and mercy.
One thing is universal among people (even animals) - jealousy. Raise this the highest degree when someone is ruler, one who assumes another ruler means his own humiliation and death. The Wise Men want to worship this newborn ruler, which means even more and that was the ultimate accusation against him. Being the King was one threat but the greater one was, "He considers Himself to be the Son of God." (Gospel of John)
"We have seen His star in the East." One theory is that the conjunction of Jupiter the king-star and Uranus (symbolic of Israel) would have suggested a new king of Israel to professional star-gazers. Whatever the details, a spectacular event in the sky would be known and feared by the vast majority. A vast change was coming, and they simply feared the worst. If people are given some information, especially about their whole region, they easily concentrate on the worst possible aspects.
For believers, it could only be good news, because they trust everything is in God's hands. For unbelievers, such changes drive fears and dread about what will happen, especially about what will happen to them.
We can see how God prepared everyone for Jesus the Savior.
I posted a page of theories about the Star of Bethlehem. When Kepler presented it as historical fact, he was labeled a "mystic," which was the term the rationalists used for those who believed the Bible to be God's Word. Later the term Pietist was added, so the state churches of Europe were largely divided among the rationalists in control and the believers who chafed against the official, well paid clergy. They formed Bible study cell groups, which they considered the real church. America's Lutheran church bodies all came from this cell group Pietism. Because Pietism avoids doctrinal confessions, the loyalists move into rationalism easily, as they did at Halle University (Henry Muhlenberg, Adolph Hoenecke, and Walther's Bishop Martin Stephan, STD).
We are in a similar situation, where the official clergy are highly paid rationalists who trust surveys, data, trends, and man-made solutions versus the deplorables who argue for the inerrancy of the Bible and Justification by Faith. LCMS-WELS moved easily from their Pietistic origin into an age of rationalism and are now stuck there, nothing of value growing from their sterile weed seeds.
I am fascinated by the Star of Bethlehem for many reasons, including hearing it dismissed as a fable when I was growing up. I had a decades-long interest in astronomy until our neighbor's need for yard illumination ended the fun. My 7 foot tall telescope attracted a lot of attention.
The Star is a scandalon - a faith death trap - for many. One astronomer was angry that planetariums were using Star of Bethlehem programs to attract enormous crowds every December. He did not address its truthfulness, just that awful pandering to the public. The facts remain exactly as they are. By looking at ancient records, scientists can determine that various events would have riveted the attention of those living at that time, for several reasons.
One is simple - in the night sky of a desert country with no artificial illumination worth mentioning, every star, planet, moon, and sky event is looked upon with the greatest interest and general knowledge. I dare people to identify the most obvious stars and planets today, especially with city-glow, clouds, and general lack of interest. We are astronomy illiterate today, and less than Hottentots - in comparison to the ancients.
Secondly - the ancients saw the future in the night sky and they assumed God or gods at work. Are not our planets named after Greek/Roman gods? My favorite recent gardening book is The Sheer Ecstasy of Being a Luna-tic Farmer. We still say moonstruck and even have a popular Cher movie by that name. People are over the moon about grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
We experienced two times when people brought up sky events repeatedly. One was in Sturgis, Michigan (1970s), when Jupiter and Mars traveled in the night sky together for a long time. Everyone kept asking, "What is that?" as if Jupiter and Mars had been newly added. And "How do you know?" The other was the Hale-Bopp comet, which was impossible to miss (1997), which moved me to write a short story based on it. Everyone got wide-eyed when Hale-Bopp arrived and they asked asked, "Did you see the comet?"
The Calvinists rely on human reason to prove the Bible is true. The consequence of trust in human wisdom is a loss of faith when the evidence is factual rather than Scriptural. That is why it is so difficult to discuss doctrine with those who are trained to be loyal to synodical stars rather than the Word, which is ignored for contradicting what sect's celebrities have claimed. No one seems to notice the parallel with Pharisaical dogma.
When we start with the Biblical concept of the Holy Spirit teaching us the mysteries of the Faith (Creation, the Trinity, the Virgin Birth, the Atonement, Resurrection, and Ascension) then we will find all kinds of corroboration in the Bible and in the world around us. For example, the Bible teaches a six-24 hour-day Creation and a day of rest. Various leaders have tried to lengthen the week by making it 10 days, but that has never worked. Why do we all use a seven-day week, world-wide?
America's laws are based upon "the laws of Nature and of Nature's God."
The Declaration of Independence of 1776 established the premise that in America a people might assume the station "to which the laws of Nature and Nature's God entitle them.." Herein lay the security for men's individual rights - an immutable code of law, sanctioned by the Creator of man's rights, and designed to promote, preserve, and protect him and his fellows in the enjoyment of their rights.
Symbol and Truth - The Miracles
Matthew 2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
This lesson teaches us to trust in God, because He establishes the laws of the universe through Creation by the Logos, the Son, and has power over them. This miracle is a dreadful, frightening, and harsh message to most of the world, but a great comfort to believers, who see how much God can do and how far ahead in time He can arrange matters.
God reveals great miracles to us, and people ask for more details, ignoring the miracles in favor of inventing new details to satisfy their curiosity.
They debate where exactly the wise men came from and how long it took to arrive. Those details do not matter. If they did, God would provide them. If God tried to satisfy our curiosity with more explanations, the Bible would be a small library.
Two things seem quite natural about this story. One is that wise men would be looking for the Savior. He was predicted in the Greek Old Testament (and Hebrew) so an educated person had access to these Gospel Promises. Books were expensive, but people also memorized and shared knowledge that way. (Just as the stirrup reduced horsemanship, so the printed book reduced our cultivation of memory.) They knew they were living in a time of unrest, violence, degraded behavior. Religion was associated directly with sexual promiscuity (temple prostitutes) and all kinds of horrible practices.
The second matter is the knowledge and fascination with the night sky. Desert climes turn the night sky into a gigantic planetarium, where every event is brilliant against a clear, black sky. In contrast, in this community, most sky events are hidden behind clouds. Add illumination at night, and we seldom see the night sky as the ancients did. So people grow ignorant. As I mentioned above, when I had four astronomy magazines arriving per month, I was up to date on everything and looked for it.
The ancients prized higher math and certainly used it in vast construction projects, like the pyramids (which are found all over the world). They predicted the stars and planets as well and saw in them the plans of God.
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Going to the ruler of Israel and asking about the King was disturbing to Herod. This was the prevailing issue about Jesus, because Messiah - or Christ - means the king anointed with oil. The ancients anointed monarchs with oil and that continues to this day in English royalty (using whale oil). The custom is so ingrained in us that we use the verb to suggest anyone appointed to a high position (or self-appointed) - "Who anointed him as the greatest star in Hollywood?" Many of the terms associated with Jesus would raise the hackles of the rulers - Messiah, Christ, Son of David, and Lord. His popularity and divine powers were associated with good kings, filled with nobility, virtue, kindness, generosity, and mercy.
One thing is universal among people (even animals) - jealousy. Raise this the highest degree when someone is ruler, one who assumes another ruler means his own humiliation and death. The Wise Men want to worship this newborn ruler, which means even more and that was the ultimate accusation against him. Being the King was one threat but the greater one was, "He considers Himself to be the Son of God." (Gospel of John)
"We have seen His star in the East." One theory is that the conjunction of Jupiter the king-star and Uranus (symbolic of Israel) would have suggested a new king of Israel to professional star-gazers. Whatever the details, a spectacular event in the sky would be known and feared by the vast majority. A vast change was coming, and they simply feared the worst. If people are given some information, especially about their whole region, they easily concentrate on the worst possible aspects.
For believers, it could only be good news, because they trust everything is in God's hands. For unbelievers, such changes drive fears and dread about what will happen, especially about what will happen to them.
We can see how God prepared everyone for Jesus the Savior.
- The Scriptures predicted Him for centuries, and those passages were fulfilled.
- The Gospel Promises came to the palace, with the Wise Men asking about the new King. And they took that back to their land.
- Jesus was presented at the Temple, and He was proclaimed the Messiah.
- Jesus returned as a boy and spent time with the professors and priests, discussing religious matters with a marvelous, divine knowledge that left them in wonder and awe.
- Later, when Jesus began His ministry, Temple priests and scholars came to John to ask about his role, and he witnessed to Jesus and warned everyone to repent. They took this message back - and John became a martyr, a witness in his death.
- The ministry of Jesus led to many discussions and some believers among the Jewish leaders of the time.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
The Wise Men precipitated the discussion of Jesus the Messiah. The scholars, professors, and graduate students agreed that the Anointed would be born in Bethlehem. The shepherds and Wise Men were guided to the spot.
One reason for Christmas pageants and carol services is to remind everyone of the Old Testament Promises of the Messiah. This particular one is intriguing, because centuries earlier the little town is Bethlehem is named as the birthplace for the Anointed, the Governor ruling over Israel. Centuries later, that town could have been erased by warfare or changed, no longer little.
65. Afterward when Christ did not appear with splendor and power they looked with contempt and disregard upon all this, believing that the wise men had been deceived. Hence Christ grew up among them entirely unknown, and no one knew finally whence he should come as stated, John 1:26.
There are disciples of Christ who indeed know the truth, but dare not confess it nor defend it, and are therefore lost as Christ says Matthew 10:32-83: “Everyone therefore who shall confess me before men him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.”
66. The second class of disciples are Herod and his people. Herod searched the Scriptures, believing that it was the truth, and that the coming of Christ was predicted therein, and that Christ had now been born, otherwise he would despise all this and not have been concerned about it. Hence it is certain that he held the Scriptures to be the Word of God which must be fulfilled, and that in Christ’s birth the work of God was revealed. Yet he at once determines to set himself intentionally and directly against God’s Word and work, and thinks he can bring to naught that which God has spoken and done, in spite of better knowledge. Therefore he searched the Scriptures, diligently to learn about Christ, but only for the purpose of bringing to naught and destroying all. He was concerned lest that which God, who cannot lie, spoke, would come to pass. Is not this incredibly foolish arrogance? Who would have thought that such intentions could have ever entered the human heart? And yet the world is always full of such people, and they are generally the rulers and upper classes.
67. The third class of disciples are the pious wise men who left their country, home and possessions, forsaking all in order to find Christ. They represent the people who fearlessly confess Christ and the truth; but Herod stands for those who persecute and destroy the former, though they still claim to serve God, and enter the house of God just as other pious persons do.
There are disciples of Christ who indeed know the truth, but dare not confess it nor defend it, and are therefore lost as Christ says Matthew 10:32-83: “Everyone therefore who shall confess me before men him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.”
66. The second class of disciples are Herod and his people. Herod searched the Scriptures, believing that it was the truth, and that the coming of Christ was predicted therein, and that Christ had now been born, otherwise he would despise all this and not have been concerned about it. Hence it is certain that he held the Scriptures to be the Word of God which must be fulfilled, and that in Christ’s birth the work of God was revealed. Yet he at once determines to set himself intentionally and directly against God’s Word and work, and thinks he can bring to naught that which God has spoken and done, in spite of better knowledge. Therefore he searched the Scriptures, diligently to learn about Christ, but only for the purpose of bringing to naught and destroying all. He was concerned lest that which God, who cannot lie, spoke, would come to pass. Is not this incredibly foolish arrogance? Who would have thought that such intentions could have ever entered the human heart? And yet the world is always full of such people, and they are generally the rulers and upper classes.
67. The third class of disciples are the pious wise men who left their country, home and possessions, forsaking all in order to find Christ. They represent the people who fearlessly confess Christ and the truth; but Herod stands for those who persecute and destroy the former, though they still claim to serve God, and enter the house of God just as other pious persons do.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
We can see that Herod is the kind of seeker who only wants to destroy what is in his way. Pretending to be friendly, he makes allies of the Wise Men, so he can worship the Messiah. What a joke that is. Many have displayed Christian piety to get what they want and earn the trust of others, but God knows what is in someone's heart and deals with them accordingly. The Wise Men completed their mission and were warned by an angel to escape the clutches of Herod.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
We saw this demonstrated at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, which should cause people to ask, "Why do so many miss this? It was plainly revealed." I favor the planetary conjunction simply because the planets are so named for being wanderers. They are not fixed in the night sky the way stars are, so they earned that name. And they do not repeat the same arrangements year after year. When I saw the spectacular planetary alignment on the way to a Lutheran service, no one cared what was above them in the night sky. A Harvard PhD lady pastor said, "My boyfriend was like that about the stars, so I dumped him." That will not happen for about 900 years, so I thought it was significant.
So the reality is, God provides these signs (the word used in the New Testament) or miracles to help us grasp how powerful and personal He is with us. We use signs with children, which they adopt as being very special. It can be a toy, a necklace, mom's old purse, something the father used or wore, such as a military honor. They are tangible and bring a message with them. The Gospels repeatedly say, literally, Jesus made a sign, or "performed a miracle" to show them His teaching came from God the Father.
Thus the Wise Men show how blind and hardened some can be, and they are the most terrified when facing the ultimate truths of life. On the other hand, we see how God has provided for all people, not only His own, but all races, for children and adults, in teaching faith in the Savior, in the most approachable and gracious way.
