The Hymn # 334 - Let Me Be Thine Forever - Selnecker, Concordist
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 #370 My Hope Is Built
Be of Good Cheer - Your Sins Are Forgiven
The Communion Hymn #249 Luther - Isaiah Mighty Seer
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 #261 Luther - Lord Keep Us Steadfast
- Cancer therapy - Mary Howell, Rush Limbaugh, Christina Jackson
- Therapy, diagnosis - Randy Anderson, Kermit Way is cancer free
- Pastor K and Doc Lito Cruz - dealing with diabetes.
- Seizure treatment: Gavin; Callie; and Jeshra Palangyos
- Joan Scott, Diane Popp's daughter, is recovering from a heart attack
- Large Print page 15 is available, also Introits, Collects, both in Word
- Bethany Rice Mission - new distribution in October, now going out.
- Reformation Sunday is next week.
KJV Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
KJV Matthew 9:1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. 2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. 3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 7 And he arose, and departed to his house. 8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
 |
| Books by Norma A. Boeckler |
Be of Good Cheer - Your Sins Are Forgiven
KJV Matthew 9:1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. 2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Jesus came into His own city, where He was well known. We know additional details of this miracle because Mark and Luke also feature this healing and provide additional perspective. Four of his friends showed their love and their faith by bringing him on a cot. As many know, the first mile may seem relatively easy, but this is quite a burden to bear physically. And what about faith?
They had faith in Jesus as the healer, the Messiah, because the story went about everywhere about His teaching and His miracles. The Spirit was already conveying Jesus to people as they excitedly discussed what was happening, what it meant, and how this was in the Scriptures.
Because of their faith, the friends were able to carry out this menial task with hope in their hearts. Along the way, the dreadful doomsday discouraged would advise them - for their benefit - "You will never get there. If you do, the crowds will not allow you near. You might as well turn around and go back, save your backs all the pain." Dis-couraged is a good word. When we lose hope and faith, courage to persist goes out the window.
But when love is strong as the first fruit of faith, then discouragement passes away. Look at the athletes of our day. They run, bike, and swim for miles. They have cramps, pain, blisters, strained tendons, and so forth. The pain tells them they will also have results as they chip away at the total miles, as they feel the effects of endurance trials - more speed, more strength, more ability to last.
When people are weakened by sickness, they feel anxious about being helped. Bouncing along the road to Capernaum, the palsied man would naturally tell his friends, "This is too much work for you." And because they pressed on, their words and energy would have convinced him it was correct and he should trust in this Jesus miracle-worker.
When we watch "The Miracle Worker," about Helen Keller, one scene always gets to me, even if it is the fifth or sixth time I have watched it. Helen as a little girl has learned to become a real demon in tantrums. This is acted out wildly against the young woman determined to help. It makes me clench up as the food flies, the wailing goes through the house, and every possible move is made to break free of the helper, Anne Sullivan. The feeling of helplessness is difficult to ignore, until the firmness is seen as love and respect turns into trust and love.
Jesus seeing their faith
These men not only took their friend to Jesus, they took him up on the roof to let him down to Jesus, who was inside. The disciples inside heard the clatter. Next came removing the roof tile to let down their friend. "What's that Jesus, the youth group?" Some question how the man could have faith in Jesus already. Being lowered by ropes demanded faith. He had great faith to be hauled that way, raised onto the roof, and lowered. Jesus saw their faith. That is a great phrase to remember. They were urgent in helping their friend and confident in the power of Jesus.
said unto the sick of the palsy (παραλυτικον); Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
The term we see - palsy - is literally paralytic, a weakening of the muscles. The Word of God heals when Jesus says - "Be of good cheer, son - your sins are forgiven."
2. These words show and contain in brief what the kingdom of Christ is, namely, this sweet voice, these motherly and fatherly words penetrating our inmost soul: “Thy sins are forgiven.” In no other sense are we to view the kingdom of Christ, so far as it is understood, than how we are to live before God. As you, beloved, well know that our highest duty is rightly to establish the conscience that we may know how we stand before God and our neighbor. Therefore we must also hold fast to these words and become accustomed to the expression: “Son, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven”, and like sayings of which the Gospel is full.
3. From this it follows that the kingdom of Christ is realized where nothing but comfort and the forgiveness of sins reign not only in words to proclaim it, which is also necessary; but also in deed, as we shall see in this example. For he did not only speak these words into the ear of this sick man; but he also forgave his sins and comforted him.
The Pharisees of that time were like the Pharisees of today - they are offended by the concept of people being forgiven through faith in Christ. How can Christ do that? People may speak about grace all day, but if they attribute forgiveness to anything other than faith in Jesus, they are covertly attributing forgiveness to works, not grace.
That is just as true in the blind OJ synods - ELCA, WELS, LCMS, ELS and so forth. Justification by Faith is not just a minor error - in their eyes. This Chief Article makes them and their Father Below furious.
But faith and only faith can set up a meeting place (access by faith) into this grace, an introduction to the Savior. No faith in the Word means no access, no peace, no grace. And we need that every day
Romans 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.
3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
Sometimes the Scripture recording their words out loud, which is for our benefit. But the Scriptures also note the inner thoughts (also for our benefit) which reminds us that Jesus knows the inner thoughts and plans of others and also ours.
Blasphemy means speaking against God, which includes speaking on God's behalf, as Jesus did here. They would not acknowledge His divinity, so they were offended when He revealed it in the power to forgive sins.
Since their spirit was evil, they saw the miracle as evil and a threat to their tradition. This happens today when the religious speak against God's Word in the Name of God. WELS has 50 or more essays in their Holy of Holies, each one proclaiming that everyone is born forgiven of sins, without the Gospel, faith, anything else in the Scriptures. They call this "the Chief Article" and "a diamond." The blasphemers are raised to the level of professor and president so they repeat their folly to generations of students.
4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power (εξουσια) on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
Jesus sent the sins of the man away - dismissed them forever - and gave him the strength to walk at the same time. This bothered the religious leaders because they wanted and needed the monopoly. Jesus' Word made them look week and wicked, which only infuriated them, though some were converted over time.
7 And he arose, and departed to his house. 8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
The man served as a physical example of God's power in Christ. Whatever is begun in faith will be glorified by God in His own way. We cannot name the time, method, or extent to which God will act. In fact, doing so is a silly way of ordering God to do our will instead of seeking to do His will.
Someone just joined our Classic Lutheran Books page. I reckoned she would like access to hundreds of free books as PDFs, to read them on any device. If someone needs a wheelchair, reading books on a comfortable computer screen is a real blessing. I have known a young woman only on Facebook for many years. If she had said years ago, "I need a readable and free Lutheran Library of all the great Lutheran books, " I would have responded, "That is a great idea. I hope someone does it one day." I did not have enough foresight to predict that another person would do just that.
God provides numerous surprises because the faith of believers will always bear fruit that benefits people in many ways.
