Claimed, gathered and sent

This is the sermon I preached on Sunday, 2/2/20 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church . The text was Matthew 5:1-12 . What is meant by “having it made” or “living the dream?” We all have thoughts about what that means and we usually don’t think of the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek or pure in heart, of those who thirst for righteousness. In our world, when we think of someone being blessed, it may mean wealth, power, fame, success or beauty. Blessing, according to the standards of this world, is often of the material kind. Just what is a beatitude? They are not just some moral commandments—if we do, then God does. They are blessings promised by God to those who already have what the beatitude describes: poor in spirit, mourning, meek and so on. They serve as an invitation to come into the grace God offers ( New English Translation , notes). In looking at the beatitudes we need to think about who Jesus is addressing. Here, Jesus is only speaking to his disciples. Jesus ha...

Here are some thoughts on this Sunday's gospel. What do you think? This was sent to the people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church. Gospel: Matthew 5:13-20   [Jesus said:]  13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.    14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.  15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.  16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.    17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.  18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished...

Here are some thoughts about this coming Sunday's gospel. I'd love to know what strikes you. What message is God speaking to your heart. This was shared with the people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church. Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12 1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11“Blessed are you when people revile you and p...

This is the sermon I preached at St. Timothy Lutheran Church on Sunday, Jan. 26. The text is Matthew 4:12-23.   Today’s gospel starts out with bad news. Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, has been arrested. Hearing this, Jesus “withdrew to Galilee” (v. 12). This opening verse is not simply a way to mark time, but it signals that John’s arrest is a dangerous situation for Jesus, and he must choose how to respond. For now, Jesus pulls away to carry out his ministry of proclamation in and around Galilee (Audrey West, workingpreacher.org). Throughout Matthew, we see this or similar statements, “…so that what had been spoken through the prophet…might be fulfilled” (v. 14). Normally these words refer to a time when such and such will happen. However, rather than the time being fulfilled in today’s gospel, the place is being fulfilled—Galilee of the Gentiles. God means to embrace everyone, Jew or Gentile. How shocking! God did what God said he would do. God’s Messiah had been promis...

Here are a few thoughts on the first part of Sunday's gospel. Please let me know your take on the gospel reading. This was sent to the people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church.   Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23 12Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:  15“Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,   on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—  16the people who sat in darkness   have seen a great light,  and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death   light has dawned.” 17From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”   18As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19And he said to...

This is the sermon I preached last Sunday at St. Timothy Lutheran Church. The scripture was John 1:29-42. What we have before us in today’s gospel is an action-packed account of the first disciples. John the Baptist proclaims and declares Jesus’ identity as the Lamb of God. Two of John’s disciples leave him for Jesus in response to the message. Jesus invites John’s disciples to “Come and see” (v. 39). They become followers and evangelists themselves as Andrew brings his brother Simon, to Jesus, who calls him Peter. Without this witness of John’s, others would not know the one who was coming and standing among them. Even John needed the divine witness to know who Jesus was. Twice he says that he did not know him. I find this to be curious. After all, Jesus was his cousin, so he knew him in one respect. But he did not know who Jesus was as far as his mission and identity as Messiah, the Son of God. He was so much more than merely John’s cousin. The Spirit remained on Jesus. Thi...

Here are some thoughts on this coming Sunday's gospel reading that were sent to the people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church. I would like your input. What do you see and hear? John 1:29-42a 29 The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” 31 I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ 32 And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” 34 And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’ 35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36 an...