Brothers and sisters, I encourage you to come to Bible study and worship Sunday January 29. If you cannot attend, the worship will be streamed and archived on Facebook Live.
Scripture texts for the day are Psalm 15, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, and Matthew 5:1-2.
Hymns chosen for the day from the LSB hymnal are #814 O Bless the Lord My Soul; #932 Jesus Sat With His Disciples; #842 Son of God Eternal Savior; and for those present to receive communion, we will sing#620 Jesus Comes Today With Healing, and #687 Thine Forever, God of Love.
Psalm 15 is attributed to King David. A couple of rhetorical questions are asked as to who may approach God and dwell in His presence. Phrasing the question a bit differently, who is worthy to worship God? The answer given describes a blameless man who continually acts virtuously, following God’s commands. The Psalm might be applied as instruction, informing us of the proper way to act. But the Law always accuses. None of us can meet the standards that God’s Law requires. So the Psalm also exposes us as being unworthy. Who alone can fulfill the standards set by the Psalm? Jesus Christ is the only truly blameless virtuous Man. Thank God, that Jesus has blessed us with His righteousness. By His death and resurrection Jesus has made us right with God. Connected to Jesus we sinners are declared by God to be worthy to worship Him.
Micah was a prophet of God around 700 BC, about the same time as the prophet Isaiah. Like Isaiah, Micah warns the people of the northern kingdom Israel and of the southern kingdom Judah that God is unhappy with their apathy towards Him and the abusive and unjust ways they treat each other. In the lesson from Micah 6, God is figuratively holding a cosmic session of court—the mountains are asked to be witnesses to God’s accusations against the people. The people have forgotten how God graciously rescued and delivered their ancestors. God wants us to worship Him, but the people treat it like a burden, not as an opportunity to hear from God and to receive His gifts. Yes, they bring their sacrifices, but it is as an obligation, and God is displeased. No matter what they might offer, their attitudes and allegiances are focused somewhere else. God wants them to act justly—to do good, to be humble, to love kindness, to walk with God. These necessitate a new perspective–a transformed heart. Like most prophecies, this lesson challenges us to consider our attitude toward God and how that attitude is expressed in our actions. God is gracious. How should we respond?
The Epistle lesson is a portion of St. Paul’s letter to the congregation in Corinth, Greece, a continuation of the reading we began a couple of weeks ago. In 1:18-31, Paul contrasts the so-called wisdom of the world with the apparent foolishness of Christ’s crucifixion. The world would applaud personal achievement—those who work hard and do the right things expect to receive a reward. This is not so in God’s economy. Because we are corrupted by sin, even our best works fall short of His standards. Our heavenly reward comes through Jesus who suffered and died as an apparent weakened failure. How foolish this seems to worldly minds. But it is this crucified Jesus who is our only hope of being forgiven and received by God. Those who are connected to Jesus are equals. None of us is greater or lesser. Our works and intentions do not contribute to our salvation. We have nothing to boast about except the amazing grace of God demonstrated in the saving redemptive work of His Son, Jesus.
The Gospel lesson from Matthew 5 is a portion of Jesus’ so-called Sermon on the Mount. These opening comments of His are often called the Beatitudes. They are a list of blessings to be enjoyed by those who might currently be suffering. Many people read the list as a moral checklist, that is, the works and attitudes a person is required to have if they hope to get to heaven. Such a view places a person under the scrutiny of the Law. Yes, we should act ethically. But who could honestly say they have met all the requirements if this is a checklist? We each have fallen short of what God requires. So, viewed as a checklist, the Beatitudes are burdensome and no comfort. Instead, if we hear the words of Jesus’ first reported discourse as a gospel description of the future gracious blessings all His followers will enjoy more fully in heaven, then we have reason to be comforted and hopeful. In other words, the beatitudes are descriptive, not prescriptive. In this life we have trouble; we are attacked by the forces of evil; we are spiritually weak and lacking. But Jesus graciously promises His disciples that if we are connected to Him we shall have rich reward to enjoy. Notice Jesus words. This future is not expressed as might have— the blessings are ones we shall have, because of Jesus. Jesus first promises blessings. Then later in the sermon He instructs people how they should behave. His promises precede and our good works follow by faith and thankfulness, not the other way around. This is the way of God’s grace and the gospel.
COLLECT: Almighty and merciful God, You know that we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
I give a shout out to everyone who contributed in any way toward the Shrimp Boil fundraiser. In spite of the rainy weather I think everyone considered it an enjoyable time and a financial success.
Email, text, or phone me if you have prayer requests or questions about Sunday’s lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
