Greetings to you in the name of our Savior, Jesus. I encourage you to not neglect the preaching of God’s word or the reception of the Lord’s Supper through which He distributes forgiveness, life, and salvation.
Let me begin by reminding you of some upcoming events.
Tonight, Saturday the 8th, move your clock ahead one hour in keeping with Daylight Savings Time. You wouldn’t want to be late for Bible study or worship.
Wednesday the 12th at 6:30pm you are encouraged to gather for a midweek Lenten service. Midweek services are scheduled throughout the season of Lent.
We have begun the season of Lent. It is a time of sober reflection regarding our sinful condition, and to consider the fundamental importance of Jesus’ suffering and death which released us from God’s condemnation against sin. Sundays are described as being in Lent, weekly highlights when the good news of forgiveness is echoed and delivered. We should repent every day, but Lent is a particular time to consider your false gods and vices, and how they divide you from God. But don’t stop there focused on you. You should also remember that Jesus has come to set you free from those things. Repentance involves contrition (sorrow over sin), and also faith which turns again and again to Jesus. During this Lenten season, let us pray each day that our gracious Father in heaven will direct us to faith and repentance, that we may celebrate the Easter resurrection in sincerity and in truth.
Sunday March 9th is the first Sunday in Lent. As we change seasons we will also switch to a different liturgy. We will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Four beginning on page 203 of the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #421 Jesus, Grant that Balm and Healing; #422 On My Heart Imprint Your Image; #666 O Little Flock Fear Not the Foe; #435 Come to Calvary’s Holy Mountain; and #418 O Lord, Throughout These Forty Days.
Scriptures assigned to the day are Psalm 91:1-2, 9-15; Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Romans 10:8b-13; and Luke 4:1-13.
There is a hymn that declares ‘I walk in danger all the way.’ We are warned by Scripture that the devil is like a prowling lion seeking whom he may devour. In Psalm 91, the psalmist uses several different images to describe the protective character of God. God is like a fortress that shelters us. He is like a mother bird whose wings are a refuge that will hide us. God is like a warrior wearing shield and buckler, fighting on our behalf. God protects us from the threats of the devil and this broken world. The psalm is also messianic as it points to the temptations Jesus faced. God is with us in our trouble so let us hold fast to Him. We join in confessing with the psalmist that God is our protector, Through Jesus, He will deliver you from evil.
The Old Testament lesson from Deuteronomy 26 reports on instruction God gave the tribes of Israel as He was about to lead them into the Promised Land. They were to remember how God had delivered them and cared for them and their ancestors throughout history. The point is, that God has not changed. As He did in the past, He will also do so in the future. This is reason for all people to celebrate and to give thanks to God. God sent Jesus and the Holy Spirit to lead you on your journey to the promised land of heaven. Praise Him. Don’t reject His care.
There is an old axiom that says something like, ‘what you pray (or what you say) is what you believe’. In other words, how we worship will inform and shape our faith. Pray or say or observe something often enough and it leads to what you trust. Said in an opposite way, ‘what you believe is what you pray (or what you say). In other words, you can ascertain what people think and what they believe by listening to what they say and observing how they worship. St Paul in Romans 8 points out that our words express what is in our heart. Paul assures the church that your past is not what determines your future with God. Rather, no matter who you are or what you have done, your relationship with God depends on Jesus. Whoever trusts Jesus in their heart and confesses that faith in Him, will be saved from God’s condemnation. Consider your words. What are you believing and saying about Jesus?
In the Gospel lesson, Luke 4, the evangelist reports on temptations Jesus faced after His baptism. Jesus was into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit and was weakened by forty days of fasting. The devil tempted Jesus to forego His ministry by distorting and misapplying God’s word, offering to help Jesus avoid suffering and to attain personal prestige and power (Note that the devil is unable to deliver on any of this). Jesus made proper interpretation of God’s word and withstood the devil’s temptation. This would not be the only encounter between Jesus and the devil and demons. Jesus was tempted just as you and I are tempted, but he remained obedient to God and without sin. His perfect obedience became the payment offered on the cross and redeemed us from our sin Know God’s Word. Make use of God’s Word. The devil can be resisted. But because we are weak and sin still clings to us, trust in Jesus. He is your Savior and Redeemer. He does not fail. Those who trust Him will be given an eternal place in heaven.
COLLECT: O Lord God, You led Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them safely to the promised land. Guide the people of Your Church, that following our Savior we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come,; 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.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about scheduled or Sunday’s lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
