Brothers and sisters, I pray you will be in church tomorrow. As the commandment says, remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy. It is a day set apart to receive God’s gifts of forgiveness and to contemplate His grace in Jesus. Service Setting Four
On September 21 we will be following the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Four beginning on page 203 of the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #908 Lord, Open Now My Heart to Hear; #557 Seek Where You May to Find a Way; #575 My Hope is Built On Nothing Less; and #802 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise.
Scripture readings from the three-year lectionary for Proper 20 are Psalm 113:1-9; Amos 8:4-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-15; and Luke 16:1-15.
Psalm 113 is the first of the so-called Hallel (Praise the Lord) psalms. Every hour of the day God’s people should praise Him for His glory and for providing for the poor and childless. He exalts all His people in His kingdom to positions of royalty, whatever their beginnings may be.
Through the prophet Amos, God warns those who mistreat the poor. Money is their god. In their arrogant selfishness they are constantly asking when the Sabbaths and festival fasts are over so they can return to making money on the backs of the poor. In our society there is again a suspicious attitude against the poor. God’s word warns against such an attitude. He does not forget the pride of those who abuse and cheat others.
In 1 Timothy 2, St. Paul gives instruction about Christian life. He encourages Christians to pray for all people, for leaders, and for a quiet, peaceful, dignified life. Such behavior the caring loving attitude and actions of Jesus who sacrifices Himself on the cross to set you free from sin and to reconcile you to God. God wants everyone to believe this message from Jesu so they would be rescued from condemnation. Paul particularly addresses women—how they should dress and how they should interact with men.
Luke 16 is the narration of Jesus’ so-called parable of the unjust steward. It is perhaps one of the most difficult parables to understand and apply. One thing we can say is that Jesus warns people to serve God and not money, and to use money as a tool to further the gospel.
God has justified you, acquitting you of your guilt through the vicarious death of Jesus, so that you may live with Him in His heavenly dwelling. He wants all people to be saved and have a knowledge of this truth. You are encouraged to be devoted to God. Having more than one master does not work.
COLLECT: O Lord, keep Your Church in Your perpetual mercy, and because without You we cannot help but fall, preserve us from all things hurtful and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please contact me if you have any prayer requests or questions about Sunday’s Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
