Brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of our Savior Jesus. I encourage you to attend church this weekend as another opportunity to hear God’s Word and receive His gifts of grace and forgiveness.
On June 25 we will be following the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Four which begins on page 203 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #936 Sing Praise to the God of Israel; #683 Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me: #570 Just As I Am; and #920 Forth in the Peace of Christ We Go.
Scripture lessons for the day are Psalm 91:9-16; Jeremiah 20:7-13; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:5a. 21-33
In Psalm 91 our caring and gracious God is compared to a fortress and to a mother bird. Both are examples of God’s protection. He will help you in every time of trouble. God’s protective hand is certainly not a license to live a haphazard or careless life. But with so many agents of evil loose in the world, you do have reason to praise God each day. Ultimately He points us to the salvation and protection of our souls made sure by Jesus.
Jeremiah was an Old Testament prophet sent to warn the southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin that God was bringing judgment upon them for ignoring God’s Word. The people followed false teachers, and resented what Jeremiah had to say so they abused and ridiculed him. They gave him a nickname that expressed his doomsday forecast—“Terror on every side.” In the book of Lamentations you can read several of Jeremiah’s cries to God, asking for relief. Sunday we will read a portion of one of Jeremiah’s prophetic laments 20:7-13. Jeremiah was bitter because of the way he had been treated. He expresses his anger, accusing God of misleading him about the trouble that comes with the prophetic task. Amidst his troubles and disappointments, Jeremiah asks God to vindicate him. As Jeremiah vents his emotions (emotions you may have felt as well), he has a change of perspective, as he remembers God would deliver him. The remembrance turns Jeremiah from spewing bitterness, to praising God who will also deliver you in your time of need. Proclaim the goodness of God, and do not lose heart when others oppose you for being Christian.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul makes a theological argument explaining how we are saved and reconciled to God by His grace and by the death and resurrection of Jesus. Such a gift is received by faith. Our works and intentions can add nothing to what Jesus has accomplished. Even so, in the reading for Sunday, Romans 6:12-23, Paul describes some of the ways Christians ought to respond to the good news of Jesus. This instruction is part of what some people classify as the third use of the law. As this instruction informs the “old man” in us, it can threaten and make us feel guilty. But as the instruction is heard by the “new man” in us Christians renewed by the Holy Spirit, it provides insight and guidance to God’s will for us. The gospel brings about a change in us Christians. We are motivated to acts of obedience—not by threat, coercion, and fear but by love and thankfulness worked in us by the Holy Spirit. St. Paul explains, we will either be slaves to sin which leads to death, or we will be obedient and loving slaves of God, which leads to righteousness and eternal life. This might sound complicated. Sinners think they are free, but really they are bound to sin. They can only sin. But as Christians, we are glad to live under God’s constraints without fear, assured Jesus has set us free from sin and death.
In the gospel lesson Matthew 10:21-33, Jesus is instructing His first 12 disciples, preparing them for the troubles that are sure to come to them. As people of the world hate and lie about Jesus, so they will hate and lie about those who follow Him. Jesus’ basic instruction to the disciples is quite similar to the instruction given through Psalm 91 and Jeremiah 20. Spread the gospel, be encouraged, God will defend you. You are valuable to God. He sent His Son Jesus to die for you and redeem you, that you would belong to Him. Do not fear. God will take care of you.
COLLECT: O gracious God, because Your abiding presence always goes with us, keep us aware of Your daily mercies that we may love secure and content in Your eternal love; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord 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 Sunday’s lessons. The Lord be with you. Pastor Boster
