Brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of our Savior, Jesus. Though the temperatures suggest otherwise, we are coming to the end of summer. I encourage you to make worship and Bible study a core part of your schedule. St. Paul writes instruction to the ancient church in Rome, still applicable today, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2). The habits of prayer, studying the bible, remembering the benefits of your baptism, receiving the Lord’s Supper, singing a psalm– these God-given gifts that point us to Jesus are all helpful in having peace of mind. It is wise and good for our souls to make use of them. And I will have the air conditioning on.
During the service August 23 we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Three beginning on page 184 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #848 Lord, Whose Love through Humble Service; #728 How Firm a Foundation; #729 I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus; and #576 My Hope is Built On Nothing Less.
Scripture lessons assigned to the day, the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 16), are Psalm 138:1-8; Isaiah 51:1-6; Romans 11:13-12:8; and Matthew 16:13-20.
In the Gospel lesson, Jesus asked His disciples: “But who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15). The question is also put to you: Who do you say that Jesus is? Flesh and blood do not reveal the answer to us, but by the power of the Gospel, the Holy Spirit enlightens us and reveals Jesus as the Son of God, who has become flesh and suffered death for our salvation. Thus, with those early apostles, we also believe and confess that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). As He died for our transgressions and was raised for our justification, Jesus sets us free from all our guilt and preserves our life within His Church, against which even “the gates of hell shall not prevail” (Matt. 16:18–19). Jesus’ saving work is forever, and His righteousness “will never be dismayed” (Is. 51:6). He continues to comfort His Church with the gospel, so that “joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song” (Is. 51:3). Therefore, “according to the measure of faith that God has assigned” (Rom. 12:3), we respond in thanksgiving by offering ourselves “as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Rom. 12:1) through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
COLLECT: Almighty God, Your Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption. Grant us courage to take up our cross daily and follow Him wherever He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, 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 the lessons to be considered Sunday. The Lord be with you. Pastor Boster
