Grace and peace to you from God the Father, and Jesus, His Son, our Savior.
On Sunday, September 27, we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 of the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #810 O God of God, O Light of Light; #614 As Surely as I Live God Said; #627 Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior; and #687 Thine Forever, God of Love.
Scripture lessons assigned to the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost by the three-year lectionary are Psalm 25:1-10; Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32; Philippians 2:1-18; and Matthew 21:23-32.
The life of a Christian is one of daily repentance and faith, turning from sin and believing in Jesus. The righteous and just God says in His Law, “The soul who sins shall die” (Ezek. 18:4). However, because God is also gracious and merciful, and takes “no pleasure in the death of anyone” (Ezek. 18:32), He calls sinners through the gospel to repentance and faith in His gift of forgiveness of sins, paid for by the sacrifice of Jesus’ perfect sinless life given to redeem each of us. The man who listens to God’s word, and turns away from his wickedness, who lives by the grace of God, “shall surely live; he shall not die” (Ezek. 18:28). This way of repentance relies on Jesus and the heart-changing work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” (Phil. 2:8). His power is shown in His resurrection from the dead. Indeed, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Phil. 2:9). The powerful name of Jesus was placed upon you as you were baptized, even as God’s forgiveness was applied to you. Connected to Jesus we are to “shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15), humbly looking to the needs of others. Through His words preached and applied in the sacraments, Jesus continues to apply the authority that He has received from His Father (Matt. 21:23–27). Because Jesus forgives sins, even “the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God” (Matt. 21:31–32). So, receive Jesus’ gift of forgiveness. Turn, and live.
COLLECT: Almighty God, You exalted Your Son to the place of all honor and authority. Enlighten our minds by Your Holy Spirit that, confessing Jesus as Lord, we may be led into all truth and serve you with holy living; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions or concerns about the Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
