Third Sunday after Epiphany 01/22/2017 NEXT STEP: STUDY & SHARE READINGS Isaiah 9:1-4 Psalm 27:1, 4-9 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Matthew 4:12-23 PRAYER OF THE DAY Lord God, your lovingkindness always goes before us & follows after us. Summon us into your light, & direct our steps in the ways of goodness that come through the cross of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior & Lord. Amen. SERMON TEXT- Matthew 4:12-23 12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth & made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun & Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles- 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, & for those who sat in the region & shadow of death light has dawned. 17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. 18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, & Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, Follow me, & I will make you fish for people. 20 Immediately they left their nets & followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee & his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, & he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat & their father, & followed him. 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues & proclaiming the good news of the kingdom & curing every disease & every sickness among the people. LISTENING TO... GOD- Christian life is rooted in the Father, Son & Holy Spirit 1. Compare & contrast today s Gospel with last week s (John 1:29-42); how do they fit together & what is difficult to reconcile? 2. What does Jesus proclamation imply (about himself; v17)? See Exodus 15:18; Numbers 23:21; 1 Samuel 8:7, Psalms 29:10, 46:6, 47:6-7, 95:3, 103:19; Isaiah 37:16; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Ezekiel 37:22, 24; Matthew 27:11; 1 Timothy 1:17 EACH OTHER- Sharing & growing with our brothers & sisters in Christ 3. What does the iconic phrase fishers of men (KJV, v19) mean to you? Note this is commercial net fishing, not hook & line. 4. Following Jesus (vv19-20, 22) isn t about traveling directions, but rather learning from him how to live everyday life; how do you learn from Jesus & how much of your 168 hours each week is devoted to this? See Luke 6:46; John 14:23-24; Romans 7:15-25a NEIGHBORS- Bearing fruit for those not yet our brothers & sisters 5. In Matthew 13:47-50 not all of the fish are keepers; what does this mean for evangelism & outreach efforts? How about our ability to rekindle those no longer sharing the life of faith? See 13:1-53, 7:15-21, 25:31-46; Luke 14:16-24; 1 John 2:19 6. Consider Jesus words at his Ascension (28:19-20, disciples=followers); how do you do this for your family & your neighbors- at home & work? What help do you need?
Third Sunday after Epiphany 01/22/2017 Learning Time Rev. Jared Stillions When the Teacher Calls on You Disciples are folks who learn, first & foremost -Notes- KEY VERSE: & he said to them, Follow me, & I will make you fish for people. (v19) -NEXT STEPS MEMORY VERSE- Jesus preached the good news of the kingdom & cured every sickness among the people. (Matthew 4:23)
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany 01/29/2017 NEXT STEP: STUDY & SHARE READINGS Micah 6:1-8 Psalm 15 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Matthew 5:1-12 PRAYER OF THE DAY Holy God, you confound the world s wisdom in giving your kingdom to the lowly & the pure in heart. Give us such a hunger & thirst for justice, & perseverance in striving for peace, that in our words & deeds the world may see the life of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior & Lord. Amen. SERMON TEXT- Matthew 5:1-12 1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; & after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, & taught them, saying: 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger & thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people revile you & persecute you & utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice & be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. LISTENING TO... GOD- Christian life is rooted in the Father, Son & Holy Spirit 1. Compare the Gospel to Micah 6:1-8; how well does it fit with the Beatitudes? Is Jesus saying something new? What is different? See Deuteronomy 10:12-13; 1 Samuel 15:22; Proverbs 21:3; Isaiah 1:16-19, 57:15, 58: 6-11, 66:2; Jeremiah 22:3; Hosea 6:6; Luke 4:16-21; John 18:37 2. By identifying his disciples (v1) with the prophets (v12), Jesus empowers & sets them apart from the (Old Testament) Levites, priests, & rulers; what difference does this make? See Acts 2:1-4, 14-21, 38; 1 Corinthians 12:4-12; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 4:1-16; Hebrews 4:14; 1 Peter 2:9; EACH OTHER- Sharing & growing with our brothers & sisters in Christ 3. Church Father Tertullian wrote in the AD 100s, The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church; share how the difficulties of maintaining a public, outward, orthodox Christian faith have enriched your life. Address your diligence & shortcomings. 4. Tell about some ways you ve witnessed the Beatitudes in your everyday life. See 1 Corinthians 12:26; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 2:1-10; Galatians 4:12-14; Philippians 2:17; Hebrews 10:34, 13:13; Revelation 2:10 NEIGHBORS- Bearing fruit for those not yet our brothers & sisters 5. Take a moment & review the Inaugural Address of 1 Democrat & 1 Republican, beginning with President Carter; how well do these Christian nation speeches align with Jesus teaching above? Why do you think that is? 6. The Beatitudes occupy a central place in Christian moral/ethical teaching; how do they provide a counter vision & counter culture to what we see in our own society?
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany 01/29/2017 Learning Time Rev. Jared Stillions Remedial Class We re so ready to get on with it that we leap over the basic lessons -Notes- KEY VERSE: [A]fter he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, & taught them (vv1b-2) -NEXT STEPS MEMORY VERSE- Rejoice & be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. (Matthew 5:12)
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany 02/05/2017 NEXT STEP: STUDY & SHARE READINGS Isaiah 58:1-12 Psalm 112:1-10 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 Matthew 5:13-20 PRAYER OF THE DAY Lord God, with endless mercy you receive the prayers of all who call upon you. By your Spirit show us the things we ought to do, & give us the grace & power to do them, through Jesus Christ, our Savior & Lord. Amen. SERMON TEXT- Isaiah 58:1-12 1 Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. 2 Yet day after day they seek me & delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness & did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God. 3 Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice? Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, & oppress all your workers. 4 Look, you fast only to quarrel & to fight & to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. 5 Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, & to lie in sackcloth & ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? 6 Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, & to break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, & bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, & not to hide yourself from your own kin? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, & your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, & the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, & he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, 10 if you offer your food to the hungry & satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness & your gloom be like the noonday. 11 The Lord will guide you continually, & satisfy your needs in parched places, & make your bones strong; & you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. 12 Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in. LISTENING TO... GOD- Christian life is rooted in the Father, Son & Holy Spirit 1. Which is correct & why: A) if Israel is righteous (vv3-7, 9b-10) then God will repay them with blessings (vv8-9a, 11-12) or B) Israel s unrepentant unrighteousness is a rejection of God & his blessings? See Matthew 13:34-58, 23:(1-36), 37-38; John 3:16-17; Small Catechism: Sacraments 2. God mocks Israel s faithless spirituality (vv3, 5); as Lutherans we know faith receives God s gifts (Romans 3:28--4:24). What s the necessary ingredient? See Matthew 3:11; John 14:26, 15:26, 16:7; Acts 2:1-4, 14-21; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 EACH OTHER- Sharing & growing with our brothers & sisters in Christ 3. Tell of a time (or times) when you didn t get your way with God despite your outward righteousness (prayer, Bible reading, worship, giving, etc.; vv2-3a); what did you learn about God? See Matthew 5:20,45, 21:28-32; Mark 9:33-34; Luke 18:9-14 4. Much of the Old Testament law is about protecting & caring for the neighbor (and maintaining the public peace); Martin Luther continues this reasoning in the Small Catechism explanation of the 10 Commandments. How does this Biblical insight compare & contrast with your outlook on laws & public policy? NEIGHBORS- Bearing fruit for those not yet our brothers & sisters 5. What does this text have to say about loving our neighbors? See Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 12:46-50 6. What can our neighbors learn about God and his grace through our faith active in love of them? See Galatians 5:6; James 2:14-21
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany 02/05/2017 Learning Time Rev. Jared Stillions Community School To do the things we re taught requires neighbors -Notes- KEY VERSE: [I]f you offer your food to the hungry & satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. (v10) -NEXT STEPS MEMORY VERSE- Jesus says, I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will have the light of life. (John 8:12)
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany 02/12/2017 NEXT STEP: STUDY & SHARE READINGS Sirach 15:15-20 Psalm 119:1-8 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Matthew 5:21-37 PRAYER OF THE DAY O God, the strength of all who hope in you, because we are weak mortals we accomplish nothing good without you. Help us to see & understand the things we ought to do, & give us grace & power to do them, through Jesus Christ, our Savior & Lord. Amen. SERMON TEXT- Matthew 5:21-37 [Jesus said to the disciples:] 21 You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, You shall not murder ; & whoever murders shall be liable to judgment. 22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; & if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; & if you say, You fool, you will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar & go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, & then come & offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, & the judge to the guard, & you will be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. 27 You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out & throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off & throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell. 31 It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce. 32 But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; & whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 33 Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord. 34 But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be Yes, Yes or No, No ; anything more than this comes from the evil one. LISTENING TO... GOD- Christian life is rooted in the Father, Son & Holy Spirit 1. First, let s review A) Jesus Old Testament references & B) Jesus connection to Scripture, God s word. See Exodus 20:13-14; Deuteronomy5:17, 24:1; Leviticus 19:12; Luke 24:44; John 1:1-3, 6:68, 7:17, 8:14, 18, 28, 12:49, 14:10, 2. Let s also review the connection between the Law & the Christian s life. See Romans 3:19--4:5, 6:15, 7:7--8:11; Galatians 3:23-29, 5:1-6, 22-26; Hebrews 10:1-32; James 2:15-17 EACH OTHER- Sharing & growing with our brothers & sisters in Christ 3. Jimmy Carter famously told the truth to the world, admitting he had lusted in his heart after women (vv27-28) & was ridiculed; what stops you from being truthful & bringing your desires/libido under Biblical limits? See Small Catechism-6th Commandment 4. The point of swearing to God, on your mother s grave, so help me God etc. is to invoke divine punishment upon yourself should the truth not perfectly match your words (cf. vv 34-37; what prevents your words from standing alone as truthful? See SC-2nd Commandment NEIGHBORS- Bearing fruit for those not yet our brothers & sisters 5. Forgiveness (vv21-26) & chastity (vv27-30) may be the most cutting edge things Christians can do in the world; thinking of your neighbors (home & work), how would your public model of each show a difference between the baptized faith and the world? 6. How does Jesus hyperbole (great exaggeration to make a point; cf. vv24*, 29-30, 36?, 39-41?, 48?) make his preaching more or less relevant to our neighbors? *The exaggeration is to leave Jerusalem on foot, go home to, say, Galilee, & then return before sundown.
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany 02/12/2017 Learning Time Rev. Jared Stillions He Wrote the Textbook The Old Testament Law taught us like a textbook until the Professor came to teach us personally -Notes- KEY VERSE: You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, You shall not murder ; & whoever murders shall be liable to judgment. But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment. (v21-22a) -NEXT STEPS MEMORY VERSE- You are the light of the world. A city set upon a hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14)
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany 02/19/2017 NEXT STEP: STUDY & SHARE READINGS Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 Psalm 119:33-40 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 Matthew 5:38-48 PRAYER OF THE DAY Holy God of compassion, you invite us into your way of forgiveness & peace. Lead us to love our enemies, & transform our words & deeds to be like his through whom we pray, Jesus Christ, our Savior & Lord. Amen. SERMON TEXT- Matthew 5:38-48 [Jesus said to the disciples:] 38 You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye & a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40 and if anyone wants to sue you & take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42 Give to everyone who begs from you, & do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. 43 You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor & hate your enemy. 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies & pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil & on the good, & sends rain on the righteous & on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers & sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. LISTENING TO... GOD- Christian life is rooted in the Father, Son & Holy Spirit 1. First, let s review A) Jesus Old Testament references & B) Jesus connection to Scripture, God s word. How can we know both that Jesus words are authoritative & non-contradictory? See Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 19:2, 18, 24:20 Deuteronomy 15:7-11:1, 18:13; Luke 24:44; John 1:1-3, 6:68, 7:17, 8:14, 18, 28, 12:49, 14:10 2. Read the Passion (Matthew 26:36--27:61; see also Mark 14:32--15:47, Luke 22:39--23:56, John 18:1--19:42); how well does Jesus practice what he preaches? EACH OTHER- Sharing & growing with our brothers & sisters in Christ 3. Notice very carefully to whom Jesus is speaking. Is he excusing others bad behavior (vv39-41, 42)? How does he teach us to deal with it? Does he leave room for BMG- bellyaching, moaning, griping? See 1 Corinthians 1:6-11, Galatians 5:13-26 4. In vv41, 45 Jesus makes a causal relationship between our actions & status as God s children. Which is he saying & why: A) that our actions make us children of God or B) already God s children we act thusly? See Matthew 3:7-11, John 8:34-47; Ephesians 2:8-10 NEIGHBORS- Bearing fruit for those not yet our brothers & sisters 5. Let s consider v47 from an outreach & evangelism perspective; what does it tell you if everyone you know is already a believer or already affiliated with a congregation? Consider that even in the Bible belt, only 25% or so of our neighbors are regularly & frequently affiliated with a local congregation. 6. Our society is polarized that the news reported families cancelling Thanksgiving dinners as a result of the election; how can you pray for others you don t like without praying something like, God make them more agreeable to me? How can you model loving across the aisle with neighbors at home & work?
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany 02/19/2017 Learning Time Rev. Jared Stillions The Hardest Class Loving our enemies may be Jesus hardest lesson, especially for middleclass folks with few enemies -Notes- KEY VERSE: But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. (v44-45a) -NEXT STEPS MEMORY VERSE- In those who obey the word of Christ, the love of God has reached perfection. (1 John 2:5)