TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
PROPER 23B
13 October 2024
 
Amos 5:6–7, 10–15
Hebrews 3:12–19
Mark 10:17–22
 
Christ Jesus Is the One and Only Good by Whom You Inherit Eternal Life
 
The Lord is the Author and Giver of life, as well as a consuming fire of judgment against all “who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate” (Amos 5:12). “Seek the LORD and live,” therefore, by hating what is evil, loving what is good and doing what is just and right, according to His Word. “And so the LORD, the God of hosts, will be with you” (Amos 5:6, 14–15). Understand that “no one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18). The life that you are called to live is found neither in your “great possessions,” nor in your good works, but only in Christ Jesus. Let go of “all that you have” and follow Him, even unto death, and “you will have treasure in heaven” (Mark 10:21–22). Do not harden your heart against His voice, nor turn away from Him, lest you “fall away from the living God.” Rather, hear and heed His call, cling to His Word and “exhort one another every day,” that you may remain steadfast in Christ and “firm to the end” (Heb. 3:12–15).

 

October 16 there will be no Midweek Divine Services

 

TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Proper 22B

6 October 2024

 

Genesis 2:18–25

Hebrews 2:1–13 (14–18)

Mark 10:2–16

 

Marriage Is a Sign that Manifests the Gospel of Christ and His Church

 

Humanity is created in the image and likeness of God. “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Gen. 2:18). For the Lord Himself is a perfect communion of three Persons — the Father, Son and Holy Spirit — in one God. Therefore, “the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs,” which “he made into a woman” and brought “to the man” (Gen. 2:21–22). It is for this reason that “a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24; Mark 10:7). This great mystery of holy marriage signifies Christ Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, and His Bride, the Church. Divorce and all manner of adultery contradict and undermine this sign, and in doing so, they confess a false Christ and a false gospel. “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate” (Mark 10:9). In truth, Christ Jesus has atoned for all such sins, and He has perfected marriage in Himself “through suffering,” that He might bring “many sons to glory” in His resurrection (Heb. 2:8–10).

Sermon:  True Beginning

 
English Standard Version
website:  BibleGateway.com
Join Us For Divine Services
 
Sundays at 10:15AM
with Holy Communion
 
 
October 9 and October 16 there will be no Midweek Divine Services
 

EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Proper 20B

22 September 2024

 

Jeremiah 11:18–20

James 3:13—4:10

Mark 9:30–37

 

Our Father Cares for His Children with the Gospel of His Son

 

The sinful heart is filled with “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition” (James 3:14), which causes hostility, quarrels and conflicts, even among those who are fellow members of the Body of Christ. This should not be so! Rather, God “opposes the proud” with His Law, in order to humble them unto repentance; He “gives grace to the humble,” in order to exalt them by His Gospel of forgiveness (James 4:6–10). This true “wisdom from above” is found in the gentleness, mercy and peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself and sacrificed Himself for the salvation of sinners (James 3:17). He was “like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter,” committing Himself to God, His Father, “who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind” (Jer. 11:19–20). Therefore, “after three days,” His Father exalted Him by raising Him from the dead (Mark 9:31). In Holy Baptism, He takes disciples of all ages into His arms like little children. In receiving Him through repentance and faith in His forgiveness of sins, they receive from His Father a share in the glory of His cross and resurrection (Mark 9:36–37).
 

The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the ninth chapter.

    30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.

Sermon:  Child Of God
 
English Standard Version
website:  BibleGateway.com