Holy Trinity Sunday (GA) June 3rd

Matthew 28:16-20

¹⁶ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷ And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. ¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Jesus Christ came into the flesh for one great and mighty purpose.  He was going to redeem his people from their sins.  He was going to reveal this redemption to the world.  So Jesus Christ sends his disciples out into the world to proclaim what he has done.  But He does not send them out alone.  He sends them out with the Holy Spirit.

But here is the blessing.  He sends them out with simple instructions on how to make disciples.  These eleven disciples were made disciples by Jesus Christ our Lord.  They were chosen by him to carry the banner of Christ into the World.  But Jesus gives them another list of instructions.  They are to make disciples by baptizing and teaching other people in the true faith.

Jesus Christ's mission is complete through his death upon the cross for the forgiveness of the sins of all mankind.  Christ's hands the mission of revealing this truth to his disciples and those who follow in their footsteps.  But he reveals something more, even in these last words.  Jesus Christ reveals not only that He is true God and true man and even one with the Father, but he reveals the Holy Trinity.  The Name of Yahweh is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  This is the one who has guided the people of Israel.  This is the one who hung on the cross.  This is the one who guides the church still today.  All three persons in One God.

Jesus has truly revealed a great deal to his disciples.  These disciples have a difficult task when they are to teach others to observe or keep everything he has told them.

Holy Trinity Sunday (OTA)

Numbers 6:22-27

²² The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ²³ “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,

²⁴ The Lord bless you and keep you;

²⁵ the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

²⁶ the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

²⁷ “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”

Every Sunday there are two Bible passages that I read.  The first comes from Matthew 28 which is part of the Gospel Alternative for Holy Trinity Sunday in the Year of Matthew and the other is this passage.  The reason why I speak these passages every Sunday is because they are the proclamation of the Name of God to place it upon his people.  These passages tell us, the name of God and remind us of his eternal blessing.


The Christian Church in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism marks each baptized person by placing the name of God upon them.  Moses was commanded by the Lord to have Aaron bless the people in this manor.  With this blessing, the people of Israel would receive the name of the Lord upon the people.  Numbers chapter 6 reminds us that God has provided the promises of Baptism and salvation to the people of Israel, even St Paul will point back to the people of Israel being baptized under Moses.


You can read or hear people talk greatly about the threefold statement and the proclamation of the Holy Trinity even to the people of Israel.  The Holy Trinity was not something invented by the Christian Church.  But I have always appreciated the understanding that, "So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel."  This is clearly a proclamation of the Name of the LORD, by His own explanation.  


Adam and Eve were created in the image of God.  Every Son of Adam and Daughter of Eve have received the image of their sin and corruption.  So God has desired to place his name upon His people.  He has desired to restore His Image to the people of God.  He has taken in the first steps through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  And He has clothed us in Jesus Christ.  And He has placed His Holy Name upon you.

Holy Trinity Sunday (Ps)

Psalm 110:1-7

¹ The Lord says to my Lord:

“Sit at my right hand,

until I make your enemies your footstool.”

² The Lord sends forth from Zion

your mighty scepter.

Rule in the midst of your enemies!

³ Your people will offer themselves freely

on the day of your power,

in holy garments;

from the womb of the morning,

the dew of your youth will be yours.

⁴ The Lord has sworn

and will not change his mind,

“You are a priest forever

after the order of Melchizedek.”

⁵ The Lord is at your right hand;

he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.

⁶ He will execute judgment among the nations,

filling them with corpses;

he will shatter chiefs

over the wide earth.

⁷ He will drink from the brook by the way;

therefore he will lift up his head.

David writes a Psalm of praise, or a psalm of prophecy.  The Lord has sat down beside King David and given him rest from his enemies on all sides.  But the Lord is still to shatter the kings of the earth and fill the nations with corpses.  Here is the phrase I would like to look at, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."

This statement can not be said of David, because David is a King and not a Priest.  But the Lord will not change his mind.  The Lord has declared through the Mouth of David, that David's Lord will sit at the right hand of the LORD his God.  David's Lord will be like Melchizedek a King and a Priest of God.  Who is this Lord?  Jesus Christ is Prophet, Priest, and King.

Jesus will come to execute judgment among the nations.  Jesus has taken his seat at the right hand of God the Father.  Jesus has been given the scepter of Judah.  He has been given the priesthood of Melchizedek.  He will shatter the chiefs of the world.  Jesus will come as Judge and fill the nations with corpses.  Jesus will proclaim judgment upon his Enemies.

The greatest Enemy all of us face is Death.  Jesus Christ has conquered death through his sacrifice on the cross.  He has won the victory for each of us.  He has claimed the inheritance of everlasting life for you.  This is the Lord Jesus Christ who has taken his seat at the right hand of my LORD God and he is my Lord and Savior.

Holy Trinity Sunday (NTA)

James 2:18-26

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! ²⁰ Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; ²³ and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. ²⁴ You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. ²⁵ And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? ²⁶ For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Probably one of my favorite passages in the book of James, "You believe that God is one; you do well.  Even the demons believe--and shudder!"  There are Christians who tell me that we don't need to worry about things beyond our comprehension.  The Holy Trinity is truly beyond our comprehension.  But it is important to at least believe what the demons know to be true.


The Devil may be able to tell us lies.  The Devil may be able to lead God's people into corruption and false doctrine.  But the Devil can not deny what he himself know to be certain.  The Devil and all his minions know that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  The God of Abraham has granted the gift of faith to his people.  The Devil can not tell God or humans that he does not know this to be true.


The Devil will stand there and cheer on liars and thieves.  The Devil will give strength and courage to those who teach falsely.  He will walk with people who deny the Holy Trinity.  But he himself can not unbeleive what he has seen and heard.


If the Devil knows these things, should Christians set them aside for more important things?  No, Christians should stand firm.  Christians should maintain the truth of who God has revealed himself to be.  The God of Israel is  Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God now and Forever.

Holy Trinity Sunday (G)

Matthew 11:20-30

²⁰ Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. ²¹ “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. ²² But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. ²³ And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. ²⁴ But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

²⁵ At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; ²⁶ yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. ²⁷ All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ²⁸ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Chorazin, Bethsaida, Tyre, Sidon, and now Jerusalem have all been shown greater signs than were done for the people of Sodom.  The Day of Judgment will truly be worse for these people and for us, than for Sodom.  There are many people still today that reflect upon Sodom and Gomorrah as being the worst of all sinners throughout all time.  But the truth must be told they were not given mighty signs or calls to repentance like all of us.

Thank the Lord and sing his praise.  He is the God of heaven and earth.  He is the one who has loved his children to have mercy upon them and call them to repentance.  The Father has sent his only begotten Son into the flesh not to condemn the world but to save it.  He sends his Son in the world to reveal the truth of the Holy Trinity.

God does not reveal himself to everyone.  God has not shown himself to everyone.  But God reveals himself to his little children.  God is revealing himself to you.  God shows us throw Jesus Christ our Lord who he really is.  God has given us new life, through Christ's sacrifice.  God shows these great signs and wonders to Chorazin, Bethsaida, Tyre, Sidon, Jerusalem, and now to you.  Christ has died and Christ has risen.  May God continue to reveal himself to you throughout your life into life eternal.

Holy Trinity Sunday (OT)

Jeremiah 33:14-26

¹⁴ “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. ¹⁵ In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. ¹⁶ In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

¹⁷ “For thus says the Lord: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, ¹⁸ and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man in my presence to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to make sacrifices forever.”

¹⁹ The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: ²⁰ “Thus says the Lord: If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night will not come at their appointed time, ²¹ then also my covenant with David my servant may be broken, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne, and my covenant with the Levitical priests my ministers. ²² As the host of heaven cannot be numbered and the sands of the sea cannot be measured, so I will multiply the offspring of David my servant, and the Levitical priests who minister to me.”

²³ The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: ²⁴ “Have you not observed that these people are saying, ‘The Lord has rejected the two clans that he chose’? Thus they have despised my people so that they are no longer a nation in their sight. ²⁵ Thus says the Lord: If I have not established my covenant with day and night and the fixed order of heaven and earth, ²⁶ then I will reject the offspring of Jacob and David my servant and will not choose one of his offspring to rule over the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them.”

The LORD God has promised that upon David's throne one will sit forever.  Upon the throne of Israel will always be seated the Son of David and the Son of God.  This is the covenant God has made with his people that his Kingdom will last forever.  He even  offers the promise to multiply the Levites.

Why are these promises necessary to be given to Jeremiah?  Jeremiah lives at a time when death is coming to the nation of Israel.  Death and exile has been declared upon the people of God.  They have turned their back on God.  They have sinned against God.  God has declared through the lips of Jeremiah that death and exile are at their door.

But he does remind them of this promise.  God proclaims hope to the people of Israel who may only see death.  God is going to multiply the sons of David and sons of Levi.  He will restore the throne of David and not allow it to fall silent or still.  But he will still keep his promises to Israel.  God will place David's Son and David's Lord to sit upon his throne forever.  This is Jesus Christ our Lord.  This is the one who the people rejected.  This is the one who will give the people new life.

Jesus Christ has died for the forgiveness of sins.  He has taken his place at the right hand of God the Father almighty.  He has taken his place upon the throne of David.  He has multiplied the sons of Abraham, by making you his descendants.  He has established his Kingdom for eternity.

Holy Trinity Sunday (CL)

Acts 2:22-36

²² “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— ²³ this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. ²⁴ God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. ²⁵ For David says concerning him,

“ ‘I saw the Lord always before me,

for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;

²⁶ therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;

my flesh also will dwell in hope.

²⁷ For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,

or let your Holy One see corruption.

²⁸ You have made known to me the paths of life;

you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

²⁹ “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. ³⁰ Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, ³¹ he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. ³² This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. ³³ Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. ³⁴ For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at my right hand,

³⁵ until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’

³⁶ Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

This work was not achieved by Christ himself.  We say salvation belongs to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given us life.  Jesus Christ died for our sins.  Jesus Christ has been raised to new life so that we may have life.  But St Peter stands before the people and still reminds them this work is not just of some man, but the work of God, the Holy Trinity.

"Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing."  What we see and hear does not come from Christ alone, but God alone.  It is the Work of the Father who loved the world and has had compassion on all his children.  It is the Work of Christ our Lord who came in the flesh and died for our sins.  It is the Work of the Holy Spirit by whom Christ was conceived and by whom the people still bear witness.

The work of the Holy Trinity is the work of our Creation, Redemption, and Sanctification.  Therefore, our faith must not be placed in the God/Man but in the Holy Trinity in Holy Unity.  St Peter proclaims this truth.  Just as David's statement of "The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand," was one of great confusion as to whether it applied to his Son or his God.  Jesus Christ brings both those truths together.

This is the Holy Catholic faith that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  They are united together and work together for our Salvation.  

The Day of Pentecost (Ps) May 27th

Psalm 47:1-9

¹ Clap your hands, all peoples!

Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

² For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared,

a great king over all the earth.

³ He subdued peoples under us,

and nations under our feet.

⁴ He chose our heritage for us,

the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah

⁵ God has gone up with a shout,

the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

⁶ Sing praises to God, sing praises!

Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

⁷ For God is the King of all the earth;

sing praises with a psalm!

⁸ God reigns over the nations;

God sits on his holy throne.

⁹ The princes of the peoples gather

as the people of the God of Abraham.

For the shields of the earth belong to God;

he is highly exalted! (ESV)

"God has gone up with a shout," and Jesus Christ has ascended into heaven. He has sent his people the Counselor, his Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ has given his people a reason to sing praises to God. They will be able to shout concerning their heritage as people of Israel.

There are always reasons to sing and shout to the Lord with thanksgiving.  Some people will do this because they have woken up in the morning.  Others will do this because they have received some other blessing from God.  Some even shout and sing in time of mourning reminding themselves that God has done great things for them.

All of us need to sing and shout for another reason.  Ezekiel was supposed to blow the trumpet and shout so people would remember to fear the Lord.  St Peter and the disciples were praising God and pointing people to Christ their Savior.  We sing to help people remember what Christ has done for us.  We shout so that people can hear us over the business of the world and their cell phones.  We play instruments so that people will be tricked into listening to a truthful message like entertainment.  We write and make videos so people around the world can know the truth of Jesus Christ.

This is the truth.  God has come to bring wrath upon the people of the earth.  He comes with plagues, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, lightning, thunder, and trumpets.  (Trumpets should probably be thought of as modern sirens.)  But God has also come to bring hope to his people.  He has come to share his Love through Jesus Christ, his son, our Lord.

God gives us reason to be happy, since he has sacrificed his only son for the forgiveness of your sins.  He has died so we may have life.  This is the truth.

The Day of Pentecost (GA)

Matthew 12:22-32

²² Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. ²³ And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” ²⁴ But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” ²⁵ Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. ²⁶ And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? ²⁷ And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. ²⁸ But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. ²⁹ Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. ³⁰ Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. ³¹ Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. ³² And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (ESV)

The Spirit of God verse the Spirit of the Devil could bring us to a very interesting point.  Jesus Christ points out that these two Spirits are warring with one another.  The Spirit of God has the power to cast out the spirit of Satan.  The Spirit of God is a very powerful spirit to speak great things to the people of God.

"Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."  How can the one who has died for the forgiveness of all sins say this?  How can a man plunder a Rich Man's house?  Jesus comes like a thief in the night.  He comes and ties Satan up or binds him.  He casts out demons of Satan as an act of binding this strong man.

Likewise, the Satan has been in the world.  He is a thief trying to steal and condemn the people of God.  So he tries to bind up the Holy Spirit.  He tells lies to limit the power of the Holy Spirit.  He teaches people blasphemous ideas concerning the Holy Spirit.  Satan has convinced a great number of Christians that they can believe in God by their own reason and strength.

God tells us the Holy Spirit gives us the gifts of Faith, hope, and Love.  The greatest of these gifts is Love, because God first loved us.  God sent his Son into the flesh to die for the forgiveness of all your sins.  The Holy Spirit also has given us Hope in Jesus Christ's Resurrection that we will Rise to new life on the Last Day.  But He has also given us the first precious gift of Faith.

The Holy Spirit is the one who grants faith to fallen and corrupt creatures of the flesh.  Humans by their own reason or strength can not come to Faith on their own.  But the Holy Spirit has given them faith by which they are saved.  

The Day of Pentecost (G)

Matthew 18:15-35

¹⁵ “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. ¹⁶ But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. ¹⁷ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. ¹⁸ Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. ¹⁹ Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

²¹ Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” ²² Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

²³ “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵ And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. ²⁶ So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ ²⁷ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. ²⁸ But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ ²⁹ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ ³⁰ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. ³¹ When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. ³² Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ³³ And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ ³⁴ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. ³⁵ So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” (ESV)

How many times do I have to forgive my brother?  When your brother sins, you need to confront him with the truth!  This is not to condemn your brother for his sin, but call him to repentance.  This is the loving act of a brother, to point out your brother's sins.  How many times should we forgive our brother?

Jesus illustrates his point by the parable of the unforgiving servant.  The King has forgiven him a great debt.  But he was not willing to forgive the debt of his brother or fellow slave.  We are brothers with our fellow slaves of Jesus Christ.  We have been forgiven our sins.  But if my brother has a debt and I ignore it is that the same as forgiveness.  If I do not tell my brother that he has sinned, then can that sin really be forgiven.

As slaves of Christ, we honor our Lord and master by recognizing the debts of our fellow slaves.  We call people to repentance.  There are sins of sexual immorality.  There are sins of greed.  There are sins of gluttony.  There are sins of many different kinds.  We confess our sins before God and one another.  When our brother confesses his sins, we should forgive those sins.  We forgive others because God has forgiven all our sins.

Jesus Christ has died for the forgiveness of your sins.  Jesus Christ made this sacrifice so that you could have life and salvation.  This gift should be shared between all the slaves of Christ.

The Day of Pentecost (OTA)

Ezekiel 33:1-9

1 The word of the Lord came to me: ² “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, ³ and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, ⁴ then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. ⁵ He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. ⁶ But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.

⁷ “So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. ⁸ If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. ⁹ But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. (ESV)

Ezekiel was made a watchmen over the House of Israel, because the Word of the LORD was given in his mouth.  Ezekiel was to proclaim the judgment of God against the People of Israel.  God had proclaimed his judgment concerning Israel.  Israel will be destroyed by the sword.


The basic outline is this.  When the watchmen sees disaster on the horizon, he is to make sure the trumpet is blown and the people are warned.  If the people do not flee for safety or gather their forces together for a confrontation, then their blood is on their own head.  But if the people are not warned by the watchmen, this judgment falls on the head of the Watchmen.


On the Day of Pentecost, the LORD comes to other people to make them his watchmen.  Jesus gathered his disciples together to make them his witnesses to Israel and the ends of the Earth.  Likewise, they are watchmen who have the word of God placed in their mouths.  God has poured out his Holy Spirit upon each of us.  God has placed his word in your mouth to speak before others.

St Peter stands up among the people of Israel and calls them to repent of their sins.  Ezekiel was called to stand up before the people of Israel and call them to repentance.  God has called us to call you to repentance.  We live in a world full of sin and corruption.  We live among people who avoid facing their sins by claiming tolerance and acceptance.  But we speak the truth, confess all your Sins.

Christ has died for your sins.  Christ is the one who gives the power to forgive your Sins.  Holy Spirit grants us faith in Jesus Christ.  God has made us his witnesses.  God has forgiven our sins.  He has given us a life to live as watchmen looking out for other people.  Warning other people of the Power of Death and eternal torment in Hell.  But You have also been given Life eternal through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PS: The Selection is only Ezekiel 33:7-9

The Day of Pentecost (CL)

Acts 2:1-21

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. ² And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³ And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

⁵ Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. ⁷ And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? ⁹ Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, ¹¹ both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” ¹² And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” ¹³ But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

¹⁴ But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. ¹⁵ For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. ¹⁶ But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

¹⁷ “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams;

¹⁸ even on my male servants and female servants

in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

¹⁹ And I will show wonders in the heavens above

and signs on the earth below,

blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;

²⁰ the sun shall be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood,

before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.

²¹ And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (ESV)

Why are there all these different groups of people in Jerusalem? They are there because of this celebration called Pentecost, which occurs some 50 days after Passover.  Some people will tell us that the Holy Spirit comes now because of all the people who are gathered in Jerusalem.  But at the same time were there not the same number of people in town at the Passover.

Yes, Jesus Christ would have been viewed on the cross by a great number of People during the celebration of the Passover.  Likewise, when he was raised from the dead, and those who were raised during the earthquake would have been seen by a great number of people.  But here the circle is complete.  These people return 50 days later to this scene and find these disciples talking in tongues.

For us the lesson from these groups of people should be a lesson we learn from Islam actually.  Pilgrimages are important.  When have you take a pilgrimage for your faith?  When was the last time you traveled not because of Family, a Funeral, Work, Vacation, and the like, but for Jesus Christ?  Someone once told me they were going on a mission trip, so they could travel for Jesus.

All these people traveled to Jerusalem to give praise to their God.  Many of these were brought to Faith because of the Word proclaimed to them.  But there is something very strange that we have skipped over.  The disciples start presumably in the upper room, but the text really just says gathered in one place.  Then they find themselves on the streets or out speaking to these people.  When did they travel?

We do our pilgrimages everyday.  Muslims travel to Mecca.  Jews travel to Israel or Jerusalem.  Christians travel to the lost people of the World.  This journey takes place everyday.  As we pray to God for the forgiveness of our Sins, as we remember our Baptism, we are making our own pilgrimage for Christ.  We are on our journey with Jesus Christ, each and every day.  Remember your last trip with Jesus?

PS: the Alternative is Acts 2:1-12

The Seventh Sunday of Easter (Ps) May 20th

Psalm 140:1-13

      1       Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men;

      preserve me from violent men,

            2       who plan evil things in their heart

      and stir up wars continually.

            3       They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s,

      and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah

            4       Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;

      preserve me from violent men,

      who have planned to trip up my feet.

            5       The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,

      and with cords they have spread a net;

      beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah

            6       I say to the LORD, You are my God;

      give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O LORD!

            7       O LORD, my Lord, the strength of my salvation,

      you have covered my head in the day of battle.

            8       Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;

      do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah

            9       As for the head of those who surround me,

      let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!

            10       Let burning coals fall upon them!

      Let them be cast into fire,

      into miry pits, no more to rise!

            11       Let not the slanderer be established in the land;

      let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!

            12       I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted,

      and will execute justice for the needy.

            13       Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;

      the upright shall dwell in your presence.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Ps 140:1–13). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

I would suggest reading through this Psalm a couple of times.  This truth is so prevalent in today's society.  There are people trying to tear down the church from the inside and outside.  There are people who are defiling the Word of God in Sermons on Sunday mornings.  Then there are also people speaking in the public square about tolerance and equality, while speaking against good morals and biblical truth.

People in the world around us are lost.  They have been devoured by these evil men and their teachings.  But Christians should not stand alone.  We should stand together united around the word of God.  We should stand united against Homosexuality, Abortion, and those who would cut up the scriptures for their own sinful desires.  Christians should stand united with Christ.

But this is the problem.  People know the truth that Jesus Christ came to die for the forgiveness of their sins.  But often times people forget to recognize what those sins are.  And if they do recognize something to be a sin, does that mean we continue to do it.  Homosexuality is a sin.  Abortion is a sin.  Divorce is a sin.  Hatred is a sin.  Cheating or Stealing from our neighbor is a sin.  Jesus Christ has died for the forgiveness of all these sins.  He has cleansed us from all unrighteousness.  He makes us clean through his blood poured out from his Cross on Mt Calvary.

He has created in us a clean heart.  He is the one who stands by our side to guard and protect us from the evil one.  He is the one who is there to encourage us to do what is right.  He is the one who strengthens us in the true faith.  He empowers us not to continue in sin, but to turn from sin and lead Holy Lives.

The Seventh Sunday of Easter (GA)

Matthew 26:14-16, 47-56

14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Mt 26:14–16). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Mt 26:47–56). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Judas betrayed our Lord Jesus Christ.  He handed him over to the chief priests, scribes, and leaders of the church.  Judas did these things.  Judas betrayed his Lord with a kiss.  Judas sold this man for thirty pieces of silver.  He leads soldiers out to the garden so that they could seize Jesus.

All these things took place to fulfill the scriptures.  All which Judas had done was prophesied by the prophets of old.  All these things were done to fulfill scripture.  Thus, Judas does what God told the prophets in the past.  But Judas has come out with soldiers to betray the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jeremiah prayed that he had never been born so that he would not see the dark days of Jerusalem.  Job prayed that he had died in his Mother's womb so that he would not have to face pain and suffering.  Jesus says of Judas, it would be better if he had never been born.  Judas will conclude his part of this tale by hanging himself.

There are many people in the world who face trials and tribulation.  We face struggles and temptations.  We face pain and suffering.  Job and Jeremiah turned to one place to get them through these struggles.  Judas turned to another place.  The place we turn to is the cross of Christ.  Jesus has died for the forgiveness of all our sins.  He gives us certain hope in eternal life through the cross of Christ.  This is where we turn when we wish we had never lived.  God has given us life.  He has given us life eternal through Jesus Christ.

The Seventh Sunday of Easter (OTA)

Genesis 19:23-29

23 The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. 24 Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD out of heaven. 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

27 And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD. 28 And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley, and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace.

29 So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Ge 19:23–29). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

If you recall, Jesus said it would be better for Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment than you.  There could be great speculation as to why Jesus actually says this.  One could argue that the cry that has come before God for the wickedness of the world today (or at the time of Jesus) is greater than that which was heard concerning Sodom and Gomorrah.

But would could also notice, that Sodom and Gomorrah did not have Jonah or some other Prophet come into their town and warn them of coming destruction.  They did have Lot urge them not to miss treat these men who had come under his roof.  But Sodom and Gomorrah were not told if we can make 10 righteous people you will be saved.

Abraham prayed for God to narrow it down to 10 righteous people.  Lot welcomed the messengers of God under his roof.  But the people were not asked to repent and believe.  In same ways even Lot and his family were not asked to repent.  They were ordered not to turn back toward Sodom and Gomorrah.  Lot's wife failed this small command and was turned into a pillar of Salt.

Why will it be worse for those standing before Jesus than for those destroyed in Sodom and Gomorrah?  Jesus Christ has called us all to repent of our sinful deeds.  He has told us of the way of Salvation.  He has shown us the Hope of eternal life.  He has presented the whole truth before our eyes.  This is why we will judged worse then them.  Because if Sodom and Gomorrah had seen the miracles that we know God did, they would have repented.  (This still should apply even to those who can only read about them in the Bible.)  We have been given a witness, to tell us of the Love of God.